The Flutter of the Goldleaf | Page 7

book! (Turns the leaves.) Why--the leaves are half gone!
Philo
They're handy for cleaning my wires.
(She throws the book down, and stands uncertain.)
Philo
Going, Reba? Good night!
Reba
No, I'm not going. This is my last chance. You'll bar the window
to-morrow.
Philo (determinedly)
Yes, I will.
(He bends closely over his work. She lies across the table opposite,
watching his movements intently. He fumbles for a tool.)
Reba
The little one? Here it is!
(Hands him a small wire tool. He stares at her face so near his own,
then takes the instrument and works 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,