May monologue (Act 3) — Comrades: A Drama in Three Acts

Roy. Roy, where?——I must have dreamed, when I threw myself upon the bed. Such a horrid dream. Where are they all? (_Looks off_ L.) There’s a light in the billiard room, and Marcus and Bess are there. I’ll go to them (_goes to_ I. E. L.). No, how happy they look; I should be in the way. Dear Bess; to-morrow takes her from me, and gives her to another. May she be happy! She will never know my foolish fears for her made so much mischief. (_Goes slowly to chair at fireplace, stands with her hand on back of it, looking into fire._) And to-night I shall know all. Ah, Roy, my husband, you know not how those simple words comfort me. In their fulfilment I feel there is a power to lift a burden hard to bear. (_Sits in chair, half turned to fire._) And to-night I dreamed of him——the outcast. (_Soft music_, MATT WINSOR _opens door_ C. _softly, catches hold of side of doorway and steadies himself, appears drunk._) I thought he appeared before me in all his rags, as once he came (MATT _staggers to ottoman near window, catches at top of it and steadies himself eyes on the fireplace_), wretched as then, the same drunken look in his eyes. (MATT _staggers to table in same way._) Oh, how I trembled as he fixed his eyes upon me and said: