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passin’ from the earth–thousan’s of them, oul an’ young, an’ lil childher, an’ the great hosts of warriors an’ haroes that were sweepin’ from the gray coul sea in the Nor’s to the warm blue oceans of the Sou’s. An’ every wan as they passed turned and looked at me, an’ my Jem was not among them. This night again have I seen them–thousan’s an’ thousan’s of them with their sores an’ their sins cleansed an’ healed with the terrible pains they had borne–an’ I tell you they all turned an’ looked at me, but my Jem was not among them. [Breaks down exhausted.]
Kirry [gently laying a hand on her]: May God bring him safe home to you after all!
Mrs. F. [rising]: No fear, no fear. But I must be goin’ home now just to see is all ready for him an’ tell our oul man to put an’ air of fire in the parlour for him, for the night is coul.
Kirry goes out with her to the door. Returns and begins siding the tea things, thoughtfully. Knock heard. Kirry looks up. Enter Watterson.
Kirry: Good everin’, Mr. Watterson. You will be wantin’ to see Miss Lace, no doubt. She’s gone out, but she’ll be in just now, if it wouldn’t be askin’ too much for you to sit down and wait a lil while.
Watterson: Well, it is nice to find you by yourself for once.
Kirry: Aw, well now. Was it me you were wantin’ for anything? I’m afraid I must not stay now. P’raps you can be givin’ a sight in at our place tomorrow when I’ll be at home.
Hurriedly making for her parcels. Watterson tries to take them from her. Parcels are spilled, and picked up with laughter and confusion.
Watterson: As I was saying, it is nice to find you by yourself, for there is generally such a pack around you, and you are so busy that you never have time for a word with a poor fellow like me.
