o'neill, eugene - 1928 - strange interludepdf

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STRANGE INTERLUDE

by

Eugene O'Neill (1888-1953)

T ex t as p ub li sh ed i n t he t rade edi ti on b yB oni & Li ver ight , 1 9 2 8

Characters

CHARLESMARSDEN

P R OF ES SO R H EN RY L EE DS

N I NA L EE D S,h i s d au g ht e r

EDMUND DARRELL

S AM E VA NS

M RS . A MO S E VA NS ,Sam's mother

G O RD O N E V AN S

MADELINE ARNOLD

Scenes

F i rs t P art

A CT O NE

L ib rary , t he L eeds ' h om e i n a s mall u ni vers it y t ow n o f N ew E ng land -- an aft er no on i n l at e s um mer.

A CT T WO

T he s am e. F al l o f t he f ol lo wi ng y ear. N ig ht .

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ACT THREE

D in in g r oo m o f t he E vans ' h om es tead i n n or th er n N ew Y or k s tate-- late s pr in g o f t he n ex t y ear. M or ni ng .

A CT F OU R

The s am e a s A ct s On e a nd Two . Fa ll of t he s am e ye ar . Eve ni ng.

A CT F IV E

S it ti ng r oo m o f s ma ll h ou se E va ns h as r en te d i n a s ea sh or e s ub ur b n ea r N ew Y or k. T he f ol lo wi ng A pr il .

Morning.

S eco n d P ar t

A CT S IX

T he s am e. A l it tl e o ve r a ye ar l at er . E ve ni ng .

A C T S EV E N

S it ti ng r oo m o f t he E vans ' apart ment o n P ar k A venu e. N earl y eleven y ears l at er . E ar ly aft er no on .

ACT EIGHT

S ecti on o f aft er deck o f t he E vans ' cru is er ancho red n ear t he f in is h l in e at P ou gh keep si e. T en y ears l at er .Afternoon.

A CT N IN E

A t er ra ce o n t he E va ns ' e st at e o n L on g I sl an d. S ev er al m on th s l at er . L at e a ft er no on .

STRANGE INTERLUDE

F IR ST P AR T

A CT O NE

SCENE-- T he l ib ra ry o f P ro fe ss or L ee ds ' h om e i n a s ma ll u ni ve rs it y t ow n i n N ew E ng la nd . T hi s

room is at the front part of his house with windows opening on the strip of lawn between the

ho us e and t he q ui et r es id ent ia l s tr ee t. I t i s a s mal l r oom w it h a l ow c ei li ng. T he f ur ni tur e ha s b ee n





selected with a love for old New England pieces. The walls are lined almost to the ceiling with

glassed-in bookshelves. These are packed with books, principally editions, many of them old and

r ar e, of t he anc ie nt c las si cs i n t he o ri gi na l G re ek an d L at in, of t he l at er c las si cs i n F re nc h a nd

G er ma n a nd I ta li an , o f a ll t he E ng li sh a ut ho rs w ho w ro te w hi leswas s ti ll l ik e a n f and a f ew s inc e

then, the most modern probably being Thackeray. The atmosphere of the room is that of a cosy ,

c ul tu re d r et re at , s ed ul ou sl y b ui lt a s a s an ct ua ry w he re , s ec ur e w it h t he c ul tu re o f t he p as t a t h is

back, a fugitive from reality can view the present safely from a distance, as a superior withc on de sc e nd in g d is da in , p it y, a nd e ve n a mu se me nt .

T he re i s a f ai r- si ze d t ab le , a h ea vy a rm ch ai r, a r oc ke r, a nd a n o ld b en ch m ad e c om fo rt ab le w it h

c us hi on s. T he t ab le , w it h t he P ro fe ss or 's a rm ch ai r a t i ts l ef t, i s a rr an ge d t ow ar d t he l ef t o f t he r oo m, t he

r oc ke r i s a t c en te r, t he be nc h a t r ig ht .

The re i s one e nt ra nc e, a d oor i n t he r ight wa ll , r ea r.

I t i s l at e a ft er no on o f a d ay i n A ug us t. S un sh in e, c oo le d a nd d im me d i n t he s ha de o f t re es , f il ls t he r oo m

with a soothing light.

The sound of a maid's voice--a middle-aged woman--explaining familiarly but respectfully from the right,

and Mar sd en ent er s. H e i s a t al l t hi n m an o f t hi rt y- fi ve, m et icul ou sl y w el l- dr es sed i n t weed s o f d is ti nctl y

E ng li sh t ai lo ri ng , h is app earance t hat o f an A ng li ci zed N ew E ng land g en tl em an . H is f ace i s t oo l on g f or i ts

w id th , h is n os e i s h ig h a nd n ar ro w, h is f or ehe ad b ro ad , h is m il d b lu e e ye s t ho se o f a d re am y s el f- an al ys t,

h is t hi n l ip s i ro ni cal and a b it s ad . T here i s an i nd ef in ab le f em in in e q uali ty abo ut h im , b ut i t i s n ot hi ng

a pp ar en t i n e it he r a ppe ar an ce or a ct . H is m ann er i s c ool a nd p oi se d. H e s pe aks w it h a c ar ef ul e as e a s

o ne w ho l is te ns t o h is o wn c on ve rs at io n. H e h as l on g f ra gi le h an ds , a nd t he s to op t o h is s ho ul de rs o f a

m an w eak m us cu larl y, w ho h as n ev er l ik ed a th le ti cs a nd h as a lw ay s b ee n r eg ar de d a s o f d el ic at e

c on st it ut io n. T he m ai n p oi nt a bo ut h is p er so na li ty i s a q ui et c ha rm , a q ua li ty o f a pp ea li ng ,

i nq ui si ti ve f ri en dl in es s, a lw ay s w il li ng t o l is te n, e ag er t o s ym pa th iz e, t o l ik e a nd t o b e l ik ed .

MARSDEN--( standing just inside the door, his tall, stooped figure leaning back against the

books--nodding back at the maid and smiling kindly) I 'l l wa it i n h er e, Ma ry. ( His eyes follow her for

a s ec on d, t he n r et ur n t o g az e a ro un d t he r oo m s lo wl y w it h a n a pp re ci at iv e r el is h f or t he f am il ia r

significance of the books. He smiles affectionately and his amused voice recites the words with a

r h et or i cal r es o na n ce.) S an ct um S an ct or um ! ( His voice takes on a monotonous musing quality, his

e ye s s ta re i dl y a t h is d ri ft in g t ho ug ht s.)

H ow p er fectl y t he P ro fess or 's u ni qu e h av en ! …

( He smiles.)

P ri ml y class ical … w hen N ew E ng land er m eets G reek ! …

(looking at the books now )

He hasn't adde d one book in year s … how old was I when I f irst c ame her e? … six … wi th my fat her

… fa the r … how dim his f ace ha s gr own! … he wa nte d t o spea k t o me just bef or e he di ed … t he

ho spi ta l … s me ll of io dof or m i n t he c oo l h al ls … ho t s um me r … I b en t d ow n … h is v oi ce h ad w it hd ra wn

s o f ar a wa y … I c ou ld n' t un de rs ta nd h im … w ha t s on c an e ve r u nd er st and ? … a lw ays t oo n ea r, t oo

s oon, t oo di sta nt or t oo l ate ! …





( His face has become sad with a memory of the bewildered suffering of the adolescent boy he had

been at the time of his father's death. Then he shakes his head, flinging off his thoughts, and

makes himself walk about the room. )

W ha t m em or ie s o n s uc h a s mi li ng a ft er no on ! … t hi s p le as an t o ld t ow n a ft er t hr ee m on th s … I w on 't g o

t o Eur ope a ga in … c oul dn' t w ri te a l ine t he re … h ow a ns we r t he f ie rc e que st ion of a ll t ho se d ea d a ndmaimed? … too big a job for me! …

( He sighs--then self-mockingly)

B ut b ac k h er e … i t i s t he i nt er lu de t ha t g en tl y q ue st io ns … i n t hi s t ow n d oz in g … d ec or ou s b od ie s

moving with circumspection through the afternoons … their habits affectionately chronicled … an excuse

f or w ea vi ng a mu si ng w or ds … m y n ove ls … no t of c os mi c i mp or ta nc e, h ar dl y …

(t h en s el f -r ea ss u r in g l y)

b ut t he re i s a pu bl ic t o c he ri sh t he m, e vi de nt ly … a nd I c an wr it e! … mo re t ha n one c an s ay of t he se

m od er n s ex- ya hoo s! … I mu st s ta rt w or k t om or ro w … I 'd l ike t o us e t he P rof es sor i n a nov el s om et ime

… a nd hi s wi fe … s ee ms i mpos si bl e s he 's be en de ad s ix y ea rs … s o a ggr es si ve ly hi s wi fe ! … poor

P rof es so r! n ow i t' s N in a w ho b os se s h im … b ut t ha t' s di ff er ent … s he h as bo ss ed m e, t oo, e ve r s in ce

she was a baby … she' s a woman now … known love a nd de ath … Gor don br ought down in f lame s …

t wo d ay s b ef or e t he a rm is ti ce … w ha t f ie nd is h i ro ny ! … h is w on de rf ul a th le te 's b od y … h er l ov er …

c ha rr ed b on es i n a c ag e of t wi st ed s te el … n o w on de r s he b ro ke d ow n … M ot he r s ai d s he 's b ec om e

q ui te q ue er l at el y … M ot he r s ee me d j ea lo us o f m y c on ce rn … w hy h ave I n ev er f al le n i n l ove w it h N in a?

