You are right. Death is not so terrible. Isn't that true, Jeanne? JEANNE _After a brief pause._ That's true. EMIL GRELIEU We shall follow him later. He will not come here, but we shall go to him. I was thinking of it at night. It is so clear. Do you remember the red rose which you gave him? I remember it. JEANNE Yes. EMIL GRELIEU It is so clear. Jeanne, lean over me. You are the best woman in the world. _Silence._ EMIL GRELIEU _Tossing about in his bed._ It is so hard to breathe. JEANNE My dear---- EMIL GRELIEU No, that's nothing. The night is tormenting me. Jeanne, was I dreaming, or have I really heard cannonading? JEANNE You really heard it, at about five o'clock. But very far away, Emil--it was hardly audible. Close your eyes, my dear, rest yourself. _Silence_ MAURICE _Faintly._ Mamma! _Jeanne walks over to him quietly._ JEANNE Are you awake? MAURICE Yes. I have slept enough. How is father? JEANNE He is awake. EMIL GRELIEU Good morning, Maurice. MAURICE Good morning, papa. How do you feel? I am feeling well. EMIL GRELIEU I, too, am feeling well. Jeanne, you may draw the curtain aside. I can't sleep any longer. JEANNE Very well. What a nasty day! Still it will be easier for you to breathe when it is light. _She draws the curtain aside slowly, so as not to make it too light at once. Beyond the large window vague silhouettes of the trees are seen at the window frames and several withered, bent flowers. Maurice is trying to adjust the screen._ JEANNE What are you doing, Maurice? MAURICE My coat--Never mind, I'll fix it myself. _Guiltily._ No, mamma, you had better help me. JEANNE _Going behind the screen._ What a foolish boy you are, Maurice. _Behind the screen._ Be careful, be careful, that's the way. Don't hurry, be careful. MAURICE _Behind the screen._ Pin this for me right here, as you did yesterday. That's very good. JEANNE _Behind the screen._ Of course. Wait, you'll kiss me later--. Well? That's the way. _Maurice comes out, his right arm dressed in a bandage. He goes over to his father and first kisses his hand, then, upon a sign from his eyes, he kisses him on the lips._ EMIL GRELIEU Good morning, good morning, my dear boy. MAURICE _Looking around at the screen, where his mother is putting the bed in order._ Papa, look! _He takes his hand out of the bandage and straightens it quickly. Then he puts it back just as quickly. Emil Grelieu threatens him with his finger. Jeanne puts the screen aside, and the bed is already in order._ JEANNE I am through now. Maurice, come to the bathroom. I'll wash you. MAURICE Oh, no; under no circumstances. I'll wash myself today. Last night I washed myself with my left hand and it was very fine. _Walking over to the open window._ How nasty it is. These scoundrels have spoiled the day. Still, it is warm and there is the smell of flowers. It's good, papa; it is very fine. EMIL GRELIEU Yes, it is pleasant. MAURICE Well, I am going.