Page:Representative American plays.pdf/831
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THE FAITH HEALER
Mrs. Beeler. Mat, you have n't said good morning to our guest.
Beeler. (Gruffly.) How are you?
(He helps himself to meat and passes it to the others; the plate goes round the table. There is a constrained silence. Annie tugs at Rhoda's skirt, and asks in dumb show to have her breakfast given her. Rhoda fills the child's plate, with which she retreats to her place by the mantel.)
Mrs. Beeler. Why does n't Annie come to the table? (She tries to look around. Rhoda whispers to Mrs. Beeler, who looks at her, puzzled.) Why does n't Annie come?
Rhoda. She's afraid.
Mrs. Beeler. Afraid! What is she afraid of?
Rhoda. You know how shy she is, before strangers.
Mrs. Beeler. Annie, please come here! Annie!
(The child refuses, pouting, and gazing at Michaelis.)
Rhoda. I would n't urge her. She does n't want to come.
Martha. (Trenchantly.) Don't blame her!
Mrs. Beeler. (Gently reproving.) Martha!
Michaelis. (Holding out his hand to Annie.) Won't you come here, my child? (Annie approaches slowly, as if hypnotized.) You're not afraid of me, are you?
Annie. (Shyly.) Not if you won't climb up the rope.
Michaelis. (Puzzled.) Climb up what rope?
Rhoda. It's a story I was foolish enough to tell her.—Do eat something, Auntie.
Mrs. Beeler. I'll drink a little more tea.
(Rhoda raises the cup to Mrs. Beeler's lips.)
Beeler. You can't live on tea, Mary.
Martha. I guess she can live on tea better than on some things! (With a resentful glance at Michaelis.) Some things that some folks seem to live on, and expect other folks to live on.
(Michaelis looks up from Annie, who has been whispering in his ear. Beeler nods at Martha in covert approval, as she takes up dishes and goes into the kitchen.)
Mrs. Beeler. (Leans forward across the table to Michaelis.) Don't mind my sister-in-law, Mr. Michaelis. It's her way. She means nothing by it.
Beeler. (Between gulps of coffee, as he finishes his meal.) Don't know as you've got any call to speak for Martha. She generally means what she says, and I guess she means it now. And what's more, I guess I do, too!
Mrs. Beeler. (Beseechingly.) Mat!
Beeler. (Throws down his napkin and rises.) Very well. It's none of my business, I reckon, as long as it keeps within reason.
(He puts on his cap and goes out through the kitchen.)
Annie. (To Michaelis, continuing the whispered conversation.) And if you do climb up the rope, do you promise to come down?
Michaelis. Yes, I promise to come down.
Mrs. Beeler. (Leans over her plate. The others bow their heads.) Bless this food to our use, and this day to our strength and our salvation.
Rhoda. (As they lift their heads.) Perhaps it will be light enough now without the lamp.
(Michaelis, holding Annie's hand, rises, goes to the window, and rolls up the shades, while Rhoda extinguishes the lamp. The fog is still thick, and the light which enters is dull. Rhoda unpins the napkin from her aunt's breast, and wheels her back from the table. The boy crouches down by the grate, Indian fashion. Annie looks at him with shy, half-frightened interest.)
Mrs. Beeler. (Gazing out, from where she sits reclining.) The blessed sun! I never thought to see it rise again so beautiful.
Rhoda. (Looks at her aunt, puzzled and alarmed.) But, Auntie, there isn't any sun! It's—
(She breaks off, seeing Michaelis place his finger on his lips as a signal for her to be silent. Mrs. Beeler turns to Rhoda, puzzled.)
Mrs. Beeler. There is n't any sun? Why— (Rhoda pretends not to hear. Mrs. Beeler turns to Michaelis.) What does she mean by saying there is no sun?
Michaelis. She means she does n't see it.
Mrs. Beeler. (Still puzzled.) But—you see it, don't you?
Michaelis. I see the same sun that you see.