ESTHER-Yes, Curt dear, you mustn't be unreasonable.
DICK-[Feeling called upon to say something.]Yes, old man, you've got to face things like a regular. Facts are facts.[This makes everybody uneasy.]
LILY-[Springing to her feet.]Phew! it's close in here. I'm going out in the garden. You can call me when these-orations-are finished.[She sweeps out scornfully.]
JAYSON-[Calling after her imperiously.]Lily![But she doesn't answer and 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 rather say we-have to ask you, Curt. I promise to be brief. But first let me again impress upon you that I am talking in a spirit of the deepest friendliness and sympathy with you-as a fellow- member of the same family, I may say-and with the highest ideals and the honor of that family always in view.[CURT makes no comment. SHEFFIELD unconsciously begins to adopt the alert keenness of the cross-examiner.] First, let me 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 you leave 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 to the core of the whole matter-the child whose coming into the world cost Martha her life.
CURTIS-[Savagely.]Her murderer! You are right![They all look shocked, suspicious.]
SHEFFIELD-[Remonstratingly but suspiciously.]You can hardly hold the child responsible for the terrible outcome. Women die every day from the same cause.[Keenly.] Why do you attribute guilt to the child in this case, Curt?
CURTIS-It lives and Martha is gone-But, enough! I've said I never wanted 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 you were alone in this affair.
CURTIS-Why not? Am I not alone-more alone this minute than any creature on God's earth?
SHEFFIELD-[Soothingly.]In your great grief. Yes, yes, of course. We all appreciate-and we hate to-[Persuasively.]Yes, it would be much wiser to postpone these practical considerations until you are in a calmer mood. And if you will only give us the chance-why not put off this precipitate departure-for a month, say-and in the meantime-
CURTIS-[Harshly.]I am going when I said I was. I must get away from this horrible hole-as far away as I can. I must get back to my work for only in it will I find Martha again. But you-you can't understand that. What is the good of all this talking which leads nowhere?
SHEFFIELD-[Coldly.]You're mistaken. It leads to this: Do you understand that your running away from this child-on the very day of its mother's funeral!-will have a very queer appearance in the eyes of the world?
EMILY-And what are you going to do with the baby, Curt? Do you think you can run off regardless and leave it here-on our hands?
CURTIS-[Distractedly.]I'll give it this home. And someone- 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 like a 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 arrange it this way. You will remain here a month longer at least-
CURTIS-No!
SHEFFIELD-[Ignoring the interruption.]You can make plans for the child's future in that time, become reconciled to it-
CURTIS-No!
JAYSON-[Pleadingly.]Curt-please-for all our sakes-when the honor of 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 to it in the eyes of the public, Curt. That's what I meant. Your own private feelings in the matter-are no one's business but your own, of course.
CURTIS-[Bewilderedly.]But-I don't see-Oh, damn your eyes of the public!
EMILY-[Breaking in.]It's all very well for you to ignore what people in town think-you'll be in China or heaven knows where. The scandal won't touch you-but we've got to live here and have our position to consider.
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 been born-not once, have you?
CURTIS-No, and I never intend-
SHEFFIELD-[Insinuatingly.]And don't you suppose the doctors and nurses-and the servants-have noticed this? It is not the usual procedure, you must acknowledge, and they wouldn't be human if they didn't think your action-or lack of action-peculiar and comment on it outside.
CURTIS-Well, let them! Do you think I care a fiddler's curse how people judge me?
SHEFFIELD-It is hardly a case of their judging-you.[Breaking off as he catches CURT'S tortured eyes fixed on him wildly.] This is a small town, Curt, and you know as well as I do, gossip is not the least of its faults. It doesn't take long for such things to get started.[Persuasively.] Now I ask you frankly, is it wise to provoke deliberately what may easily be set at rest by a little- I'll be frank-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 are you concerned? Pretense? You mean you want me to stay and pretend-in order that you won't be disturbed by any silly tales they tell about me?[With a wild laugh.] Good God, this is too much! Why does a man have 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 say anything 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 leave her 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 cared for her.
CURTIS-You dare to say that![Then controlling himself a bit- with scathing scorn.] What do know of love-women like you! You call your little rabbit-hutch emotions love-your bread-and- butter passions-and you have the effrontery to judge-
EMILY-[Shrinking from him frightenedly.]Oh! John!
JOHN-[Getting to his feet.]I protest! I cannot allow even my own brother-
DICK-[Grabbing his arm.]Keep your head, old boy.
SHEFFIELD-[Peremptorily.]You are making a fool of yourself, Curt-and you are damned insulting in the bargain. I think I may say that we've all about reached the end of
our patience. What Emily said is for your own best interest, if you had the sense to see it. And I put it to you once and for all: Are you or are you not willing to act like a man of honor to protect your own good name, the family name, the name of this child, and your wife's memory? Let me tell you, your wife's good name is more endangered by your stubbornness than anything else.
CURTIS-[Trembling with rage.]I-I begin to think-you-all of you-are aiming at something against Martha in this. Yes-in back of your words-your actions-I begin to feel-[Raging.]Go away! Get out of this house-all of you! Oh, I know your meanness! I've seen how you've tried to hurt her ever since we came-because you resented in your small minds her evident superiority-
EMILY-[Scornfully.]Superiority, indeed!
