"THE FIRST MAN"

A PLAY IN FOUR ACTS

BY

EUGENE O'NEILL

CHARACTERS

 CURTIS JAYSON MARTHA, his wife JOHN JAYSON, his father, a banker JOHN, JR. , his brother RICHARD, his brother ESTHEE (MRS. MARK SHEFFIELD), his sister LILY, his sister MRS. DAVIDSON, his father's aunt MARK SHEFFIELD, a lawyer EMILY, JOHN JR. 'S wife RICHARD BIGELOW A MAID A TRAINED NURSE

TIME--The Present

SCENES

ACT I

Living-room in the house of CURTIS JAYSON, Bridgetown, Conn. --anafternoon in early Fall. 

ACT II

CURTIS' study--morning of the following day. 

ACT III

The same--three o'clock in the morning of a day in early spring of thenext year. 

ACT IV

Same as Act I--three days later. 

ACT I

SCENE--Living-room of CURTIS JAYSON'S house in Bridgetown, Conn. Alarge, comfortable room. On the left, an arm-chair, a big openfireplace, a writing desk with chair in far left corner. On this sidethere is also a door leading into CURTIS' study. In the rear, center, adouble doorway opening on the hall and the entryway. Bookcases arebuilt into the wall on both sides of this doorway. In the far rightcorner, a grand piano. Three large windows looking out on the lawn, andanother arm-chair, front, are on this right side of the room. Oppositethe fireplace is a couch, facing front. Opposite the windows on theright is a long table with magazines, reading lamp, etc. Four chairsare grouped about the table. The walls and ceiling are in a French graycolor. A great rug covers most of the hardwood floor. 

It is around four o'clock of a fine afternoon in early fall. 

As the curtain rises, MARTHA, CURTIS and BIGELOW are discovered. MARTHAis a healthy, fine-looking woman of thirty-eight. She does not appearthis age for her strenuous life in the open has kept her young andfresh. She possesses the frank, clear, direct quality of outdoors, outspoken and generous. Her wavy hair is a dark brown, her eyesblue-gray. CURTIS JAYSON is a tall, rangy, broad-shouldered man ofthirty-seven. While spare, his figure has an appearance of ruggedhealth, of great nervous strength held in reserve. His square-jawed, large-featured face retains an eager boyish enthusiasm in spite of itsprevailing expression of thoughtful, preoccupied aloofness. His crispdark hair is graying at the temples. EDWARD BIGELOW is a large, handsome man of thirty-nine. His face shows culture and tolerance, asense of humor, a lazy unambitious contentment. CURTIS is reading anarticle in some scientific periodical, seated by the table. MARTHA andBIGELOW are sitting nearby, laughing and chatting. 

BIGELOW--[Is talking with a comically worried but earnest air. ] Do youknow, I'm getting so I'm actually afraid to leave them alone with thatgoverness. She's too romantic. I'll wager she's got a whole book fullof ghost stories, superstitions, and yellow-journal horrors up hersleeve. 

MARTHA--Oh, pooh! Don't go milling around for trouble. When I was a kidI used to get fun out of my horrors. 

BIGELOW--But I imagine you were more courageous than most of us. 

MARTHA--Why?

BIGELOW--Well, Nevada--the Far West at that time--I should think achild would have grown so accustomed to violent scenes--

MARTHA--[Smiling. ] Oh, in the mining camps; but you don't suppose myfather lugged me along on his prospecting trips, do you? Why, I neversaw any rough scenes until I'd finished with school and went to livewith father in Goldfield. 

BIGELOW--[Smiling. ] And then you met Curt. 

MARTHA--Yes--but I didn't mean he was a rough scene. He was very mildeven in those days. Do tell me what he was like at Cornell. 

BIGELOW--A romanticist--and he still is!

MARTHA--[Pointing at CURTIS with gay mischief. ] What! That sedate man!Never!

CURTIS--[Looking up and smiling at them both affectionately--lazily. ]Don't mind him, Martha. He always was crazy. 

BIGELOW--[To CURT--accusingly. ] Why did you elect to take up miningengineering at Cornell instead of a classical degree at the Yale ofyour fathers and brothers? Because you had been reading Bret Harte inprep. School and mistaken him for a modern realist. You devoted fouryears to grooming yourself for another outcast of Poker Flat. [MARTHAlaughs. ]

CURTIS--[Grinning. ] It was you who were hypnotized by Harte--so much sothat his West of the past is still your blinded New England-movie ideaof the West at present. But go on. What next?

BIGELOW--Next? You get a job as engineer in that Goldfield mine--butyou are soon disillusioned by a laborious life where six-shooters areas rare as nuggets. You try prospecting. You find nothing but differentvarieties of pebbles. But it is necessary to your nature to projectromance into these stones, so you go in strong for geology. As ageologist, you become a slave to the Romance of the Rocks. It is but astep from that to anthropology--the last romance of all. There you findyourself--because there is no further to go. You win fame as the mostproficient of young skull-hunters--and wander over the face of theglobe, digging up bones like an old dog. 

CURTIS--[With a laugh. ] The man is mad, Martha. 

BIGELOW--Mad! What an accusation to come from one who is even nowconsidering setting forth on a five-year excavating contest in searchof the remains of our gibbering ancestor, the First Man!

CURTIS--[With sudden seriousness. ] I'm not considering it any longer. I've decided to go. 

MARTHA--[Starting--the hurt showing in her voice. ] When did you decide?

CURTIS--I only really came to a decision this morning. [With aseriousness that forces BIGELOW'S interested attention. ] It's a case ofgot to go. It's a tremendous opportunity that it would be a crime forme to neglect. 

BIGELOW--And a big honor, too, isn't it, to be picked as a member ofsuch a large affair?

CURTIS--[With a smile. ] I guess it's just that they want all the menwith considerable practical experience they can get. There are bound tobe hardships and they know I'm hardened to them. [Turning to his wifewith an affectionate smile. ] We haven't roughed it in the queer cornersfor the last ten years without knowing how it's done, have we, Martha?

MARTHA--[Dully. ] No, Curt. 

CURTIS--[With an earnest enthusiasm. ] And this expedition IS what youcall a large affair, Big. It's the largest thing of its kind everundertaken. The possibilities, from the standpoint of anthropology, arelimitless. 

BIGELOW--[With a grin. ] Aha! Now we come to the Missing Link!

CURTIS--[Frowning. ] Darn your Barnum and Bailey circus lingo, Big. Thisisn't a thing to mock at. I should think the origin of man would besomething that would appeal even to your hothouse imagination. Modernscience believes--knows--that Asia was the first home of the humanrace. That's where we're going, to the great Central Asian plateaunorth of the Himalayas. 

BIGELOW--[More soberly. ] And there you hope to dig up--our firstancestor?

CURTIS--It's a chance in a million, but I believe we may, myself--atleast find authentic traces of him so that we can reconstruct his lifeand habits. I was up in that country a lot while I was mining advisorto the Chinese government--did some of my own work on the side. Theextraordinary results I obtained with the little means at my disposalconvinced me of the riches yet to be uncovered. The First Man may beamong them. 

BIGELOW--[Turning to MARTHA. ] And you were with him on that Asianplateau?

MARTHA--Yes, I've always been with him. 

CURTIS--You bet she has. [He goes over and puts his hand on his wife'sshoulder affectionately. ] Martha's more efficient than a whole staff ofassistants and secretaries. She knows more about what I'm doing than Ido half the time. [He turns toward his study. ] Well, I guess I'll go inand work some. 

MARTHA--[Quietly. ] Do you need me now, Curt?

BIGELOW--[Starting up. ] Yes, if you two want to work together, why justshoo me--

CURTIS--[Puts both hands on his shoulders and forces him to his seatagain. ] No. Sit down, Big. I don't need Martha now. [Coming over toher, bends down and kisses her--rather mockingly. ] I couldn't depriveBig of an audience for his confessions of a fond parent. 

BIGELOW--Aha! Now it's you who are mocking at something you knownothing about. [An awkward silence follows this remark. ]

CURTIS--[Frowning. ] I guess you're forgetting, aren't you, Big? [Heturns and walks into his study, closing the door gently behind him. ]

MARTHA--[After a pause--sadly. ] Poor Curt. 

BIGELOW--[Ashamed and confused. ] I had forgotten--

MARTHA--The years have made me reconciled. They haven't Curt. [Shesighs--then turns to BIGELOW with a forced smile. ] I suppose it's hardfor any of you back here to realize that Curt and I ever had anychildren. 

BIGELOW--[After a pause. ] How old were they when--?

MARTHA--Three years and two--both girls. [She goes on sadly. ] We had anice little house in Goldfield. [Forcing a smile. ] We were veryrespectable home folks then. The wandering came later, after--It was aSunday in winter when Curt and I had gone visiting some friends. Thenurse girl fell asleep--or something--and the children sneaked out intheir underclothes and played in the snow. Pneumonia set in--and a weeklater they were both dead. 

BIGELOW--[Shocked. ] Good heavens!

MARTHA--We were real lunatics for a time. And then when we'd calmeddown enough to realize--how things stood with us--we swore we'd neverhave children again--to steal away their memory. It wasn't what youthought--romanticism--that set Curt wandering--and me with him. It wasa longing to lose ourselves--to forget. He flung himself with all hispower into every new study that interested him. He couldn't keep still, mentally or bodily--and I followed. He needed me--then--so dreadfully!

BIGELOW--And is it that keeps driving him on now?

MARTHA--Oh, no. He's found himself. His work has taken the place of thechildren. 

BIGELOW--And with you, too?

MARTHA--[With a wan smile. ] Well, I've helped--all I could. His workhas me in it, I like to think--and I have him. 

BIGELOW--[Shaking his head. ] I think people are foolish to stand bysuch an oath as you took--forever. [With a smile. ] Children are a greatcomfort in one's old age, I've tritely found. 

MARTHA--[Smiling. ] Old age!

BIGELOW--I'm knocking at the door of fatal forty. 

MARTHA--[With forced gaiety. ] You're not very tactful, I must say. Don't you know I'm thirty-eight?

BIGELOW--[Gallantly. ] A woman is as old as she looks. You're not thirtyyet. 

MARTHA--[Laughing. ] After that nice remark I'll have to forgive youeverything, won't I? [LILY JAYSON comes in from the rear. She is aslender, rather pretty girl of twenty-five. The stamp of collegestudent is still very much about her. She rather insists on a superior, intellectual air, is full of nervous, thwarted energy. At the sight ofthem sitting on the couch together, her eyebrows are raised. ]

LILY--[Coming into the room--breezily. ] Hello, Martha. Hello, Big. [They both get up with answering "Hellos. "] I walked right inregardless. Hope I'm not interrupting. 

MARTHA--Not at all. 

LILY--[Sitting down by the table as MARTHA and BIGELOW resume theirseats on the lounge. ] I must say it sounded serious. I heard you tellBig you'd forgive him everything, Martha. [Dryly--with a mocking glanceat BIGELOW. ] You're letting yourself in for a large proposition. 

BIGELOW--[Displeased but trying to smile it off. ] The past is neverpast for a dog with a bad name, eh, Lily? [LILY laughs. BIGELOW getsup. ] If you want to reward me for my truthfulness, Mrs. Jayson, help metake the kids for an airing in the car. I know it's an imposition butthey've grown to expect you. [Glancing at his watch. ] By Jove, I'llhave to run along. I'll get them and then pick you up here. Is that allright?

MARTHA--Fine. 

BIGELOW--I'll run, then. Good-by, Lily. [She nods. BIGELOW goes outrear. ]

MARTHA--[Cordially. ] Come on over here, Lily. 

LILY--[Sits on couch with MARTHA--after a pause--with a smile. ] Youwere forgetting, weren't you?

MARTHA--What?

LILY--That you'd invited all the family over here to tea thisafternoon. I'm the advance guard. 

MARTHA--[Embarrassed. ] So I was! How stupid!

LILY--[With an inquisitive glance at MARTHA'S face but with studiedcarelessness. ] Do you like Bigelow?

MARTHA--Yes, very much. And Curt thinks the world of him. 

LILY--Oh, Curt is the last one to be bothered by anyone's morals. Curtand I are the unconventional ones of the family. The trouble withBigelow, Martha, is that he was too careless to conceal his sins--andthat won't go down in this Philistine small town. You have to hide andbe a fellow hypocrite or they revenge themselves on you. Bigelowdidn't. He flaunted his love-affairs in everyone's face. I used toadmire him for it. No one exactly blamed him, in their secret hearts. His wife was a terrible, straitlaced creature. No man could haveendured her. [Disgustedly. ] After her death he suddenly acquired a badconscience. He'd never noticed the children before. I'll bet he didn'teven know their names. And then, presto, he's about in our midst givingan imitation of a wet hen with a brood of ducks. It's a bore, if youask me. 

MARTHA--[Flushing. ] I think it's very fine of him. 

LILY--[Shaking her head. ] His reform is too sudden. He's joined thehypocrites, I think. 

MARTHA--I'm sure he's no hypocrite. When you see him with the children--

LILY--Oh, I know he's a good actor. Lots of women have been in lovewith him. [Then suddenly. ] You won't be furious if I'm very, veryfrank, will you, Martha?

MARTHA--[Surprised. ] No, of course not, Lily. 

LILY--Well, I'm the bearer of a message from the Jayson family. 

MARTHA--[Astonished. ] A message? For me?

LILY--Don't think that I have anything to do with it. I'm only a Victorrecord of their misgivings. Shall I switch it going? Well, then, fatherthinks, brother John and wife, sister Esther and husband all think thatyou are unwisely intimate with this same Bigelow. 

MARTHA--[Stunned. ] I? Unwisely intimate--? [Suddenly laughing withamusement. ] Well, you sure are funny people!

LILY--No, we're not funny. We'd be all right if we were. On thecontrary, we're very dull and deadly. Bigelow really has a villainousrep. For philandering. But, of course, you didn't know that. 

MARTHA--[Beginning to feel resentful--coldly. ] No, I didn't--and Idon't care to know it now. 

LILY--[Calmly. ] I told them you wouldn't relish their silly advice. [Ina very confidential, friendly tone. ] Oh, I hate their narrow small-townethics as much as you do, Martha. I sympathize with you, indeed I do. But I have to live with them and so, for comfort's sake, I've had tomake compromises. And you're going to live in our midst from now on, aren't you? Well then, you'll have to make compromises, too--if youwant any peace. 

MARTHA--But-compromises about what? [Forcing a laugh. ] I refuse to takeit seriously. How anyone could think--it's too absurd. 

LILY--What set them going was Big's being around such an awful lot theweeks Curt was in New York, just after you'd settled down here. Youmust acknowledge he was-very much present then, Martha. 

MARTHA--But it was on account of his children. They were always withhim. 

LILY--The town doesn't trust this sudden fond parenthood, Martha. We'veknown him too long, you see. 

MARTHA--But he's Curt's oldest and best friend. 

LILY--We've found they always are. 

