THE UNCLE. Not to know where one is, not to know where one has come from, not to know whither one is going, not to be able to distinguish midday from midnight, or summer from winter--and always darkness, darkness! I would rather not live. Is it absolutely incurable? THE FATHER. Apparently so. THE UNCLE. But he is not absolutely blind? THE FATHER. He can perceive a strong light. THE UNCLE. Let us take care of our poor eyes. THE FATHER. He often has strange ideas. THE UNCLE. At times he is not at all amusing. THE FATHER. He says absolutely everything he thinks. THE UNCLE. But he was not always like this? THE FATHER. No; once he was as rational as we are; he never said anything extraordinary. I am afraid Ursula encourages him a little too much; she answers all his questions.... THE UNCLE. It would be better not to answer them. It's a mistaken kindness to him. [_Ten o'clock strikes._] THE GRANDFATHER [_waking up_]. Am I facing the glass door? THE DAUGHTER. You have had a nice sleep, grandfather? THE GRANDFATHER. Am I facing the glass door? THE DAUGHTER. Yes, grandfather. THE GRANDFATHER. There is nobody at the glass door? THE DAUGHTER. No, grandfather; I do not see any one. THE GRANDFATHER. I thought some one was waiting. No one has come? THE DAUGHTER. No one, grandfather. THE GRANDFATHER [_to the Uncle and Father_]. And your sister has not come? THE UNCLE. It is too late; she will not come now. It is not nice of her. THE FATHER. I'm beginning to be anxious about her. [_A noise, as of some one coming into the house._] THE UNCLE. She is here! Did you hear? THE FATHER. Yes; some one has come in at the basement. THE UNCLE. It must be our sister. I recognized her step. THE GRANDFATHER. I heard slow footsteps. THE FATHER. She came in very quietly. THE UNCLE. She knows there is an invalid. THE GRANDFATHER. I hear nothing now. THE UNCLE. She will come up directly; they will tell her we are here. THE FATHER. I am glad she has come. THE UNCLE. I was sure she would come this evening. THE GRANDFATHER. She is a very long time coming up. THE UNCLE. It must be she. THE FATHER. We are not expecting any other visitors. THE GRANDFATHER. I cannot hear any noise in the basement. THE FATHER. I will call the servant. We shall know how things stand. [_He pulls a bell-rope._] THE GRANDFATHER. I can hear a noise on the stairs already. THE FATHER. It is the servant coming up. THE GRANDFATHER. To me it sounds as if she were not alone. THE FATHER. She is coming up slowly.... THE GRANDFATHER. I hear your sister's step! THE FATHER. I can only hear the servant. THE GRANDFATHER. It is your sister! It is your sister! [_There is a knock at the little door._] THE UNCLE. She is knocking at the door of the back stairs. THE FATHER. I will go and open it myself. [_He opens the little door partly; the Servant remains outside in the opening._] Where are you? THE SERVANT. Here, sir. THE GRANDFATHER. Your sister is at the door?