Chapter 80
THE GRANDFATHER. He will make a noise in the house.
THE DAUGHTER. I will tell him to work quietly. [_Suddenly the sound of a scythe being sharpened is heard outside._]
THE GRANDFATHER [_with a shudder_]. Oh!
THE UNCLE. What is that?
THE DAUGHTER. I don't quite know; I think it is the gardener. I cannot quite see; he is in the shadow of the house.
THE FATHER. It is the gardener going to mow.
THE UNCLE. He mows by night?
THE FATHER. Is not to-morrow Sunday?--Yes.--I noticed that the gra.s.s was very long round the house.
THE GRANDFATHER. It seems to me that his scythe makes as much noise...
THE DAUGHTER. He is mowing near the house.
THE GRANDFATHER. Can you see him, Ursula?
THE DAUGHTER. No, grandfather. He stands in the dark.
THE GRANDFATHER. I am afraid he will wake my daughter.
THE UNCLE. We can scarcely hear him.
THE GRANDFATHER. It sounds to me as if he were mowing inside the house.
THE UNCLE. The invalid will not hear it; there is no danger.
THE FATHER. It seems to me that the lamp is not burning well this evening.
THE UNCLE. It wants filling.
THE FATHER. I saw it filled this morning. It has burnt badly since the window was shut.
THE UNCLE. I fancy the chimney is dirty.
THE FATHER. It will burn better presently.
THE DAUGHTER. Grandfather is asleep. He has not slept for
THE FATHER. He has been so much worried.
THE UNCLE. He always worries too much. At times he will not listen to reason.
THE FATHER. It is quite excusable at his age.
THE UNCLE. G.o.d knows what we shall be like at his age!
THE FATHER. He is nearly eighty.
THE UNCLE. Then he has a right to be strange.
THE FATHER. He is like all blind people.
THE UNCLE. They think too much.
THE FATHER. They have too much time to spare.
THE UNCLE. They have nothing else to do.
THE FATHER. And, besides, they have no distractions.
THE UNCLE. That must be terrible.
THE FATHER. Apparently one gets used to it.
THE UNCLE. I cannot imagine it.
THE FATHER. They are certainly to be pitied.
THE UNCLE. Not to know where one is, not to know where one has come from, not to know whither one is going, not to be able to distinguish midday from midnight, or summer from winter--and always darkness, darkness! I would rather not live. Is it absolutely incurable?
THE FATHER. Apparently so.
THE UNCLE. But he is not absolutely blind?
THE FATHER. He can perceive a strong light.
THE UNCLE. Let us take care of our poor eyes.
THE FATHER. He often has strange ideas.
THE UNCLE. At times he is not at all amusing.
THE FATHER. He says absolutely everything he thinks.
THE UNCLE. But he was not always like this?
THE FATHER. No; once he was as rational as we are; he never said anything extraordinary. I am afraid Ursula encourages him a little too much; she answers all his questions....
THE UNCLE. It would be better not to answer them. It's a mistaken kindness to him. [_Ten o'clock strikes._]
THE GRANDFATHER [_waking up_]. Am I facing the gla.s.s door?
THE DAUGHTER. You have had a nice sleep, grandfather?