(THE CURTAIN falls and remains down a minute to indicate a lapse of three hours. When it rises again night has come, the lamps are lighted and the window curtains drawn. ASHER and AUGUSTA are discovered standing together. ASHER has a black, leather covered book in his hand, with one finger in the place where he has been reading. Both show the effects of a strain.) AUGUSTA (who has been speaking). And when we took him upstairs, I was sure he was going to die--it seemed to me as if nothing could save him. He's been sitting up and talking to us--of course he's pale and weak and wasted, but in spite of that, Asher, he seems to have a strength, a force that he didn't have before he went away. He isn't a boy any more. I can't describe it, but I'm almost afraid of him--! ASHER. He--he hasn't mentioned me? AUGUSTA. No, my dear--and since Jonathan warned me not to, I've said nothing about you. Why is it? ASHER. Jonathan's the master now. AUGUSTA. In spite of what I've felt about him, he has saved George for us. It seems a miracle. ASHER. A scientific miracle. AUGUSTA (indicating the book ASHER holds). And yet you were reading the Bible! ASHER. I just took it down. (He lays it on the table, and touches AUGUSTA, with an unwonted tenderness, on the shoulder). I think we may hope, now, Augusta. But before we can be sure that he'll get well, there's something else to be done. AUGUSTA (anxiously). What? ASHER. Go back to George,--I'll tell you later. It seems that we must trust Jonathan. Here he is now. (Enter DR. JONATHAN, lower right, as AUGUSTA departs.) DR. JONATHAN. George wants to get dressed, and come down. ASHER. You think it wise? DR. JONATHAN. Under the circumstances yes. The heart is practically normal again, we have done all that is physically possible. One half of the experiment seems to have succeeded, and the sooner we try the other half, the better. Are you still willing? ASHER. I'm prepared. I've carried out your--instructions--sent for the committee. DR. JONATHAN (looking at him). Good! ASHER (with an effort). Jonathan, I--I guess I misjudged you-- DR. JONATHAN (Smiling). Wait until you are sure. Nothing matters if we can save that boy. By the way, he asked for Timothy, and I've sent for him. ASHER. He asked for Timothy, and not for me! DR. JONATHAN. It seems he saw an officer of Bert's regiment, after the boy was killed. Here's the committee, I think. (The MAID enters, lower right. She does not speak, but ushers in HILLMAN, RENCH and FERSEN, and retires.) HILLMAN. | RENCH. |-Good evening, Mr. Pindar. Good evening, doctor. FERSEN. | ASHER. Good evening. (An awkward silence. From habit, ASHER stares at them defiantly, as DR. JONATHAN goes out, lower right.) HILLMAN (going up to ASHER). How's your son, Mr. Pindar? RENCH. We're real anxious about the Captain. FERSEN (nodding). The boys think a whole lot of him, Mr. Pindar.