… could I? … that way … used to dance her on my knee … sit her on my lap … even now she'd never

t hi nk a ny thi ng a bo ut i t … bu t s om et im es t he s ce nt o f h er h ai r a nd s ki n … l ik e a d re am y d ru g … d re am y!

… the re 's t he r ub! … a ll dr ea ms wi th me ! … m y s ex l if e a mong t he pha nt oms ! …

( He grinstorturedly .)

W hy? … oh, thi s digg ing i n ge ts nowhe re … t o t he de vil wi th s ex! … our i mpot ent pos e of t oda y t o

beat the loud drum on fornication! … boasters … eunuchs parading with the phallus! … giving

t he ms el ve s a wa y … w ho m d o t he y f oo l? … n ot e ve n t he ms el ve s! …

(h is f ac e s ud de nl y f ul l o f a n i nt en se p ai n a nd d is gu st )

U gh! … a lwa ys t ha t m emor y! … why c an' t I e ve r for ge t? … a s s ic ke ni ngl y c le ar a s i f i t w ere ye st er da y… p re p s ch oo l … E as te r v ac at io n … F at ty B og gs a nd J ac k F ra ze r … t ha t ho us e o f c he ap v ic e… o ne

dolla r! … why did I go? … Jac k, t he de ad game sport … how I admir ed hi m! … afr aid of his t aunts …

he poi nt ed t o t he It ali an gir l … " Ta ke he r!" … da ring me … I we nt … mis er abl y f ri ghte ne d … wha t a pig

s he w as ! … p re tt y v ic io us f ac e u nd er c ak ed p ow de r a nd r ou ge … s ur ly a nd c on te mp tu ou s … l um py

body … short legs and thick ankles … slums of Naples … "What yougawkin ' about?Git a move on,

kid" … kid! … Iwas on ly a ki d! … s ix te en … t es t o f ma nho od … a sha me d t o f ac e J ac k a ga in u nl es s …

f ool ! … I m ig ht h av e l ie d t o h im ! … bu t I ho ne st ly t ho ug ht t ha t w enc h wo ul d f ee l hu mi li at ed i f I … oh ,

s tu pi d ki d! … ba ck a t t he h ot el I wa it ed t il l t he y w er e a sl ee p … t he n s obbe d … t hi nki ng of Mo the r …

f ee li ng I ha d d ef il ed h er … a nd m ys el f … f or ev er ! …

(mocking bitterly)

" No th in g ha lf s o s we et i n l if e a s l ove 's y oun g dr ea m, " w ha t? …





( He gets to his feet impatiently. )

W hy d oe s m y m in d a lw ay s h av e t o d we ll o n t ha t? … t oo s il ly … n o i mp or ta nc e r ea ll y … a n i nc id en t

such as any boy of my age …

( He hears someone coming quickly from the right and turns expectantly. Professor Leeds enters,a p le as ed r el ie ve d e xp re ss io n f ig ht in g t he f lu rr ie d w or ry o n h is f ac e. H e i s a s ma ll , s le nd er m an o f

fifty-five, his hair gray, the top of his head bald. His face, prepossessing in spite of its too-small,

o ve r- re fi ne d f ea tu re s, i s t ha t o f a r et ir in g, s tu di ou s n at ur e. H e h as i nt el li ge nt e ye s a nd a s mi le t ha t

c an b e i ro ni ca l. T em pe ra me nt al ly t i mi d, h is d ef en se i s a n a ss um pt io n o f h is c om pl ac en t, s up er io r

m an ne r o f t he c la ss ro om t ow ar d t he w or ld a t l ar ge . T hi s d ef en se i s s tr en gt he ne d b y a n at ur al

t en de nc y t ow ar d a p ri m p ro vi nc ia li sm w he re p ra ct ic al p re se nt -d ay c on si de ra ti on s a re c on ce rn ed

( th ou gh h e i s m os t l ib er al -- ev en r ad ic al -- in h is t ol er an t u nd er st an di ng o f t he m an ne rs a nd m or al s

o f G re ec e a nd I mp er ia l R om e! ). T hi s c la ss ro om p oi se o f h is , h ow ev er , h e c an no t q ui te c ar ry o ff

o ut si de t he c la ss ro om . T he re i s a n u nc on vi nc in g q ua li ty a bo ut i t t ha t l ea ve s h is l ar ge r

a ud i en c e- - an d p a rt i cu l ar l y t h e P r of e ss o r h i ms e lf - -s u bt l y e m ba r ra s se d . A sMarsden is one of his old students, whom, in addition, he has known from childhood, he is perfectly at ease with him.)

MARSDEN--( h ol di ng o ut h is h an d- - wi t h u nm is ta ka bl e l ik in g ) H er e I a m a ga in, P ro fe ss or !

PROFESSOR LEEDS--( shaking his hand and patting him on the back--with genuine affection )

S o g la d t o s ee y ou, C ha rl ie ! A s ur pr is e, t oo ! W e d id n' t e xp ec t y ou ba ck s o s oo n! ( He sits in his chair

on the left of the table whileMarsden sits in the rocker. Looking away from Marsden a moment, his

face now full of selfish relief as he thinks)

F or tu nate, h is com in g b ack … alw ay s cal mi ng i nf lu en ce o n N in a …

M AR SD EN -- An d I n ev er d re am ed o f r et ur ni ng s o s oo n. B ut E ur op e, P ro fe ss or , i s t he b ig c as ua lt y t he y

w er e a fr ai d t o s et dow n on t he l is t.

PROFESSOR LEEDS--(h is f ac e c lo ud in g ) Y es , I s up po se y ou f ou nd every th in g com pl et el y chang ed

s inc e b ef or e t he wa r. ( He thinks resentfully)

The war … Gordon! …

MARSDEN--Europe has "gone west"--(h e s m il e s w hi m si c al l y) t o A me ri ca , l et 's h ope ! (t h en

frowningly) I c ou ld n' t s ta nd i t. Th er e w er e m il li on s s it ti ng u p w it h t he c or ps e a lr ea dy , w ho ha d a f am il yr ig ht t o b e t he re -- (t h en m a t t er - o f - f a ct l y) I wa s wa st ing my t im e, t oo. I c oul dn' t wr ite a l ine . (t h en g ai l y)

B ut w he re 's N in a? I m us t s ee N in a!

PROFESSOR LEEDS--She'll be right in. She said she wanted to finish thinking something out--You'll

find Nina changed, Charlie, greatly changed! ( He sighs--thinking with a trace of guilty alarm)

T he f ir st t hi ng s he s ai d a t br ea kf as t … " I dr ea me d of Go rdon" … a s i f s he wa nt ed t o t aunt me ! … h ow

a bs ur d! … h er e ye s p os it iv el y g la re d! …

( suddenly blurting out resentfully) S he d re am s a bo ut G or do n.

MARSDEN--( l oo ki ng a t h im w it h a mu se d s ur pr is e) W el l, I 'd h ar dl y c al l t ha t a c ha ng e, w ou ld y ou ?





PROFESSOR LEEDS--(thinking, oblivious to this remark )

But I mus t c ons ta nt ly be ar i n mi nd t ha t s he 's not he rs elf … t ha t s he 's a s ick gi rl …

MARSDEN--( thinking )

The mo rni ng n ews of Go rdon' s d ea th c am e … he r f ac e l ik e g ra y put ty … be aut y g one … no f ac e c ana ff or d i nt en se gr ie f … i t' s o nl y l at er w he n s or ro w …

(w i th c o nc e r n) J us t wh at do y ou m ea n b y c ha nge d, P rof es sor ? B ef or e I l ef t s he s ee me d t o be c omi ng

o ut o f t hat h or ri bl e n um bed cal m.

