NANA. What’s the meaning of that? (_Drops paper._) HELENA. Nana, no more _people_ are being born. NANA. That’s the end, then? (_Removing spectacles_) We’re done for. HELENA. Don’t talk like that. NANA. No more people are being born. That’s a punishment, that’s a punishment. HELENA. Nana! NANA. (_Standing up_) That’s the end of the world. (_Repeat until off. Picks paper up from floor. She exits L.1._) HELENA. (_Goes up to window_) Oh, Mr. Alquist. (_ALQUIST off L.2._) Will you come here? Oh, come just as you are. You look very nice in your mason’s overalls. (_ALQUIST enters L.2, his hands soiled with lime and brick dust. She goes to end of sofa and meets him C._) Dear Mr. Alquist, it was awfully kind of you, that lovely present. ALQUIST. My hands are soiled. I’ve been _experimenting_ with that new cement. HELENA. Never mind. Please sit down. (_Sits on couch. He sits on her L._) Mr. Alquist, what’s the meaning of _Ultimus_? ALQUIST. The last. Why? HELENA. That’s the name of my new ship. Have you seen it? Do you think we’re off soon--on a trip? ALQUIST. Perhaps _very_ soon. HELENA. All of you with me? ALQUIST. I should like us _all_ to be there. HELENA. What _is_ the matter? ALQUIST. Things are just moving on. HELENA. Dear Mr. Alquist, I know something dreadful has happened. ALQUIST. Has your husband _told_ you anything? HELENA. No. _Nobody_ will tell me anything. But I feel--Is anything the matter? ALQUIST. Not that we’ve heard of yet. HELENA. I feel so nervous. Don’t _you_ ever feel nervous? ALQUIST. Well, I’m an old man, you know. I’ve got old-fashioned ways. And I’m afraid of all this progress, and these new-fangled ideas. HELENA. Like Nana? ALQUIST. Yes, like Nana. Has Nana got a prayer book? HELENA. Yes, a big thick one. ALQUIST. And has it got prayers for various occasions? Against thunderstorms? Against illness? But not against _progress_? HELENA. I don’t think so. ALQUIST. That’s a pity. HELENA. Why, do you mean you’d like to pray? ALQUIST. I _do_ pray. HELENA. How? ALQUIST. Something like this: “Oh, Lord, I thank thee for having given me toil; enlighten Domin and all those who are astray; destroy their work, and aid mankind to return to their labors; let them not suffer harm in soul or body; deliver us from the Robots, and protect Helena. Amen.” HELENA. (_Touches his arm; pats it_) Mr. Alquist, are you a believer? ALQUIST. I don’t know. I’m not quite sure. HELENA. And yet you pray? ALQUIST. That’s better than _worrying_ about it. HELENA. And that’s enough for you? ALQUIST. (_Ironically_) It _has_ to be. HELENA. But if you thought you saw the destruction of mankind coming upon us-- ALQUIST. I _do_ see it. HELENA. You mean mankind will be destroyed? ALQUIST. It’s bound to be unless--unless. HELENA. What? ALQUIST. Nothing. (_Pats her shoulder. Rises_) Goodbye. (_Exits L.2._) HELENA. (_Rises. Calling_) Nana, Nana! (_NANA enters L.1._) Is Radius still there?