Act 1, Scene 2 Summary

This scene is a year later, 1891. The stage is set with the same bedroom although now there's a bassinette added. Michael has been sleeping in the fourposter, which is strewn with books, papers and an oversized dinner bell. Suddenly he awakens and begins to call for Agnes and also picks up the bell and rings it incessantly.

Agnes, who is very pregnant, rushes into the room carrying a pile of clean laundry. Michael declares that he is having such pains that he can barely stand it any longer. She puts the laundry down, goes to him and determines that his pain is really sympathy labor pains. She is put out because she has been so concerned for him. He jumps out of bed, determined to get the doctor but she reminds him that the doctor is to be called when she...