PROFESSOR LEEDS--( slowly and carefully) Ye s, s he ha s pl aye d a l ot of gol f a nd te nni s t hi s

s um me r, m ot or ed a ro un d w it h h er f ri en ds , a nd e ve n d an ce d a g oo d d ea l. A nd s he e at s w it h a r av en ou s

ap pet it e. (thinking frightenedly)

Br eakfas t … "drea med of Gordon" … what a look of ha te for me in he r eyes! …

M AR SD EN -- Bu t t ha t s ou nd s s pl en di d! W he n I l ef t s he w ou ld n' t s ee a ny on e o r g o a ny wh er e. (thinking

pityingly)

W an de ri ng f ro m r oo m t o r oo m … h er t hi n b od y a nd p al e l os t f ac e … g ut te d, l ov e- ab an do ne d e ye s! …

P R OF ES SO R L EE D S- - Wel l, n ow s h e' s g o ne t o t h e o pp os i te ex tr eme! S ees ev er y on e-- bo r es ,

fools--as if she'd lost all discrimination or wish to discriminate. And she talks interminably,

C harl ie-- in tent io nal n on sens e, o ne w ou ld s ay ! R ef us es t o b e s er io us ! J eers at every th in g!

MARSDEN--( consolingly) O h, t ha t' s a ll u nd ou bt ed ly p ar t o f t he e ff or t s he 's m ak in g t o f or ge t.

PROFESSOR LEEDS--(absent-mindedly) Yes. (a r gu i ng w i th h i ms e l f )

Sha ll I te ll hi m? … no … i t mi ght s ound si ll y … but it 's te rri bl e t o be so a lone i n t his … if Nina 's mot her

had lived … my wife … dead! … and for a time I actually felt released! … wife! … helpmeet! … now I

need help! … no use! … she's gone! …

MARSDEN--( w a tc h in g h i m- - t hi n ki n g w i th a c o nd e sc e nd i ng a ff e c t i on)

G oo d l it tl e m an … h e l oo ks w or ri ed … a lw ay s f us si ng a bo ut s om et hi ng … h e m us t g et o n N in a' sn er v es . …

(reassuringly) N o g ir l c ou ld f or ge t G or do n i n a h ur ry , e sp ec ia ll y a ft er t he s ho ck o f h is t ra gi c d ea th .

PROFESSOR LEEDS--(irritably ) I realize that. (thinking resentfully)

G or do n … a lw ay s G or do n w it h e ve ry on e! …

M AR SD EN -- By t he w ay , I l oc at ed t he s po t n ea r S ed an w he re G or do n' s m ac hi ne f el l. N in a a sk ed m e

t o, y ou k no w.

PROFESSOR LEEDS--(irritated--expostulatingly) Fo r h ea ve n' s s ak e, do n' t r em in d h er ! G ive he r a

c ha nc e t o f or ge t i f yo u w ant t o s ee h er w el l a ga in. A ft er a ll , C ha rl ie , l if e m us t b e l iv ed a nd N in a c an 't l iv e





w it h a c or ps e f or ev er ! (trying to control his irritation and talk in an objective tone ) You see, I'm

t ry in g t o s ee t hi ng s t hr ou gh clear ly and u ns en ti ment al ly . I f y ou 'l l r em em ber, I w as as b ro ken u p as any on e

o ve r G or do n' s d ea th . I 'd b ec om e s o r ec on ci le d t o N in a' s l ov e f or h im -- al th ou gh , a s y ou k no w, I w as

op po se d a t f ir st , a nd f or f ai r r ea son s, I t hi nk , f or t he b oy , f or a ll hi s goo d l ook s a nd p ro we ss i n s por t a nd

hi s c our se s, r ea ll y c ame of c omm on pe opl e a nd ha d n o mo ne y of hi s o wn e xc ep t a s h e ma de a c ar ee r f or

himself.

MARSDEN--( a t r if l e d ef e ns i ve l y) I' m s ur e he w oul d ha ve ha d a br il li ant c ar ee r.

PROFESSOR LEEDS--(impatiently) N o d ou bt . A lt ho ug h y ou m us t ack no wl ed ge, C harl ie, t hat

college heroes rarely shine brilliantly in after life. Unfortunately, the tendency to spoil them in the university

i s a p oo r t ra in in g- -

M AR S DE N- -B ut G or do n w as abs ol ut el y u ns po il ed , I s ho ul d s ay.

PROFESSOR LEEDS--(heatedly) D on 't m is un de rs ta nd m e, C ha rl ie ! I 'd b e t he f ir st t o a ck no wl ed ge -- (

a b it p at he t ic al l y) I t i sn 't G or do n, C harl ie. I t' s h is m em or y, h is g ho st , y ou m ig ht cal l i t, h au nt in g N in a,w ho se i nf lu en ce I h av e c om e t o d re ad b ec au se o f t he t er ri bl e c ha ng e i n h er a tt it ud e t ow ar d m e. ( His face

twitches as if he were on the verge of tears--he thinks desperately )

I've got to tell him … he will see that I acted for the best … that I was jus tified. …

( He hesitates--then blurts out ) I t ma y s oun d i nc re di bl e, bu t Ni na ha s be gu n t o a ct a s i f s he ha te d me !

MARSDEN--( startled ) Oh, come now!

PROFESSOR LEEDS--(insistently) A bs ol ut el y! I h av en 't w an te d t o a dm it i t. I 'v e r ef us ed t o b el ie ve i t,

u nt il i t' s b ecom e t oo app al li ng ly o bv io us i n h er w ho le att it ud e t ow ar d m e! ( His voice trembles.)

MARSDEN--( moved--expostulating ) O h, n ow y ou 'r e b ec om in g m or bi d! W hy , N in a h as a lw ay s

i do li zed y ou ! W hat p os s ib le r eas on -- ?

PROFESSOR LEEDS--(quickly) I c an answer tha t, I think. She has a re ason. But why she should

blame me when she must know I acted for the best--You probably don't know, but just before he sailed

f or t he f ro nt G or do n w an te d t he ir m ar ri ag e t o t ak e p la ce , a nd N in a c on se nt ed . I n f ac t, f ro m t he

i ns in ua ti on s s he l et s d ro p n ow , s he m us t h av e b ee n m os t e ag er , b ut a t t he t im e- -H ow ev er , I f el t i t w as

i ll -a dv is ed a nd I t oo k G or do n a si de a nd p oi nt ed o ut t o h im t ha t s uc h a p re ci pi ta te m ar ri ag e w ou ld b e

u nf ai r t o N in a, a nd s ca rc el y h on or ab le o n h is p ar t.

MARSDEN--( staring at him wonderingly) You s ai d tha t t o Gor don? (t h i nki n g cyn i ca l l y)

A s hr ewd m ov e! … G or do n' s p ro ud s po t, f ai rne ss a nd ho no r! … bu t w as i t ho nor ab le o f y ou? …

PROFESSOR LEEDS--(with a touch of asperity ) Yes , I sai d it, a nd I gave him my reason. The rewas

t he p os si bi li ty h e m ig ht b e k il led, i n t he f ly in g s er vi ce r at her m or e t han a p os si bi li ty , w hi ch n eedl es s t o s ay ,

I d id n ot p oi nt o ut , b ut w hi ch G or do n u nd ou bt ed ly r ea li ze d, p oo r b oy ! I f h e w er e k il le d, h e w ou ld b e

l ea vi ng N in a a w id ow , p er ha ps w it h a b ab y, w it h n o r es ou rc es , s in ce h e w as p en ni le ss , e xc ep t w ha t

pension she might get from the government; and all this while she was still at an age when a girl, especially

o ne o f N ina 's c ha rm a nd b ea ut y, s ho ul d h av e a ll o f l if e b ef or e h er . D ec id ed ly , I t ol d h im , i n j us ti ce t o

Nina, they must wait until he had come back and begun to establish his position in the world. That was

t he s qu ar e t hi ng . A nd G or do n w as q ui ck t o a gr ee w it h m e!






Th e s qua re t hi ng! … bu t w e m us t a ll b e c rook s w he re h app in es s i s c onc er ne d! … s te al o r s ta rv e! …

(t h en r a th e r i r on i ca l ly) An d s o G or don t ol d N ina he 'd s udd enl y r ea li ze d i t wo ul dn' t be f ai r t o he r. Bu t I

g at her h e d id n' t t el l h er i t w as y ou r s cr up le o ri gi nall y?

