[_Looking after her._] Take a _walk_. She always does some strange thing. [_CRAIG has sunk to a chair, his back to LAURA._] Why should she rush away like this, as if it were so much harder for her to stay in this house than for anyone else? [_CRAIG, bowed, covers his face with his hands._] Has she been trying to make you feel badly, Craig? [_She goes up to him and puts a hand on his bent shoulder._] Don’t let her do that. It isn’t true. It isn’t as if Bernice were--like most women. There was something--aloof in Bernice. You saw it in her eyes; even in her smile. Oh, I thought she was wonderful, too. Only, it isn’t as if Bernice-- CRAIG If you think she didn’t love me, you’re wrong! LAURA Oh--Craig! Love you, of course. Only--things that might have hurt another woman-- CRAIG How do we know who’s hurt? Who isn’t? Who loves--who doesn’t love? Don’t _talk_, Laura. [_She stands there beside him; the FATHER, coming in, at first sees only LAURA._ FATHER I must have dropped the ten of diamonds. [_Seeing CRAIG._] Of course. Of course. I try not to think of it. My little girl. She loved life so. Always. From the time she was a baby she did rejoice so in the world. [_He stands looking at the closed door. ABBIE comes in; looks at CRAIG, hesitates, then slowly crosses the room and takes the traveling-bag he brought in when he came; another look at his bowed head, then, herself bowed, starts up the stairs._ (CURTAIN) ACT TWO SCENE: _As in Act One, save that it is evening now; the reading lamp is lighted, and candles. LAURA is sitting before the fire knitting. ABBIE is standing at the foot of the stairs, as if LAURA had called to her as she came down._ LAURA But he took the tray, did he, Abbie? ABBIE He let me leave it. LAURA And how did he seem? ABBIE I didn’t see his face. And he didn’t say anything. LAURA He wasn’t like that until Margaret Pierce came. How long was Mrs. Norris sick, Abbie? [_As she asks this the outer door opens and MARGARET comes in._] Been out looking at the stars, Margaret? Aren’t they bright up here in the hills? MARGARET I--I didn’t see them. [_She looks at ABBIE, who is looking at her. ABBIE turns away from MARGARET’S look._ LAURA I was asking you--how long was Mrs. Norris sick, Abbie? ABBIE Two days. LAURA And just what did the doctor say was the matter? ABBIE The doctor wasn’t here. [_She steals a glance at MARGARET, who is all the while looking at her._ LAURA I know. But afterwards--what was his opinion? ABBIE Attacks like she had had before--only worse. Ulcers in the stomach, he thought it was. LAURA It’s a great pity you couldn’t get a doctor. That’s the worst of living way up here by one’s self. Mrs. Norris had seemed well, hadn’t she? ABBIE Yes, except once in a while; the doctor had said that she ought to go to the hospital to find out. MARGARET [_To LAURA._] Too bad Craig wasn’t here. LAURA Yes. He was detained in New York. MARGARET