Can you hear me? [_The light wags and then remains attentive again._ THE DEVIL How would you like to have a body again? Eh? A better body than you ever had? [_The light dances joyfully._ THE DEVIL Would you be a good Dutchman and do just as I told you? [_The light wags._ THE DEVIL Are you sorry for all that swearing and temper you’ve shown since you’ve been a light? [_The light wags slowly. At that moment the hall door opens and Magnus reënters._ THE DEVIL I was just— MAGNUS (_very angry at having been kept waiting_) Good day to you, sir— THE DEVIL (_holding his arm_) Magnus—(_Fixes him with his eyes_) [_Magnus’s eyes flutter as before. He struggles, but gradually yields to The Devil’s power._ THE DEVIL Magnus, sit down! [_The dark of an approaching rain begins and grows gradually all through the ensuing dialogue until rain actually falls._ MAGNUS (_with a flash of natural spirit_) Be da— [_He means to say: “Be damned to you”; but The Devil’s eyes drive out defiance. Magnus sits down._ THE DEVIL Magnus, look at me! MAGNUS I—(_He tries to rouse himself, desperately, but sinks back submissively_) THE DEVIL Magnus! Look at me! [_Magnus tries to disobey, but his eyes are literally torn upward and into The Devil’s._ THE DEVIL (_at centre table, turns on electric cigar-lighter—an illuminated disk that burns dully_) Magnus, look at that light! [_Magnus is still staring at him._ THE DEVIL Not me! The light! Saves my energy. [_Magnus stares still at him. The Devil goes to Magnus and turns his head, arranging it as a photographer does for position. He points his finger along Magnus’s line of vision, turning it toward the luminous disk. Then he sits down, his elbow on the table near the cigar-lighter, and lights cigarette. Leaning his head on his palm, he stares at Magnus in the growing darkness, the red glow of cigarette growing as the light outside begins to die before the rainstorm. This red glow lights up The Devil’s face. The light bobs closer, inspecting and inquisitive._ THE DEVIL Magnus! When you went to school, they taught you: “Honesty is the Best Policy.” At church: “Love your fellow-men.” You went into business. Two years later—you were a bankrupt. Why? MAGNUS (_in hypnosis: speaks dully and mechanically_) I wouldn’t buy diseased animals and dye their meat a healthy color with poison. THE DEVIL That was being honest. What else? Speak! MAGNUS (_same tone, but sleepier_) I wouldn’t bring foreign laborers over to do the work cheaper than Americans. The more ignorant citizens, the more rascals in Congress. The more rascals in Congress, the worse laws. The worse laws, the worse country. Worse and worse—until only a revolution could cure it. Out of a revolution—a soldier tyrant—a Napoleon—an Emperor—and three centuries—gone to hell— THE DEVIL That was loving your fellow-men. What else? Speak!