No More Learning

ELEANOR Oh, Eldred, I shall never be able to look up at this roof
in storm or fair but I shall tremble.


ELDRED Is it not enough that my ill stars have kept me abroad
to-night till this hour? I come home, and this is my
comfort!


ELEANOR But did he say nothing which might have set you at ease?


ELDRED I thought he grasped my hand while he was muttering
something about his Child--his Daughter--
(starting as if he heard a noise).
What is that?


ELEANOR Eldred, you are a father.


ELDRED God knows what was in my heart, and will not curse my son
for my sake.


ELEANOR But you prayed by him? you waited the hour of his release?


ELDRED The night was wasting fast; I have no friend; I am spited
by the world--his wound terrified me--if I had
brought him along with me, and he had died in my
arms! ----I am sure I heard something breathing--and
this chair!


ELEANOR Oh, Eldred, you will die alone. You will have nobody to
close your eyes--no hand to grasp your dying hand--I
shall be in my grave. A curse will attend us all.
ELDRED Have you forgot your own troubles when I was in the
dungeon?


ELEANOR And you left him alive?


ELDRED Alive! --the damps of death were upon him--he could not
have survived an hour.


ELEANOR In the cold, cold night.


ELDRED (in a savage tone)
Ay, and his head was bare; I suppose you would have had me
lend my bonnet to cover it. --You will never rest till I am
brought to a felon's end.


ELEANOR Is there nothing to be done? cannot we go to the Convent?


ELDRED Ay, and say at once that I murdered him!


ELEANOR Eldred, I know that ours is the only house upon the Waste;
let us take heart; this Man may be rich; and could he
be saved by our means, his gratitude may reward us.


ELDRED 'Tis all in vain.


ELEANOR But let us make the attempt. This old Man may have a wife,
and he may have children--let us return to the spot;
we may restore him, and his eyes may yet open upon
those that love him.


ELDRED He will never open them more; even when he spoke to me, he
kept them firmly sealed as if he had been blind.


IDONEA (rushing out)
It is, it is, my Father--


ELDRED We are betrayed
(looking at IDONEA).