The Return of Peter Grimm by David Belasco
page 139 of 154 (90%)
page 139 of 154 (90%)
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REV. MR. BATHOLOMMEY. _Can_ it be true? Oh, dreadful! Dreadful! MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. But that child knew it all along. He's eight years old and he was with her until five--and five's the age of memory. Every incident of his mother's life has lingered in his little mind. Supposing you do find her and learn that it's all true: what do you prove? Simply that _William remembered_, and that's all there is to it. REV. MR. BATHOLOMMEY. Let us hope that there's not a word of truth in it. Don't you think, Doctor--mind, I'm not opposing your ideas as a clergyman,--I'm just echoing what _everybody else_ thinks--don't you believe these spiritualistic ideas, leading _away_ from the Heaven _we_ were taught to believe in, tend towards irresponsibility--er-- eccentricity--and--often--er--insanity? Is it healthy--that's the idea--is it healthy? DR. MACPHERSON. Well, Batholommey, religion has frequently led to the stake, and I never heard of the Spanish Inquisition being called _healthy_ for anybody taking part in it. Still, religion flourishes. But your old-fashioned, unscientific, gilt, ginger-bread Heaven blew up ten years ago--went out. My Heaven's just coming in. It's new. Dr. Funk and a lot of the clergymen are in already. You'd better get used to it, Batholommey, and get in line and into the procession. REV. MR. BATHOLOMMEY. You'll have to convince me first, Doctor--and that no man can do. I made up my mind at twenty-one, and my Heaven is just where it was then. DOCTOR MACPHERSON. So I see. It hasn't improved a particle. |
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