The Barretts of Wimpole Street Page #3

You're just torturing her because you like torturing.

I have told you to fetch a tankard of Porter.

I won't do it.

Must I ask you a third time ?

Obey me this instant !

Papa !

Go and fetch it, Henrietta. Go at once.

I can't stand this.

Oh, no, Ba...

Please.

You had all better say good night to your sister.

Good night, darling.

Good night, Ba, dear.

Good night, darling.

Give it to me, please.

No. You may go.

Good night, darling.

You may go !

Elizabeth, why do you look at me like that, child ?

Are you frightened ?

No.

You're trembling. Why ?

I... don't know.

You're not frightened of me.

No, no.

Don't say it. I couldn't bear it.

You're everything in the world to me and you know that.

Without you I should be quite alone and you know that too.

If you love me

you can't be afraid of me, for love casts out fear.

You love me, my darling ? You love your father ?

Yes.

Then you will prove your love by doing as I wish.

But I don't understand. I was going to drink...

Yes, out of fear, not love.

Listen to me, my dear.

I shall never in any way reproach you.

You shalll never know by deed or word or hint of mine...

... how much you have grieved and wounded your father

by refusing to do the little that he asked of you.

Oh, papa. Let us get this over with and forget it.

I can't forgive myself for having made

the whole house miserable over a tankard of Porter.

You're acting of your own free will and not...

Yes, papa, yes.

You're not feeling any worse tonight, my darling.

No, papa.

Just tired ?

Yes, just tired.

I'd better leave you now.

Shall I say a little prayer with you before I go ?

Please, papa.

Almighty and merciful God...

in thine inscrutable wisdom

thou hast seen fit to lay upon thy daughter Elizabeth...

... grievous and heavy afflictions.

For many years she hath languished in sickness...

... for many years, unless in thy mercy thou take her to thyself, she may languish on.

Give her to bear her sufferings in patience.

Give her to fix her heart and soul on thee.

And on that heavenly eternity

which may at any moment open out before her...

Amen.

Amen.

Good night.

Good night, papa.

Better see your bed now, Miss Ba.

Oh, what a pity.

These flowers are dead, just since this morning.

Why don't they live longer ?

Nothing lives in this room.

What was that, miss ?

Oh, Wilson, I'm so tired.

Tired, tired.

Will it never end ?

End, miss ?

This long, long gray death of life.

Oh, Miss Ba, you shouldn't say such things.

No, I suppose I shouldn't.

Is it a fine night outside ?

Yes, it cleared up nicely after the rain.

And there's such a lovely moon.

Moon ? Do you think I could see it from here ?

Mm, I don't know, I'm sure.

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