MARTHA--[Springing to her feet--indignantly. ] It's a case of evilminds, it seems to me--and it would be extremely insulting if I didn'thave a sense of humor. [Resentfully. ] You can tell your family, that asfar as I'm concerned, the town may--

LILY--Go to the devil. I knew you'd say that. Well, fight the goodfight. You have all my best wishes. [With a sigh. ] I wish I hadsomething worth fighting for. Now that I'm through with college, myoccupation's gone. All I do is read book after book. The only livepeople are the ones in books, I find, and the only live life. 

MARTHA--[Immediately sympathetic. ] You're lonely, that's what, Lily. 

LILY--[Drily. ] Don't pity me, Martha--or I'll join the enemy. 

MARTHA--I'm not. But I'd like to help you if I could. [After a pause. ]Have you ever thought of marrying?

LILY--[With a laugh. ] Martha! How banal! The men I see are enough tobanish that thought if I ever had it. 

MARTHA--Marriage isn't only the man. It's children. Wouldn't you liketo have children?

LILY--[Turning to her bluntly. ] Wouldn't you?

MARTHA--[ Confused. ] But--Lily--

LILY--Oh, I know it wasn't practicable as long as you elected to wanderwith Curt--but why not now when you've definitely settled down here? Ithink that would solve things all round. If you could present Fatherwith a grandson, I'm sure he'd fall on your neck. He feels piqued atthe John and Esther families because they've had a run of girls. A maleJayson! Aunt Davidson would weep with joy. [Suddenly. ] You'rethirty-eight, aren't you, Martha?

MARTHA--Yes. LILY--Then why don't you--before it's too late? [MARTHA, struggling with herself, does not answer. LILY goes on slowly. ] Youwon't want to tag along with Curt to the ends of the earth forever, will you? [Curiously. ] Wasn't that queer life like any other? I mean, didn't it get to pall on you?

MARTHA--[As if confessing it reluctantly. ] Yes--perhaps--in the lasttwo years. 

LILY--[Decisively. ] It's time for both of you to rest on your laurels. Why can't Curt keep on with what he's doing now--stay home and writehis books?

MARTHA--Curt isn't that kind. The actual work--the romance ofit--that's his life. 

LILY--But if he goes and you have to stay, you'll be lonesome--[meaningly] alone. 

MARTHA--Horribly. I don't know what I'll do. 

LILY--Then why--why? Think, Martha. If Curt knew--that was tohappen--he'd want to stay here with you. I'm sure he would. 

MARTHA--[Shaking her head sadly. ] No. Curt has grown to dislikechildren. They remind him of--ours that were taken. He adored themso--he's never become reconciled. 

LILY--If you confronted Curt with the actual fact, he'd be reconciledsoon enough, and happy in the bargain. 

MARTHA--[Eagerly. ] Do you really think so?

LILY--And you, Martha--I can tell from the way you've talked that you'dlike to. 

MARTHA--[Excitedly. ] Yes, I--I never thought I'd ever want to again. For many years after they died I never once dreamed of it-- Butlately--the last years--I've felt--and when we came to live here--and Isaw all around me--homes--and children, I--[She hesitates as if ashamedat having confessed so much. ]

LILY--[Putting an arm around her--affectionately. ] I know. [Vigorously. ] You must, that's all there is to it! If you want myadvice, you go right ahead and don't tell Curt until it's a fact he'llhave to learn to like, willy-nilly. You'll find, in his inmost heart, he'll be tickled to death. 

MARTHA--[Forcing a smile. ] Yes, I--I'll confess I thought of that. Inspite of my fear, I--I've--I mean--I--[She flushes in a shamedconfusion. ]

LILY--[Looking at her searchingly. ] Why, Martha, what--[Then suddenlyunderstanding--with excited pleasure. ] Martha! I know! It is so, isn'tit? It is!

MARTHA--[In a whisper. ] Yes. 

LILY--[Kissing her affectionately. ] You dear, you! [Then after apause. ] How long have you known?

MARTHA--For over two months. [There is a ring from the front door bellin the hall. ]

LILY--[Jumping up. ] I'll bet that's we Jaysons now. [She runs to thedoor in the rear and looks down the hall to the right. ] Yes, it'sEsther and husband and Aunt Davidson. [She comes back to MARTHAlaughing excitedly. The MAID is seen going to the door. ] The first waveof attack, Martha! Be brave! The Young Guard dies but never surrenders!

MARTHA--[Displeased but forcing a smile. ] You make me feel terribly illat ease when you put it that way, Lily. [She rises now and goes togreet the visitors, who enter. MRS. DAVIDSON is seventy-five yearsold--a thin, sinewy old lady, old-fashioned, unbending and rigorous inmanner. She is dressed aggressively in the fashion of a bygone age. ESTHER is a stout, middle-aged woman with the round, unmarked, sentimentally--contented face of one who lives unthinkingly from day today, sheltered in an assured position in her little world. MARK, herhusband, is a lean, tall, stooping man of about forty-five. His longface is alert, shrewd, cautious, full of the superficial craftiness ofthe lawyer mind. MARTHA kisses the two women, shakes hands with MARK, uttering the usual meaningless greetings in a forced tone. They replyin much the same spirit. There is the buzz of this empty chatter whileMARTHA gets them seated. LILY stands looking on with a cynical smile ofamusement. MRS. DAVIDSON is in the chair at the end of table, left, ESTHER sits by MARTHA on couch, MARK in chair at front of table. ] Willyou have tea now or shall we wait for the others?

ESTHER--Let's wait. They ought to be here any moment. 

LILY--[Maliciously. ] Just think, Martha had forgotten you were coming. She was going motoring with Bigelow. [There is a dead silence atthis--broken diplomatically by SHEFFIELD. ]

SHEFFIELD--Where is Curt, Martha?

MARTHA--Hard at work in his study. I'm afraid he's there for the day. SHEFFIELD--[Condescendingly. ] Still plugging away at his book, Isuppose. Well, I hope it will be a big success. 

LILY--[Irritated by his smugness. ] As big a success as the brief you'rewriting to restrain the citizens from preventing the Traction Companyrobbing them, eh Mark? [Before anyone can reply, she turns suddenly onher aunt who is sitting rigidly on her chair, staring before herstonily like some old lady in a daguerreotype--in a loud challengingtone. ] You don't mind if I smoke, Aunt? [She takes a cigarette out ofcase and lights it. ]

ESTHER--[Smiling. ] Lily!

MRS. DAVIDSON--[Fixes LILY with her stare--in a tone of irrevocabledecision. ] We'll get you married, young lady, and that very soon. Whatyou need to bring you down to earth is a husband and the responsibilityof children. [Turning her glance to MARTHA, a challenge in herquestion. ] Every woman who is able should have children. Don't youbelieve that, Martha Jayson? [She accentuates the full name. ]

MARTHA--[Taken aback for a moment but restraining herresentment--gently. ] Yes, I do, Mrs. Davidson. 

MRS. DAVIDSON--[Seemingly placated by this reply--in a milder tone. ]You must call me aunt, my dear. [Meaningly. ] All the Jaysons do. 

MARTHA--[Simply. ] Thank you, aunt. 

LILY--[As if all of this aroused her irritation--in a nervous fuming. ]Why don't the others come, darn 'em? I'm dying for my tea. [The doorfrom the study is opened and CURT appears. They all greet him. ]

CURTIS--[Absent-mindedly. ] Hello, everybody. [Then with a preoccupiedair to MARTHA. ] Martha, I don't want to interrupt you--but--

MARTHA--[Getting up briskly. ] You want my help?

CURTIS--[With the same absent-minded air. ] Yes--not for long--just afew notes before I forget them. [He goes back into the study. ]

MARTHA--[Seemingly relieved by this interruption and glad of the chanceit gives to show them her importance to CURT. ] You'll excuse me for afew moments, all of you, won't you? [They all nod. ]

MRS. DAVIDSON--[Rather harshly. ] Why doesn't Curt hire a secretary?That is no work for his wife. 

MARTHA--[Quietly. ] A paid secretary could hardly give the sympathy andunderstanding Curt needs, Mrs. Davidson. [Proudly. ] And she would haveto study for years, as I have done, in order to take my place. [ToLILY. ] If I am not here by the time the others arrive, will you seeabout the tea, Lily--?

LILY--[Eagerly. ] Sure. I love to serve drinks. If I were a man, I'd bea bartender--in Mexico or Canada. 

MARTHA--[Going toward the study. ] I'll be with you again in a minute, Ihope. [She goes in and shuts the door behind her. ]

ESTHER--[Pettishly. ] Even people touched by a smattering of scienceseem to get rude, don't they?

MRS. DAVIDSON--[Harshly. ] I have heard much silly talk of this being anage of free women, and I have always said it was tommyrot. [Pointing tothe study. ] She is an example. She is more of a slave to Curt's hobbiesthan any of my generation were to anything but their children. [Stillmore harshly. ] Where are her children?

LILY--They died, Aunt, as children have a bad habit of doing. [Thenmeaningly. ] However, I wouldn't despair if I were you. [MRS. DAVIDSONstares at her fixedly. ]

ESTHER--[Betraying a sudden frightened jealousy. ] What do you mean, Lily? What are you so mysterious about? What did she say? What--?

LILY--[Mockingly. ] Mark, your frau seems to have me on the stand. Can Irefuse to answer? [There is a ring at the bell. LILY jumps to her feetexcitedly. ] Here comes the rest of our Grand Fleet. Now I'll have mytea. [She darts out to the hallway. ]

ESTHER--[Shaking her head. ] Goodness, Lily is trying on the nerves. [JAYSON, his two sons, JOHN and DICK, and JOHN's wife, EMILY, enterfrom hallway in rear. JAYSON, the father, is a short, stout, bald-headed man of sixty. A typical, small-town, New Englandbest-family banker, reserved in pose, unobtrusively important--a placidexterior hiding querulousness and a fussy temper. JOHN JUNIOR is hisfather over again in appearance, but pompous, obtrusive, purse-and-family-proud, extremely irritating in his self-complacent airof authority, emptily assertive and loud. He is about forty. RICHARD, the other brother, is a typical young Casino and country club member, college-bred, good looking, not unlikable. He has been an officer inthe war and has not forgotten it. EMILY, JOHN JR. 's wife, is one ofthose small, mouse-like women who conceal beneath an outward aspect ofgentle, unprotected innocence a very active envy, a silly pride, and amean malice. The people in the room with the exception of MRS. DAVIDSONrise to greet them. All exchange familiar, perfunctory greetings. SHEFFIELD relinquishes his seat in front of the table to JAYSON, goingto the chair, right front, himself. JOHN and DICK take the two chairsto the rear of table. EMILY joins ESTHER on the couch and they whispertogether excitedly, ESTHER doing most of the talking. The men remain inuncomfortable silence for a moment. ]

DICK--[With gay mockery. ] Well, the gang's all here. Looks like theLeague of Nations. [Then with impatience. ] Let's get down to cases, folks. I want to know why I've been summoned here. I'm due fortournament mixed-doubles at the Casino at five. Where's the tea--andhas Curt a stick in the cellar to put in it?

LILY--[Appearing in the doorway. ] Here's tea--but no stick for you, sot. [The MAID brings in tray with tea things. ]

JOHN--[Heavily. ] It seems it would be more to the point to inquirewhere our hostess--

JAYSON--[Rousing himself again. ] Yes. And where is Curt?

LILY--Working at his book. He called Martha to take notes on something. 

ESTHER--[With a trace of resentment. ] She left us as if she were gladof the excuse. 

LILY--Stuff, Esther! She knows how much Curt depends on her--and wedon't. 

EMILY--[In her quiet, lisping voice--with the most innocent air. ]Martha seems to be a model wife. [But there is some quality to the wayshe says it that makes them all stare at her uneasily. ]

LILY--[Insultingly. ] How well you say what you don't mean, Emily!Twinkle, twinkle, little bat! But I'm forgetting to do the honors. Tea, everybody? [Without waiting for any answer. ] Tea, everybody! [The teais served. ]

JAYSON--[Impatiently. ] Stop fooling, Lily. Let's get to our muttons. Did you talk with Martha?

LILY--[Briskly. ] I did, sir. 

JAYSON--[In a lowered voice. ] What did she say?

LILY--She said you could all go to the devil! [They all look shockedand insulted. LILY enjoys this, then adds quietly. ] Oh, not in thosewords. Martha is a perfect lady. But she made it plain she will thankyou to mind your own business. 

ESTHER--[Volubly. ] And just imagine, she'd even forgotten she'd askedus here this afternoon and was going motoring with Bigelow. 

LILY--With his three children, too, don't forget. 

EMILY--[Softly. ] They have become such well-behaved and intelligentchildren, they say. [Again all the others hesitate, staring at hersuspiciously. ]

LILY--[Sharply. ] You'd better let Martha train yours for a while, Emily. I'm sure she'd improve their manners--though, of course, shecouldn't give them any intelligence. 

EMILY--[With the pathos of outraged innocence. ] Oh!

DICK--[Interrupting. ] So it's Bigelow you're up in the air about? [Hegives a low whistle--then frowns angrily. ] The deuce you say!

LILY--[Mockingly. ] Look at our soldier boy home from the wars gettingserious about the family honor! It's too bad this is a rough, untutoredcountry where they don't permit dueling, isn't it, Dick?

DICK--[His pose crumbling--angrily. ] Go to the devil!

SHEFFIELD--[With a calm, judicious air. ] This wrangling is getting usnowhere. You say she was resentful about our well-meant word to thewise? JAYSON--[Testily. ] Surely she must realize that someconsideration is due the position she occupies in Bridgetown as Curt'swife. 

LILY--Martha is properly unimpressed by big frogs in tiny puddles. Andthere you are. 

MRS. DAVIDSON--[Outraged. ] The idea! She takes a lot upon herself--thedaughter of a Wild Western coal-miner. 

LILY--[Mockingly. ] Gold miner, Aunt. 

MRS. DAVIDSON--It makes no difference--a common miner! SHEFFIELD--[Keenly inquisitive. ] Just before the others came, Lily, you gave outsome hints--very definite hints, I should say--

ESTHER--[Excitedly. ] Yes, you did, Lily. What did you mean?

LILY--[Uncertainly. ] Perhaps I shouldn't have. It's not my secret. [Enjoying herself immensely now that she holds the spotlight--after apause, in a stage whisper. ] Shall I tell you? Yes, I can't helptelling. Well, Martha is going to have a son. [They are all stunned andflabbergasted and stare at her speechlessly. ]

MRS. DAVIDSON--[Her face lighting up--joyously. ] A son! Curt's son!

JAYSON--[Pleased by the idea but bewildered. ] A son?

DICK--[Smartly. ] Lily's kidding you. How can she know it's ason--unless she's a clairvoyant. 

ESTHER--[With glad relief. ] Yes, how stupid!

LILY--I am clairvoyant in this case. Allah is great and it will be ason--if only to make you and Emily burst with envy among your daughters. 

ESTHER--Lily!

EMILY--Oh!

JAYSON--[Testily. ] Keep still for a moment, Lily, for God's sake. Thisis no subject to joke about, remember. 

