The bells ring on, and the three young
people fade from the scene.
When they are gone and he is alone, the Colonel still addresses them.
'It's Barbara's wedding. Billy boy, why are you not at Barbara's
wedding?'
Soon the bells stop. He knows that he is alone now, but he does not
understand it. The sun is shining brightly, but he sits very cold in his
chair. He shivers. He is very glad to see his wife coming to him
through the open window. She is a dear old lady, and is dressed
brightly, as becomes one who has been to a wedding. Her face beams to
match her gown. She is really quite a happy woman again, for it is
several years since any deep sorrow struck her; and that is a long time.
No one, you know, understands the Colonel as she does, no one can soothe
him and bring him out of his imaginings as she can. He hastens to her.
He is no longer cold. That is her great reward for all she does for him.
'I have come back, John,' she says, smiling tranquilly on him. 'It
hasn't seemed very long, has it?'
'No, not long, Ellen. Had you a nice walk?'
She continues to smile, but she is watching him closely.
Pages:
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101