_The curtain rises disclosing an empty stage. It is early evening and sunset is leaving only the faintest tinge above the hills. After a moment Jonathan enters. He is unchanged except that he still carries in his eyes some of the horror of his delirium. He opens the back windows and then sits above the table and begins to look at an illustrated paper._ _Nathaniel enters carrying a manuscript. He seems a bit less carefree than at his homecoming, and he also seems closer to Jonathan._ NATHANIEL Well, my boy-- JONATHAN Uncle Nathaniel, did you know that Caproni was an artist? NATHANIEL You mean the Caproni who makes the wonderful aeroplanes? JONATHAN Yes, sir. NATHANIEL No, I didn't know it; but I'm not surprised. JONATHAN Aren't these pictures fine? NATHANIEL Excellent. JONATHAN He made them.... They're like great dragon-flies, aren't they? NATHANIEL A whole swarm of them. JONATHAN It must feel funny to fly through air. NATHANIEL Would you like to try it some time? JONATHAN Yes... but I'd have to get used to it.... It must be like diving. NATHANIEL When you were very ill you seemed to imagine you were falling. JONATHAN Did I talk much when I was unconscious? NATHANIEL You talked almost continuously. JONATHAN Did I?... You said you'd tell me what I said--when I was strong enough.... I'm pretty strong now. NATHANIEL Do you know what I did? JONATHAN I don't know. NATHANIEL (_showing manuscript_) Can you guess? JONATHAN (_Looks at manuscript_) "Jonathan Builds a Fear." What does that mean? NATHANIEL When you were delirious I listened to what you said and then I made a story out of it. JONATHAN You mean this is all about me? NATHANIEL It's about a little hunchback who thought he was you. JONATHAN I know. I was always trying to make somebody know me, and finally I thought I jumped from the top of a hill and I seemed to be falling for years and years.... NATHANIEL Those were terrible days, my boy, and do you know, we were afraid you wouldn't live. JONATHAN It was a terrible feeling. NATHANIEL I know, but all that's over now; and there's the whole story about the little hunchback you never were. JONATHAN [_Hank's whistle is heard. Jonathan rises very quickly and looks at Nathaniel._ NATHANIEL He comes every now and then to ask about you and to get something to eat. [_Hank whistles again._ HANK'S VOICE (_at back_) Hi! NATHANIEL Come in, Hank.-- HANK Is the old man here? NATHANIEL No. HANK (_Enters through the gateway whistling_) Hello, boy. JONATHAN I'm well now. How are you? HANK I'm beginning to get cold, so I think I'll go south tomorrow and I thought I'd drop in to say good-bye. NATHANIEL I'll give you an overcoat, Hank. HANK No, thanks. It's too hot to carry it. I'll get one when I really need it, maybe. NATHANIEL Well, here's something for you. [_He offers him a five dollar bill._