confusedly. Jumps up and tries to reach a jar on one of the shelves. Reba leaps onto a chair, takes the jar and hands it down. He stares, and takes jar.)

Reba (as he returns to table)

Ugh! These jars are so dirty, Philo. May I wash them for you?

Philo

Heavens, no!

Reba

Oh, that makes you sit up! (Hums a little, leaps down and begins to move the things on the table.) I'll make the table tidy for you, Philo.

Philo (grabbing her hands)

Stop!

Reba (sings, swinging his hands across the table)

"All around the mulberry bush——"

Philo

Let go!

Reba

Why, you're holding me!

(He drops her hands and goes to window, as if intending flight. She becomes subtle.)

Reba

Dr. Seymour says you've done something wonderful, Philo. Won't you show me your machine?

Philo

No.

Reba

But I care! I care more than anybody! I want you to be great. I could sit by you all my life just watching you being great. (Philo smiles. She twirls over to him.) And I don't like to be still, either.

Philo

But suppose people began to laugh at you as they do at me?

Reba

I wouldn't care. Show me the machine, Philo.

(Takes his arm and they move back to table.)

Philo

There it is.

Reba (hovering over it)

This is it. (Throwing her head back.) Tell me about it.

Philo

Reba—your throat is—so white.

Reba (bending suddenly over machine)

There's something moving.

Philo

So white.

Reba

Two—one—two, three——

(Philo goes to door and flings it open.)

Philo

Reba, go down!

(She crosses to door, shuts it, and stands with her back against it.)

Reba

Not till we've had a talk, Philo. I've a right to it after what you said two years ago—when I went away to school. Have you forgotten it? Shall I tell you what you said?

Philo

No!

Reba

You said you loved me, Philo. And I believed it for two years. When I came back you were silent. I've tried to make you speak—I've got in your way—I've done everything nice girls don't do—because—I love you as much as you love that! (Waves her hand toward the machine.)

Philo

Don't say it. It can't be true. No woman could love so much as that. (Goes back to table.)

Reba (following him)

I don't ask you to love me. But let me come here and sit by you sometimes. I could be happy then—though I don't like to be still. I was going to a dance to-night.

Philo

A dance!

Reba

But I knew you were up here alone—and I had heard—oh, my dear!—that they were going to send you away. I couldn't bear it. I had to come. Oh, Philo, they shall not send you away! Dr. Seymour says all you need is a new interest.

Philo

To dance, perhaps!

Reba

Well—why not? It is fun. We were to be in fancy dress, and I was going as Night. See—(waving her scarf) this is my cloud—and my hair is the moon! I washed it to-day so it would be fluffy. Just see how soft it is!

Philo (touching her hair)

How fine! Will you give me a lock, Reba?

Reba

Oh, yes! Where are your scissors? Here! (Takes scissors from table.) You cut it, Philo. (He takes scissors.) Anywhere. It's curly at the neck and temples.

Philo (cutting lock)

I don't want a curl. (Puts hair carefully in table drawer.) I'm making a new machine and I need long hairs for some of the parts.

Reba (raging)

You sha'n't have it! You sha'n't!

(Tries to open drawer. They struggle. She gets her arms about his neck.)

Philo (pushing her off)

Your throat——

(Kisses it. She clings to him, and he sits down, holding her on his knee.)

Reba

I knew! I knew! Oh, Philo, you haven't forgotten! You remember—everything!

Philo

Everything!

Reba

That day we went fishing and——

Philo (laughing)

Forgot the tackle!

Reba

And that last evening in the orchard, when you said——

Philo

I love you!

Reba

Oh, you look just as you did then—so happy! I nearly died when I came home and saw the change in your face. It seemed to shut me out, like a great iron door. Philo.... You won't forget again?

Philo

Never!

Reba

And I may come every day?

Philo

Every day!

Reba

I'll help you, Philo. I'll give you all my hair. (Lays her head on his shoulder.) And I'll let you work and not think of me at all. You can live with your stars——

Philo (kissing her)

There are no stars!

Reba (laughing)

I'll never be jealous again! (Gets up.) Come! Let's see what the dinky thing is doing!

(Goes to table. Philo watches her, slowly repeating her name.)

Reba

What a little thing it is! And—there is something fluttering!

(Philo crosses, still seeing nothing but the girl.)

Reba

See—I'm trying to count—two—three——

(He looks down, and becomes transfixed.)

Philo

Oh, my God! They've changed the signal!... Look, Reba! Count the beats! Count for me! Count!

Reba (confused)

Two—three—no, four——

Philo

Can't you count? Get away! (Pushes her aside.) Two—three—four—three— They have changed it! Oh, I must answer!

Reba

Philo——

Philo

Go down!

Reba (clinging to him)

I won't—I won't——

Philo (putting her in a chair)

Sit there, then. And for God's sake be still! (Returns to machine and counts under his breath.) It is true—it is true—and I am not ready! I am dumb, like all the world! I cannot let them know! (Walks the floor, muttering) But I will—I must. (Crosses to window.) I must do it!—think of nothing else—nothing! I shall not sleep till it is done!... But they will call me mad—lock me up before I have finished, God, before I have finished!

Reba