SWEDEN:
(catches his breath at last)
I dare not, simply dare not, put the thought
into words. If you have not guessed I am glad.
(lowers his voice to a near whisper)
Don't try to. They have put it into my mind; try
your hardest to prevent them putting it into yours.
ABE:
(after a long pause)
Then perhaps we can talk of something else.
Like what those chest pains are you’ve been
experiencing since New York. Like the sud-
denness of this whole trip, and its grandiosity.
Like all those pill bottles in your bag...
(glances at the willows, which are rattling)
Maybe we should talk about that.
SWEDEN stares at him for what seems a long time. It is now his turn to be speechless. At last he exhales and puts down the spatula, places his hands upon his knees.
SWEDEN:
(resigns)
It c
