TIME: The following day, early afternoon. A storm is raging, with wind and rain and occasional bright flashes of lightning and heavy peals of thunder. ASHER is pacing up and down the room, folding and unfolding his hands behind his back, when AUGUSTA enters, lower right, her knitting in her hand. There is a flash and a peal of thunder. AUGUSTA. Oh! Asher, did you know that the elm at the end of the Common was struck just now?--that splendid old landmark! ASHER. All the old landmarks are being struck down, one after another. AUGUSTA (going up to him and putting her hand on his arm). I've been so nervous all day. Do be careful how you go about during this strike. Those sullen and angry groups of men on the street this morning-- ASHER. Oh, they wouldn't dare touch me. If we only had a state constabulary we'd soon break that sort of thing up. But the Legislature trembles whenever a labour leader opens his mouth. AUGUSTA (sitting down and taking up her knitting). If only I could be of some help to you! But it's always been so. ASHER. You've been a good wife, Augusta! AUGUSTA. I don't know. I've kept your house, I've seen that you were well fed, but I've been thinking lately how little that is for a woman--for a human being. ASHER (surprised). Why, Augusta! I can't remember the time when you haven't been busy. You've taken an active part in church work and looked out for the people of the village. AUGUSTA. Yes, and what has it all amounted to? The poor are ungrateful, they won't go near the church, and today they're buying pianos. Soon there won't be any poor to help. ASHER. That's so. We'll be the paupers, if this sort of thing keeps on. AUGUSTA. I've tried to do my duty as a Christian woman, but the world has no use, apparently, for Christians in these times. And whenever you have any really serious trouble, I seem to be the last person you take into your confidence. ASHER. I don't worry you with business matters. AUGUSTA. Because you do not regard me as your intellectual equal. ASHER. A woman has her sphere. You have always filled it admirably. AUGUSTA. “Adorn” is the word, I believe. ASHER. To hear you talk, one would think you'd been contaminated by Jonathan. You, of all people! AUGUSTA. There seems to be no place for a woman like me in these days,--I don't recognize the world I'm living in. ASHER. You didn't sleep a wink last night, thinking of George. AUGUSTA. I've given up all hope of ever seeing him again alive. (Enter DR. JONATHAN, lower right. His calmness is in contrast to the storm, and to the mental states of ASHER and AUGUSTA.) Why, Jonathan, what are you doing out in this storm? DR. JONATHAN. I came to see you, Augusta. AUGUSTA (knitting, trying to hide her perturbation at his appearance). Did you? You might have waited until the worst was over. You still have to be careful of your health, you know.