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Page 38
STRANGER. Then I'll leave it.
MOTHER. And go into the night. Where?
STRANGER. To seek the only one that I don't hate.
MOTHER. Are you sure she'll receive you?
STRANGER. Quite sure.
MOTHER. I'm not.
STRANGER. I am.
MOTHER. Then I must raise your doubts.
STRANGER. You can't.
MOTHER. Yes, I can.
STRANGER. It's a lie.
MOTHER. We're no longer speaking kindly. We must stop. Can you
sleep in the attic?
STRANGER. I can't sleep anywhere.
MOTHER. Still, I'll say good-night to you, whether you think I mean
it, or not.
STRANGER. You're sure there are no rats in the attic? I don't fear
ghosts, but rats aren't pleasant.
MOTHER. I'm glad you don't fear ghosts, for no one's slept a whole
night there ... whatever the cause may be.
STRANGER (after a moment's hesitation). Never have I met a more
wicked woman than you. The reason is: you have religion.
MOTHER. Good-night!
Curtain.
SCENE XI
IN THE KITCHEN
[It is dark, but the moon outside throws moving shadows of the
window lattices on to the floor, as the storm clouds race by. In
the corner, right, under the crucifix, where the OLD MAN used to
sit, a hunting horn, a gun and a game bag hang on the wall. On the
table a stuffed bird of prey. As the windows are open the curtains
are flapping in the wind; and kitchen cloths, aprons and towels,
that are hung on a line by the hearth, move in the wind, whose
sighing can be heard. In the distance the noise of a waterfall.
There is an occasional tapping on the wooden floor.]
STRANGER (entering, half-dressed, a lamp in his hand). Is anyone
here? No. (He comes forward with a light, which makes the play of
shadow less marked.) What's moving on the floor? Is anyone here?
(He goes to the table, sees the stuffed bird and stands riveted to
the spot.) God!
MOTHER (coming in with a lamp). Still up?
STRANGER. I couldn't sleep.
MOTHER (gently). Why not, my son?
STRANGER. I heard someone above me.
MOTHER. Impossible. There's nothing over the attic.
STRANGER. That's why I was uneasy! What's moving on the floor like
snakes?
MOTHER. Moonbeams.
STRANGER. Yes. Moonbeams. That's a stuffed bird. And those are
cloths. Everything's natural; that's what makes me uneasy. Who was
knocking during the night? Was anyone locked out?
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