P RO FE SS OR L EE DS -- No , I a sk ed h im t o k ee p w ha t I s ai d s tr ic tl y c on fi de nt ia l.

MARSDEN--( t h i nki n g i r o ni ca l ly)

Tr us te d t o hi s ho nor a ga in ! … ol d f ox! … p oo r G or do n! …

B ut N in a s us pe ct s n ow t ha t y ou -- ?

PROFESSOR LEEDS--( startled ) Ye s. Th at 's e xa ct ly i t. S he k no ws i n s om e qu ee r w ay . A nd s he a ct st ow ar d m e e xa ct ly a s i f s he t ho ug ht I h ad d el ib er at el y d es tr oy ed h er h ap pi ne ss , t ha t I h ad h op ed f or

G or do n' s d ea th a nd b ee n s ec re tl y o ve rj oy ed w he n t he n ew s c am e! ( His voice is shaking with emotion.

) A nd t he re y ou h av e i t, C ha rl ie -- th e w ho le a bs ur d m es s! (thinking with a strident accusation )

A nd i t' s t ru e, y ou c on te mp ti bl e … !

(t h en m i se r ab l y d e fe n di n g h i ms e l f )

No! … I a cte d uns elf ishly … f or her sake! …

MARSDEN--( wonderingly ) You don' t m ea n t o t el l m e s he ha s a cc us ed you of a ll t hi s?

P RO FE SS OR L EE DS - -O h, n o, C har li e! O nl y b y h in t s- - lo ok s- - in nu en do s. S he k no ws s h e h as n o r eal

g ro un ds , b ut i n t he p re se nt s ta te o f h er m in d t he r ea l a nd t he u nr ea l b ec om e c on fu se d- -

MARSDEN--( t h i nki n g cyn i ca l l y)

As a lwa ys in al l mi nds … or how c oul d me n l ive? …

( soothingly) Th at 's j us t w ha t y ou ou gh t t o be ar i n y ou r m in d- -t he s ta te of h er s- -a nd n ot ge t s o w or ke d

u p o ve r w ha t I s ho ul d s ay i s a c om bi na ti on o f i ma gi na ti on o n b ot h y our p ar ts . ( He gets to his feet as hehears voices from the right. ) Buc k up! Thi s must be Ni na c omi ng. (The Professor gets to his feet,

h as t il y c om po si ng h is f e at ur es i nt o h is b la nd , c ul tu re d e x pr es si on .)

MARSDEN--( thinking self mockingly but a bit worried about himself )

M y he ar t p ou nd in g! … s ee in g N in a a ga in ! … h ow s en ti me nt al … h ow s he 'd l au gh i f s he k ne w! … a nd

quite rightl y … absurd for me to re act as if I loved … tha t way … he r dea r old Charl ie … ha! …

( He smiles with bitter self-mockery. )

PROFESSOR LEEDS--(t h i n ki n g w o r r ied l y)

I hope s he won't ma ke a s ce ne … she' s s ee med on the ver ge al l day … t ha nk God, Cha rl ie' s l ike one of





the family … but what a life for me! … with the opening of the new term only a few weeks off! … I can't

do it … I'll have to call in a nerve spe cialist … but the las t one did her no good … his outrage ous fee …

he can take it to court … I absolutely refuse … but if he should bring suit? … what a scanda l … no, I'll

have to pay … somehow … borrow … he has me in a corner, the robber! …

N I N A - - (enters and stands just inside the doorway looking directly at her father with defiant eyes,

h er f ac e s et i n a n e xp re ss io n o f s tu bb or n r es ol ve . S he i s t we nt y, t al l w it h b ro ad s qu ar e s ho ul de rs , slim strong hips and long beautifully developed legs--a fine athletic girl of the swimmer, tennis

player, golfer type. Her straw-blond hair, framing her sunburned face, is bobbed. Her face is

striking, handsome rather than pretty, the bone structure prominent, the forehead high, the lips of

h er r at he r l ar ge m ou th c le ar lymodelled above the firm jaw. Her eyes are beautiful and

b ew il de ri ng , e xt ra or di na ri ly l ar ge a nd a d ee p g re e ni sh b lu e. S in ce G or do n' s d ea th t he y h av e a

q ua li t y o f c on ti nu al ly s hu dd er i ng b ef or e s om e t e rr ib le e ni gm a, o f b ei ng w ou nd ed t o t he i r d ep th s

a nd m ad e d ef ia nt a nd r es en tf ul b y t he ir p ai n. H er w ho le m an ne r, t he c ha rg ed a tm os ph er e s he

gives off, is totally at variance with her healthy outdoor physique. It is strained, nerve-racked,

h ec ti c, a t er ri bl e t en si on o f w il l a lo ne m ai nt ai ni ng s el f- po ss es s io n. S he i s d re ss ed i n s ma rt s po rt

c lo th es . T oo p re oc cu pi ed w it h h er r es ol ve t o r em em be r o r s eeMarsden , she speaks directly to her father in a voice tensely cold and calm.) I h ave m ade up my mi nd, Fa the r.

PROFESSOR LEEDS--(thinking distractedly)

What does she mean? … oh, God help me! …

( flustered--hastily) D on 't y ou s ee C ha rl ie , N in a?

MARSDEN--( troubled--thinking )

S he ha s c ha ng ed … w ha t h as h app en ed ? …

( He comes forward toward her--a bit embarrassed but affectionately using his pet name for her.)

H el lo , N in a C ar a N in a! A re y ou t ry in g t o c ut m e d ea d, y ou ng l ad y?

N I N A - - (t ur ni ng h er e ye s t oMarsden , holding out her hand for him to shake, in her cool,

preoccupied voice) H el lo , C ha rl ie . ( Her eyes immediately return to her father.) L is t en , F at her !

MARSDEN--( standing near her, concealing his chagrin)

Th at hur ts ! … I me an not hi ng! … but s he 's a s ic k gi rl … I mus t m ake a ll owa nc e …

PROFESSOR LEEDS--(thinking distractedly)

That l ook in he r eyes! … hat e! …

(w it h a s il ly g ig gl e) R eall y, N in a, y ou 'r e abs ol ut el y r ud e! W hat h as C harl ie d on e?

N I N A - - (i n he r c ool t one) W hy , no th in g. N ot hi ng a t a ll . (S h e go es t o h im w i t h a d eta ch ed , f r i en dl y

manner.) Di d I s ee m r ude, Cha rl ie? I di dn't mean to be . (S he k is se s h im w it h a c oo l, f ri en dl y s mi le .)

W el co me h om e. (t h i n ki n g w ea r i ly)

W hat h as C harl ie d on e? … n ot hi ng … and n ev er w il l … C harl ie s it s b es id e t he f ierce r iv er , i mm acul at el y

t im id , coo l and clo th ed , w at ch in g t he b ur ni ng , f ro zen n ak ed s wi mm er s d ro wn at l as t. …





MARSDEN--( thinking torturedly)

Co ld l ip s … t he k is s of c on te mp t! … f or de ar o ld C ha rl ie ! …

( forcing a good-natured laugh) Rude? Not a bit! (banteringly) A s I 've o ft en r emi nde d you, w ha t c an

I e xp ec t w he n t he f ir st w or d y ou e ve r s pok e i n t hi s w or ld w as a n i ns ul t t o m e. " Do g" y ou s ai d, l oo ki ngri ght at me- -a t the age of one ! ( He laughs. The Professor laughs nervously. Nina smiles

perfunctorily.)

N I N A - - (t h i n ki n g w ea r i ly)

T he f at he rs l aug h a t l it tl e d aug ht er N in a … I m us t ge t a wa y! … ni ce C ha rl ie do ggy … f ai th fu l … f et ch

and c ar ry … ba rk s of tl y in books a t t he de ep night. …

PROFESSOR LEEDS--(thinking )

W ha t i s s he t hi nk in g? … I c an' t s ta nd l iv in g l ik e t hi s! …

( giggle gone to a twitching grin) Y ou a re a c ool o ne , N ina ! Yo u' d t hi nk y ou 'd j us t s ee n C ha rl ie

yesterday!

N I N A - - ( slowly--coolly and reflectively) W el l, t he w ar i s o ve r. C om in g b ac k s af e f ro m E ur op e i sn 't

s uc h a n un us ua l f ea t no w, i s i t?

