Karma. Algernon Blackwood

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Karma - Algernon  Blackwood


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be very careful.

      [Nurse exit.

      (Phillip comes to his wife.)

      Mrs. Lattin

      At last, Phillip. I’m so glad you’ve come, dear. I’ve been waiting and longing so. They kept you—but you belong to me, don’t you? You’re tired, poor old thing. Come to me, Phillip—closer. (Stretches out hand.)

      Phillip

      I am a bit late. I’m sorry, Little Child. They kept me, yes. But you——?

      Mrs. Lattin

      I’m well enough to listen. You’re back; I forgive you. And it’s all arranged as you wished—as you hoped?

      Phillip

      Sir George was kindness itself——

      Mrs. Lattin

      You saw the Foreign Secretary!

      Phillip

      You didn’t know I was such a big-wig, did you? It is important, you see, dear. The situation out there is complicated. I’ve left them in the lurch a little, and my advice—er—my knowledge, Sir George was good enough to say—at such a time——

      Mrs. Lattin

      In the lurch, Phillip! How in the lurch? You’re only asking a longer leave than usual.

      Phillip

      There, there. I don’t want you to worry your dear head with politics. The new doctor will be here any minute now. That’s far more important.

      Mrs. Lattin

      I would rather know exactly. It doesn’t worry me.

      Phillip

      It’s all been arranged most satisfactorily, dear; and I’m very pleased. So you’re pleased with me—eh?

      Mrs. Lattin

      Phillip—what has been arranged?

      Phillip

      Sir George was most complimentary. The Government would recognise my services—my long services, he called it. He even discussed with me—asked my advice, if you must know the full weight of honour placed upon me!—as to my successor——

      Mrs. Lattin

      Successor!

      Phillip

      But, darling, some one must fill my place. There must be a locum tenens, as they say in the church.

      Mrs. Lattin

      You’ve—resigned!

      Phillip

      Dear one, there was no other way. It’s a formality, you see. I can always take it up again where I left it off. Our man in Egypt—just now—must be there. He must be on the spot, of course——

      Mrs. Lattin

      But six months’ leave! Surely, six months’ leave——

      Phillip

      Means the entire winter. There, there, Little Child, it’s nothing. You must not exaggerate like this. What is my work in Egypt compared to being with you. The doctors forbid you to go out. It’s quite simple: I prefer to stay with you. My world lies in your heart. I—I can always take up the work again when—when you’re better.

      Mrs. Lattin

      Resigned, resigned! You have actually resigned. Your career—I have broken your career—at last—completely. Is it wrong, then, that I need you so?

      Phillip

      Hush, dearest——

      Mrs. Lattin

      You have paid this tremendous price—and I have made you pay it.

      Phillip

      I wish to be always with you. That is my only wish, my only happiness.

      Mrs. Lattin

      For my sake you have sacrificed——

      Phillip

      It’s I who am selfish to tire you with all this stupid Government business. There, now; you’ve talked too much and I have done you harm. There’s only happiness in my heart. No more nonsense-talk about sacrifice. You must lie quiet and rest again. I can be always with you.

      Mrs. Lattin

      Yes, to the end—my end and yours. O God! Why did I not understand before?

      Phillip

      You must not speak like that. Love—our love—knows no end.

      Mrs. Lattin

      Oh, I am miserable, Phillip, miserable, miserable.

      Phillip

      Please, do not say such things.

      Mrs. Lattin

      But I must, I must. My selfishness has brought you to this last renouncement. Egypt has meant so much to you.

      Phillip

      Too much, Mary, too much. Egypt was coming between us.

      Mrs. Lattin

      Your work there, the great work I have ruined … ! Egypt meant home to you.

      Phillip

      Home is where you are, dearest, and nowhere else. You have taught me this—in time. (To himself.) Egypt! Ah, Egypt!

      Mrs. Lattin

      I hate it. It terrifies me. There is pain for me in Egypt. An instinctive dread comes over me always—something from very far away. I have struggled against it, for your sake, but—oh, it’s so, so strong. If only you could forgive me——!

      Phillip

      Hush, dearest!

      Mrs. Lattin

      But it has come between us. You love it so. And it’s my fault that you can’t—your career, I mean——

      Phillip

      Dear one, whatever is, is right. There is nothing to regret. Egypt, indeed, has drawn me strangely. There is some power out there—a spiritual power—that has cast a glamour over me. It has been a passion with me.

      Mrs. Lattin

      My instinctive terror!

      Phillip

      And my instinctive love!

      [They glance together in silence at a great picture above the bed—an Egyptian night-scene, with stars and Nile.

      Yes … yes … strange indeed! From my earliest days it drew me. Those palms and temples, that majestic desert——!

      Mrs. Lattin

      Phillip, don’t! Those stars, that river bring me sadness—immense regret. I feel them always rising over me. They watch me!

      Phillip

      Forgive me. It was the marvellous beauty took me. I——

      Mrs. Lattin

      But it’s an unearthly beauty. And something in it—lost. It’s lost to you. And I—oh, but I do love you so; for ever and ever you are mine—aren’t you?

      [He stoops and kisses her. She half rises, whispering:

      Phillip, dearest—something strange comes over me. I see a lifting of this heavy English sky. I have been through this before—I have done this very thing before—long, long ago—injured you somehow! Oh, Phillip, can


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