Labor unions -- United States -- Drama; Social classes -- United States -- Drama; Strikes and lockouts -- Drama
There's very little change. What time is it?
HARVEY ANDERSON.
(_Looks at his watch_)
Going on half past three.
(_They look at one another_)
NURSE.
Don't think such things.
(_Anderson goes to the woodbox and looks in_)
MRS. EGERTON.
(_At the window, to herself_)
If I only knew! If I only knew he'd come!
NURSE.
(_As Anderson goes into the woodshed_)
He may have telegraphed for specialists.
(_She glances toward Mrs. Egerton, then goes quietly to the door,
rear left, and looks out_)
NURSE.
(_Comes back_)
I wish that there was something that I could do.
MRS. EGERTON.
You made it plain that he must come at once?
NURSE.
Yes, Mrs. Egerton. I told the truth.
Some think it's better to deceive. I don't.
And I find that people thank you in the end.
MRS. EGERTON.
And they've been gone since nine.
NURSE.
Lie down a while,
Won't you? I wish you would.
MRS. EGERTON.
Isn't that some one?
NURSE.
(_Goes to the window_)
It's Mr. Bentley with the guard, I think.
(_Mrs. Egerton leaves the window and walks about the room_)
MRS. EGERTON.
(_Half to herself_)
The stars are so low down, so beautiful;
And the world so full of joy. Isn't it strange?
To-day we're here and to-morrow somewheres else.
(_She stops by the bedroom door and stands looking in_)
NURSE.
He's so your boy.
MRS. EGERTON.
Yes, yes.
NURSE.
And he loves you so.
It's always 'mother' when he speaks at all;
You and the mill.
(_A pause_)
And then you'll always know
There's never been a man in Foreston
Been loved as he has been.
MRS. EGERTON.
But he's so young!
And his work--He'd just begun. So little chance!
NURSE.
I've nursed so many cases of old men,
And men in prosperous circumstances, too,
Who've had no friends at all, just relatives.
(_Mrs. Egerton walks about_)
NURSE.
And friends are so much closer, don't you think?
MRS. EGERTON.
Has he never, never mentioned Donald's name
In his delirium?
NURSE.
(_Shakes her head_)
But then you know
Those first weeks at the Hospital were a blank,
Or almost so. And then when he came to
After the operation----
MRS. EGERTON.
Donald! Donald!
NURSE.
I being a stranger, just a nurse, you know.
In delirium of course it's different.
But then I'd left the case.
(_Harvey Anderson enters with an armful of wood_)
NURSE.
I was surprised
When I got word from Mr. Anderson
That you had let him--It's so far up here.
MRS. EGERTON.
He wanted to so much.
NURSE.
They always do.
But they don't always know what's best for them.
HARVEY ANDERSON.
But he was getting on so well.
NURSE.
I know.
HARVEY ANDERSON.
There was no fever till four days ago.
NURSE.
(_To Mrs. Egerton_)
When I got here he was quite rational.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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