MARSDEN--( thinking bitterly)

A ta unt … I didn't fi ght … phys ica ll y unf it … not l ike Gor don … Gor don in f la mes … how she mustr es en t m y l ivi ng! … t hi nk in g o f m e, s cr ib bl in g i n pr es s b ur ea u … l ou de r a nd l ou de r l ie s … d ro wn t he

guns a nd t he s cr ea ms … de af en t he wor ld w it h l ie s … hi re d c hoi r of l ia rs ! …

( forcing a joking tone) L it tl e you kn ow t he de adl y r is ks I r an , Ni na ! I f yo u' d e at en s om e o f t he f ood

t hey g av e m e o n m y r en ov at ed t rans po rt , y ou 'd s ho wer m e w it h con gr at ul at io ns ! (T he P ro fe ss or f or ce s

a s ni ck e r.)

N I N A - - (coolly) W el l, y ou 'r e h er e, a nd t ha t' s t ha t. (t he n s ud de nl y e xp an di ng i n a s we et , g en ui ne ly

affectionate smile) And Iam g lad, C har li e, alw ay s g lad y ou 'r e h er e! Y ou k no w t hat.

MARSDEN--( d e li g ht e d a nd e m ba r ra s se d ) I hope so, Nina!

N I N A - - (t u rn i ng o n h e r f a th e r- - de t e rm i ne d ly) I m us t f in is h w ha t I s ta rt ed t o s ay , F at he r. I 'v e t ho ug ht

i t a ll out a nd de ci de d t ha t I s im pl y m us t ge t a wa y f rom he re a t onc e- -or go c ra zy! A nd I 'm goi ng on t he

nine-forty tonight. (She turns toMarsden with a quick smile.) You 'l l ha ve t o he lp m e pa ck, Cha rl ie ! (

thinking with weary relief )

Now that 's sa id … I'm goi ng … never c ome ba ck … oh, how I loat he this room! …

MARSDEN--( thinking with alarm)

W ha t' s t hi s? … goi ng? … goi ng t o w hom? …





PROFESSOR LEEDS--(thinking--terrified )

Going? … never come back to me? … no! …

(d es pe ra te ly p ut ti ng o n h is p ri m s ev er e m an ne r t ow ar d a n u nr ul y p up il ) T hi s i s r at he r a s udde n

d ecis io n, i sn 't i t? Y ou h av en 't m en ti on ed b ef or e t hat y ou w er e con si deri ng -- in f act, y ou 'v e l ed m e t o

believe that you were quite contented here--that is, of course I mean for the time being, and I reallythink--

MARSDEN--( looking at Nina--thinking with alarm )

G oi ng a wa y to whom ? …

(then watching the Professor with a pitying shudder )

H e' s o n t he w ro ng t ac k w it h hi s p ro fe ss or 's m an ne r … h er e ye s s ee in g c ru el ly t hr ou gh h im … w it h w ha t

t er ri bl e r ecog ni ti on ! … G od , n ev er b less m e w it h chi ld ren! …

N I N A - - (thinking with weary scorn)

The Pr of es sor o f De ad La ngua ge s i s t al ki ng a ga in … a de ad ma n l ec tur es on t he pa st of l ivi ng … s inc e I

w as b or n I h av e b een i n h is class , l ov in g- at tent iv e, p up il -d au gh ter N in a … m y ear s n um b w it h s pi ri tl es s

me ss age s f rom t he de ad … de ad wor ds dr oni ng on … l is te ni ng be ca us e he i s my c ul tur ed f at he r … a

l itt le m ore inc li ne d t o de af ne ss t ha n t he r es t ( let me be j us t) be ca us e he i s my fa the r … f at he r? … w hat is

f at her? …

PROFESSOR LEEDS--(thinking--terrified )

I must ta lk he r out of it! … find the ri ght words! … oh, I know she won't he ar me! … oh, wife , why did

you di e, y ou w oul d ha ve t al ke d t o he r, s he wo ul d h ave l is te ne d t o y ou! …

(c o nt i nu i ng i n h i s p r of e ss o r' s s u pe r io r m an ne r ) -- an d I r ea ll y t hi nk , i n j us ti ce t o y our se lf a bo ve a ll , y ou

o ug ht t o con si der t hi s s tep w it h g reat car e b ef or e y ou d ef in it el y com mi t y ou rs el f. F ir st and f or em os t, t here

i s y ou r h ealt h t o b e t ak en i nt o con si derati on . Y ou 'v e b een v er y i ll , N in a, h ow p er il ou sl y s o p er haps y ou 'r e

n ot c om pl et el y a wa re , b ut I a ss ur e y ou , a nd C ha rl ie c an c or ro bo ra te m y s ta te me nt , t ha t s ix m on th s a go

t he d octo rs t ho ug ht i t m ig ht b e y ears b ef or e- -and y et , b y s tayi ng h om e and r es ti ng and f in di ng h ealt hy

o ut do or r ecreat io n amo ng y ou r o ld f ri en ds , and k eepi ng y ou r m in d o ccup ied w it h t he r ou ti ne o f m an ag in g

the household--(h e f or ce s a p ri m p la yf ul s mi le) and m an ag in g m e, I m ig ht add !- -y ou h av e w on derf ul lyi mp ro ved and I t hi nk i t m os t i ll -adv is ed i n t he h ot test p ar t o f A ug us t, w hi le y ou 'r e r eall y s ti ll a

convalescent--

N I N A - - (thinking )

T al ki ng! … hi s v oi ce l ik e a f at ig ui ng d yi ng t un e d ro ne d o n a be gga r' s o rga n … hi s w or ds a ri si ng f ro m t he

tomb of a soul in puffs of ashes …

(torturedly)

As he s! … o h, G or don , m y de ar on e! … o h, l ip s o n m y l ip s, o h, s tr ong a rms a rou nd m e, oh, s pi ri t s o

brave and generous and gay! … ashes dissolving into mud! … mud and ashes! … that's all! … gone! …

g on e f or ev er f ro m m e! …





PROFESSOR LEEDS--(t h i n ki n g a n g ri l y)

Her eyes … I know t hat l ook … te nder , l ovi ng … not f or me … damn Gordon! … I' m gla d he 's de ad!

…

(a t ouc h of as pe ri ty i n h is v oi ce) And a t a c oupl e of hour s' not ic e t o le ave e ve ryt hi ng i n t he a ir , a s itwere--( t h en j u d ici a l ly) No, N in a, fr an kl y, I c an' t s ee i t. Yo u kno w I 'd gl adl y c ons ent t o a ny thi ng i n t he

w or ld t o b en ef it y ou , b ut -- s ur el y, y ou can 't h av e r ef lect ed!

N I N A - - (thinking torturedly)

Gor don da rl ing, I mus t go a wa y whe re I c an t hink of you i n s ile nc e! …

(She turns on her father, her voice trembling with the effort to keep it in control--icily ) It's no use

talking, Father. Ih a ve r ef le ct ed a nd I a m g oi ng !

PROFESSOR LEEDS--(w i th a s pe r it y) But I t ell you i t' s quit e i mpos si bl e! I don' t li ke to br ing up t he

m on ey con si derati on b ut I cou ld n' t p os si bl y aff or d- -A nd h ow w il l y ou s up po rt y ou rs el f, i f I m ay ask ?

Tw o ye ar s in t he U ni ve rs it y, I a m s or ry t o s ay, won' t be m uc h us e t o you whe n a ppl yi ng f or a j ob. And

even i f y ou h ad com pl et el y r ecov er ed f ro m y ou r n er vo us b reak do wn , w hi ch i t' s o bv io us t o any on e y ou

h av en 't , t hen I m os t d ecid ed ly t hi nk y ou s ho ul d f in is h o ut y ou r s ci en ce cou rs e and t ak e y ou r d eg ree

before you attempt--(t h i n ki n g d es p era t el y)

No use! … she doe sn' t hea r … thinking of Gordon … she 'll defy me …

N I N A - - (t h i n ki n g d es p era t el y)

I must ke ep c al m … I mus tn't le t go or I 'l l t el l him eve rything … a nd I mus tn't te ll him … he' s my fa the r

…

(w it h t he s am e c ol d c al cu la ti ng f in al it y) I 'v e alr eady h ad s ix m on th s' t rain in g f or a n ur se. I w il l f in is h

m y t ra in in g. T he re 's a d oc to r I k no w a t a s an it ar iu m f or c ri pp le d s ol di er s- -a f ri en d o f G or do n' s. I w ro te

t o h im a nd h e a ns we re d t ha t h e' ll gl adl y a rr an ge i t.