LILY--Martha told me. I know that. 

JAYSON--And does Curt know this?

LILY--No, not yet. Martha has been afraid to tell him. 

JAYSON--Ah, that explains matters. You know I asked Curt some timeago--and he said it was impossible. 

EMILY--[With a lift of her eyebrows. ] Impossible? Why, what a funnything to say. 

SHEFFIELD--[Keenly lawyer-like. ] And why is Martha afraid to tell him, Lily?

LILY--It's all very simple. When the two died years ago, they said theywould never have one again. Martha thinks Curt is still haunted bytheir memory and is afraid he will resent another as an intruder. Itold her that was all foolishness--that a child was the one thing tomake Curt settle down for good at home here and write his books. 

JAYSON--[Eagerly. ] Yes, I believe that myself. [Pleased. ] Well, this isfine news. 

EMILY--Still it was her duty to tell Curt, don't you think? I don't seehow she could be afraid of Curt--for those reasons. [They all stare ather. ]

ESTHER--[Resentfully. ] I don't, either. Why, Curt's the biggest-heartedand kindest--

EMILY--I wonder how long she's known--this?

LILY--[Sharply. ] Two months, she said. 

EMILY--Two months? [She lets this sink in. ]

JOHN--[Quickly scenting something--eagerly. ] What do you mean, Emily?[Then as if he read her mind. ] Two months? But before that--Curt wasaway in New York almost a month!

LILY--[Turning on EMILY fiercely. ] So! You got someone to say it foryou as you always do, Poison Mind! Oh, I wish the ducking stool hadnever been abolished!

EMILY--[Growing crimson--falteringly. ] I--I didn't mean--

JOHN--[Furiously. ] Where the honor of the family is at stake--

LILY--[Fiercely. ] Ssshh, you empty barrel! I think I hear-- [The doorfrom the study is opened and MARTHA comes in in the midst of a heavysilence. All the gentlemen rise stiffly. MARTHA is made immediatelyself-conscious and resentful by the feeling that they have beendiscussing her unfavorably. ]

MARTHA--[Coming forward--with a forced cordiality. ] How do you do, everybody? So sorry I wasn't here when you came. I hope Lily madeproper excuses for me. [She goes from one to the other of the fourlatest comers with "So glad you came, " etc. They reply formally andperfunctorily. MARTHA finally finds a seat on the couch between EMILYand ESTHER. ] I hope Lily--but I see you've all had tea. 

LILY--[Trying to save the situation--gayly. ] Yes. You can trust me asunderstudy for the part of hostess any time. 

MARTHA--[Forcing a smile. ] Well, I'm glad to know I wasn't missed. 

EMILY--[Sweetly. ] We were talking about you--at least, we werelistening to Lily talk about you. 

MARTHA--[Stiffening defensively. ] About me?

EMILY--Yes--about how devoted you were to Curt's work. [LILY gives hera venomous glance of scorn. ]

MARTHA--[Pleased but inwardly uneasy. ] Oh, but you see I consider it mywork, too, I've helped him with it so long now. 

JAYSON--[In a forced tone. ] And how is Curt's book coming, Martha?

MARTHA--[More and more stung by their strained attitudes andinquisitive glances. Coldly and cuttingly. ] Finely, thank you. The bookwill cause quite a stir, I believe. It will make the name of Jaysonfamous in the big world outside of Bridgetown. 

MRS. DAVIDSON--[Indignantly. ] The name of Jayson has been--

JAYSON--[Pleadingly. ] Aunt Elizabeth!

LILY--Aunt means it's world famous already, Martha. [Pointing to thesullen JOHN. ] John was once a substitute on the Yale Freshman soccerteam, you know. If it wasn't for his weak shins he would have made theteam, fancy!

DICK--[This tickles his sense of humor and he bursts into laughter. ]Lily wins! [As his brother glares at him--looking at his watch. ]Heavens, I'll have to hustle! [Gets to his feet. ] I'm due at theCasino. [Comes and shakes MARTHA's hand formally. ] I'm sorry I can'tstay. 

MARTHA--So glad you came. Do come in again any time. We keep openhouse, you know--Western fashion. [She accentuates this. ]

DICK--[Hurriedly. ] Delighted to. [He starts for the door in rear. ]

LILY--[As if suddenly making up her mind. ] Wait a second! I'm comingwith you--

DICK--Sure thing--only hurry, darn you! [He goes out. ]

LILY--[Stops at the door in rear and catching MARTHA's eye, looksmeaningly at the others. ] Phew! I need fresh air! [She makes anencouraging motion as if pummeling someone to MARTHA, indicating herassembled family as the victim--then goes out laughing. A motor isheard starting--running off. ]

ESTHER--[With a huge sigh of relief. ] Thank goodness, she's gone. Whata vixen! What would you do if you had a sister like that, Martha?

MARTHA--I'd love her--and try to understand her. 

SHEFFIELD--[Meaningly. ] She's a bad ally to rely on--this side of thefence one day, and that the next. 

MARTHA--Is that why you advised her to become a lawyer, Mr. Sheffield?

SHEFFIELD--[Stung, but maintaining an unruffled front. ] Now, now, thatremark must be catalogued as catty. 

MARTHA--[Defiantly. ] It seems to be in the Bridgetown atmosphere. Inever was--not the least bit--in the open air. 

JAYSON--[Conciliatingly. ] Oh, Bridgetown isn't so bad, Martha, once youget used to us. 

JOHN--It's one of the most prosperous and wealthy towns in theU. S. --and that means in the world, nowadays. 

EMILY--[With her sugary smile. ] That isn't what Martha means, yousilly. I know what she's thinking about us, and I'm not sure that Idon't agree with her--partly. She feels that we're so awfullystrict--about certain things. It must be so different in the FarWest--I suppose--so much freer. 

MARTHA--[Acidly. ] Then you believe broad-mindedness and clean thinkingare a question of locality? I can't agree with you. I know nothing ofthe present Far West, not having lived there for ten years, but Curtand I have lived in the Far East and I'm sure he'd agree with me insaying that Chinese ancestor worship is far more dignified than ours. After all, you know, theirs is religion, not snobbery. [There is a loudhonking of an auto horn before the house. MARTHA starts, seems to cometo a quick decision, and announces with studied carelessness. ] Thatmust be Mr. Bigelow. I suppose Lily told you I had an engagement to gomotoring with him. So sorry I must leave. But I'm like Lily. I needfresh air. [She walks to the study door as she is talking. ] I'll callCurt. [She raps loudly on the door and calls. ] Curt! Come out! It'simportant. [She turns and goes to the door, smiling fixedly. ] He'll beout when he's through swearing. [She goes out, rear. ]

JOHN--[Exploding. ] Well, of all the damned cheek!

ESTHER--She shows her breeding, I must say. 

EMILY--[With horror. ] Oh, how rude--and insulting. 

MRS. DAVIDSON--[Rising rigidly to her feet. ] I will never set foot inthis house again! JAYSON--[Jumping up to restrain her--worriedly. ] Now, Aunt Elizabeth, do keep your head! We must have no scandal of any sort. Remember there are servants about. Do sit down. [The old lady refusesin stubborn silence. ]

SHEFFIELD--[Judiciously. ] One must make allowances for one in hercondition, Aunt. 

JAYSON--[Snatching at this. ] Exactly. Remember her condition. Aunt[testily] and do sit down. [The old lady plumps herself down againangrily. ]

EMILY--[In her lisp of hidden meanings. ] Yes, the family mustn'tforget--her condition. [The door from the study is opened and CURTappears. His face shows his annoyance at being interrupted, his eyesare preoccupied. They all turn and greet him embarrassedly. He nodssilently and comes slowly down front. ]

CURTIS--[Looking around. ] Where's Martha? What's the important thingshe called me out for?

ESTHER--[Forcing gaiety. ] To play host, you big bear, you! Don't youthink we came to see you, too? Sit down here and be good. [He sits onsofa. ]

EMILY--[Softly. ] Martha had to leave us to go motoring with Mr. Bigelow. 

ESTHER--[Hastily. ] And the three children. 

CURTIS--[Frowning grumpily. ] Hm! Big and his eternal kids. [He sighs. They exchange meaning glances. CURT seems to feel ashamed of hisgrumpiness and tries to fling it off--with a cheerful smile. ] But whatthe deuce! I must be getting selfish to grudge Martha her bit of freshair. You don't know what it means to outdoor animals like us to be pentup. [He springs to his feet and paces back and forth nervously. ] We'reused to living with the sky for a roof--[Then interestedly. ] Did Marthatell you I'd definitely decided to go on the five year Asian expedition?

ESTHER--Curt! You're not!

EMILY--And leave Martha here--all alone--for five years?

JAYSON--Yes, you can't take Martha with you this time, you know. 

CURTIS--[With a laugh. ] No? What makes you so sure of that? [As theylook mystified, he continues confidentially. ] I'll let you in on thesecret--only you must all promise not to breathe a word toMartha--until to-morrow. To-morrow is her birthday, you know, and thisis a surprise I've saved for her. [They all nod. ] I've been intriguingmy damnedest for the past month to get permission for Martha to go withme. It was difficult because women are supposed to be barred. [Happily. ] But I've succeeded. The letter came this morning. Howtickled to death she'll be when she hears! I know she's given up hope. [Thoughtfully. ] I suppose it's that has been making her act soout-of-sorts lately. 

JAYSON--[Worriedly. ] Hmm! But would you persist in going--alone--if youknew it was impossible for her--?

CURTIS--[Frowning. ] I can't imagine it without her. You people can'thave any idea what a help--a chum--she's been. You can't believe that awoman could be--so much that--in a life of that kind--how I've grown todepend on her. The thousand details--she attends to them all. Sheremembers everything. Why, I'd be lost. I wouldn't know how to start. [With a laugh. ] I know this sounds like a confession of weakness butit's true just the same. [Frowning again. ] However, naturally my workmust always be the first consideration. Yes, absolutely! [Then withglad relief. ] But what's the use of rambling on this way? We can bothgo, thank heaven!

MRS. DAVIDSON--[Sternly. ] No. SHE cannot go. And it is YOUR duty--

CURTIS--[Interrupting her with a trace of impatience. ] Oh, come! That'sall nonsense, Aunt. You don't understand the kind of woman Martha is. 

MRS. DAVIDSON--[Harshly. ] The women I understand prefer rearing theirchildren to selfish gallivanting over the world. 

CURTIS--[Impatiently. ] But we have no children now, Aunt. 

MRS. DAVIDSON--I know that, more's the pity. But later--

CURTIS--[Emphatically. ] No, I tell you! It's impossible!

MRS. DAVIDSON--[Grimly. ] I have said my last word. Go your own road andwork your own ruin. 

CURTIS--[Brusquely. ] I think I'll change my togs and go for a walk. Excuse me for a second. I'll be right down again. [He goes out, rear. ]

EMILY--[With her false air of innocence. ] Curt acts so funny, doesn'the? Did you notice how emphatic he was about its being impossible? Andhe said Martha seemed to him to be acting queer lately--with him, Isuppose he meant. 

ESTHER--He certainly appeared put out when he heard she'd gone motoringwith Big. 

JAYSON--[Moodily. ] This dislike of the very mention of children. Itisn't like Curt, not a bit. 

JOHN--There's something rotten in Denmark somewhere. This family willyet live to regret having accepted a stranger--

SHEFFIELD--[Mollifyingly--with a judicial air. ] Come now! This is allonly suspicion. There is no evidence; you have no case; and thedefendant is innocent until you have proved her guilty, remember. [Getting to his feet. ] Well, let's break up. Esther, you and I ought tobe getting home. [They all rise. ]

JAYSON--[Testily. ] Well, if I were sure it would all blow over withoutany open scandal, I'd offer up a prayer of thanks. [The Curtain Falls]

ACT II

SCENE--CURTIS JAYSON'S study. On the left, forward, a gun rack in whichare displayed several varieties of rifles and shotguns. Farther back, three windows looking out on the garden. In the rear wall, an openfireplace with two leather arm-chairs in front of it. To right offireplace, a door leading into the living-room. In the far rightcorner, another chair. In the right wall, three windows looking out onthe lawn and garden. On this side, front, a typewriting table withmachine and chair. Opposite the windows on the right, a bulky leathercouch, facing front. In front of the windows on the left, a long tablewith stacks of paper piled here and there on it, reference books, etc. On the left of table, a swivel chair. Gray oak bookcases are built intothe cream rough plaster walls which are otherwise almost hidden fromview by a collection of all sorts of hunter's trophies, animal heads ofall kinds. The floor is covered with animal skins--tiger, polar bear, leopard, lion, etc. Skins are also thrown over the backs of the chairs. The sections of the bookcase not occupied by scientific volumes havebeen turned into a specimen case for all sorts of zoological, geological, anthropological oddities. 

It is mid-morning, sunny and bright, of the following day. 

CURTIS and BIGELOW are discovered. CURTIS is half-sitting on the cornerof the table, left, smoking a pipe. BIGELOW is lying sprawled on thecouch. Through the open windows on the right come the shouts ofchildren playing. MARTHA's voice joins in with theirs. 

BIGELOW--Listen to that rumpus, will you! The kids are having the timeof their lives. [He goes to the window and looks out--delightedly. ]Your wife is playing hide and seek with them. Come and look. 

CURTIS--[With a trace of annoyance. ] Oh, I can see well enough fromhere. 

BIGELOW--[With a laugh. ] She seems to get as much fun out of it as theydo. [As a shriek comes from outside--excitedly. ] Ah, Eddy discoveredher behind the tree. Isn't he tickled now! [He turns back from thewindow and lights a cigarette--enthusiastically. ] Jove, what a hand sheis with children!

CURTIS--[As if the subject bored him. ] Oh, Martha gets along well withanyone. 

BIGELOW--[Sits on the couch again--with a sceptical smile. ] You thinkso? With everyone?

CURTIS--[Surprised. ] Yes--with everyone we've ever come in contactwith--even aboriginal natives. 

BIGELOW--With the aboriginal natives of Bridgetown? With the well-knownJayson family, for example?

CURTIS--[Getting to his feet--frowning. ] Why, everything's all rightbetween Martha and them, isn't it? What do you mean, Big? I certainlyimagined--but I'll confess this damn book has had me so preoccupied--

BIGELOW--Too darn preoccupied, if you'll pardon my saying so. It's notfair to leave her to fight it alone. 

CURTIS--[Impatiently. ] Fight what? Martha has a sense of humor. I'msure their petty prejudices merely amuse her. 

BIGELOW--[Sententiously. ] A mosquito is a ridiculous, amusing creature, seen under a microscope; but when a swarm has been stinging you allnight--

CURTIS--[A broad grin coming over his face. ] You speak from experience, eh?

BIGELOW--[Smiling. ] You bet I do. Touch me anywhere and you'll find abite. This, my native town, did me the honor of devoting its entireleisure attention for years to stinging me to death. 

CURTIS--Well, if I am to believe one-tenth of the family letters I usedto receive on the subject of my old friend, Bigelow, they sure had justcause. 