CURTIS-Her breadth, of mind and greatness of soul that you couldn't understand. I've guessed all this, and if I haven't interfered it's only because I knew she was too far above you to notice your sickening malice-
EMILY-[Furiously.]You're only acting-acting for our benefit because you think we don't-
CURTIS-[Turning on her-with annihilating contempt.]Why, you- you poor little nonentity![John struggles to get forward but Dick holds him back.]
EMILY-[Insane with rage-shrilly.]But we know-and the whole town knows-and you needn't pretend you've been blind. You've given the whole thing away yourself-the silly way you've acted- telling everyone how 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 well leave off your idiotic pretending. It doesn't fool us-or anyone else-your sending for Bigelow that night-your hobnobbing with him ever since-your pretending he's as much your friend as ever. They're all afraid of you-but I'm not! I tell you to your face-it's all acting you're doing-just cheap acting to try and pull the wool over our eyes until you've run away like a coward- and left us to face the disgrace for you with this child on our hands!
ESTHER-[Trying to silence her-excitedly.]Emily! Keep still, for Heaven's sake![The others all utter exclamations of caution, with fearful 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 us just because-telling us how much better she was than-But I won't stand for that. I've always had a clean name-and always will-and my children, 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 his mind.]Bigelow! Big? Pretending he's as much my friend-[With a sudden gasp of sickened understanding.]Oh![He sways as if he were about to fall, shrinking away from EMILY, all horror.] Oh, you-you-you-filth!
JOHN-[His fists clenched, tries to advance on his brother.]How dare you insult my wife![He is restrained, held bake by his remonstrating father 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 a sudden attack of nausea, weakly.]So-that's-what has been in your minds. Oh, this is bestial-disgusting! And there is nothing to be done. I feel defenseless. One would have to be as low as you are-She would have been defenseless, too. It is better she is dead.[He stares about him-wildly.] And you think-you all think-
ESTHER-[Pityingly.]Curt, dear, we don't think anything except what you've made us think with your crazy carrying-on.
CURTIS-[Looking from one to the other of them.]Yes-all of you- it's on your faces.[His eyes fix themselves on his aunt.] No, you don'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 Jayson right to the tips of his toes.
CURTIS-Ah, I know you-[Looking around at the others with loathing and hatred.]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 heard bounding up the stairs in hall. DICK runs after him, JAYSON as far as the 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 you follow 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 grown greater-in a stern tone.]I understand less and less of this. Where has Curtis gone? Why did he act so sick? What is the matter with all of you?
ESTHER-Nothing, Aunt dear, nothing!
MRS. DAVIDSON-No, you'll not hush me up![Accusingly.] You all look guilty. Have you been saying anything against Curtis' baby? That was what Curtis seemed to think. A fine time you've picked out-with his wife not cold in her grave!
JAYSON-Aunt!
MRS. DAVIDSON-I never liked that woman. I never understood her. But now-now I love her and beg her forgiveness. She died like a true woman in the performance of her duty. She died gloriously- and I will always respect her memory.[Suddenly flying into a passion.] I feel that you are 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 in her 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 never forgive us, never!
ESTHER-[Resentfully to EMILY.]See what not holding your tongue has done-and my children will have to suffer for it, too!
SHEFFIELD-[Severely.]If Emily had permitted me to conduct this business uninterruptedly, this would never have occurred.
EMILY-That's right! All pick on me! Cowards![She breaks down and sobs.]
DICK-[From the doorway. Coming back into the room.]Sstt! Here he comes!
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 answer to you-your rotten world-I kissed him-he is mine! He looked at me-it was as if Martha looked at me-through his eyes.
ESTHER-[Voicing the general relief. Joyfully.]Oh, Curt! You won't go now? You'll stay?
CURTIS-[Staring at her, then from one to another of the rest with a withering scorn.]Ha! Now you think you have conquered, do you? No, I'm not going to stay! Do you think your vile slander could influence me to give up my work? And neither shall you influence the life of my son. I leave him here. I must. But not to your tender mercies. No, no! Thank God, there still remains one Jayson with unmuddled integrity to whom I can 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 will be-the one God never granted me.[Her lips trembling.] God has answered my prayer at last.
CURTIS-I thank you, Aunt.[Kisses her reverentially.]
MRS. DAVIDSON-[Pleased but morally bound to grumble at him]But I cannot approve of your running away like this. It isn't natural.[Then with selfish haste, fearing her words may change his mind and she will lose the baby.] But you always were a queer person- and a man must do faithfully the work ordained for him.
CURTIS-[Gladly.]Yes, I must go! What would I be for him-or anyone-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 old enough, I will teach him to know and love a big, free life. Martha used to 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 to keep him with you-out there in the country-never to let him know this obscene little world.[He indicates his rel
atives.]
MRS. DAVIDSON-Yes, I promise, Curtis. Let anyone dare-![She glares about her. The noise of a motor is heard from the drive. It stops in front of the house.]
CURTIS-I must go.[He kisses his aunt.] Teach him his mother was the most beautiful soul that ever lived. Good-by, Aunt.
MRS. DAVIDSON-Good-by, Curtis![Without looking at the others, he starts for the door, rear. They all break out into conscience- stricken protestations.]
JAYSON-[Miserably.]Curt! You're not leaving us that way?
ESTHER-Curt-you're going-without a word![They all say this practically together and crowd toward him. JOHN and EMILY remain sullenly apart. CURT turns to face them.]
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