PROFESSOR LEEDS--(t h i n kin g f u r i o us l y)

G or do n' s f ri en d … G or do n a ga in ! …

( severely) Y ou s er iou sl y m ea n t o t el l m e yo u, i n yo ur c on di ti on , w an t t o n ur se i n a s ol di er s' h os pi ta l!

Absurd!

MARSDEN--( thinking with indignant revulsion)

Q ui te r ight , Pr of es sor ! … he r be aut y … a ll t ho se me n … i n t he ir be ds … i t' s t oo r evol ti ng ! …

(w it h a p er s ua si v e q ui z zi ng t on e) Ye s, I mus t sa y I ca n' t s ee you a s a pe ac e- time Fl or ence

Nightingale, Nina!

N I N A - - (c oo ll y, s tr ug gl i ng t o k e ep c on tr ol , i gn or in g t he s e r em ar k s) S o yo u s ee , F at he r, I 've t ho ug ht

o f e ve ry th in g a nd t he re 's n ot t he s li gh te st r ea so n t o w or ry a bo ut m e. A nd I 'v e b ee n t ea ch in g M ar y h ow t o





t ak e c ar e o f y ou. So yo u wo n' t ne ed me a t a ll . Y ou c an g o a lon g a s i f not hi ng h ad ha ppe ne d- -a nd r ea ll y,

nothing will have happened that hasn't already happened.

P RO FE SS OR L EE DS -- W hy , even t h e m ann er i n w hi ch y ou add res s m e-- t he t o ne y ou t ake- -p ro ves

conclusively that you're not yourself!

N I N A - - (her voice becoming a bit uncanny, her thoughts breaking through ) No, I 'm not mys el f ye t.T hat' s j us t i t. N ot all m ys el f. B ut I 'v e b een b ecom in g m ys el f. A nd I m us t f in is h!

PROFESSOR LEEDS--(w i th a n gr y s i gn i fi c an c e- - toM ar sd en ) Y ou h ea r h er , C ha rl ie ? S he 's a s ic k

girl!

N I N A - - ( slowly and strangely) I' m not s ic k. I 'm too we ll. But t he y a re s ic k a nd I mus t gi ve my h ea lt h t o

help them to li ve on, a nd to li ve on mys elf . (wi th a s udde n i nt ens it y i n h er t one) I must pay for my

cow ar dl y t r eacher y t o G or do n! Y ou s ho ul d u nd er st and t hi s , F at her , y ou w ho -- (S he s wa ll ow s h ar d,

c a tc h in g h e r b r ea t h. T h in k in g d e sp e ra t el y)

I 'm be gi nn in g t o t el l h im ! … I m us tn 't ! … h e' s m y f at he r! …

PROFESSOR LEEDS--(i n a pa ni c of g ui lt y f ear , bu t de fi ant ly) What do you me an? I am afrai d

y ou 'r e n ot r es po ns ib le f or w hat y ou 'r e s ay in g.

N I N A - - (again with the strange intensity ) I m us t pa y! I t' s my pl ai n du ty! Gor don i s de ad! Wha t us e i s

my l if e t o me or anyone? But I must make i t of use -- by giving i t! ( fiercely) I mus t l ea rn to gi ve myse lf , do

y ou h ear- -g iv e and g iv e u nt il I can m ak e t hat g if t o f m ys el f f or a m an 's h ap pi ness w it ho ut s cr up le, w it ho ut

f ear, w it ho ut j oy excep t i n h is j oy ! W hen I 'v e accom pl is hed t hi s I 'l l h av e f ou nd m ys el f, I 'l l k no w h ow t o

s tart i n l ivi ng m y o wn l if e again! (appealing to them with a desperate impatience ) Don' t you s ee ? I n

t he na me of t he c omm one st d ec enc y a nd hon or , I ow e i t t o G or don !

PROFESSOR LEEDS--( sharply) No , I c an' t s ee -- nor a nyon e e ls e! (thinking savagely)

I hope Gordon is in hell! …


G ive he rs el f? … c an s he me an he r b od y? … b ea ut if ul b od y … t o c ri ppl es ? … f or G or do n' s s ake ? …

d am n G or do n! …

(coldly) What do you me an, you owe it t o Gor don, Nina?

PROFESSOR LEEDS--(bitterly) Y es , h ow r id ic ul ou s! I t s ee ms t o m e w he n y ou ga ve h im yo ur l ov e,

h e g ot m or e t ha n he c oul d e ve r h av e h ope d- -

N I N A - - (with fierce self-contempt ) I ga ve hi m? What did I give him ? I t's wha t I didn' t gi ve! Tha t l ast

n ig ht b ef or e h e s ai led- -i n h is arm s u nt il m y b od y ach ed -- ki ss es u nt il m y l ip s w er e n um b- -k no wi ng all t hat

n ig ht -- so meth in g i n m e k no wi ng h e w ou ld d ie, t hat h e w ou ld n ev er k is s m e again -- kn ow in g t hi s s o s ur el y

y et w it h m y c ow ar dl y b ra in l yi ng , n o, h e' ll c om e b ac k a nd m ar ry y ou, y ou 'l l be h ap py e ve r a ft er a nd f ee l

h is c hi ld re n a t y ou r b re as ts l oo ki ng u p w it h e ye s s o m uc h l ik e h is , p os se ss in g e ye s s o h ap py i n po ss es si ng

y ou ! (then violently) B ut G or do n n ev er p os sess ed m e! I 'm s ti ll G or do n' s s il ly v ir gi n! A nd G or do n i s

m ud dy a sh es ! A nd I 'v e l os t m y h ap pi ne ss f or ev er ! A ll t ha t l as t n ig ht I k ne w h e w an te d m e. I k ne w i t w as

o nl y t he h on or ab le cod e- bo un d G or do n, w ho k ep t com mand in g f ro m h is b rain , n o, y ou m us tn 't , y ou





m us t r es pe ct h er , y ou m us t w ai t t il l y ou h av e a m ar ri age l ic en se ! (She gives a mocking laugh. )

PROFESSOR LEEDS--( shocked ) N ina ! T hi s i s r ea ll y g oi ng t oo f ar !

MARSDEN--( r e pe l le d- - wi t h a s up e ri or s n ee r ) O h, c om e n ow , N in a! Y ou 'v e b ee n r ea di ng b oo ks .

T ho se d on 't s ou nd l ik e y ou r t ho ug ht s.

N I N A - - (w it ho ut l oo ki ng a t h im , h er e ye s o n h er f at he r' s- -i nt en se ly) G or don w an te d m e! I w ant ed

Gor don! I s houl d ha ve ma de hi m t ake me ! I kne w he w oul d di e a nd I woul d ha ve no c hi ldr en , t ha t t he re

w ou ld b e n o b ig G or do n o r l it tl e G or do n l ef t t o m e, t ha t h ap pi ne ss w as c al li ng m e, n ev er t o c al l a ga in i f I

r ef use d! And ye t I di d r ef us e! I di dn' t ma ke hi m ta ke me ! I l os t hi m f or eve r! And now I a m l one ly a nd

not pregnant with anything at all, but--but loathing! (S he h ur ls t hi s l as t a t h er f at he r- -f ie rc el y) Why did

I r ef us e? W ha t w as t ha t c ow ar dl y s om et hi ng i n m e t ha t c ri ed , n o, y ou m us tn 't , w ha t w ou ld y ou r f at he r

say?

PROFESSOR LEEDS--(thinking--furiously)

W ha t a n a nim al ! … a nd m y d aught er ! … s he d oe sn' t ge t i t f rom me ! … wa s he r m ot he r l ik e t ha t? …

(distractedly) N in a! I r ea ll y c an 't l is te n!

N I N A - - ( savagely) A nd t ha t' s e xa ct ly w ha t m y f at he r d id s ay ! W ai t, h e t ol d G or do n! W ai t f or N in a t il l

t he w ar 's o ve r, a nd yo u' ve g ot a go od j ob a nd c an a ff or d a m ar ri age l ic en se !

PROFESSOR LEEDS--(cr u mb l i ng p i t i fu l l y) N in a! I -- !

