there-is there a strike in the shops?

(DR. JONATHAN glances at ASHER.)

ASHER (hesitating, speaking with difficulty). Don't worry about that
now, George.

GEORGE. Why--why are they striking?

ASHER. I'll tell you all about it later--when you feel better.

GEORGE (feebly, yet insistent). I--I want to know.

ASHER. We can't talk about it now, my boy--later.

GEORGE. Did--did you get my letter--the letter in which I begged you--

ASHER. Yes, yes--I'll explain it all tomorrow.

GEORGE. I--I may not be here--tomorrow. You didn't do what--I asked?
It's--so simple--when you've thought about it--when you've fought for it.

ASHER. I--I had a plan, George. We'll go over it

(He approaches GEORGE.)

GEORGE (shrinking). No--no!

(ASHER recoils. MINNIE FARRELL appears, upper right, from the
direction of the Common. She carries a phial, a dropper and some
water in a glass. Seeing the group gathered about GEORGE, she
hesitates, but DR. JONATHAN motions her to come forward.)

W--who is that? Minnie?

(GEORGE makes an attempt to sit up, but his head falls back and his
eyes close again. Then DR. JONATHAN lays his hand on Dr. FRYE's
arm, as though to draw him aside.)

Dr. FRYE. Is this Dr. Jonathan Pindar? I wondered if you were a
relation--(he glances at ASHER)--but I wasn't looking for you in Foxon
Falls. If you have something to suggest--?

DR. JONATHAN ( taking the phial and the dropper from MINNIE). With your
permission. In any case it can do no harm.

DR. FRYE. By all means: If I had realized you were here--!

(ASHER looks on in astonishment. DR. JONATHAN measures out a few
drops of the liquid from the phial into the glass of water, which
MINNIE holds.)

DR. JONATHAN. George, will you take this?

(He holds the glass while GEORGE drinks. To Dr. FRYE:)

There's a lounge in Mr. Pindar's study.

(To AUGUSTA:) Get a blanket.

(AUGUSTA goes toward the door, lower right, while MINNIE Starts to
retire.)

We'll need you, Minnie.

(He hands MINNIE the glass, dropper and phial. The two physicians
pick GEORGE up and carry him out, left, followed by MINNIE. ASHER
goes a little way and then halts with a despairing gesture. AUGUSTA
having gone for the blanket, ASHER is left alone, pacing, until she
returns.)

AUGUSTA (going through the room from right to left, with the blanket).
Ah, Asher!

(ASHER begins pacing again, when Dr. FRYE reenters from t