Requiem for a Nun

292 WILLIAM FAULKNER

up and holds them out to her: roughly almost)

Here. This is what they call evidence; dont forget these.

(Temple takes the bag and gloves. Gowan goes on toward the

door at rear)

TEMPLE

(after him) Did you have a hat and coat?

(he doesn't answer. He goes on, exits)

Oh God. Again.

STEVENS (touches her arm) Come on.

TEMPLE (not moving yet) Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow-

STEVENS

(speaking her thought, finishing the sentence)

-he will wreck the car again against the wrong tree, in the wrong place,

and you will have to forgive him again, for the next eight years until

he can wreck the car again in the wrong place, against the wrong tree-

TEMPLE

I was driving it too. I was driving some of the time too.

STEVENS

(gently) Then let that comfort you.

(he takes her arm again, turns toward the stairs)

Come on. It's late.

TEMPLE

(holds back) Wait. He said, No.

STEVENS

Yes.

TEMPLE Did he say why?