MARSDEN--( flurriedly--going to him) D on 't t ak e h er s er io us ly , P ro fe ss or ! (thinking with nervous

repulsion)

Nina has cha nged … a ll fle sh now … lust … who would drea m she was so sensual? … I wish I were

out of this! … I wi sh I hadn't come her e today! …

N I N A - - (c ol d ly a nd d e li b er at e ly) Don' t l ie a ny m or e, Fa th er ! T oda y I 've ma de up my mi nd t o f ac e

t hi ng s. I k no w n ow w hy G or do n s ud de nl y d ro pp ed a ll i de a o f m ar ri ag e b ef or e h e l ef t, h ow u nf ai r t o m e

h e s ud de nl y d ec ide d i t w ou ld b e! U nf ai r t o m e! O h, t ha t' s h um or ou s! T o t hi nk I m ig ht h av e h ad

h ap pi nes s, G or do n, an d n ow G or do n' s ch il d- - (t he n d ir ec tl y a cc us in g h im) Y ou t ol d hi m i t' d b e u nf ai r,

y ou p ut hi m on h is ho nor , d id n' t y ou?

PROFESSOR LEEDS--(collecting himself--woodenly) Yes . I di d i t f or your s ake , Ni na .

N I N A - - (in the same voice as before) It' s too late f or li es!

PROFESSOR LEEDS--(woodenly) Let us say then that I persuaded m ys el f i t w as f or y ou r s ak e. T ha t

ma y be t rue . Y ou a re young. You t hi nk one c an l ive wi th tr ut h. V ery we ll . It i s a ls o t rue I wa s j ea lous of

Gordon. I wa s alone a nd I wa nte d to ke ep your love. I ha ted him as one hat es a t hi ef one may not

a cc us e no r p uni sh. I di d m y be st t o pr eve nt y our ma rr ia ge . I wa s gl ad wh en he di ed . Th er e. I s t ha t wha t

you wi sh m e t o s ay?

N IN A- -Y es . N ow I b eg in t o f or ge t I 'v e h at ed y ou . Y ou w er e b ra ve r t ha n I , a t l ea st .

PR OF ESS OR LEE DS -- I w ant ed t o l ive c omf or te d b y you r l ove u nt il t he e nd. I n s ho rt , I a m a m an w ho





h ap pe ns t o b e y our f at he r. ( He hides his face in his hands and weeps softly.) F or gi ve t hat m an !

MARSDEN--( thinking timidly)

I n s ho rt , f or gi ve u s o ur p os se ss in g a s w e f or gi ve t ho se w ho p os se ss ed b ef or e u s … M ot he r m us t b e

wondering what ke eps me s o long … i t's time for tea … I must go home …

N I N A - - ( sadly) O h, I f or gi ve you. But do you unde rs ta nd now t hat I mus t s ome how f ind a wa y t o gi ve

m ys el f t o Go rd on s ti ll , t ha t I m us t p ay m y de bt a nd l ea rn t o f or gi ve m ys el f?

PROFESSOR LEEDS--Yes.

N IN A- - Mar y w il l l oo k af ter y ou .

P RO FE SS OR L EE DS -- Mar y w il l d o v er y w el l , I ' m s ur e.


Nina has change d … this is no place for me … Mother is waiting tea. …

(then venturing on an uncertain tone of pleasantry ) Q ui te s o, y ou t wo . B ut i sn 't t hi s a ll n on se ns e?

Nina will be back with us in a month, Professor, what with the depressing heat and humidity, and the

m or e d ep ress in g h al t and t he l am e!

PROFESSOR LEEDS--( sharply) S he mus t s tay a wa y unt il s he ge ts we ll . T his t ime I do s pe ak for he r

sake.

N I NA - -I ' ll t ake t he n in e- f or t y. (turning toMarsden - - wi t h a s ud de n g i rl i sh ne s s) C om e o n u ps ta ir s,C ha rl ie , a nd h el p me p ac k! (S h e g r ab s h i m b y t he h an d an d st a rt s t o pu l l h i m a w ay .)

MARSDEN--( shrugging his shoulders--confusedly) W el l -- I d on 't u nd er st and t hi s !

N I N A - - (w it h a s tr an ge s mi le) But some day I'll read it all in one of your books, Charlie, and it' ll be so

s im pl e a nd e as y t o u nd er st an d t ha t I w on 't b e a bl e t o r ec og ni ze i t, C ha rl ie , l et a lo ne u nd er st an d i t! (She

l a u gh s t ea s in g l y.) D ea r o ld C ha rl ie !

MARSDEN--( thinking in agony)

G od d amn i n he ll … de ar o ld Ch ar lie ! …

(t he n wi th a ge ni al gr in) I 'l l ha ve t o pr opos e, N ina , i f you c ont inue t o be my s eve re st c ri ti c! I 'm a

stickler for these little literary conventions, you know!

N IN A- -A ll r ig ht . P ro po se w hi le w e p ac k. (She leads him off, right. )

PROFESSOR LEEDS--(b lo ws h is n os e, w ip es h is e ye s, s ig hs , c le ar s h is t hr oa t, s qu ar es h is

shoulders, pulls his coat down in front,sets his tie straight, and starts to take a brisk turn about

t he r oo m. H is f ac e i s w as he d b la nd ly c le an o f a ll e mo ti on .)

Thre e weeks now … new te rm … I wil l have to be looking over my notes . …





( He looks out of window, front. )

Gr as s pa rc he d i n t he mi ddl e … To m f or got te n t he s pr ink le r … c ar el es s … a h, t he re go es Mr . Da vi s of

the bank … bank … my salary will go fa rther now … books I really ne ed … all bosh two c an l ive as

c he ap ly a s o ne … t he re a re w or se t hi ng s t ha n b ei ng a t ra in ed n ur se … g oo d b ac kg ro un d o f d is ci pl in e …

s he n ee ds i t … s he ma y m ee t r ic h f el low t he re … ma tur e … onl y s tude nt s he re f or he r … a nd t he ir

f at hers n ev er app ro ve i f t hey h av e any th in g. …

( He sits down with a forced sigh of peace.)

I a m gla d we ha d it out … his ghost will be gone now … no more Gordon, Gordon, Gordon, love and

praise and tears, all for Gordon! … Mary will do very well by me … I will have more leisure and peace

of mi nd … and Ni na wi ll come bac k home … whe n she is we ll a ga in … the old Nina ! … my li tt le Ni na !

… s he knows a nd she forgave me … she said s o … sa id! … but could she r eall y? … don' t you imagi ne?

… deep in her hea rt? … she still must hate? … oh, God! … I feel cold! … a lone! … this home is

a ba ndon ed! … t he ho us e i s e mp ty a nd f ul l of de at h! … t he re i s a pa in a bout m y h ea rt ! …

( He calls hoarsely, getting to his feet ) N in a!

NINA'S VOICE--( Her voice, fresh and girlish, calls from upstairs) Ye s, Fa ther . Do you wa nt me ?

PROFESSOR LEEDS--( struggling with himself--goes to door and calls with affectionate

blandness ) No. Ne ve r mi nd . J us t wa nt ed t o r emi nd you t o c al l f or a t axi i n goo d t im e.

N IN A' S V OI CE -- I w on 't f or ge t .

PROFESSOR LEEDS--(looks at his watch )

F ive -t hi rt y j us t … ni ne -f or ty, t he t ra in … t he n … Ni na n o m or e! … f our hour s m or e … s he 'l l be

packing … then good-bye … a kiss … nothing more ever to say to each other … and I'll die in here

s om e d ay … a lone … ga sp , c ry o ut f or he lp … t he pr es ide nt wi ll s pe ak a t t he f une ra l … Ni na wi ll be

he re agai n … Nina in blac k … t oo l ate ! …

( He calls hoarsely) Nina! (T he re i s n o a ns we r.)

In othe r r oom … doe sn' t hea r … jus t a s we ll …

( He turns to the bookcase and pulls out the first volume his hands come on and opens it at r an dom an d b egi ns t o r ea d a loud s on or ou sl y l ik e a c hi ld whi st li ng t o k ee p up hi s c ou rage i n t he

d a r k.)

" Stetitunusinarcem

Erectuscapitisvictorque adsideramittit

SidereosoculospropiusqueadspectatOlympum

InquiritqueIovem ;" …

(Curtain)





A CT T WO

SCENE-- T he s am e as Sc ene On e, Pr of es sor Le eds ' s tudy . I t i s a bou t n ine o' cl oc k o f a n ight i n

e ar ly f al l, o ve r a y ea r l at er . T he a pp ear an ce o f t he r oo m i s u nc ha ng ed e xc ept t hat a ll t he s had es ,

of t he c ol or o f pal e f le sh , ar e d raw n dow n, g iv in g t he w ind ows a s ugg es ti on of l if el es s c los ed e ye s

and making the room seem more withdrawn from life than before. The reading lamp on the table

i s l it . E ve ry th in g o n t he t ab le , p ap er s, p en ci ls , p en s, e tc ., i s a rr an ge d i n m et ic ul ou s o rd er .

