The Americans Part 87

(_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 circ.u.mstances, 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.

HARVEY ANDERSON.

And talked about the mine here and the mill.