I am glad we had it out . . . his ghost will be gone now . . . no more Gordon, Gordon, Gordon, love and praise and tears, all for Gordon! . . . Mary will do very well by me . . . I will have more leisure and peace of mind . . . and Nina will come back home . . . when she is well again . . . the old Nina! . . . my little Nina! . . . she knows and she forgave me . . . she said so . . . said! . . . but could she really? . . . don’t you imagine? . . . deep in her heart? . . . she still must hate? . . . oh, God! . . . I feel cold! . . . alone! . . . this home is abandoned! . . . the house is empty and full of death! . . . there is a pain about my heart! . . .
[’’He calls hoarsely, getting to his feet’’]
Nina!
Nina’s Voice
[Her voice, fresh and girlish, calls from upstairs]
Yes, Father. Do you want me?
Professor Leeds
[Struggling with himself—goes to door and calls with affectionate blandness]
No. Never mind. Just wanted to remind you to call for a taxi in good time.
Nina’s Voice
I won’t forget.
Professor Leeds
[’’Looks at his watch’’]
Five-thirty just . . . nine-forty, the train . . . then . . . Nina no more! . . . four hours more . . . she’ll be packing . . . then good-bye . . . a kiss . . . nothing more ever to say to each other . . . and I’ll die in here some day . . . alone . . . gasp, cry out for help . . . the president will speak at the funeral . . . Nina will be