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ELSA (putting the portfolio on the table): Come in.

ANN: May I? Just a moment?

ELSA: Of course, Ann.

ANN (looking around): Alison's room. As if—as if she might be going to bed here.

ELSA: I have been thinking of that. [Pause. Won't you sit down, dear?

[ANN comes to the table, sits.]

ANN: I feel I shouldn't be here. I know you are tired, and want to be alone in this room. I'll only stay a minute.

ELSA: I'm glad you came.

ANN (impulsively, yet timidly): I was so glad to see you, Elsa, when you came.

ELSA (grateful): You were?

ANN: Oh, yes. So were Eben and Ted.

ELSA: But father�

ANN: He can't help it, can he?

ELSA: No. Of course not. But—I did so want to come. (Shaking her head) It wasn't that I wanted to. I had to.

ANN: You had to be here once more.

ELSA: The last time.

ANN: