Requiem for a Nun

REQUIEM FOR A NUN 251

TEMPLE

But relapsed into one of them at least because at

least he married me as soon as he could.

(to Stevens)

You dont mind my telling his excellency that, do

you7

STEVENS

A relapse into both of them. He hasn't had a drink since that day either.

His excellency might bear that in mind too.

GOVERNOR

I will. I have.

(he makes just enough of a pause to cause them both to stop and

look at him)

I almost wish-

(they are both watching him; this is the first intimation we

have that something is going on here, an undercurrent: that the

Governor and Stevens know something which Temple doesn't: to

Temple)

He didn't come with you.

STEVENS

(mildly yet quickly)

Wont there be time for that later, Henry?

TEMPLE

(quick, defiant, suspicious, hard)

Who didn't7

GOVERNOR

Your husband.

TEMPLE

(quick and hard)

Why?

GOVERNOR

You have come here to plead for the life of the mur

deress of your child. Your husband was its parent too.

TEMPLE

You're wrong. We didn't come here at two o'clock in

the morning to save Nancy Mannigoe. Nancy Man

nigoe is not even concerned in this because Nancy