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 alclass="underline" 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-