Part 47 (1/2)

_Ray._ The cough?

_Lau._ Incessant. He breathes with difficulty.

_Ray._ His face is flushed?

_Lau._ Yes.

_Ray._ The doctor gave you a prescription?

_Lau._ I came to show it to you. I don't thoroughly understand this.

(_They are close to each other, examining the prescription which Raymond holds._)

_Ray._ (_Reading._) ”Keep an even temperature in the sick room.”

_Lau._ Yes.

_Ray._ ”Wrap the limbs in cotton wool, and cover that with oiled silk.” I am going to do that myself as soon as he wakes. Tell them to warn me.

_Lau._ What ought he to have to drink? I forgot to ask that, and he is thirsty.

_Ray._ Mallow.

_Lau._ I'm sure he doesn't like it.

_Ray._ Yes, yes. You remember when he had the measles.

_Lau._ Yes, yes. How anxious we were then, too!

_Ray._ He drank it willingly. You remember perfectly?

_Lau._ Yes, of course I remember. Some mallow then. Let us read the prescription again. I haven't forgotten anything? Mustard plasters.

The cotton wool, you will attend to that. And I will go have the drink made. ”In addition--every hour--a coffee-spoonful of the following medicine.”

(_The curtain falls slowly as she continues to read. M. de Girieu has gone out slowly during the last words._)[54]

Finally, contrast the treatment by John Webster and Robert Browning of the same dramatic situation. Which is the clearer, which depends more on ill.u.s.trative action?

_Enter Antonio_

_d.u.c.h.ess._ I sent for you; sit downe: Take pen and incke, and write: are you ready?

_Antonio._ Yes.

_Duch._ What did I say?

_Ant._ That I should write some-what.

_Duch._ Oh, I remember: After this triumph and this large expence, It's fit (like thrifty husbands) we enquire, What's laid up for tomorrow.

_Ant._ So please your beauteous excellence.