VOICE. Why should I? He'd tell me that I am going to heaven; and that wouldn't be true, because you are here. Do you recollect when he upset the cream-ice all over his trousers at the Gassers' tennis? CAPT. G. Yes, dear. VOICE. I often wondered whether he got another pair of trousers; but then his are so shiny all over that you really couldn't tell unless you were told. Let's call him in and ask. CAPT. G. (Gravely.) No. I don't think he'd like that. 'Your head comfy, Sweetheart?' VOICE. (Faintly with a sigh of contentment.) Yeth! Gracious, Pip, when did you shave last? Your chin's worse than the barrel of a musical box.--No, don't lift it up. I like it. (A pause.) You said you've never cried at all. You're crying all over my cheek. CAPT. G. I--I--I can't help it, dear. VOICE. How funny! I couldn't cry now to save my life. (G. shivers.) I want to sing. CAPT. G. Won't it tire you? 'Better not, perhaps. VOICE. Why? I won't be bothered about. (Begins in a hoarse quaver) “Minnie bakes oaten cake, Minnie brews ale, All because her Johnnie's coming home from the sea. (That's parade, Pip.) And she grows red as a rose, who was so pale; And 'Are you sure the church--clock goes?' says she.” (Pettishly.) I knew I couldn't take the last note. How do the bass chords run? (Puts out her hands and begins playing piano on the sheet.) CAPT. G. (Catching up hands.) Ahh! Don't do that, Pussy, if you love me. VOICE. Love you? Of course I do. Who else should it be? (A pause.) VOICE. (Very clearly.) Pip, I'm going now. Something's choking me cruelly. (Indistinctly.) Into the dark--without you, my heart--But it's a lie, dear--we mustn't believe it.--Forever and ever, living or dead. Don't let me go, my husband--hold me tight.--They can't--whatever happens. (A cough.) Pip--my Pip! Not for always--and--so--soon! (Voice ceases.) Pause of ten minutes. G. buries his face in the side of the bed while AYAH bends over bed from opposite side and feels MRS. G.'s breast and forehead. CAPT. G. (Rising.) Doctor Sahib ko salaam do. AYAH. (Still by bedside, with a shriek.) Ail Ail Tuta-phuta! My Memsahib! Not getting--not have got!--Pusseena agyal (The sweat has come.) (Fiercely to G.) TUM jao Doctor Sahib ko jaldi! (You go to the doctor.) Oh, my Memsahib! DOCTOR. (Entering hastily.) Come away, Gadsby. (Bends over bed.) Eb! The Dev--What inspired you to stop the punkab? Get out, man--go away--wait outside! Go! Here, Ayah! (Over his shoulder to G.) Mind I promise nothing. The dawn breaks as G. stumbles into the garden. CAPT. M. (Rehung up at the gate on his way to parade and very soberly.) Old man, how goes? CAPT. G. (Dazed.) I don't quite know. Stay a bit. Have a drink or something. Don't run away. You're just getting amusing. Ha! ha! CAPT. M. (Aside.) What am I let in for? Gaddy has aged ten years in the night. CAPT. G. (Slowly, fingering charger's headstall.) Your curb's too loose.