is three o'clock. A LADY enters and greets the STRANGER. She is
about to pass him, but stops.]

STRANGER. It's you! I almost knew you'd come.

LADY. You wanted me: I felt it. But why are you waiting here?

STRANGER. I don't know. I must wait somewhere.

LADY. Who are you waiting for?

STRANGER. I wish I could tell you! For forty years I've been
waiting for something: I believe they call it happiness; or the end
of unhappiness. (Pause.) There's that terrible music again. Listen!
But don't go, I beg you. I'll feel afraid, if you do.

LADY. We met yesterday for the first time; and talked for four
hours. You roused my sympathy, but you mustn't abuse my kindness on
that account.

STRANGER. I know that well enough. But I beg you not to leave me.
I'm a stranger here, without friends; and my few acquaintances seem
more like enemies.

LADY. You have enemies everywhere. You're lonely everywhere. Why
did you leave your wife and children?

STRANGER. I wish I knew. I wish I knew why I still live; why I'm
here now; where I should go and what I should do! Do you believe
that the living can be damned already?