MRS. EVERITT

She said the brook didn’t really run away, when it got out of sight across the fields it turned into rain.  So then the little girl was glad whenever it rained, because she knew it was the little brook coming back to her.

HAROLD

Oh.  And is this rain the brook coming back?  The little girl’s brook?

MRS. EVERITT

The little girl grew up and went away.  But it’s some little girl’s brook. (Walter comes in with sticks)

WALTER

I thought we’d have a fire.

ALICE

Good!  Make a big one.

MRS. EVERITT

Now, Harold, mother is going to put you in a nice bed, right under the roof where the rain-drops whisper and sing. (She takes Harold out)

ALICE

Where’d father go?

WALTER

He said he wanted a cigar.

ALICE

He’s been a long time.

WALTER

Perhaps he’s gone to look at the engine.

ALICE

Walter, what’s the matter with them?  Last night....

WALTER

I don’t know.  I heard them, too.  It isn’t the first time they have quarreled.

ALICE

It’s terrible!

WALTER

Father’s got a rotten temper, lately.

ALICE

I thought she wanted him—­

WALTER

She did, but he had no business to get so angry about it.

ALICE

But why did she want to change our plans at the last minute and go into Connecticut?  Everything was arranged to come here.

WALTER.

She said he had arranged it without speaking to her.  She said—­there’s something about it I don’t understand.

ALICE

I don’t either.  I—­(Mrs. Everitt enters)

WALTER

Did he go to sleep?

MRS. EVERITT

No.  He is talking to the rain.  I never heard him say such odd things.  I hated to leave him.  It seemed as if he heard voices....