CALLIFER: I’d have given my life for you—but what could I do? I could only pray. I suppose I offered something in return. Something I valued—not spirits. I really thought I loved God in those days. I said—I said, “Let him live, God. I love him. Let him live. I will give you anything if you will let him live.” But what had I got to give Him? I was a poor man. I said, “Take away what I love most. Take—take—” (He can’t remember.)

JAMES: “Take away my faith but let him live”?

CALLIFER: Did you hear me?

JAMES: Yes. You were speaking a long way off, and I came towards you through a cave of darkness. I didn’t want to come. I struggled not to come. But something pushed me to you.

CALLIFER: Something?

JAMES: Or somebody. (Callifer begins to weep.) Uncle, can I help?

CALLIFER: I even forgot what I said to Him, until you came. He answered my prayer, didn’t He? He took my offer.

JAMES: Do you really believe …

CALLIFER: Look around you. Look at this room. It makes sense, doesn’t it, now? (He sweeps a glass onto the floor.) You must forgive me. I’m tired and a little drunk. I haven’t thought about that day for thirty years. Will you see me to my room? It’s dark on the landing. (He gets up, and then pauses and looks up at the hideous picture.) I thought I had lost Him forever.

CURTAIN

Act Three

Act Three

The drawing room at Wild Grove. Evening. Mrs. Callifer has a book on her lap but she is not reading. Sara is facing an untidy pile of holly.

SARA (picking up the holly): It’s a bad year for berries. (She looks up at the cornice.) I’ll have to get the stepladder.

MRS. CALLIFER: Leave it to the morning, dear, and then Anne can help you.

John enters in an overcoat, hat in hand.

JOHN: Anne’s still not ready. Mother, this is the only children’s party I go to these holidays. I’m getting too old for Blind Man’s Buff.

MRS. CALLIFER: Well, dear, it was you who insisted.

JOHN (going to the hall door): Anne!

MRS. CALLIFER: I don’t think she’s very fond of Blind Man’s Buff either.

JOHN: She has to learn her social obligations. (Anne enters.) We are a quarter of an hour late already.

ANNE: I know. With any luck we shall miss The Ocean Is Agitated.

MRS. CALLIFER: What’s that?

ANNE: It’s the most hideous game of the year. Can I have a cocktail, Granny?

MRS. CALLIFER: Of course you can’t.

ANNE: He had a whisky. He said he wanted Dutch courage.

JOHN: That’s quite different. Come on.

ANNE: We needn’t stay long, need we?