She. (Turns and hides her face on his shoulder and shakes with sobs.) I’m not—­crying for sorrow—­for them.  I’m crying—­for the glory of it.  Because—­I’m so proud and glad—­that it’s too much for me.  To belong to such a nation—­to such men.  I’m crying for knowing, it was my nation—­my men.  And America is—­the same today.  I know it.  If she needed you today, Ted, you would fight like that.  You would go over the top with the charging Blank_th_, with a shout, if the order came—­wouldn’t you, my own man?

He. (Looking into the old ditch with his head bent reverently.) I hope so.

She.  And I hope I would send you with all my heart.  Death like that is more than life.

He.  I’ve made you cry.

She.  Not you.  What they did—­those boys.

He.  It’s fitting that Americans should come here, as they do come, as to a Mecca, a holy place.  For it was here that America was saved.  That’s what they did, the boys who made that charge.  They saved America from the most savage and barbarous enemy of all time.  As sure as France and England were at the end of their rope—­and they were—­so surely Germany, the victor, would have invaded America, and Belgium would have happened in our country.  A hundred years wouldn’t have been enough to free us again, if that had happened.  You and I, dearest, owe it to those soldiers that we are here together, free, prosperous citizens of an ever greater country.

She. (Drops on her knees by the ditch.) It’s a shrine.  Men of my land, I own my debt.  I thank you for all I have and am.  God bless you in your heaven. (Silence.)

He. (Tears in his eyes.  His arm around her neck as he bends to her.) You’ll not forget the story of the Charging Blank_th_?

She.  Never again.  In my life. (Rising.) I think their spirits must be here often.  Perhaps they’re happy when Americans are here.  It’s a holy place, as you said.  Come away now.  I love to leave it in sunshine and flowers with the dear ghosts of the boys. (Exit He and She.)

FIFTH ACT

The scene it the same trench in the year 2018.  It is five o’clock of the same summer afternoon.  An officer of the American Army and an English cabinet member come, together, to visit the old trench.  The American has a particular reason for his interest; the Englishman accompanies the distinguished American.  The two review the story of the trench and speak of other things connected, and it is hoped that they set forth the far-reaching work of the soldiers who died, not realizing their work, in the great fight of the Charging Blankth.

Englishman.  It’s a peaceful scene.

American. (Advances to the side of the ditch.  Looks down.  Takes off his cap.) I came across the ocean to see it. (He looks over the fields.) It’s quiet.