DAN (_drumming his fingers: suddenly, urgently_): Wait a minute ... I--I've only got two more verses---- MRS. BRAMSON: Hurry it up, dear. I don't want to wake up in the morning with a nasty cold. DAN (_reading slowly_): "... Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.... For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous ... But the way of the ungodly ... shall perish ..." _A pause. He shuts the Bible loudly, and lays it on the table._ MRS. BRAMSON _can hardly keep awake._ That's the end. MRS. BRAMSON: Is it?... Ah, well, it's been a long day---- DAN: Are you quite comfortable? MRS. BRAMSON: A bit achy. Glad to get to bed. Hope that woman's put my bottle in all right. Bet she hasn't---- DAN: Sure you're comfortable? Wouldn't you like a cushion back of your head? MRS. BRAMSON: No, dear, just wheel me---- DAN (_rising_): I think you'll be more comfortable with a cushion. (_Rising, humming_) "I'm a pretty little feller, everybody knows ... dunno what to call me ..." _He goes deliberately across, humming, and picks up a large black cushion from the sofa. His hands close on the cushion, and he stands silent a moment. He moves slowly back to the other side of her; he stands looking at her, his back three-quarters to the audience and his face hidden: he is holding the cushion in both hands._ MRS. BRAMSON _shakes herself out of sleep and looks at him._ MRS. BRAMSON: What a funny look on your face, dear. Smiling like that.... (_Foolishly_) You look so kind ... _He begins to raise the cushion slowly._ So kind ... (_Absently_) What are you going to do with that cushion?... _The lights dim gradually into complete darkness, and the music grows into a thunderous crescendo._ SCENE II _The music plays a few bars, then dies down proportionately as the lights come up again. Half an hour later. The scene is the same, with the same lighting; the room is empty and the wheel-chair has been removed._