ed about, working here and there to earn
enough to live on.

RHODA.

I understand well why men take up that life. I should love it myself.

MICHAELIS.

I didn't do it because I loved it.

RHODA.

Why, then?

MICHAELIS.

I was waiting my time.

RHODA.

_In a low tone._

Your time--for what?

MICHAELIS.

To fulfil my life--my real life.

RHODA.

Your--real life?

_He sits absorbed in thought without answering. Rhoda continues,
after a long pause._

There in the mountains, when you were a shepherd--that was not your
real life?

MICHAELIS.

It was the beginning of it.

RHODA.

_With hesitation._

Won't you tell me a little about that time?

MICHAELIS.

In the fall I would drive the sheep south, through the great basin
which sloped down into Mexico, and in the spring back again to the
mountains.

RHODA.

Were you all alone?

MICHAELIS.

There were a few men on the ranges, but they were no more to me than
the sheep--not so much.

RHODA.

Weren't you dreadfully lonely?

MICHAELIS.

No.

RHODA.

You hadn't even any books to read?

MICHAELIS.

_Takes a took from his coat pocket._

I had this pocket Bible, that had been my father's. I read that
sometimes. But always in a dream, without understanding, without
remembering.

_His excitement increases._

Yet there came a time when whole chapters started up in my mind, as
plain as if the printed page were before me, and I understood it all,
both the outer meaning and the inner.

RHODA.

And you didn't know what made the difference?

MICHAELIS.

Yes.

RHODA.

What was it?

MICHAELIS.

I can't tell you that.

RHODA.

Oh, yes!

MICHAELIS.

There are no words to tell of it.

RHODA.

Yet tell me. I need to know. Believe me, I need to know!

MICHAELIS.

_Slowly, groping for his words._

It was one morning in the fourth spring. We were back in the mountains
again. It was lambing time, and I had been up all night. Just before
sunrise, I sat down on a rock to rest. Then--it came.

RHODA.

What came?

_He does not answer._

You saw something?

_He nods for yes._

What was it?

MICHAELIS.

_Rises, lifting his arms, a prey to uncontrollable excitement._

The living Christ!--Standing before me on the mountain, amid the
grazing sheep.--With these eyes and in this flesh, I saw Him.

_Long pause._

RHODA.

_In a low tone._

You had fallen as