She is
thus flooded with richer life when her_ AUNT _and Professor_ HOLDEN
_come back. Feeling something new, for a moment they do not speak_.)
AUNT ISABEL: Ready, dear? It's time for us to go now.
MADELINE: (_with the quiet of plentitude_) I'm going in with Emil
Johnson.
AUNT ISABEL: Why--Madeline. (_falteringly_) We thought you'd go with us.
MADELINE: No. I have to be--the most I can be. I want the wind to have
something to carry.
AUNT ISABEL: (_after a look at Professor_ HOLDEN, _who is looking
intensely at_ MADELINE) I don't understand.
MADELINE: The world is all a--moving field. (_her hands move, voice too
is of a moving field_) Nothing is to itself. If America thinks
so--America is like father. I don't feel alone any more. The wind has
come through--wind rich from lives now gone. Grandfather Fejevary, gift
from a field far off. Silas Morton. No, not alone any more. And afraid?
I'm not even afraid of being absurd!
AUNT ISABEL: But Madeline--you're leaving your father?
MADELINE: (_after thinking it out_) I'm not leaving--what's greater in
him than he knows.
AUNT ISABEL: You're leaving Morton College?
MADELINE: That runt on a high hill? Yes, I'm leaving grandfather's
college--then maybe I can one day lie under the same sod with him, and
not be ashamed.
Pages:
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265