remains near the open door.
I beg your pardon. Is it—Dr. Ogilvie?
Doctor
I am the Doctor.
Mrs. Lattin
I must apologise. Did no one——?
Doctor
I found my way.
[Both pause, gazing.
Mrs. Lattin
(With relief.) Ah! Thank you.
[She makes an unfinished gesture towards a seat. Her eyes remain fixed on his. She smiles faintly.
Doctor
You called for me. (He makes one step nearer.)
Mrs. Lattin
My husband, I believe, did write. We—expected you.
Doctor
I am come.
Mrs. Lattin
It is exceedingly—it is more than kind of you. You are so good. I mean—(stammers; sinks back upon the cushions, unable to maintain the effort). I am very ill.
Doctor
I know.
Mrs. Lattin
You know! Ah yes—you know.
Doctor
That is why you called me. That is why I am here now.
Mrs. Lattin
I can tell you very briefly what——
Doctor
It is unnecessary.
Mrs. Lattin
But——
Doctor
I have been watching you.
[He straightens up a little; a new dignity is in him. She gazes intently. She stretches out a hand, then withdraws it, hesitatingly, again.
Mrs. Lattin
You mean——?
Doctor
I knew—that you would send for me.
Mrs. Lattin
Ah! The medical journals! My case, of course—its peculiar—er—its hopelessness.
Doctor
There are no hopeless cases. (He smiles. His voice is very gentle.)
Mrs. Lattin
(Bewildered.) You are very ki—good. I thank you, already.
Doctor
(Shaking his head quietly.) And you already—I see—are on the way to your recovery.
Mrs. Lattin
Recovery!
Doctor
Since you realise that you are very ill.
Mrs. Lattin
Oh—in that sense.
Doctor
In every sense.
[She is more and more aware of something unusual in him. She keeps her gaze steadily on his face. She makes a gesture towards him, then hesitates. She seems on the point of saying more—speaking more freely.
Mrs. Lattin
I think—there must be a mistake somewhere. I don’t quite understand how you——
Doctor
There are no mistakes.
Mrs. Lattin
But you are sure it is me you have come to see?
Doctor
It is you.
Mrs. Lattin
Mrs. Lattin?
[He bows his head.
In this street and house—13 Bristol Square?
Doctor
This street, this square (moves nearer and puts his hand upon her head), this very house you occupy—for the moment.
[She stares at him. They smile. She is aware of another meaning in his words. A touch of awe shows in her manner.
Mrs. Lattin
(Low.) This—body?
Doctor
Which, for the moment, you—are occupying, Little Child.
Mrs. Lattin
(Awed.) You know that name! My husband’s secret name!
Doctor
It is—your name.
[He moves back a step so that she can see the picture. One hand he stretches towards her as in blessing. Her eyes turn from the Egyptian night-scene to his face again.
Mrs. Lattin
(Softly, to herself.) My little secret love-name. It is too marvellous—this. I am completely at a loss to—(breaks off, as he looks down and smiles at her).
Doctor
Love names truly always.
Mrs. Lattin
He … has … always … called me so.
Doctor
He has loved you truly—always.
Mrs. Lattin
(Sitting up.) But you know everything in the world! Who are you—really? (Awe increases in her.)
Doctor
I am the Doctor.
Mrs. Lattin
Doctor!
