The Flutter of the Goldleaf | Page 5

natural enough now. Common sense has adopted them.
Seymour
Yes, we are easily satisfied. Give a mystery a name and that's enough
for the most of us. But here and there are minds that must explore
further; and if they discover something beyond the comprehension of
us who stay behind, we call them mad.
Bellows
Well, none of your mind-puzzles for me. Give me something clear cut,
like typhoid, or measles, an amputation, or new babies, something I can
fix my eyes on. You can take care of the madmen--except when they're
in my own village. I'm not going to have a boy like Philo gibbering
around ready to break out wild any time.
Seymour
It's true he may be led into frenzy, or even self-destruction, but it will
be from overwork and loneliness. I must have a talk with the parents----
Bellows
What do you expect them to do? They're asking us for help. And I'm
willing to give it to them.
(Re-enter WARNER and MRS. W. He carries pitcher, she carries tray

with glasses.)
Seymour (to BELLOWS)
We'll see. As I say, the boy has been losing sleep, and giving his mind
no rest.
Mrs. W. (holding tray while WARNER pours cider)
Just what I say, doctor. He's studied himself sick.
Seymour
You must get him out of here, Mrs. Warner. (Sipping cider.) Excellent,
indeed!
Mrs. W.
I'm doing my best.
Warner (to BELLOWS, who has drained his glass)
You're at home, doctor. Just help yourself.
(He does.)
Seymour
What is his age?
Mrs. W.
Twenty. He went early to college.
Seymour (musingly)
The usual age. Twenty. (Sighs.) The age of visions and enchantments.
"The thoughts of youth are long, long thoughts."

Bellows
What are you saying, doctor?
Seymour
Just thinking. It's a healthy family, isn't it?
Mrs. W.
I should say! Why, Will and Johnny and Alice----
Bellows
Best sort. The thoroughbreds of the town. Temperate, thriving, regular
at church. Warner here was once county supervisor. (Clapping him on
shoulder.) Never had a better one.
Seymour (to WARNER)
And your parents?
Warner
Father was a sound, practical man. Stood flat-footed, I may say.
Seymour
And your mother?
Mrs. W.
Law me, Hiram Warner thinks there was never anybody in the world
like his mother. And there never was!
Seymour
That's good to build on. It is clear that your boy is ill, and the burden of
his knowledge, whether truth or delusion, is far too great for him to

bear. If you could interest him for even a brief time in ordinary
life--(smiling) miracles that are too common to be disturbing--throw
him with young people----
Bellows
You don't mean you won't sign the commitment papers!
Seymour
Just that. I shall not sign them.
Mrs. W. (gratefully)
Oh, doctor!
Bellows
After what you saw here with your own eyes? He's completely gone
off!
Seymour
The boy may be right. Under this tiny consciousness of ours lie vast
fields of subconscious intelligence as yet unexplored. Beyond our earth
are still greater mysteries, unimaginable, unthinkable.
Bellows (in disgust)
And I counted on your common sense!
Seymour
Common sense is itself too frail and uncertain a thing to be a criterion
of sanity. The common sense of yesterday is to-day's folly, and our
present common sense will be the madness of to-morrow.
Bellows

Well, I'll be--I'll wait for you down-stairs, doctor. (Exit.)
Seymour
The lad ought not to be in there alone. (Goes to door.) Philo, my boy!
(PHILO comes out. He is extremely pale, his black hair pushed from
his forehead, and his eyes burning, but his manner is calm.)
Philo
Well, am I a free man?
Seymour
You are free, Philo.
Philo (perfunctorily)
Thank you, doctor.
Seymour
But you must have rest from this work. These subjects are too
overwhelming for a sane brain to carry without harm. This attic is
gloomy and the atmosphere unhealthy. You must have a complete
change.
Philo
I see. That is your answer to my discovery. (Turns suddenly to
WARNER.) And what do you think of it, father?
Warner
I don't seem to get hold of it, somehow, Philo. (Crosses to machine and
stares at it.) What's the good, anyhow? They're too far away.
'Twouldn't help business.

(PHILO gives a queer laugh. WARNER opens door.)
Warner
I'll see you down-stairs, doctor. (Exit.)
Philo (turning to MRS. W.)
And you, mother?
Mrs. W. (bustling up and gathering tray and glasses)
I've got to set my bread. (Crosses to machine and stares at it, holding
tray.) What'll we come to if folks in the stars begin pesterin'? We've got
enough to 'tend to right here. (Goes out muttering.) Got to set my bread.
(SEYMOUR and PHILO look at each other and smile.)
Seymour
Won't you come down, Philo?
Philo
No. It's livelier for me up here. More to think about.