It puts me out ofcommission while it lasts. A
moment later Ezra Mannon enters fromleft, front. Where didshe disappear to all of a
sudden?
She is dressed in a gown of green velvet that sets
offher hair. The doctor gave me orders to avoidworry or any over-exertion or
excitement. But hes onlybeen here four times in all, I think.
He did the work and let others do
theshowing-off.
Laviniadoes not turn or give any sign of knowing
her mother is behind her. Lavinia musthave been starting to go alone.
His face, with the flickering candle light on its
side, has a grim,bitter _expression_. Iwould try to make up my mind exactly what that
wall was but I nevercould discover. Mannon described from his letter toher, I was as
certain as if Id examined him he had angina.
Thats why I felt it my duty to write
you.
Especially now in the morbid,crazy state of grief
shes in!
If youd seen as much of death as I have in the
pastfour years, you wouldnt be afraid of it. She is obviously in a terrible state of
strained nerves.
Hillswalk together toward left front until they are
by the bench.
Andwhat she told me about waking up to find him
groaning and doubledwith pain confirmed it. Mannon described from his letter toher,
I was as certain as if Id examined him he had angina.
It is around dawn of the following
morning.
He plods on with anote of desperation in his voice.
Laviniadoes not turn or give any sign of knowing her mother is behind
her.
Wouldnt you like to sit here on the steps for
awhile? She wears slippersover her bare feet and has a dark dressing-gown over her
nightdress.
She hasnt spoken a single word since her fathers
death!
Is that why you were so willing to giveyourself
tonight? Laviniadoes not turn or give any sign of knowing her mother is behind
her.
She hasnt spoken a single word since her fathers
death! Then Christine speaks in a dry mockingtone. Only shes too Mannon to let
anyone see what shefeels. And as for there having beengossip, thats nonsense! Josiah
Borden, the manager of the Mannon shipping company, isshrewd and
competent.
Mannon looks at his wife who staresbefore her. You
will onlymake yourself more tired, keeping on your feet.
Fathers been sick for the past year,as I wrote you.
She sighs with affectedweariness and leans back and closes her eyes.
You stole all love from me whenI was
born!
If youd seen as much of death as I have in the
pastfour years, you wouldnt be afraid of it.
I thought you ought to warn Mother she wasfoolish
to allow him to come here.
Shes a damned handsome woman and hed been awaya
long time.