SCOTT THE FORESTER 



343 



FORESTER 

 Grace, be brave — I an here — I will go with you presently. 

 (Grace kneels down with her hands over her eyes. The Forester 

 climbs the tower for a last look at the fire. The phone rings 

 and the forester comes down to answer.) Hello — Frank — 

 thank Heavens! (calls to Grace) Grace, Jim is not lost — ^he 

 reached Frank's camp by another trail — got separated from his 

 party. 



GRACE (rising) 

 Oh, I am so thankful! 



FORESTER (still at phone) 



Well, better stay over there tonight for safety. All the men 

 safe? — ^that's good — goodbye, (addressing Grace) I think we 

 can go now, Grace, Frank says the wind is changing and the fire 

 is checked on the Crest Trail. Jim's hands are just badly burned, 

 but he needs you. You can't lose Jim in the woods — ^he knows 

 the trails like a fox. 



(the Forester and Grace are picking up their belongings, pre- 

 paring to go when Williams appears, out of breath, hatless, with 

 clothes torn and dishevelled. The Forester looks at him but does 

 not speak.) 



WILLIAMS 

 Mr. Graham — I came up — to surrender myself. I was to 

 blame for this fire — and all the suffering it has brought. God 

 knows — I have suffered too — ^my only daughter is disfigured for 

 life, (he cannot speak for a few seconds.) 



FORESTER 

 I am very sorry for your daughter, Mr. Williams. 



WILLIAMS 

 I can never repay you for our rescue. This is one of those 

 tragic days that changes a man's life. I see things — differently — 

 now. 



FORESTER, (deliberately, his eyes on the far-off mountains.) 

 No truth is ever won without sacrifice. I think you have learned 

 the lesson of the national forest — the wealth of the land is for the 

 benefit of all the people. If you will spread that truth the trials 

 of this day will not have been in vain. Let us go down tlic moun- 

 tain. (Curtain. End.^ 



