Page:Poet Lore, volume 35, 1924.pdf/513

Same as Act I. In the lodge of the old man, candles are burning. On the garden table is a lamp. Through the open door of the lodge the Dean is seen kneeling in prayer. Ann is seated under the chestnut tree, Johnny at her side. He is frightened. Holding on to his mother, he throws a scared glance at the death chamber now and again.

A sexton comes out of the lodge, a cassock over his arm, a satchel with paraments over his shoulder. Hans comes after him. The sexton goes out right, Andrew lighting his way with a candle. Hans comes to the table and buries his face in his hands. Johnny seeing his uncle in sorrow is about to approach him.)

Ann (In a sharp whisper, restrains him).—Stay right here!

Johnny (Struggles free of her hand and runs to Hans).—I don’t want to! Let me go, mama! (Ann about to pursue, but remains seated.)

Johnny (Caressing Hans’ head).—Don’t cry so bitterly, uncle.

Hans.—Oh, it’s you, Johnny!—I am not crying, see?

Johnny.—I thought you were. Why don’t you, when your father died?

Hans.—One does not always cry when one is sad. When you grow up you will realize that often your heart will be breaking when your eyes will shed no tears. Did you love grandpa?

Johnny.—Oh, yes, very much, but they would never let me go to him. Aunt Julia, she loved him very much too. The others, they did not love him so much . . not so much as we two.

Hans.—How much did the others love him?

Johnny.—Not so well as we two. You see. I had to love him the most of all, because he was my grandfather and my godfather, too.

Hans.—So your name is Jan, also? You are going to celebrate tomorrow?

Johnny.—I am. (Tearfully) Oh dear! Grandpa will never hear my greeting any more and I learned such a pretty one. Aunt Julia found it for me.

Hans.—Never mind, you shall say it to me.