BIGELOW--Oh, I'll play fair. I'll admit they did--then. But it'sexasperating to know they never give you credit for changing--I almostsaid, reforming, One ought to be above the gossip of a town likethis--but say what you like, it does get under your skin. 

CURTIS--[With an indulgent smile. ] So you'd like to be known as areformed character, eh?

BIGELOW--[Rather ruefully. ] Et tu! Your tone is sceptical. But I swearto you, Curt, I'm an absolutely new man since my wife's death, sinceI've grown to love the children. Before that I hardly knew them. Theywere hers, not mine, it seemed. [His face lighting up. ] Now we're thebest of pals, and I've commenced to appreciate life from a differentangle. I've found a career at last--the children--the finest career aman could have, I believe. 

CURTIS--[Indifferently. ] Yes, I suppose so--if you're made that way. 

BIGELOW--Meaning you're not?

CURTIS--Not any more. [Frowning. ] I tried that once. 

BIGELOW--[After a pause--with a smile. ] But we're wandering from thesubject of Martha versus the mosquitoes. 

CURTIS--[With a short laugh. ] Oh, to the deuce with that! Trust Marthato take care of herself. Besides, I'll have her out of this stagnanthole before so very long--six months, to be exact. 

BIGELOW--Where do you think of settling her then?

CURTIS--No settling about it. I'm going to take her with me. 

BIGELOW--[Surprised. ] On the Asian expedition?

CURTIS--Yes. I haven't told her yet but I'm going to to-day. It's herbirthday--and I've been saving the news to surprise her with. 

BIGELOW--Her birthday? I wish the children and I had known--but it'snot too late yet. 

CURTIS--[With a grin. ] Thirty-nine candles, if you're thinking ofbaking a cake!

BIGELOW--[Meaningly. ] That's not old--but it's not young either, Curt. 

CURTIS--[Disgustedly. ] You talk like an old woman, Big. What have yearsto do with it? Martha is young in spirit and always will be. [There isa knock at the door and MARTHA's voice calling: "May I come in, people?"] Sure thing! [BIGELOW jumps to open the door and MARTHAenters. She is flushed, excited, full of the joy of life, panting fromher exertions. ]

MARTHA--[Laughing. ] I've had to run away and leave them with thegoverness. They're too active for me. [She throws herself on thecouch. ] Phew! I'm all tired out. I must be getting old. 

CURTIS--[With a grin. ] Big was just this minute remarking that, Martha. [BIGELOW looks embarrassed. ]

MARTHA--[Laughing at him. ] Well, I declare! Of all the horrid things tohear--

BIGELOW--[Still embarrassed but forcing a joking tone. ]He--prevaricates, Mrs. Jayson. 

MARTHA--There now, Curt! I'm sure it was you who said it. It soundsjust like one of your horrid facts. 

BIGELOW--And how can I offer my felicitations now? But I do, despiteyour husband's calumny. May your shadow never grow less!

MARTHA--Thank you. [She shakes his proffered hand heartily. ]

BIGELOW--And now I'll collect my flock and go home. 

CURTIS--So long, Big. Be sure you don't mislay one of your heirs!

BIGELOW--No fear--but they might mislay me. [He goes. CURT sits down oncouch. MARTHA goes to the window right, and looks out--after a pause, waving her hand. ]

MARTHA--There they go. What darlings they are! [CURTIS gruntsperfunctorily. MARTHA comes back and sits beside CURT on thecouch--with a sigh. ] Whoever did say it was right, Curt, I am gettingold. 

CURTIS--[Taking one of her hands and patting it. ] Nonsense!

MARTHA--[Shaking her head and smiling with a touch of sadness. ] No. Ifeel it. 

CURTIS--[Puts his arms around her protectingly. ] Nonsense! You're notthe sort that ever grows old. 

MARTHA--[Nestling up to him. ] I'm afraid we're all that sort, dear. Even you. [She touches the white hair about his temples playfully. ]Circumstantial evidence. I'll have to dye it when you're asleep sometime--and then nobody'll know. 

CURTIS--[Looking at her. ] You haven't any silver threads. [Jokingly. ]Am I to suspect--?

MARTHA--No, I don't. Honest, cross my heart, I wouldn't even concealthat from you, if I did. But gray hairs prove nothing. I am actuallyolder than you, don't forget. 

CURTIS--One whole year! That's frightful, isn't it?

MARTHA--I'm a woman, remember; so that one means at least six. Ugh!Let's not talk about it. Do you know, it really fills me with a queerpanic sometimes?

CURTIS--[Squeezing her. ] Silly girl!

MARTHA--[Snuggling close to him. ] Will you always love me--even whenI'm old and ugly and feeble and you're still young and strong andhandsome?

CURTIS--[Kisses her--tenderly. ] Martha! What a foolish question, sweetheart. If we ever have to grow old, we'll do it together just aswe've always done everything. 

MARTHA--[With a happy sigh. ] That's my dream of happiness, Curt. [Enthusiastically. ] Oh, it has been a wonderful, strange life we'velived together, Curt, hasn't it? You're sure you've neverregretted--never had the weest doubt that it might have been betterwith--someone else?

CURTIS--[Kisses her again--tenderly reproachful. ] Martha!

MARTHA--And I have helped--really helped you, haven't I?

CURTIS--[Much moved. ] You've been the best wife a man could ever wishfor, Martha. You've been--you are wonderful. I owe everything toyou--your sympathy and encouragement. Don't you know I realize that?[She kisses him gratefully. ]

MARTHA--[Musing happily. ] Yes, it's been a wonderful, glorious life. I'd live it over again if I could, every single second of it--even theterrible suffering--the children. 

CURTIS--[Wincing. ] Don't. I wouldn't want that over again. [Thenchanging the subject abruptly. ] But why have you been putting all ourlife into the past tense? It seems to me the most interesting part isstill ahead of us. 

MARTHA--[Softly. ] I mean--together--Curt. 

CURTIS--So do I!

MARTHA--But you're going away--and I can't go with you this time. 

CURTIS--[Smiling to himself over her head. ] Yes, that does complicatematters, doesn't it?

MARTHA--[Hurt--looking up at him. ] Curt! How indifferently you saythat--as if you didn't care!

CURTIS--[Avoiding her eyes--teasingly. ] What do you think you'll do allthe time I'm gone?

MARTHA--Oh, I'll be lost--dead--I won't know what to do. I'll die ofloneliness--[yearning creeping into her voice] unless--

CURTIS--[Inquisitively. ] Unless what?

MARTHA--[Burying her face on his shoulder--passionately. ] Oh, Curt, Ilove you so! Swear that you'll always love me no matter what I do--nomatter what I ask--

CURTIS--[Vaguely uneasy now, trying to peer into her face. ] But, sweetheart--

MARTHA--[Giving way weakly to her feelings for a moment--entreatingly. ]Then don't go!

CURTIS--[Astonished. ] Why, I've got to go. You know that. 

MARTHA--Yes, I suppose you have. [Vigorously, as if flinging off aweakness. ] Of course you have!

CURTIS--But, Martha--you said you'd be lonely unless--unless what?

Martha--Unless I--[She hesitates, blushing and confused. ] I meanwe--oh, I'm so afraid of what you'll--hold me close, very close to youand I'll whisper it. [She pulls his head down and whispers in his ear. A look of disappointment and aversion forces itself on his face. ]

CURTIS--[Almost indignantly. ] But that's impossible, Martha!

MARTHA--[Pleadingly. ] Now don't be angry with me, Curt--not till you'veheard everything. [With a trace of defiance. ] It isn't impossible, Curt. It's so! It's happened! I was saving it as a secret--to tell youto-day--on my birthday. 

CURTIS--[Stunned. ] You mean it--is a fact?

MARTHA--Yes. [Then pitifully. ] Oh, Curt, don't look that way! You seemso cold--so far away from me. [Straining her arms about him. ] Why don'tyou hold me close to you? Why don't you say you're glad--for my sake?

CURTIS--[Agitatedly. ] But Martha--you don't understand. How can Ipretend gladness when--[Vehemently. ] Why, it would spoil all our plans!

MARTHA--Plans? OUR plans? What do you mean?

CURTIS--[Excitedly. ] Why, you're going with me, of course! I'veobtained official permission. I've been working for it for months. Theletter came yesterday morning. 

MARTHA--[Stunned. ] Permission--to go with you--

CURTIS--[Excitedly. ] Yes. I couldn't conceive going without you. And Iknew how you must be wishing--

MARTHA--[In pain. ] Oh!

CURTIS--[Distractedly--jumping to his feet and staring at herbewilderedly. ] Martha! You don't mean to tell me you weren't!

MARTHA--[In a crushed voice. ] I was wishing you would finally decidenot to go--to stay at home. 

CURTIS--[Betraying exasperation. ] But you must realize that'simpossible. Martha, are you sure you've clearly understood what I'vetold you? You can go with me, do you hear? Everything is arranged. AndI've had to fight so hard--I was running the risk of losing my ownchance by my insistence that I couldn't go without you. 

MARTHA--[Weakly and helplessly. ] I understand all that, Curt. 

CURTIS--[Indignantly. ] And yet--you hesitate! Why, this is the greatestthing of its kind ever attempted! There are unprecedentedpossibilities! A whole new world of knowledge may be opened up--thevery origin of Man himself! And you will be the only woman--

MARTHA--I realize all that, Curt. 

CURTIS--You can't--and hesitate! And then--think, Martha!--it will meanthat you and I won't have to be separated. We can go on living the old, free life together. 

MARTHA--[Growing calm now. ] You are forgetting--what I told you, Curt. You must face the fact. I cannot go. 

CURTIS--[Overwhelmed by the finality of her tone--after a pause. ] Howlong have you known--this?

MARTHA--Two months, about. 

CURTIS--But why didn't you tell me before?

MARTHA--I was afraid you wouldn't understand--and you haven't, Curt. But why didn't you tell me before--what you were planning?

CURTIS--[Eagerly. ] You mean--then--you would have been glad togo--before this had happened?

MARTHA--I would have accepted it. 

CURTIS--[Despairingly. ] Martha, how could you ever have allowed this tohappen? Oh, I suppose I'm talking foolishness. It wasn't your seeking, I know. 

MARTHA--Yes it was, Curt. I wished it. I sought it. 

CURTIS--[Indignantly. ] Martha! [Then in a hurt tone. ] You have brokenthe promise we made when they died. We were to keep their memoriesinviolate. They were to be always--our only children. 

MARTHA--[Gently. ] They forgive me, Curt. And you will forgive me, too--when you see him--and love him. 

CURTIS--Him?

MARTHA--I know it will be a boy. 

CURTIS--[Sinking down on the couch beside her--dully. ] Martha! You haveblown my world to bits. 

MARTHA--[Taking one of his hands in hers--gently. ] You must makeallowances for me. Curt, and forgive me. I AM getting old. No, it's thetruth. I've reached the turning point. Will you listen to my side ofit, Curt, and try to see it--with sympathy--with trueunderstanding--[With a trace of bitterness. ]--forgetting your work forthe moment?

CURTIS--[Miserably. ] That's unfair, Martha. I think of it as OURwork--and I have always believed you did, too. 

MARTHA--[Quickly. ] I did, Curt! I do! All in the past is our work. It'smy greatest pride to think so. But, Curt, I'll have to confessfrankly--during the past two years I've felt myself--feeling as if Iwasn't complete--with that alone. 

CURTIS--Martha! [Bitterly. ] And all the time I believed that more andmore it was becoming the aim of your life, too. 

MARTHA--[With a sad smile. ] I'm glad of that, dear. I tried my best toconceal it from you. It would have been so unfair to let you guesswhile we were still in harness. But oh, how I kept looking forward tothe time when we would come back--and rest--in our own home! Youknow--you said that was your plan--to stay here and write yourbooks--and I was hoping--

CURTIS--[With a gesture of aversion. ] I loathe this book-writing. Itisn't my part, I realize now. But when I made the plans you speak of, how could I know that then?

MARTHA--[Decisively. ] You've got to go. I won't try to stop you. I'llhelp all in my power--as I've always done. Only--I can't go with youany more. And you must help me--to do my work--by understanding it. [Heis silent, frowning, his face agitated, preoccupied. She goes onintensely. ] Oh, Curt, I wish I could tell you what I feel, make youfeel with me the longing for a child. If you had just the tiniest bitof feminine in you--! [Forcing a smile. ] But you're so utterlymasculine, dear! That's what has made me love you, I suppose--so I'veno right to complain of it. [Intensely. ] I don't. I wouldn't have youchanged one bit! I love you! And I love the things you love--yourwork--because it's a part of you. And that's what I want you to do--toreciprocate--to love the creator in me--to desire that I, too, shouldcomplete myself with the thing nearest my heart!

CURTIS--[Intensely preoccupied with his own struggle--vaguely. ] But Ithought--

MARTHA--I know; but, after all, your work is yours, not mine. I havebeen only a helper, a good comrade, too, I hope, but--somehow--outsideof it all. Do you remember two years ago when we were camped in Yunnan, among the aboriginal tribes? It was one night there when we were lyingout in our sleeping-bags up in the mountains along the Tibetanfrontier. I couldn't sleep. Suddenly I felt oh, so tired--utterlyalone--out of harmony with you--with the earth under me. I becamehorribly despondent--like an outcast who suddenly realizes the wholeworld is alien. And all the wandering about the world, and all theromance and excitement I'd enjoyed in it, appeared an aimless, futilebusiness, chasing around in a circle in an effort to avoid touchingreality. Forgive me, Curt. I meant myself, not you, of course. Oh, itwas horrible, I tell you, to feel that way. I tried to laugh at myself, to fight it off, but it stayed and grew worse. It seemed as if I werethe only creature alive--who was not alive. And all at once the picturecame of a tribeswoman who stood looking at us in a little mountainvillage as we rode by. She was nursing her child. Her eyes were socuriously sure of herself. She was horribly ugly, poor woman, andyet--as the picture came back to me--I appeared to myself the ugly onewhile she was beautiful. And I thought of our children who haddied--and such a longing for another child came to me that I begansobbing. You were asleep. You didn't hear. [She pauses--then proceedsslowly. ] And when we came back here--to have a home at last, I was sohappy because I saw my chance of fulfillment--before it was too late. [In a gentle, pleading voice. ] Now can you understand, dear? [She putsher hand on his arm. ]

CURTIS--[Starting as if awaking from a sleep. ] Understand? No, I can'tunderstand, Martha. 

MARTHA--[In a gasp of unbearable hurt. ] Curt! I don't believe you hearda word I was saying. 

CURTIS--[Bursting forth as if releasing all the pent-up struggle thathas been gathering within him. ] No, I can't understand. I cannot, cannot! It seems like treachery to me. 

MARTHA--Curt!

CURTIS--I've depended on you. This is the crucial point--the biggestthing of my life--and you desert me!

