Why the Chimes Rang | Page 5

go and leave her?
STEEN. Not go?
BERTEL. Go, of course we'll go, she'll warm herself and march along.
HOLGER. But she is ill. (Turns to STEEN _with new decision in his
manner_) Thou shalt go with Uncle but I--must stay with her.
BERTEL. Nonsense, Holger!
HOLGER. No, it isn't!--If we should all go now, the fire would go out
and the light,--and she would wake up in the cold darkness and not
know where to turn for help.
BERTEL. Na, by Saint Christopher!--Miss a miracle to keep company
with a beggar!--Who held her hand before thou camest along? Send her
packing and make haste, Holger.
STEEN. Oh, do, Holger!
HOLGER. If there were some place near that we could take her.
BERTEL. There isn't a place on the road,--they've all gone to town long
ago. Bid her fare there also!
HOLGER. (Looks at the OLD WOMAN, then at BERTEL, then back
to the OLD WOMAN, _then he shakes his head_) Mother wouldn't
treat her so,--she'd be good to her.
BERTEL. Think of what you'll miss! (An expression of anguish passes
over HOLGER'S _face, but he shakes his head and turns toward the old
woman_) Well, this is idle talk, thou and I will go, Steen.
STEEN. Oh, come,--let's go!
BERTEL. (To STEEN, but for HOLGER'S _benefit_) Thou and I will
see the King, perchance--The Christ! Thou art stubborn, Holger, I who
am older tell thee what to do! (HOLGER _shakes his head again_)
Come, Steen! (_He opens the door and goes out_)
STEEN. (_Following him_) Good-bye, Holger.
HOLGER. Good-bye! (STEEN _goes out and shuts the door. There is a
moment's pause while_ HOLGER _stands staring at the closed door,
then he suddenly runs toward it_) Oh, wait, wait for me, Uncle, I will
go! (_He opens the door, starts to go through it, then stops, turns and
looks at the Woman, is drawn slowly backward by his gaze and comes

in closing the door_) No!
WOMAN. (_Moaning_) The path--is so--steep!
HOLGER. (_Goes to her and bends over her_) Didst thou speak, dame?
(The WOMAN _does not answer_) Thou art like Grandmother, and I
know what Mother would do for _her_! (_Feeling her hands_) Art
warmer, dame?--still cold!--The covers aren't very thick. (_He looks
about the bare room, sees the old shawl hanging from the peg near the
fire, takes it down and spreads it over the woman_) Thou must get
warm! (_Goes to the fire and builds it higher_)
WOMAN. (_Still wandering in her mind_) Berries,--yes, find berries.
HOLGER. Oh, thou art hungry! (_He turns to the shelf, takes his own
untasted bowl of porridge, brings it to her_) Dame, here is food!
WOMAN. (_Rousing_) Food, give it to me, child, I am dying for food!
(HOLGER _gives her the porridge and sits down on the floor beside
her._)
HOLGER. (_Watching her as she devours the porridge_) _Ah, poor
soul!_--Why, thou wert starving!--Na, just see!--Mother says that's
what makes my little brother so round and rosy, because he eats so
much porridge,--you like it, don't you?
WOMAN. It is life itself! (_Her voice has grown young and strong.
Sinks back again as she has eaten it all_) Bless thee, Child!
(HOLGER _sets the empty dish aside on the hearth and turns to feel
her hands._)
HOLGER. Oh, thou art warm!
WOMAN. Aye, warm! (_In a voice increasingly rich and sweet. At this
moment there comes the distant sound of organ music._ HOLGER
_straightens suddenly in a listening attitude_) Listen,--is that music?
HOLGER. From the Cathedral!--Aye, it must be,--last summer we
could hear it plain, and now with so many thousands there! (_Leaves
the woman and stands in the center of the room listening attentively_)
It's beginning!--(_Pause_) Everyone is there!
WOMAN. Why are they there.
HOLGER. It's the great service! (_He goes toward the window and
stands looking out. He talks on half to her, half to himself_) All the
world is there, the village folk, and strangers from afar, great court folk,
too,--aye, and the King,--our King! And He will give a gift,--a King's
gift! (_She rises erectly and follows him across the room. There is the

strength and poise of youth in her walk. The heavy black hood has
fallen back revealing a head covering of white linen that suggests a
sister of Charity and gives her face a look of austerity and sweetness.
She is strong, maternal, beautiful. Intuitively,_ HOLGER, _in his
disappointment begins to lean upon her sympathy. The music grows a
little louder and floats into the room_) Look, dame, you can even see
the windows gleam! It is so near! It's all beginning and--I--am not there!
(_A sob creeps into his voice_)
WOMAN. Son!
HOLGER. Aye, dame? (_He turns and comes toward her, she seats
herself on the stool near the window, reaches out a hand