582             NATHAN HALE

    comes with difficulty. HALE shakes his head

    with a sad smile, as if to say, "No, don't try

    to speak. There are no words for us." And

    again they embrace. At this moment, while

    ALICE is clasped again tight in HALE'S arms,

    the SENTINEL, who has his watch in his hand,

    slowly comes out from the tent. Tom also

    reenters, but HALE and ALICE are oblivious.

    Tom goes softly to them, and touches ALICE very

    gently on the arm, resting his hand there.

    She starts violently, with a hysterical drawing-

    in of her breath, an expression of fear and

    horror, as she knows this is the final moment of

    parting. HALE also starts slightly, rising,

    and his muscles grow rigid. He clasps and

    kisses her once more, but only for a second.

    They both are unconscious of Tom, of every-

    thing but each other. Tom takes her firmly