MARTHA--[Resentment gathering in her eyes. ] If you had listened tome--if you had even tried to feel--

CURTIS--I feel that you are deliberately ruining my highest hope. Howcan I go on without you? I've been trying to imagine myself alone. Ican't! Even with my work--who can I get to take your place? Oh, Martha, why do you have to bring this new element into our lives at this lateday? Haven't we been sufficient, you and I together? Isn't that a moredifficult, beautiful happiness to achieve than--children? Everyone haschildren. Don't I love you as much as any man could love a woman? Isn'tthat enough for you? Doesn't it mean anything to you that I need you soterribly--for myself, for my work--for everything that is best andworthiest in me? Can you expect me to be glad when you propose tointroduce a stranger who will steal away your love, your interest--whowill separate us and deprive me of you! No, no, I cannot! It's askingthe impossible. I am only human. 

MARTHA--If you were human you would think of my life as well as yours. 

CURTIS--I do! It is OUR life I am fighting for, not mine--OUR life thatyou want to destroy. 

MARTHA--Our life seems to mean your life to you, Curt--and only yourlife. I have devoted fifteen years to that. Now I must fight for my own. 

CURTIS--[Aghast. ] You talk as if we were enemies, Martha! [Stridingforward and seizing her in his arms. ] No, you don't mean it! I love youso, Martha! You've made yourself part of my life, my work--I need youso! I can't share you with anyone! I won't! Martha, my own! Say thatyou won't, dear? [He kisses her passionately again and again. ]

MARTHA--[All her love and tenderness aroused by his kisses andpassionate sincerity--weakening. ] Curt! Curt! [Pitiably. ] It won'tseparate us, dear. Can't you see he will be a link between us--evenwhen we are away from each other--that he will bring us together allthe closer?

CURTIS--But I can't be away from you!

MARTHA--[Miserably. ] Oh, Curt, why won't you look the fact in theface--and learn to accept it with joy? Why can't you for my sake? Iwould do that for you. 

CURTIS--[Breaking away from her--passionately. ] You will not do what Ihave implored you--for me! And I am looking the fact in the face--thefact that there must be no fact! [Avoiding her eyes--as if defying hisown finer feelings. ] There are doctors who--

MARTHA--[Shrinking back from him. ] Curt! You propose that--to me! [Withoverwhelming sorrow. ] Oh, Curt! When I feel him--his life withinme--like a budding of my deepest soul--to flower and continue me--yousay what you have just said! [Grief-stricken. ] Oh, you never, never, never will understand!

CURTIS--[Shamefacedly. ] Martha, I--[Distractedly. ] I don't know whatI'm saying! This whole situation is so unbearable! Why, why does ithave to happen now?

MARTHA--[Gently. ] It must be now--or not at all--at my age, dear. [Thenafter a pause--staring at him frightenedly--sadly. ] You have changed, Curt. I remember it used to be your happiness to sacrifice yourself forme. 

CURTIS--I had no work then--no purpose beyond myself. To sacrificeoneself is easy. But when your only meaning becomes as a searcher forknowledge--you cannot sacrifice that, Martha. You must sacrificeeverything for that--or lose all sincerity. 

MARTHA--I wonder where your work leaves off and you begin. Hasn't yourwork become you?

CURTIS--Yes and no. [Helplessly. ] You can't understand, Martha! . .. 

MARTHA--Nor you. 

CURTIS--[With a trace of bitter irony. ] And you and your work? Aren'tthey one and the same?

MARTHA--So you think mine is selfish, too? [After a pause--sadly. ] Ican't blame you, Curt. It's all my fault. I've spoiled you by giving upmy life so completely to yours. You've forgotten I have one. Oh, Idon't mean that I was a martyr. I know that in you alone lay myhappiness and fulfillment in those years--after the children died. Butwe are no longer what we were then. We must, both of us, relearn tolove and respect--what we have become. 

CURTIS--[Violently. ] Nonsense! You talk as if love were an intellectualprocess--[Taking her into his arms--passionately. ] I love you--alwaysand forever! You are me and I am you. What use is all this vivisecting?[He kisses her fiercely. They look into each other's eyes for asecond--then instinctively fall back from one another. ]

MARTHA--[In a whisper. ] Yes, you love me. But who am I? There is norecognition in your eyes. You don't know. 

CURTIS--[Frightenedly. ] Martha! Stop! This is terrible! [They continueto be held by each other's fearfully questioning eyes. ]

[The Curtain Falls]

ACT III

SCENE--Same as Act II. As the curtain rises, JAYSON is discoveredsitting in an armchair by the fireplace, in which a log fire is burningfitfully. He is staring into the flames, a strained, expectantexpression on his face. It is about three o'clock in the morning. Thereis no light but that furnished by the fire which fills the room withshifting shadows. The door in the rear is opened and RICHARD appears, his face harried by the stress of unusual emotion. Through the openeddoorway, a low, muffled moan of anguish sounds from the upper part ofthe house. JAYSON and RICHARD both shudder. The latter closes the doorbehind him quickly as if anxious to shut out the noise. 

JAYSON--[Looking up anxiously. ] Well?

RICHARD--[Involuntarily straightening up as if about to salute andreport to a superior officer. ] No change, sir. [Then, as if rememberinghimself, comes to the fireplace and slumps down in achair--agitatedly. ] God, Dad, I can't stand her moaning and screaming!It's got my nerves shot to pieces. I thought I was hardened. I've heardthem out in No Man's Land--dying by inches--when you couldn't get tothem or help--but this is worse--a million times! After all, that waswar--and they were men--

JAYSON--Martha is having an exceptionally hard ordeal. 

RICHARD--Since three o'clock this morning--yesterday morning, I shouldsay. It's a wonder she isn't dead. 

JAYSON--[After a pause. ] Where is Curt?

RICHARD--[Harshly. ] Still out in the garden, walking around bareheadedin the cold like a lunatic. 

JAYSON--Why didn't you make him come in?

RICHARD--Make him! It's easy to say. He's in a queer state, Dad, I cantell you! There's something torturing him besides her pain--

JAYSON--[After a pause. ] Yes, there's a lot in all this we don't knowabout. 

RICHARD--I suppose the reason he's so down on the family is becausewe've rather cut her since that tea affair. 

JAYSON--He shouldn't blame us. She acted abominably and has certainlycaused enough talk since then--always about with Bigelow--

RICHARD--[With a sardonic laugh. ] And yet he keeps asking everyone tosend for Bigelow--says he wants to talk to him--not us. WE can'tunderstand! [He laughs bitterly. ]

JAYSON--I'm afraid Curt knows we understand too much. [Agitatedly. ] Butwhy does he want Bigelow, in God's name? In his present state--with thesuspicions he must have--there's liable to be a frightful scene. 

RICHARD--Don't be afraid of a scene. [With pitying scorn. ] The hell ofit is he seems to regard Bigelow as his best friend. Damned if I canmake it out. 

JAYSON--I gave orders that they were always to tell Curt Bigelow wasout of town and couldn't be reached. [With a sigh. ] What a frightfulsituation for all of us! [After a pause. ] It may sound cruel ofme--but--I can't help wishing for all our sakes that this child willnever--

RICHARD--Yes, Dad, I know what you're thinking. It would be the bestthing for it, too--although I hate myself for saying it. [There is apause. Then the door in rear is opened and LILY appears. She is paleand agitated. Leaving the door open behind her she comes forward andflings herself on the lounge. ]

JAYSON--[Anxiously. ] Well?

LILY--[Irritably, getting up and switching on the lights. ] Isn'teverything gloomy enough? [Sits down. ] I couldn't bear it upstairs onesecond longer. Esther and Emily are coming down, too. It's too much forthem--and they've had personal experience. [Trying to mask heragitation by a pretense at flippancy. ] I hereby become a life-member ofthe birth-control league. Let's let humanity cease--if God can't manageits continuance any better than that!

RICHARD--[Seriously. ] Second the motion. 

JAYSON--[Peevishly. ] You're young idiots. Keep your blasphemousnonsense to yourself, Lily!

LILY--[Jumping up and stamping her foot--hysterically. ] I can't standit. Take me home, Dick, won't you? We're doing no good waiting here. I'll have a fit--or something--if I stay. 

RICHARD--[Glad of the excuse to go himself--briskly. ] That's how Ifeel. I'll drive you home. Come along. [ESTHER and EMILY enter, followed by JOHN. ]

LILY--[Excitedly. ] I'll never marry or have a child! Never, never! I'llgo into Mark's office to-morrow and make myself independent of marriage. 

ESTHER--Sssh! Lily! Don't you know you're shouting? And what silly talk!

LILY--I'll show you whether it's silly! I'll--

RICHARD--[Impatiently. ] Are you coming or not?

LILY--[Quickly. ] Yes--wait--here I am. [She pushes past the others andfollows RICHARD out rear. ESTHER and EMILY sit on couch--JOHN on chair, right rear. ]

ESTHER--[With a sigh. ] I thought I went through something when minewere born--but this is too awful. 

EMILY--And, according to John, Curt actually says he hates it! Isn'tthat terrible? [After a pause--meaningly. ] It's almost as if hersuffering was a punishment, don't you think?

ESTHER--If it is, she's being punished enough, Heaven knows. It can'tgo on this way much longer or something dreadful will happen. 

EMILY--Do you think the baby--

ESTHER--I don't know. I shouldn't say it but perhaps it would be betterif--

EMILY--That's what I think. 

ESTHER--Oh, I wish I didn't have such evil suspicions--but the way Curtgoes on--how can you help feeling there's something wrong?

JAYSON--[Suddenly. ] How is Curt?

EMILY--John just came in from the garden. [Turning around to where JOHNis dozing in his chair--sharply. ] John! Well I never! If he isn'tfalling asleep! John! [He jerks up his head and stares at her, blinkingstupidly. She continues irritably. ] A nice time to pick out for a nap, I must say. 

JOHN--[Surlily. ] Don't forget I have to be at the bank in the morning. 

JAYSON--[Testily. ] I have to be at the bank, too--and you don't noticeme sleeping. Tell me about Curt. You just left him, didn't you?

JOHN--[Irritably. ] Yes, and I've been walking around that damned gardenhalf the night watching over him. Isn't that enough to wear anyone out?I can feel I've got a terrible cold coming on--

ESTHER--[Impatiently. ] For goodness sake, don't you start to pityyourself!

JOHN--[Indignantly. ] I'm not. I think I've showed my willingness to doeverything I could. If Curt was only the least bit grateful! He isn't. He hates us all and wishes we were out of his home. I would have leftlong ago if I didn't want to do my part in saving the family name fromdisgrace. 

JAYSON--[Impatiently. ] Has he quieted down, that's what I want to know?

JOHN--[Harshly. ] Not the least bit. He's out of his head--and I'd beout of mine if a child was being born to my wife that--

JAYSON--[Angrily. ] Keep that to yourself! Remember you have no proof. [Morosely. ] Think all you want--but don't talk. 

EMILY--[Pettishly. ] The whole town knows it, anyway; I'm sure they must. 

JAYSON--There's only been gossip--no real scandal. Let's do our unitedbest to keep it at that. [After a pause. ] Where's Aunt Elizabeth? We'llhave to keep an eye on her, too, or she's quite liable to blurt out thewhole business before all comers. 

ESTHER--You needn't be afraid. She's forgotten all about the scandalouspart. No word of it has come to her out in the country and she hasn'tset foot in town since that unfortunate tea, remember. And at presentshe's so busy wishing the child will be a boy, that she hasn't athought for another thing. [The door in the rear is opened and MARKSHEFFIELD enters. He comes up to the fire to warm himself. The otherswatch him in silence for a moment. ]

JAYSON--[Impatiently. ] Well, Mark? Where's Curt?

SHEFFIELD--[Frowning. ] Inside. I think he'll be with us in a minute. [With a scornful smile. ] Just now he's 'phoning to Bigelow. [The othersgasp. ]

JAYSON--[Furiously. ] For God's sake, couldn't you stop him?

SHEFFIELD--Not without a scene. Your Aunt persuaded him to come intothe house--and he rushed for the 'phone. I think he guessed we had beenlying to him--

JAYSON--[After a pause. ] Then he--Bigelow will be here soon?

SHEFFIELD--[Drily. ] It depends on his sense of decency. As he seemslacking in that quality, I've no doubt he'll come. 

JOHN--[Rising to his feet--pompously. ] Then I, for one, will go. Come, Emily. Since Curt seems bound to disgrace everyone concerned, I want itthoroughly understood that we wash our hands of the whole disgracefulaffair. 

EMILY--[Snappishly. ] Go if you want to! I won't! [Then with asacrificing air. ] I think it is our duty to stay. 

JAYSON--[Exasperated. ] Sit down. Wash your hands indeed! Aren't you asmuch concerned as any of us?

SHEFFIELD--[Sharply. ] Sshh! I think I hear Curt now. [JOHN sits downabruptly. All stiffen into stony attitudes. The door is opened and CURTenters. He is incredibly drawn and haggard, a tortured, bewilderedexpression in his eyes. His hair is dishevelled, his boots caked withmud. He stands at the door staring from one to the other of his familywith a wild, contemptuous scorn and mutters. ]

CURTIS--Liars! Well, he's coming now. [Then bewilderedly. ] Why didn'tyou want him to come, eh? He's my oldest friend. I've got to talk tosomeone--and I can't to you. [Wildly. ] What do you want here, anyway?Why don't you go? [A scream of MARTHA's is heard through the doorway. CURT shudders violently, slams the door to with a crash, putting hisshoulders against it as if to bar out the sound inexorably--inanguish. ] God, why must she go through such agony? Why? Why? [He goesto the fireplace as MARK makes way for him, flings himself exhaustedlyon a chair, his shoulders bowed, his face hidden in his hands. Theothers stare at him pityingly. There is a long silence. Then the twowomen whisper together, get up and tiptoe out of the room, motioningfor the others to follow them. JOHN does so. SHEFFIELD starts to go, then notices the preoccupied JAYSON who is staring moodily into thefire. ]

SHEFFIELD--Sstt! [As JAYSON looks up--in a whisper. ] Let's go out andleave him alone. Perhaps he'll sleep. 

JAYSON--[Starting to follow SHEFFIELD, hesitates and puts a hand on hisson's shoulder. ] Curt. Remember I'm your father. Can't you confide inme? I'll do anything to help. 

CURTIS--[Harshly. ] No, Dad. Leave me alone. 

JAYSON--[Piqued. ] As you wish. [He starts to go. ]

CURTIS--And send Big in to me as soon as he comes. 

JAYSON--[Stops, appears about to object--then remarks coldly. ] Verywell--if you insist. [He switches off the lights. He hesitates at thedoor uncertainly, then opens it and goes out. There is a pause. ThenCURT lifts his head and peers about the room. Seeing he is alone hesprings to his feet and begins to pace back and forth, his teethclenched, his features working convulsively. Then, as if attracted byan irresistible impulse, he goes to the closed door and puts his ear tothe crack. He evidently hears his wife's moans for he starts away--inagony. ]

CURTIS--Oh, Martha, Martha! Martha, darling! [He flings himself in thechair by the fireplace--hides his face in his hands and sobs bitterly. There is a ring from somewhere in the house. Soon after there is aknock at the door. CURTIS doesn't hear at first but when it is repeatedhe mutters huskily. ] Come in. [BIGELOW enters. CURT looks up at him. ]Close that door, Big, for God's sake!

