No More Learning

[She goes within. ]


[Enter ELDRED (hides a bundle)]


ELDRED Not yet in bed, Eleanor! --there are stains in that frock
which must be washed out.


ELEANOR What has befallen you?


ELDRED I am belated, and you must know the cause--
(speaking low)
that is the blood of an unhappy Man.


ELEANOR Oh! we are undone for ever.


ELDRED Heaven forbid that I should lift my hand against any man.
Eleanor, I have shed tears to-night, and it comforts
me to think of it.


ELEANOR Where, where is he?


ELDRED I have done him no harm, but----it will be forgiven me; it
would not have been so once.


ELEANOR You have not _buried_ anything? You are no richer than
when you left me?


ELDRED Be at peace; I am innocent.


ELEANOR Then God be thanked--

[A short pause; she falls upon his neck.
]


ELDRED Tonight I met with an old Man lying stretched upon the
ground--a sad spectacle: I raised him up with a hope
that we might shelter and restore him.


ELEANOR (as if ready to run)
Where is he? You were not able to bring him _all_ the way
with you; let us return, I can help you.


[ELDRED shakes his head. ]


ELDRED He did not seem to wish for life: as I was struggling on,
by the light of the moon I saw the stains of blood upon my
clothes--he waved his hand, as if it were all useless; and
I let him sink again to the ground.


ELEANOR Oh that I had been by your side!


ELDRED I tell you his hands and his body were cold--how could I
disturb his last moments? he strove to turn from me as
if he wished to settle into sleep.


ELEANOR But, for the stains of blood--


ELDRED He must have fallen, I fancy, for his head was cut; but I
think his malady was cold and hunger.


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.