No More Learning

Hello. "

"What do you hear? "

"I hear an empty room--
You know--it sounds that way. And yes, I hear--
I think I hear a clock--and windows rattling.
No step though. If she's there she's sitting down. "

"Shout, she may hear you. "

"Shouting is no good. "

"Keep speaking then. "

"Hello. Hello. Hello.
You don't suppose--? She wouldn't go out doors? "

"I'm half afraid that's just what she might do.
"

"And leave the children? "

"Wait and call again.
You can't hear whether she has left the door
Wide open and the wind's blown out the lamp
And the fire's died and the room's dark and cold? "

"One of two things, either she's gone to bed
Or gone out doors. "

"In which case both are lost.
Do you know what she's like? Have you ever met her?
It's strange she doesn't want to speak to us. "

"Fred, see if you can hear what I hear. Come. "

"A clock maybe. "

"Don't you hear something else? "

"Not talking. "

"No. "

"Why, yes, I hear--what is it? "

"What do you say it is?