BIGELOW--[Does so--then taking off his overcoat, hat, and throwing themon the lounge comes quickly over to CURT. ] I got over as soon as Icould. [As he sees CURT's face he starts and says sympathetically. ] ByJove, old man, you look as though you'd been through hell!

CURTIS--[Grimly. ] I have. I am. 

BIGELOW--[Slapping his back. ] Buck up! [Then anxiously. ] How's Martha?

CURTIS--She's in hell, too--

BIGELOW--[Attempting consolation. ] You're surely not worrying, are you?Martha is so strong and healthy there's no doubt of her pulling throughin fine shape. 

CURTIS--She should never have attempted this. [After a pause. ] I've agrudge against you, Big. It was you bringing your children over herethat first planted this in her mind. 

BIGELOW--[After a pause. ] I've guessed you thought that. That's why youhaven't noticed me--or them--over here so much lately. I'll confessthat I felt you--[Angrily. ] And the infernal gossip--I'll admit Ithought that you--oh, damn this rotten town, anyway!

CURTIS--[Impatiently. ] Oh, for God's sake! [Bitterly. ] I didn't wantyou here to discuss Bridgetown gossip. 

BIGELOW--I know, old man, forgive me. [In spite of the closed door oneof MARTHA's agonized moans is heard. They both shudder. ]

CURTIS--[In a dead, monotonous tone. ] She has been moaning like thathour after hour. I shall have those sounds in my ears until the day Idie. Nothing can ever make me forget--nothing. 

BIGELOW--[Trying to distract him. ] Deuce take it, Curt, what's thematter with you? I never thought you'd turn morbid. 

CURTIS--[Darkly. ] I've changed, Big--I hardly know myself any more. 

BIGELOW--Once you're back on the job again, you'll be all right. You'restill determined to go on this expedition, aren't you?

CURTIS--Yes. I was supposed to join them this week in New York but I'vearranged to catch up with them in China--as soon as it's possible forus to go. 

BIGELOW--Us? You mean you still plan to take--

CURTIS--[Angrily aggressive. ] Yes, certainly! Why not? Martha ought tobe able to travel in a month or so. 

BIGELOW--Yes, but--do you think it would be safe to take the child?

CURTIS--[With a bitter laugh. ] Yes--I was forgetting the child, wasn'tI? [Viciously. ] But perhaps--[Then catching himself with a groan. ] Oh, damn all children, Big!

BIGELOW--[Astonished. ] Curt!

CURTIS--[In anguish. ] I can't help it--I've fought against it. But it'sthere--deep down in me--and I can't drive it out. I can't!

BIGELOW--[Bewildered. ] What, Curt?

CURTIS--Hatred! Yes, hatred! What's the use of denying it? I must tellsomeone and you're the only one who might understand. [With a wildlaugh. ] For you--hated your wife, didn't you?

BIGELOW--[Stunned. ] Good God, you don't mean you hate--Martha?

CURTIS--[Raging. ] Hate Martha? How dare you, you fool! I loveMartha--love her with every miserable drop of blood in me--with all mylife--all my soul! She is my whole world--everything! Hate Martha! God, man, have you gone crazy to say such a mad thing? [Savagely. ] No. Ihate it. It!

BIGELOW--[Shocked. ] Curt! Don't you know you can't talk likethat--now--when--CURTIS-- [Harshly. ] It has made us both suffertorments--not only now--every day, every hour, for months and months. Why shouldn't I hate it, eh?

BIGELOW--[Staring at his friend's wild, distorted face with growinghorror. ] Curt! Can't you realize how horrible--

CURTIS--Yes, it's horrible. I've told myself that a million times. [With emphasis. ] But it's true!

BIGELOW--[Severely. ] Shut up! You're not yourself. Come, think for amoment. What would Martha feel if she heard you going on this way?Why--it would kill her!

CURTIS--[With a sobbing groan. ] Oh, I know, I know! [After a pause. ]She read it in my eyes. Yes, it's horrible, but when I saw her theresuffering so frightfully--I couldn't keep it out of my eyes. I tried toforce it back--for her sake--but I couldn't. I was holding her handsand her eyes searched mine with such a longing question in them--andshe read only my hatred there, not my love for her. And she screamedand seemed to try to push me away. I wanted to kneel down and pray forforgiveness--to tell her it was only my love for her--that I couldn'thelp it. And then the doctors told me to leave--and now the door islocked against me--[He sobs. ]

BIGELOW--[Greatly moved. ] This is only your damned imagination. Theyput you out because you were in their way, that's all. And as forMartha, she was probably suffering so much--

CURTIS--No. She read it in my eyes. I saw that look in hers--ofhorror--horror of me!

BIGELOW--[Gruffly. ] You're raving, damn it!

CURTIS--[Unheeding. ] It came home to her then--the undeniable truth. [With a groan. ] Isn't it fiendish that I should be the one to add toher torture--in spite of myself--in spite of all my will to conceal it!She will never forgive me, never! And how can I forgive myself?

BIGELOW--[Distractedly. ] For God's sake, don't think about it! It'sabsurd--ridiculous!

CURTIS--[Growing more calm--in a tone of obsession. ] She's guessed itever since that day when we quarreled--her birthday. Oh, you can haveno idea of the misery there has been in our lives since then. Youhaven't seen or guessed the reason. No one has. It has been--thethought of IT. 

BIGELOW--Curt!

CURTIS--[Unheeding. ] For years we had welded our lives together so thatwe two were sufficient, each to each. There was no room for a third. And it was a fine, free life we had made--a life of new worlds, ofdiscovery, of knowledge invaluable to mankind. Isn't such a life worthall the sacrifice it must entail?

BIGELOW--But that life was your life, Curt--

CURTIS--[Vehemently. ] No, it was her life, too--her work as well asmine. She had made the life, our life--the work, our work. Had she theright to repudiate what she had built because she suddenly has a fancyfor a home, children, a miserable ease! I had thought I was her home, her children. I had tried to make my life worthy of being that to her. And I had failed. I was not enough. 

BIGELOW--Curt!

CURTIS--Oh, I tried to become reconciled. I tried my damnedest. I triedto love this child as I had loved those that died. But I couldn't. Andso, this being estranged us. We loved as intensely as ever but ITpushed us apart. I grew to dread the idea of this intruder. She sawthis in me. I denied it--but she knew. There was something in each ofus the other grew to hate. And still we loved as never before, perhaps, for we grew to pity each other's helplessness. 

BIGELOW--Curt! Are you sure you ought to tell anyone this?

CURTIS--[Waving his remark aside. ] One day, when I was trying toimagine myself without her, and finding nothing but hopelessness--yetknowing I must go--a thought suddenly struck me--a horrible butfascinating possibility that had never occurred to me before. [Withfeverish intensity. ] Can you guess what it was?

BIGELOW--No. And I think you've done enough morbid raving, if you askme. 

CURTIS--The thought that came to me was that if a certain thinghappened, Martha could still go with me. And I knew, if it did happen, that she would want to go, that she would fling herself into the spiritof our work to forget, that she would be mine more than ever. 

BIGELOW--[Afraid to believe the obvious answer. ] Curt!

CURTIS--Yes. My thought was that the child might be born dead. 

BIGELOW--[Repelled--sternly. ] Damn it, man, do you know what you'resaying? [Relentingly. ] No, Curt, old boy, do stop talking. If you don'tI'll send for a doctor, damned if I won't. That talk belongs in anasylum. God, man, can't you realize this is your child--yours as wellas hers?

CURTIS--I've tried. I cannot. There is some inexorable force in me--

BIGELOW--[Coldly. ] Do you realize how contemptible this confessionmakes you out? [Angrily. ] Why, if you had one trace of human kindnessin you--one bit of unselfish love for your wife--one particle of pityfor her suffering--

CURTIS--[Anguished. ] I have--all the love and pity in the world forher! That's why I can't help hating--the cause of her suffering. 

BIGELOW--Have you never thought that you might repay Martha for givingup all her life to you by devoting the rest of yours to her?

CURTIS--[Bitterly. ] She can be happy without me. She will have thischild--to take my place. [Intensely. ] You think I would not give up mywork for her? But I would! I will stay here--do anything she wishes--ifonly we can make a new beginning again--together--ALONE!

BIGELOW--[Agitated. ] Curt, for God's sake, don't return to that! Why, good God, man--even now--while you're speaking--don't you realize whatmay be happening? And you can talk as if you were wishing--

CURTIS--[Fiercely. ] I can't help but wish it!

BIGELOW--[Distractedly. ] For the love of God, if you have suchthoughts, keep them to yourself. I won't listen! You make me despiselife!

CURTIS--And would you have me love life? [The door in the rear isopened and JAYSON enters, pale and unnerved. A succession of quick, piercing shrieks is heard before he can close the door behind him. Shuddering. ] My God! My God! [With a fierce cry. ]Will--this--never--end!

JAYSON--[Tremblingly. ] Sh-h-h, they say this is the crisis. [Puts hisarm around CURT. ] Bear up, my boy, it will soon be over now. [He sitsdown in the chair BIGELOW has vacated, pointedly ignoring the latter. The door is opened again and EMILY, ESTHER, JOHN and SHEFFIELD file inquickly as if escaping from the cries of the woman upstairs. They areall greatly agitated. CURT groans, pressing his clenched fists againsthis ears. The two women sit on the lounge. MARK comes forward andstands by JAYSON'S chair, JOHN sits by the door as before. BIGELOWretreats behind CURT's chair, aware of their hostility. There is a longpause. ]

ESTHER--[Suddenly. ] She has stopped--[They all listen. ]

JAYSON--[Huskily. ] Thank God, it's over at last. [The door is openedand MRS. DAVIDSON enters. The old lady is radiant, weeping tears ofjoy. ]

MRS. DAVIDSON--[Calls out exultantly between sobs. ] A son, Curt--a son. [With rapt fervor--falling on her knees. ] Let us all give thanks to God!

CURTIS--[In a horrible cry of rage and anguish. ] No! No! You lie! [Theyall cry out in fright and amazement: "CURT!" The door is opened and theNURSE appears. ]

NURSE--[Looking at CURTIS, in a low voice. ] Mr. Jayson, your wife isasking for you. 

BIGELOW--[Promptly slapping CURT on the back. ] There! What did I tellyou? Run, you chump!

CURTIS--[With a gasp of joy. ] Martha! Darling, I'm coming--[He rushesout after the NURSE. ]

BIGELOW--[Comes forward to get his hat and coat from the sofa--coldly. ]Pardon me, please. [They shrink away from him. ]

EMILY--[As he goes to the door--cuttingly. ] Some people seem to have nosense of decency!

BIGELOW--[Stung, stops at the door and looks from one to the other ofthem--bitingly. ] No, I quite agree with you. [He goes out, shutting thedoor. They all gasp angrily. ]

JOHN--Scoundrel!

JAYSON--[Testily--going to MRS. D. , who is still on her knees praying. ]Do get up, Aunt Elizabeth! How ridiculous! What a scene if anyoneshould see you like that. [He raises her to her feet and leads her to achair by the fire. She obeys unresistingly, seemingly unaware of whatshe is doing. ]

ESTHER--[Unable to restrain her jealousy. ] So it's a boy. 

EMILY--Did you hear Curt--how he yelled out "No"? It's plain as thenose on your face he didn't want--

ESTHER--How awful!

JOHN--Well, can you blame him?

EMILY--And the awful cheek of that Bigelow person--coming here--

ESTHER--They appeared as friendly as ever when we came in. 

JOHN--[Scornfully. ] Curt is a blind simpleton--and that man is adyed-in-the-wool scoundrel. 

JAYSON--[Frightenedly. ] Shhh! Suppose we were overheard!

EMILY--When Curt leaves we can put her in her proper place. I'll soonlet her know she hasn't fooled me, for one. [While she is speaking MRS. D. Has gotten up and is going silently toward the door. ]

JAYSON--[Testily. ] Aunt Elizabeth, where are you going?

MRS. D. --[Tenderly. ] I must see him again, the dear! [She goes out. ]

ESTHER--[Devoured by curiosity--hesitatingly. ] I think I--come on, Emily. Let's go up and see--

EMILY--Not I! I never want to lay eyes on it. 

JOHN--Nor I. 

ESTHER--I was only thinking--everyone will think it funny if we don't. 

JAYSON--[Hastily. ] Yes, yes. We must keep up appearances. [Getting tohis feet. ] Yes, I think we had better all go up--make some sort ofinquiry about Martha, you know. It's expected of us and--[They are allstanding, hesitating, when the door in the rear is opened and the NURSEappears, supporting CURT. The latter is like a corpse. His face ispetrified with grief, his body seems limp and half-paralyzed. ]

NURSE--[Her eyes flashing, indignantly. ] It's a wonder some of youwouldn't come up--here, help me! Take him, can't you? I've got to runback!

[JAYSON and SHEFFIELD spring forward and lead CURT to a chair by thefire. ]

JAYSON--[Anxious. ] Curt! Curt, my boy! What is it, son?

EMILY--[Catching the NURSE as she tries to go. ] Nurse! What is thematter?

NURSE--[Slowly. ] His wife is dead. [They are all still, stunned. ] Shelived just long enough to recognize him. 

EMILY--And--the baby?

NURSE--[With a professional air. ] Oh, it's a fine, healthy baby--elevenpounds--that's what made it so difficult. [She goes. The others allstand in silence. ]

ESTHER--[Suddenly sinking on the couch and bursting into tears. ] Oh, I'm so sorry I said--or thought--anything wrong about her. Forgive me, Martha!

SHEFFIELD--[Honestly moved but unable to resist this opportunity forLatin--solemnly. ] De mortuis nil nisi bonum. 

JAYSON--[Who has been giving all his attention to his son. ] Curt! Curt!EMILY--Hadn't the doctor better--

JAYSON--Shhh! He begins to recognize me. Curt!

CURTIS--[Looking around him bewilderedly. ] Yes. [Suddenly remembrancecomes and a spasm of intolerable pain contracts his features. Hepresses his hands to the side of his head and groans brokenly. ] Martha!Gone! Dead! Oh! [He appeals wildly to the others. ] Her eyes--she knewme--she smiled--she whispered--forgive me, Curt, --forgive her--when itwas I who should have said forgive me--but before I could--she--[Hefalters brokenly. ]

EMILY--[Looking from one to the other meaningly as if this justifiedall their suspicions. ] Oh!

CURTIS--[A sudden triumph in his voice. ] But she loved me again--onlyme--I saw it in her eyes! She had forgotten--IT. [Raging. ] Never let mesee it! Never let it come near me! It has murdered her! [Springing tohis feet. ] I hate it from the bottom of my soul--I will never seeit--never--never--I take my oath! [As his father takes his arm--shakinghim off. ] Let me go! I am going back to her! [He strides out of thedoor in a frenzy of grief and rage. They all stand transfixed, lookingat each other bewilderedly. ]

EMILY--[Putting all her venomous gratification into one word. ] Well!

