are quite right.
The Grandfather. Why couldn't I see my poor daughter to-day?
The Uncle. You know quite well—the doctor forbade it.
The Grandfather. I do not know what to think....
The Uncle. It is useless to worry.
The Grandfather [pointing to the door on the left]. She cannot hear us?
The Father. We will not talk too loud; besides, the door is very thick, and the Sister of Mercy is with her, and she is sure to warn us if we are making too much noise.
The Grandfather [pointing to the door on the right]. He cannot hear us?
The Father. No, no.
The Grandfather. He is asleep?
The Father. I suppose so.
The Grandfather. Some one had better go and see.
The Uncle. The little one would cause me more anxiety than your wife. It is now several weeks since he was born, and he has scarcely stirred. He has not cried once all the time! He is like a wax doll.
The Grandfather. I think he will be deaf—dumb too, perhaps—the usual result of a marriage between cousins.... [A reproving silence.]
The Father. I could almost wish him ill for the suffering he has caused his mother.
The Uncle. Do be reasonable; it is not the poor little thing's fault. He is quite alone in the room?
The Father. Yes; the doctor does not wish him to stay in his mother's room any longer.
The Uncle. But the nurse is with him?
The Father. No; she has gone to rest a little; she has well deserved it these last few days. Ursula, just go and see if he is asleep.
The Eldest Daughter. Yes, father. [The Three Sisters get up, and go into the room on the right, hand in hand.]
The Father. When will your sister come?
The Uncle. I think she will come about nine.
The Father. It is past nine. I hope she will come this evening, my wife is so anxious to see her.
The Uncle. She is sure to come. This will be the first time she has been here?
The Father. She has never been in the house.
The Uncle. It is very difficult for her to leave her convent.
The Father. Will she be alone?
The Uncle. I expect one of the nuns will come with her. They are not allowed to go out alone.
The Father. But she is the Superior.
The Uncle. The rule is the same for all.
The Grandfather. Do you not feel anxious?
The Uncle. Why should we feel anxious? What's the good of harping on that? There is nothing more to fear.
The Grandfather. Your sister is older than you?
The Uncle. She is the eldest.
The Grandfather. I do not know what ails me; I feel uneasy. I wish your sister were here.
The Uncle. She will come; she promised to.
The Grandfather. Ah, if this evening were only over!
[The three daughters come in again.]
The Father. He is asleep?
The Eldest Daughter. Yes, father; he is sleeping soundly.
The Uncle. What shall we do while we are waiting?
The Grandfather. Waiting for what?
The Uncle. Waiting for our sister.
The Father. You see nothing coming, Ursula?
The Eldest Daughter [at the window]. Nothing, father.
The Father. Not in the avenue? Can you see the avenue?
The Daughter. Yes, father; it is moonlight, and I can see the avenue as far as the cypress wood.
The Grandfather. And you do not see any one?
The Daughter. No one, grandfather.
The Uncle. What sort of a night is it?
The Daughter. Very fine. Do you hear the nightingales?
The Uncle. Yes, yes.
The Daughter. A little wind is rising in the avenue.
The Grandfather. A little wind in the avenue?
The Daughter. Yes; the trees are trembling a little.
The Uncle. I am surprised that my sister is not here yet.
The Grandfather. I cannot hear the nightingales any longer.
The Daughter. I think some one has come into the garden, grandfather.
The Grandfather. Who is it?
The Daughter. I do not know; I can see no one.
The Uncle. Because there is no one there.
The Daughter. There must be some one in the garden; the nightingales have suddenly ceased singing.
The Grandfather. But I do not hear any one coming.
The Daughter. Some one must be passing by the pond, because the swans are ruffled.
Another Daughter. All the fishes in the pond are diving suddenly.
The Father. You cannot see any one.
The Daughter. No one, father.
The Father. But the pond lies in the moonlight....
The Daughter. Yes; I can see that the swans are ruffled.
The Uncle. I am sure it is my sister who is scaring them. She must have come in by the little gate.
The Father. I cannot understand why the dogs do not bark.
The Daughter. I can see the watchdog right at the back of his kennel. The swans are crossing to the other bank!...
The Uncle. They are afraid of my sister. I will go and see. [He calls.] Sister! sister! Is that you?... There is no one there.
The Daughter. I am sure that some one has come into the garden.
