Philo, listen!

Philo

It's the world's way ... to beat the spirit down ... the eager spirit, superbly sane, daring to pierce the barriers between heaven and earth!

Reba

I'll not sit here! (She sits nevertheless.)

Philo

Oh, Truth-driven martyrs, seers of visions, prophets of the old world and the new, born out of your time to suffer by fire, by sword, and prison bars!

Reba (cooingly)

Dear Philo!

Philo

I too shall join you! Forerunners of the waking spirit of the world!

(Reba gets before him as he walks. Completely absorbed, he puts her aside, absently but gently, as if she were a kitten he did not wish to hurt.)

Philo

I must finish it—I must—before they beat me down! (Pauses by machine.) There is no one but me to do it. If I fail they may have to wait another million years—out there—working, waiting. (Resumes walk.) I shall not fail. I have gone too far. God will take my part now. Be it His own eternal sign, I will answer it!

Reba

I'll make you see me!

(Runs to table, leaps upon it and begins a dance among the wires and bottles. He is stunned for a moment, then rushes to her, seizes her waist with both hands, lifts her up, and flings her to a chair.)

Philo

Sit there, you dragon-fly! Or I'll crush you! (Goes to window, as if for breath and air. Recovers poise.) Let them think me mad. Up here I shall work it out. And I shall not be alone. Earth will not hear me, but the heavens will listen. (Holds his hands toward the stars.) My only friends!

Reba

Crush me! (She steals up to the table, seizes a large book, and brings it down with utter destruction upon his machine. Philo turns and sees. They face each other. She shrinks, terrified.) Don't, Philo! (Kneels, throwing back her head, showing the long line of her throat.) Forgive me! It was driving you mad! I wanted to save you! Don't look like that! Forgive me, Philo!

Philo

Your throat—is—so white!

(Seizes and chokes her. As he seizes her she gives a cry of terror. Warner, Mrs. W., Seymour, and Bellows rush up the stairs and enter. Philo takes his hands from the girl's throat and stands apart. She lies motionless.)

Warner (roaring)

You've managed, Mary Ann!

Bellows (excitedly)

Who's right, now, Seymour?

(Seymour bends over Reba, listening for her heart-beat.)

Warner (choking)

A hanging in the family!

Mrs. W.

Is she—dead?

Seymour

No. It is chiefly fear. (Works over her body.)

Philo (to himself)

Poor little bird! Poor little bird!

Bellows (taking a pair of handcuffs from his pocket and offering them to Warner)

Better clap these on him. We're none of us safe.

Philo

Handcuffs, doctor? I'll make no trouble.

(Holds out his hands and Bellows fastens handcuffs.)

Bellows

It's for your own good, Philo.

Seymour

Our mistake—our mistake! Poor boy!

Bellows

Poor girl, I should say!

Seymour (lifting Reba)

I'll take her down-stairs. (Carries her to door.) I shall need you, Mrs. Warner.

(Mrs. W. follows, weeping and looking back at Philo.)

Philo

I'm all right, mother.

Mrs. W.

All right. Oh, God help him! (Exit.)

Bellows