[The Curtain Falls]

ACT IV

SCENE--Same as Act I. It is afternoon of a fine day three days later. Motors are heard coming up the drive in front of the house. There isthe muffled sound of voices. The MAID is seen going along the hall tothe front door. Then the family enter from the rear. First come JAYSONand ESTHER with MRS. DAVIDSON--then LILY, DICK and SHEFFIELD--then JOHNand his wife. All are dressed in mourning. The only one who betrays anysigns of sincere grief is MRS. DAVIDSON. The others all have a strainedlook, irritated, worried, or merely gloomy. They seem to be thinking"The worst is yet to come. "

JAYSON--[Leading MRS. D. , who is weeping softly, to the chair at leftof table--fretfully. ] Please do sit down, Aunt. [She does somechanically. ] And do stop crying. [He sits down in front of table. ESTHER goes to couch where she is joined by EMILY. MARK goes over andstands in back of them. DICK and JOHN sit at rear of table. LILY comesdown front and walks about nervously. She seems in a particularlyfretful, upset mood. ]

LILY--[Trying to conceal her feelings under a forced flippancy. ] Whatridiculous things funerals are, anyway! That stupid minister--whiningaway through his nose! Why does the Lord show such a partiality for menwith adenoids, I wonder. 

JAYSON--[Testily. ] Sshhh! Have you no respect for anything?

LILY--[Resentfully. ] If I had, I'd have lost it when I saw all of youpulling such long faces in the church where you knew you were underobservation. Pah! Such hypocrisy! And then, to cap it all, Emily has toforce out a few crocodile tears at the grave!

EMILY--[Indignantly. ] When I saw Curt--that's why I cried--not for her!

JAYSON--What a scene Curt made! I actually believe he wanted to throwhimself into the grave!

DICK--You BELIEVE he wanted to! Why, it was all Mark and I could do tohold him, wasn't it, Mark? [SHEFFIELD nods. ]

JAYSON--Intolerable! I never expected he'd turn violent like that. He'sseemed calm enough the past three days. 

LILY--Calm! Yes, just like a corpse is calm!

JAYSON--[Distractedly. ] And now this perfectly mad idea of going awayto-day to join that infernal expedition--leaving that child on ourhands--the child he has never even looked at! Why, it's too monstrouslyflagrant! He's deliberately flaunting this scandal in everyone's face!

JOHN--[Firmly. ] He must be brought to time. 

SHEFFIELD--Yes, we must talk to him--quite openly, if we're forced to. After all, I guess he realizes the situation more keenly than any of us. 

LILY--[Who has wandered to window on right. ] You mean you think hebelieves--Well, I don't. And you had better be careful not to let himguess what you think. [Pointing outside. ] There's my proof. There he iswalking about with Bigelow. Can you imagine Curt doing that--if hethought for a moment--

DICK--Oh, I guess Curt isn't all fool. He knows that's the very bestway to keep people from suspecting. 

ESTHER--[Indignantly. ] But wouldn't you think that Bigelow person--It'sdisgusting, his sticking to Curt like this. 

SHEFFIELD--Well, for one, I'm becoming quite resigned to Bigelow'spresence. In the first place, he seems to be the only one who can bringCurt to reason. Then again, I feel that it is to Bigelow's own interestto convince Curt that he mustn't provoke an open scandal by runningaway without acknowledging this child. 

LILY--[Suddenly bursting forth hysterically. ] Oh, I hate you, all ofyou! I loathe your suspicions--and I loathe myself because I'mbeginning to be poisoned by them, too. 

EMILY--Really, Lily, at this late hour--after the way Curt hasacted--and her last words when she was dying--

LILY--[Distractedly. ] I know! Shut up! Haven't you told it a milliontimes already? [MRS. DAVIDSON gets up and walks to the door, rear. Shehas been crying softly during this scene, oblivious to the talk aroundher. ]

JAYSON--[Testily. ] Aunt Elizabeth! Where are you going? [As she doesn'tanswer but goes out into the hall. ] Esther, go with her and see thatshe doesn't--

ESTHER--[Gets up with a jealous irritation. ] She's only going up to seethe baby. She's simply forgotten everything else in the world!

LILY--[Indignantly. ] She probably realizes what we are too mean toremember--that the baby, at least, is innocent. Wait, Esther. I'll comewith you. 

JAYSON--Yes, hurry, she shouldn't be left alone. [ESTHER and LILYfollow the old lady out, rear. ]

DICK--[After a pause--impatiently. ] Well, what next? I don't see whatgood we are accomplishing. May I run along? [He gets up restlessly ashe is speaking and goes to the window. ]

JAYSON--[Severely. ] You will stay, if you please. There's to be noshirking on anyone's part. It may take all of us to induce Curt--

SHEFFIELD--I wouldn't worry. Bigelow is taking that job off our hands, I imagine. 

DICK--[Looking out of the window. ] He certainly seems to be doing hisdamnedest. [With a sneer. ] The stage missed a great actor in him. 

JAYSON--[Worriedly. ] But, if Bigelow should fail--

SHEFFIELD--Then we'll succeed. [With a grim smile. ] By God, we'll haveto. 

JAYSON--Curt has already packed his trunks and had them taken down tothe station--told me he was leaving on the five o'clock train. 

SHEFFIELD--But didn't you hint to him there was now this matter of thechild to be considered in making his plans?

JAYSON--[Lamely. ] I started to. He simply flared up at me with insanerage. 

DICK--[Looking out the window. ] Say, I believe they're coming in. 

JAYSON--Bigelow?

DICK--Yes, they're both making for the front door. 

SHEFFIELD--I suggest we beat a retreat to Curt's study and wait there. 

JAYSON--Yes, let's do that--come on, all of you. [They all retiregrumblingly but precipitately to the study, closing the door behindthem. The front door is heard opening and a moment later CURT andBIGELOW enter the room. CURT's face is set in an expression of stonygrief. BIGELOW is flushed, excited, indignant. ]

BIGELOW--[As CURT sinks down on the couch--pleading indignantly. ] Curt, damn it, wake up! Are you made of stone? Has everything I've said gonein one ear and out the other? I know it's hell for me to torment you atthis particular time but it's your own incredibly unreasonable actionsthat force me to. I know how terribly you must feel but--damn it, man, postpone this going away! Face this situation like a man! Be reconciledto your child, stay with him at least until you can make suitablearrangements--

CURTIS--[Fixedly. ] I will never see it! Never!

BIGELOW--How can you keep repeating that--with Martha hardly cold inher grave! I ask you again, what would she think, how would shefeel--If you would only consent to see this baby, I know you'd realizehow damnably mad and cruel you are. Won't you--just for a second?

CURTIS--No. [Then raging. ] If I saw it I'd be tempted to--[Thenbrokenly. ] No more of that talk, Big. I've heard enough. I've reachedthe limit. 

BIGELOW--[Restraining his anger with difficulty--coldly. ] That's yourfinal answer, eh? Well, I'm through. I've done all I could. If you wantto play the brute--to forget all that was most dear in the world toMartha--to go your own damn selfish way--well, there's nothing more tobe said. You will be punished for it, believe me! [He takes a steptoward the door. ] And I--I want you to understand that all friendshipceases between us from this day. You are not the Curt I thought Iknew--and I have nothing but a feeling of repulsion--good-by. [Hestarts for the door. ]

CURTIS--[Dully. ] Good-by, Big. 

BIGELOW--[Stops, his features working with grief and looks back at hisfriend--then suddenly goes back to him--penitently. ] Curt! Forgive me!I ought to know better. This isn't you. You'll come to yourself whenyou've had time to think it over. The memory of Martha--she'll tell youwhat you must do. [He wrings CURT's hand. ] Good-by, old scout!

CURTIS--[Dully. ] Good-by. [BIGELOW hurries out, rear. CURT sits in adumb apathy for a while--then groans heart-brokenly. ] Martha! Martha![He springs to his feet distractedly. The door of the study is slowlyopened and SHEFFIELD peers out cautiously--then comes into the room, followed by the others. They all take seats as before. CURT ignoresthem. ]

SHEFFIELD--[Clearing his throat. ] Curt--

CURTIS--[Suddenly. ] What time is it, do you know!

SHEFFIELD--[Looking at his watch. ] Two minutes to four. 

CURTIS--[Impatiently. ] Still an hour more of this!

JAYSON--[Clearing his throat. ] Curt--[Before he starts what he intendsto say, there is the sound of voices from the hall. ESTHER and LILYhelp in MRS. DAVIDSON to her former chair. The old lady's face is againtransformed with joy. ESTHER joins EMILY on the couch. LILY sits inchair--front right. There is a long, uncomfortable pause during whichCURT paces up and down. ]

MRS. DAVIDSON--[Suddenly murmuring aloud to herself--happily. ] He'ssuch a dear! I could stay watching him forever. 

JAYSON--[Testily. ] Sshhh! Aunt! [Then clearing his throat again. ]Surely you're not still thinking of going on the five o'clock train, are you, Curt?

CURTIS--Yes. 

SHEFFIELD--[Drily. ] Then Mr. Bigelow didn't persuade you--

CURTIS--[Coldly and impatiently. ] I'm not to be persuaded by Big oranyone else. And I'll thank you not to talk any more about it. [Theyall stiffen resentfully at his tone. ]

JAYSON--[To CURT--in a pleading tone. ] You mustn't be unreasonable, Curt. After all we are your family--your best friends in the world--andwe are only trying to help you--

CURTIS--[With nervous vehemence. ] I don't want your help. You will helpme most by keeping silent. 

EMILY--[ With a meaning look at the others--sneeringly. ] Yes, no doubt. 

ESTHER--Sshhh, Emily!

JAYSON--[Helplessly. ] But, you see, Curt--

SHEFFIELD--[With his best judicial air. ] If you'll all allow me to bethe spokesman, I think perhaps that I--[They all nod and signify theiracquiescence. ] Well, then, will you listen to me, Curt? [This lastsomewhat impatiently as CURT continues to pace, eyes on the floor. ]

CURTIS--[Without looking at him--harshly. ] Yes, I'm listening. Whatelse can I do when you've got me cornered? Say what you like and let'sget this over. 

SHEFFIELD--First of all, Curt, I hope it is needless for me to expresshow very deeply we all feel for you in your sorrow. But we sincerelytrust that you are aware of our heartfelt sympathy. [They all nod. Abitter, cynical smile comes over LILY's face. ]

ESTHER--[Suddenly breaking down and beginning to weep. ] Poor Martha![SHEFFIELD glances at his wife, impatient at this interruption. Theothers also show their irritation. ]

EMILY--[Pettishly. ] Esther! For goodness sake! [CURT hesitates, staresat his sister frowningly as if judging her sincerity--then bends downover her and kisses the top of her bowed head impulsively--seems aboutto break down himself--grits his teeth and forces it back--glancesaround at the others defiantly and resumes his pacing. ESTHER dries hereyes, forcing a trembling smile. The cry has done her good. ]

SHEFFIELD--[Clearing his throat. ] I may truthfully say we all feel--asEsther does--even if we do not give vent--[With an air of sinceresympathy. ] I know how terrible a day this must be for you, Curt. We alldo. And we feel guilty in breaking in upon the sanctity of your sorrowin any way. But, if you will pardon my saying so, your own course ofaction--the suddenness of your plans--have made it imperative that wecome to an understanding about certain things--about one thing inparticular, I might say. [He pauses. CURT goes on pacing back and forthas if he hadn't heard. ]

JAYSON--[Placatingly. ] Yes, it is for the best, Curt. 

ESTHER--Yes, Curt dear, you mustn't be unreasonable. 

DICK--[Feeling called upon to say something. ] Yes, old man, you've gotto face things like a regular. Facts are facts. [This makes everybodyuneasy. ]

LILY--[Springing to her feet. ] Phew! it's close in here. I'm going outin the garden. You can call me when these--orations--are finished. [Shesweeps out scornfully. ]

JAYSON--[Calling after her imperiously. ] Lily! [But she doesn't answerand he gives it up with a hopeless sigh. ]

CURTIS--[Harshly. ] What time is it?

SHEFFIELD--You have plenty of time to listen to what I--I should rathersay we--have to ask you, Curt. I promise to be brief. But first let meagain impress upon you that I am talking in a spirit of the deepestfriendliness and sympathy with you--as a fellow-member of the samefamily, I may say--and with the highest ideals and the honor of thatfamily always in view. [CURT makes no comment. SHEFFIELD unconsciouslybegins to adopt the alert keenness of the cross-examiner. ] First, letme ask you, is it your intention to take that five o'clock train to-day?

CURTIS--[Harshly. ] I've told you that. 

SHEFFIELD--And then you'll join this expedition to Asia?

CURTIS--You know that. 

SHEFFIELD--To be gone five years?

CURTIS--[Shrugging his shoulders. ] More or less. 

SHEFFIELD--Is it your intention to return here at any time before youleave for Asia?

CURTIS--No!

SHEFFIELD--And your determination on these plans is irrevocable?

CURTIS--Irrevocable! Exactly. Please remember that. 

SHEFFIELD--[Sharply. ] That being your attitude, I will come bluntly tothe core of the whole matter--the child whose coming into the worldcost Martha her life. 

CURTIS--[Savagely. ] Her murderer! You are right! [They all lookshocked, suspicious. ]

SHEFFIELD--[Remonstratingly but suspiciously. ] You can hardly hold thechild responsible for the terrible outcome. Women die every day fromthe same cause. [Keenly. ] Why do you attribute guilt to the child inthis case, Curt?

CURTIS--It lives and Martha is gone--But, enough! I've said I neverwanted it mentioned to me. Will you please remember that?

SHEFFIELD--[Sharply. ] Its name is Jayson. Curt--in the eyes of the law. Will YOU please remember that?

CURTIS--[Distractedly. ] I don't want to remember anything! [Wildly. ]Please, for God's sake, leave me alone!

SHEFFIELD--[Coldly. ] I am sorry, Curt, but you cannot act as if youwere alone in this affair. 

CURTIS--Why not? Am I not alone--more alone this minute than anycreature on God's earth?

SHEFFIELD--[Soothingly. ] In your great grief. Yes, yes, of course. Weall appreciate--and we hate to--[Persuasively. ] Yes, it would be muchwiser to postpone these practical considerations until you are in acalmer mood. And if you will only give us the chance--why not put offthis precipitate departure--for a month, say--and in the meantime--

CURTIS--[Harshly. ] I am going when I said I was. I must get away fromthis horrible hole--as far away as I can. I must get back to my workfor only in it will I find Martha again. But you--you can't understandthat. What is the good of all this talking which leads nowhere?

SHEFFIELD--[Coldly. ] You're mistaken. It leads to this: Do youunderstand that your running away from this child--on the very day ofits mother's funeral!--will have a very queer appearance in the eyes ofthe world?

