Robert
Did you hear Bertha return?
Richard
No. I wrote all the night. And thought. [Pointing to the study.] In there. Before dawn I went out and walked the strand from end to end.
Robert
[Shaking his head.] Suffering. Torturing yourself.
Richard
Hearing voices about me. The voices of those who say they love me.
Robert
[Points to the door on the right.] One. And mine?
Richard
Another still.
Robert
[Smiles and touches his forehead with his right forefinger.] True. My interesting but somewhat melancholy cousin. And what did they tell you?
Richard
They told me to despair.
Robert
A queer way of showing their love, I must say! And will you despair?
Richard
[Rising.] No.
[A noise is heard at the window. Archie's face is seen flattened against one of the panes. He is heard calling.]
Archie
Open the window! Open the window!
