Myra and Angus step out on the porch.

MYRA My lord it is hot in there.

ANGUS Is that why we are out here?

MYRA You people, it’s amazing. This perfectly nice house, with a perfectly
nice parlour, couches, chairs, and you all insist upon squeezing into a
kitchen the size of a closet.

ANGUS It’s a proper dance my dear. Can’t stray from the kitchen.

MYRA Really.

ANGUS You complaining?

MYRA What?

ANGUS You weren’t having fun?

MYRA I simply said it was hot.

ANGUS Think I didn’t notice, the circle you were spinning around that room
with Alex. Cut a path right into the floor boards no doubt. I told mother not to
invite you you would only do damage.

MYRA I didn’t say I wasn’t enjoying myself Mr Bennett.

ANGUS You’re just hot.

MYRA Warm. Yes. Too warm.

ANGUS Now see that sounds like the words of a woman who is not planing on
walking back into that kitchen for one more dance.

MYRA I honestly don’t think I’m up for it.

ANGUS You are going home after having the last dance with Alex. That’s not a
slap in the face is it.

MYRA Your brother was very insistent.

ANGUS Runs in the family. Just like our dancing. Give me half the chance
I’ll prove it.

MYRA Your insistence?

ANGUS You’re not going home yet.

MYRA Excuse me?

ANGUS Unless you want half the town thinking you’re only after younger men.

MYRA Inappropriate Mr. Bennett.

ANGUS I agree. Doesn’t become you.

MYRA Stop it. What do I have to say? What would you have me do?

ANGUS Take five minutes. Long enough to catch your breath.

Another silent standoff. She holds his gaze, and then looks up at the sky.

MYRA Lovely night. You have a lot of them here.

ANGUS Yes. I keep forgetting that our beloved nurse has only been with us
since the spring. She has not had the pure pleasure of a Newfoundland
winter.

MYRA You all have this big talk about winter. Like it’s a terror. You’re not
frightening me. I don’t scare off that easily.

ANGUS No?

MYRA I, my dear man, have battled and braved worse foes than your much
vilified Newfoundland winter.

ANGUS So you think.

MYRA You are so smug Mr. Bennett. How can you be sure that I do not have a
fondness for a little snow and wind.

He laughs.

MYRA How can you be sure Mr. Bennett that your lengthy winter is not one of
the reasons I chose to come to Newfoundland in the first place.

ANGUS Was it?

MYRA As a matter of fact yes.

ANGUS Our winters and our kitchen parties.

A small pause.

ANGUS What were your reasons?

MYRA What?

ANGUS Why did you come here?

A small pause.

MYRA No great secret, I wanted to help. I wanted to help people.

ANGUS Newfoundlanders.

MYRA Newfoundlanders. Anybody.

ANGUS Could of helped anybody in England. Didn’t need to come all the way
over here to do that.

MYRA It was a question of need. There was a great and saddening need here. I
read a story about a family in Saskatchewan. I originally applied to go
there. And was told I was needed more here.

ANGUS One story about one family and you packed up your life?

MYRA A young mother, her first child. Her and her husband lived quite a
distance out. Quite a few days travel to anybody else. She went into labour,
and he left. Left to get help. Left as soon as they thought the baby might
be on its way. Weather set in. Help was too far away. Hours turn into days.
Story has a sad ending.

ANGUS And that was that? Duty calls.

MYRA Stories about mothers and babies deserve only the happiest of endings.

A small pause. He smiles at her.

ANGUS They are all afraid of you you know. Terrified. Gotta do what the
Nurse says or else.

She looks at the sky silently.

ANGUS It just the way you talk to them.

MYRA It’s necessary sometimes, to make myself clear, and listened to.

ANGUS Oh you don’t have to tell me. It’s just. I think they see this one
side of you. They see this Nurse. A very good Nurse, well respected, don’t
get me wrong. But they just see that side. And. That’s a shame. Because. I
get the feeling that our beloved Nurse Grimsley has a depth that would make
the very Atlantic blush with shame.

She remains staring at the sky.

MYRA Mr. Bennett –

ANGUS Your five minutes are up.

She looks at him.

ANGUS Do you have your breath?

A warm pause.

MYRA I believe so.

ANGUS Yes?

MYRA Take me back to your hot and crowded kitchen. If you must.

Angus laughs.

ANGUS If I must?

MYRA If you must, take me to your kitchen sir. Dance me until my legs
themselves plead for clemency.

Fast dancing and music.

ANGUS She stayed for two more hours that night. Only danced with me twice.
Danced with every other guy there. With Alex four or five times. Didn’t
matter though. She could have danced with anyone she pleased. She could have
refused me a dance outright. For she smiled at few of them. She talked to
even less. And with me, with me she took her five minute breaks, which
stretched to twenty. Empty porch step. Cold colouring our breath. Long talks
circling nothing. Stars the only witnesses.