EMILY--And what are you going to do with the baby, Curt? Do you thinkyou can run off regardless and leave it here--on our hands?

CURTIS--[Distractedly. ] I'll give it this home. Andsomeone--anyone--Esther, Lily--can appoint a nurse to live here and--[Breaking down. ] Oh, don't bother me!

SHEFFIELD--[Sharply. ] In the world's eyes, it will appear precious likea desertion on your part. 

CURTIS--Oh, arrange it to suit yourselves--anything you wish--

SHEFFIELD--[Quickly. ] I'll take you at your word. Then let us arrangeit this way. You will remain here a month longer at least--

CURTIS--No!

SHEFFIELD--[Ignoring the interruption. ] You can make plans for thechild's future in that time, become reconciled to it--

CURTIS--No!

JAYSON--[Pleadingly. ] Curt--please--for all our sakes--when the honorof the family is at stake. 

DICK--Yes, old man, there's that about it, you know. 

CURTIS--No!

EMILY--Oh, he's impossible!

SHEFFIELD--Perhaps Curt misunderstood me. [Meaningly. ] Be reconciled toit in the eyes of the public, Curt. That's what I meant. Your ownprivate feelings in the matter--are no one's business but your own, ofcourse. 

CURTIS--[Bewilderedly. ] But--I don't see--Oh, damn your eyes of thepublic!

EMILY--[Breaking in. ] It's all very well for you to ignore what peoplein town think--you'll be in China or heaven knows where. The scandalwon't touch you--but we've got to live here and have our position toconsider. 

CURTIS--[Mystified. ] Scandal? What scandal? [Then with a harsh laugh. ]Oh, you mean the imbecile busy-bodies will call me an unnatural father. Well, let them! I suppose I am. But they don't know--

EMILY--[Spitefully. ] Perhaps they know more than you think they do. 

CURTIS--[Turning on her--sharply. ] Just what do you mean by that, eh?

ESTHER--Emily! Shhh!

JAYSON--[Flurriedly. ] Be still, Emily. Let Mark do the talking. 

SHEFFIELD--[Interposing placatingly. ] What Emily means is simply this, Curt: You haven't even been to look at this child since it has beenborn--not once, have you?

CURTIS--No, and I never intend--

SHEFFIELD--[Insinuatingly. ] And don't you suppose the doctors andnurses--and the servants--have noticed this? It is not the usualprocedure, you must acknowledge, and they wouldn't be human if theydidn't think your action--or lack of action--peculiar and comment on itoutside. 

CURTIS--Well, let them! Do you think I care a fiddler's curse howpeople judge me?

SHEFFIELD--It is hardly a case of their judging--you. [Breaking off ashe catches CURT'S tortured eyes fixed on him wildly. ] This is a smalltown, Curt, and you know as well as I do, gossip is not the least ofits faults. It doesn't take long for such things to get started. [Persuasively. ] Now I ask you frankly, is it wise to provokedeliberately what may easily be set at rest by a little--I'll befrank--a little pretense on your part?

JAYSON--Yes, my boy. As a Jayson, I know you don't wish--

ESTHEE--[With a sigh. ] Yes, you really must think of us, Curt. 

CURTIS--[In an acute state of muddled confusion. ] But--I--you--how areyou concerned? Pretense? You mean you want me to stay and pretend--inorder that you won't be disturbed by any silly tales they tell aboutme? [With a wild laugh. ] Good God, this is too much! Why does a manhave to be maddened by fools at such a time! [Raging. ] Leave me alone!You're like a swarm of poisonous flies. 

JAYSON--Curt! This is--really--when we've tried to be so considerate--

JOHN--[Bursting with rage. ] It's an outrage to allow such insults!

DICK--You're not playing the game, Curt. 

EMILY--[Spitefully. ] It seems to me it's much more for Martha's sake, we're urging you than for our own. After all, the town can't sayanything against us. 

CURTIS--[Turning on her. ] Martha's sake? [Brokenly. ] Martha is gone. Leave her out of this. 

SHEFFIELD--[Sharply. ] But unfortunately, Curt, others will not leaveher out of this. They will pry and pry--you know what they are--and--

EMILY--Curt couldn't act the way he is doing if he ever really caredfor her. 

CURTIS--You dare to say that! [Then controlling himself a bit--withscathing scorn. ] What do know of love--women like you! You call yourlittle rabbit-hutch emotions love--your bread-and-butter passions--andyou have the effrontery to judge--

EMILY--[Shrinking from him frightenedly. ] Oh! John!

JOHN--[Getting to his feet. ] I protest! I cannot allow even my ownbrother--

DICK--[Grabbing his arm. ] Keep your head, old boy. 

SHEFFIELD--[Peremptorily. ] You are making a fool of yourself, Curt--andyou are damned insulting in the bargain. I think I may say that we'veall about reached the end of our patience. What Emily said is for yourown best interest, if you had the sense to see it. And I put it to youonce and for all: Are you or are you not willing to act like a man ofhonor to protect your own good name, the family name, the name of thischild, and your wife's memory? Let me tell you, your wife's good nameis more endangered by your stubbornness than anything else. 

CURTIS--[Trembling with rage. ] I--I begin to think--you--all ofyou--are aiming at something against Martha in this. Yes--in back ofyour words--your actions--I begin to feel--[Raging. ] Go away! Get outof this house--all of you! Oh, I know your meanness! I've seen howyou've tried to hurt her ever since we came--because you resented inyour small minds her evident superiority--

EMILY--[Scornfully. ] Superiority, indeed!

CURTIS--Her breadth, of mind and greatness of soul that you couldn'tunderstand. I've guessed all this, and if I haven't interfered it'sonly because I knew she was too far above you to notice your sickeningmalice--

EMILY--[Furiously. ] You're only acting--acting for our benefit becauseyou think we don't--

CURTIS--[Turning on her--with annihilating contempt. ] Why, you--youpoor little nonentity! [John struggles to get forward but Dick holdshim back. ]

EMILY--[Insane with rage--shrilly. ] But we know--and the whole townknows--and you needn't pretend you've been blind. You've given thewhole thing away yourself--the silly way you've acted--telling everyonehow you hated that baby--letting everyone see--

JAYSON--Emily! [The others are all frightened, try to interrupt her. CURT stares at her in a stunned bewilderment]

EMILY--[Pouring forth all her venom regardless. ] But you might as wellleave off your idiotic pretending. It doesn't fool us--or anyoneelse--your sending for Bigelow that night--your hobnobbing with himever since--your pretending he's as much your friend as ever. They'reall afraid of you--but I'm not! I tell you to your face--it's allacting you're doing--just cheap acting to try and pull the wool overour eyes until you've run away like a coward--and left us to face thedisgrace for you with this child on our hands!

ESTHER--[Trying to silence her--excitedly. ] Emily! Keep still, forHeaven's sake! [The others all utter exclamations of caution, withfearful glances at CURT. ]

EMILY--[Becoming exhausted by her outburst--more faintly. ] Well, someone had to show him his place. He thinks he's so superior to usjust because--telling us how much better she was than--But I won'tstand for that. I've always had a clean name--and always will--and mychildren, too, thank God! [She sinks down on the couch exhausted, panting but still glaring defiantly at CURT. ]

CURTIS--[An awareness of her meaning gradually forcing itself on hismind. ] Bigelow! Big? Pretending he's as much my friend--[With a suddengasp of sickened understanding. ] Oh! [He sways as if he were about tofall, shrinking away from EMILY, all horror. ] Oh, you--you--you-filth!

JOHN--[His fists clenched, tries to advance on his brother. ] How dareyou insult my wife! [He is restrained, held bake by his remonstratingfather and DICK. ]

MRS. DAVIDSON--[As if suddenly coming out of a dream--frightenedly. ]What is the matter? Why is John mad at Curt?

CURTIS--[His hands over his eyes, acting like a person stricken with asudden attack of nausea, weakly. ] So--that's--what has been in yourminds. Oh, this is bestial--disgusting! And there is nothing to bedone. I feel defenseless. One would have to be as low as you are--Shewould have been defenseless, too. It is better she is dead. [He staresabout him--wildly. ] And you think--you all think--

ESTHER--[Pityingly. ] Curt, dear, we don't think anything except whatyou've made us think with your crazy carrying-on. 

CURTIS--[Looking from one to the other of them. ] Yes--all of you--it'son your faces. [His eyes fix themselves on his aunt. ] No, youdon't--you don't--

MRS. DAVIDSON--I? Don't what, Curtis? My, how sick you look, poor boy!

CURTIS--You--don't believe--this child--

MRS. DAVIDSON--He's the sweetest baby I ever saw [proudly] and Jaysonright to the tips of his toes. 

CURTIS--Ah, I know you--[Looking around at the others with loathing andhatred. ] But look at them--[With a burst of fierce determination. ]Wait! I'll give you the only answer--[He dashes for the door in rear, shakes off his father and DICK, who try to stop him, and then is heardbounding up the stairs in hall. DICK runs after him, JAYSON as far asthe doorway. ESTHER gives a stifled scream. There is a tense pause. Then DICK reappears. ]

DICK--It's all right. I saw him go in. 

JAYSON--[Frightenedly. ] But--good God--he's liable--why didn't youfollow him?

DICK--The doctor and nurse are there. They would have called out, wouldn't they, if--

MRS. DAVIDSON--[Getting angrier and angrier as her puzzlement has growngreater--in a stern tone. ] I understand less and less of this. Wherehas Curtis gone? Why did he act so sick? What is the matter with all ofyou?

ESTHER--Nothing, Aunt dear, nothing!

MRS. DAVIDSON--No, you'll not hush me up! [Accusingly. ] You all lookguilty. Have you been saying anything against Curtis' baby? That waswhat Curtis seemed to think. A fine time you've picked out--with hiswife not cold in her grave!

JAYSON--Aunt!

MRS. DAVIDSON--I never liked that woman. I never understood her. Butnow--now I love her and beg her forgiveness. She died like a true womanin the performance of her duty. She died gloriously--and I will alwaysrespect her memory. [Suddenly flying into a passion. ] I feel that youare all hostile to her baby--poor, little, defenseless creature! Yes, you'd hate the idea of Curtis' having a son--you and your girls! Well, I'll make you bitterly regret the day you--[She plumps herself down inher chair again, staring stubbornly and angrily before her. ]

EMILY--[Spitefully. ] I fear it will be necessary to tell Aunt--

JAYSON--Sshh! You have made enough trouble with your telling already![Miserably. ] It should never have come to this pass. Curt will neverforgive us, never!

ESTHER--[Resentfully to EMILY. ] See what not holding your tongue hasdone--and my children will have to suffer for it, too!

SHEFFIELD--[Severely. ] If Emily had permitted me to conduct thisbusiness uninterruptedly, this would never have occurred. 

EMILY--That's right! All pick on me! Cowards! [She breaks down andsobs. ]

DICK--[From the doorway. Coming back into the room. ] Sstt! Here hecomes!

CURTIS--[Reenters. There is a look of strange exultation on his face. He looks from one to the other of them. He stammers. ] Well--my answerto you--your rotten world--I kissed him--he is mine! He looked atme--it was as if Martha looked at me--through his eyes. 

ESTHER--[Voicing the general relief. Joyfully. ] Oh, Curt! You won't gonow? You'll stay?

CURTIS--[Staring at her, then from one to another of the rest with awithering scorn. ] Ha! Now you think you have conquered, do you? No, I'mnot going to stay! Do you think your vile slander could influence me togive up my work? And neither shall you influence the life of my son. Ileave him here. I must. But not to your tender mercies. No, no! ThankGod, there still remains one Jayson with unmuddled integrity to whom Ican appeal. [He goes to MRS. DAVIDSON. ] I will leave him in your care, Aunt--while I am gone. 

MRS. DAVIDSON--[Delighted. ] It will be a great happiness. He willbe--the one God never granted me. [Her lips trembling. ] God hasanswered my prayer at last. 

CURTIS--I thank you, Aunt. [Kisses her reverentially. ]

MRS. DAVIDSON--[Pleased but morally bound to grumble at him] But Icannot approve of your running away like this. It isn't natural. [Thenwith selfish haste, fearing her words may change his mind and she willlose the baby. ] But you always were a queer person--and a man must dofaithfully the work ordained for him. 

CURTIS--[Gladly. ] Yes, I must go! What would I be for him--oranyone--if I stayed? Thank God, you understand. But I will come back. [The light of an ideal beginning to shine in his eyes. ] When he is oldenough, I will teach him to know and love a big, free life. Martha usedto say that he would take her part in time. My goal shall be his goal, too. Martha shall live again for me in him. And you, Aunt, swear tokeep him with you--out there in the country--never to let him know thisobscene little world. [He indicates his relatives. ]

MRS. DAVIDSON--Yes, I promise, Curtis. Let anyone dare--! [She glaresabout her. The noise of a motor is heard from the drive. It stops infront of the house. ]

CURTIS--I must go. [He kisses his aunt. ] Teach him his mother was themost beautiful soul that ever lived. Good-by, Aunt. 

MRS. DAVIDSON--Good-by, Curtis! [Without looking at the others, hestarts for the door, rear. They all break out into conscience-strickenprotestations. ]

JAYSON--[Miserably. ] Curt! You're not leaving us that way?

ESTHER--Curt--you're going--without a word! [They all say thispractically together and crowd toward him. JOHN and EMILY remainsullenly apart. CURT turns to face them. ]

LILY--[Enters from the rear. ] You're not going, Curt?

CURTIS--[Turning to her. ] Yes. Good-by, Lily. [He kisses her. ] Youloved her, didn't you? You are not like--Take my advice and get awaybefore you become--[He has been staring into her face. Suddenly hepushes her brusquely away from him--coldly. ] But I see in your faceit's too late. 

LILY--[Miserably. ] No, Curt--I swear--

CURTIS--[Facing them all defiantly. ] Yes, I am going without aword--because I cannot find the fitting one. Be thankful I can't. Itwould shrivel up your souls like flame, [He again turns and strides tothe door. ]

JAYSON--[His grief overcoming him. ] My boy! We are wrong--weknow--but--at least say you forgive us. 

CURTIS--[Wavers with his back towards them--then turns and forces thewords out. ] Ask forgiveness of her. She--yes--she was so fine--I feelshe--so you are forgiven. Good-by. [He goes. The motor is heard drivingoff. There is a tense pause. ]

LILY--Then he did find out? Oh, a fine mess you've made of everything!But no--I should say "we, " shouldn't I? Curt guessed that. Oh, I hateyou--and myself! [She breaks down. ]

[There is a strained pause during which they are all silent, their eyesavoiding each other, fixed in dull, stupid stares. Finally, DICKfidgets uncomfortably, heaves a noisy sigh, and blurts out with anattempt at comforting reassurance:]

DICK--Well, it isn't as bad as it might have been, anyway. He didacknowledge the kid--before witnesses, too. 

JAYSON--[Testily. ] Keep your remarks to yourself, if you please! [Butmost of his family are already beginning to look relieved. ]

[The Curtain Falls]