Amen!
(The CONFESSOR has read the above loudly and rapidly, without
turning to the STRANGER. All those present, except the LADY, who is
working, have been listening and have joined in the curse, though
they have feigned not to notice the STRANGER, who has remained with
his back to them, sunk in himself. The STRANGER now rises as if to
go. The CONFESSOR goes towards him.)
STRANGER. What was that?
CONFESSOR. The Book of Deuteronomy.
STRANGER. Of course. But I seem to remember blessings in it, too.
CONFESSOR. Yes, for those who keep His commandments.
STRANGER. Hm. ... I can't deny that, for a moment, I felt shaken.
Are they temptations to be resisted, or warnings to be obeyed?
(Pause.) Anyhow I'm certain now that I have fever. I must go to a
real doctor.
CONFESSOR. See he _is_ the right one!
STRANGER. Of course!
CONFESSOR. Who can heal 'delightful scruples of conscience'!
ABBESS. Should you need charity again, you now know where to find
it.
STRANGER. No. I do not.
ABBESS (in a low voice). Then I'll tell you. In a 'rose' room, near
a certain running stream.
STRANGER. That's the truth! In a 'rose' room. Wait; how long have I
been here?
ABBESS. Three months to-day.
STRANGER. Three months! Have I been sleeping? Or where have I been?
(Looking out of the window.) It's autumn. The trees are bare; the
clouds look cold. Now it's coming back to me! Can you hear a mill
grinding? The sound of a horn? The rushing of a river? A wood
whispering--and a woman weeping? You're right.
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