Part 11 (2/2)

Can't you _count_? Get away! (_Pushes her aside._) Two--three--four--three-- They have _changed_ it! Oh, I must answer!

_Reba_

Philo----

_Philo_

Go down!

_Reba_ (_clinging to him_)

I won't--I won't----

_Philo_ (_putting her in a chair_)

Sit there, then. And for G.o.d's sake be still! (_Returns to machine and counts under his breath._) It is true--it is true--and I am not ready! I am dumb, like all the world! I cannot let them know! (_Walks the floor, muttering_) But I will--I must. (_Crosses to window._) I must do it!--think of nothing else--nothing! I shall not sleep till it is done!... But they will call me mad--lock me up before I have finished, G.o.d, before I have finished!

_Reba_

Philo, listen!

_Philo_

It's the world's way ... to beat the spirit down ... the eager spirit, superbly sane, daring to pierce the barriers between heaven and earth!

_Reba_

I'll not sit here! (_She sits nevertheless._)

_Philo_

Oh, Truth-driven martyrs, seers of visions, prophets of the old world and the new, born out of your time to suffer by fire, by sword, and prison bars!

_Reba_ (_cooingly_)

Dear Philo!

_Philo_

I too shall join you! Forerunners of the waking spirit of the world!

(REBA _gets before him as he walks. Completely absorbed, he puts her aside, absently but gently, as if she were a kitten he did not wish to hurt._)

_Philo_

I must finish it--I must--before they beat me down! (_Pauses by machine._) There is no one but me to do it. If I fail they may have to wait another million years--out there--working, waiting. (_Resumes walk._) I shall not fail. I have gone too far. G.o.d will take my part now. Be it His own eternal sign, I will answer it!

<script>