Bernice | MusicalTheatreResourceCenter

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FATHER I think it wasn't that she--wanted it that way. You know, Margaret, I felt something--very wistful in Bernice. [MARGARET looks at him, nods.] In this calm now--I feel the wistfulness there was in her other calm. MARGARET Yes. FATHER As if she wanted to give us more. Oh--she gave more than any one else could have given. But not all she was. And she would like to have given us--all she was. She wanted to give--what couldn't be given. [Pause.] You know what I mean, Margaret? MARGARET Yes, I do know. FATHER And so--wistfulness. I see it now. [After thinking.] I think Bernice feared she was not a very good wife for Craig. [MARGARET gives him a startled look.] Little things she'd say. I don't know--perhaps I'm wrong. [After a move of MARGARET'S.] You were going to say something, Margaret. MARGARET No. I was just thinking of what you said. FATHER Craig didn't dominate Bernice. I don't know whose fault it was. I don't know that it was anyone's fault. Just the way things were. He--I say it in all kindness, he just didn't--have it in him. [Slowly.] As I haven't had certain things in me. [ABBIE comes in. ABBIE People are coming. The Aldrichs--other neighbors. FATHER Oh--they are coming? [With pain.] Already? Oh. They are to wait in the south room--till a little later. I'll speak to them. [They go out; MARGARET has a moment alone. Then CRAIG comes in from outside. CRAIG People are beginning to come. I suppose they'll come in here soon. I--I don't want them to. [LAURA enters with boxes of flowers. Oh--Laura, please. Bernice loved flowers. LAURA Well--Craig. CRAIG Would you take them around the other way? Or keep them till later--or something. I don't want them here!

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