M ar sd en is s ea te d o n t he c ha ir a t c en te r. H e i s d re ss ed c ar ef ul ly i n a n E ng li sh m ad e s ui t o f b lu e s er ge s o

d ar k as t o s eem b lack , and w hi ch , com bi ned w it h t he g lo om y b ro od in g exp ress io n o f h is f ace, s tr on gl y

s ug gest s o ne i n m ou rn in g. H is t al l, t hi n b od y s ag s w eari ly i n t he chair , h is h ead i s s un k f or ward , t he chi n

alm os t t ou ch in g h is chest , h is eyes s tare s ad ly at n ot hi ng .

MARSDEN--( h is t ho ug ht s a t e bb , w it ho ut e mp ha si s , s lu gg is h a nd m el an ch ol y)

Pr oph et ic P ro fe ss or ! … I r eme mb er he o nc e s ai d … s hor tl y a ft er N ina w en t a wa y … " som e d ay, i n

h er e, … y ou' ll f in d m e" … di d h e f or es ee ? … n o … e ve ryt hi ng i n l if e i s s o c on te mp tu ou sl y a cc ide nt al ! …

G od 's s ne er a t o ur s el f- im po rt an ce ! …

( smiling grimly)

P oo r P ro fess or ! h e w as h or ri bl y l on el y … t ri ed t o h id e i t … alw ay s t el li ng y ou h ow b en ef icial t he t rain in g

a t t he h os pi ta l w oul d b e f or he r … p oor o ld c ha p! …

( His voice grows husky and uncertain--he controls it--straightens himself )

What time is it? …

( He takes out his watch mechanically and looks at it. )

Te n aft er ni ne. … Nina ought t o be here . …

(then with sudden bitterness )

Will she feel any real grief over his death, I wonder? … I doubt it! … but why am I so resentful? … the

t wo t im es I 'v e v is it ed t he h os pi tal s he's b een p leas an t eno ug h … p leas an tl y evasi ve! … p er haps s he

t hou ght h er f at he r h ad s ent m e t o s py on he r … po or Pr of es so r! … a t l ea st s he a ns we re d h is l et te rs …

h e u sed t o s ho w t hem t o m e … p at heti call y o verj oy ed … n ew sy , l ov el es s s cr ip ts , t el li ng n ot hi ng

w ha te ve r a bo ut h er se lf … w el l, s he w on 't h av e t o c om po se t he m a ny m or e … s he n ev er a ns we re d m in e

… s he m ig ht a t l ea st h av e a ck no wl ed ge d t he m. … M ot he r t hi nk s s he 's b eh av ed q ui te i ne xc us ab ly …

(t h en j e al o us l y)

I s upp os e e ve ry s in gl e d am ne d i nm at e h as f al le n i n l ov e w it h h er ! … h er e ye s s ee me d c yn ic al … s ic k





with men … a s though I'd looke d int o the eye s of a prostit ute … not that I ever have … exce pt that once

… t he dol la r hous e … he rs we re l ike pa te nt l ea the r b ut tons i n a s auc er of bl ue m il k! …

( getting up with a movement of impatience )

T he d ev il ! … w hat b east ly i ncid en ts o ur m em or ies i ns is t o n cheri sh in g! … t he u gl y and d is gu st in g … t he

beautiful things we have to keep diaries to remember! …

( He smiles with a wry amusement for a second--then bitterly)

Tha t l as t ni ght N ina wa s he re … s he t al ke d s o bra ze nl y about gi ving he rs el f … I wis h I kne w t he tr ut h of

w ha t s he 's b ee n do in g i n t ha t h ou se f ul l o f m en … p ar ti cu la rl y t ha t s el f- im po rt an t y ou ng a ss o f a d oc tor !

… G or do n' s f ri en d! …

( He frowns at himself, determinedly puts an end to his train of thought and comes and sits down

a ga in i n t he c ha ir -- in s ne er in g, c on ve rs at io na l t on es a s i f h e w er e t hi s t im e a ct ua ll y a dd re ss in g

a n ot h er p e rs o n)

R ea ll y, i t' s h ar dl y a d ec en t t im e, i s i t, f or t ha t ki nd o f s pe cul at io n … w it h he r f at he r l yi ng d ea d up st ai rs ?

…

( A silence as if he had respectably squelched himself--then he pulls out his watch mechanically

and star es at it. As he does so a noise of a car is heard approachi ng, s topping at the curb bey ond

the garden. He jumps to his feet and starts to go to door--then hesitates confusedly. )

No, let Mary go … I wouldn't know what to do … take her in my arms? … kiss her? … right now? …

or wa it unt il s he ? …

( A bell rings insistently from the back of the house. From the front voices are heard, first Nina's,

then a man's. Marsden starts, his face suddenly angry and dejected.)

Some one wi th her! … a man! … I t hought she'd be al one! …

( Mary is heard shuffling to the front door which is opened. Immediately, as Mary sees Nina, she

b re ak s d ow n a nd t he re i s t he s ou nd o f h er u nc on tr ol le d s ob bi ng a nd c ho ki ng , i nc oh er en t w or ds

d ro wn in g o ut N in a' s v oi c e, s oo th in g h er .)

N I N A - - ( As Mary's grief subsides a trifle, her voice is heard, flat and toneless.) I s n' t M r .M ars denh er e, M ar y? (S he c al l s) Charlie!

MARSDEN--( confused--huskily) I n he re -- I' m i n t he s tu dy , N in a. ( He moves uncertainly toward the

door.)

N I N A - - (c om es i n and s ta nds j us t i ns ide t he d oor way . S he i s dr es se d i n a nur se 's uni for m w it h

c ap, a r agl an c oa t o ve r i t. Sh e a pp ear s o lde r t han i n t he pr ev iou s s ce ne , h er f ac e i s pal e a nd m uc h

t hi nne r, he r c he ek b one s s tand o ut , h er mo ut h i s t au t i n h ar d l ine s of a c yn ic al s cor n. He r e ye s t ry

t o a rm or h er w ou nd ed s pi ri t w it h a d ef en si ve s ta re o f d is il lu si on me nt . H er t ra in in g h as a ls o

tended to coarsen her fiber a trifle, to make her insensitive to suffering, to give her the nurse's

professionally callous attitude. In her fight to regain control of her nerves she has over-striven

a ft er t he c oo l a nd e ff ic ie nt p oi se , b ut s he i s r ea ll y i n a m or e h ig hl y s tr un g, d is or ga ni ze d s ta te t ha n

e ve r, a lt ho ug h s he i s n ow m or e c ap ab le o f s up pr es si ng a nd c on ce al in g i t. S he r em ai ns s tr ik in gl y





h an ds om e a nd h er p hy si ca l a pp ea l i s e nh an ce d b y h er p al lo r a nd t he m ys te ri ou s s ug ge st io n a bo ut

h er o f h id de n e xp er ie nc e. S he s ta re s a t Marsden blankly and speaks in queer flat tones. ) H el lo ,

C ha rl ie . H e' s d ea d, M ar y s ay s.

MARSDEN--( n o dd i ng h i s h e ad s e ve r al t i me s -- s tu pi d ly) Yes.

N I N A - - (i n s am e t on es) I t' s t oo ba d. I br ou gh t Do ct or D ar re ll . I t ho ug ht t he re m ig ht b e a c ha nc e. (She pauses and looks about the room--thinking confusedly)

Hi s bo oks … hi s c ha ir … h e a lwa ys s at t he re … t he re 's h is t ab le … l it tl e Ni na w as ne ve r a ll owe d t o

t ou ch a ny th in g … s he u se d t o s it o n h is l ap … c ud dl e a ga in st h im … d re am in g i nt o t he d ar k b ey on d t he

wi ndo ws … w ar m i n hi s a rm s be for e t he f ir epl ac e … d re ams l ike s pa rks s oa rin g up t o di e i n t he c ol d

d ar k … w ar m i n h is l ov e, s af e- dr if ti ng i nt o s le ep … " Da dd y' s gi rl , a re n' t y ou ?" …

(She looks around and then up and down.)

His home … my home … he was my father … he's dead …

(S he s ha ke s h er h ea d.)

Ye s, I he ar y ou , l it tl e N ina , b ut I d on 't u nd er st and o ne w or d o f i t. …

(S he s mi l es w it h a c y ni ca l s e lf -c on te mp t.)

I 'm s or ry, F at he r! … you s ee yo u' ve be en de ad f or m e a l ong t im e … wh en G or don di ed, a ll m en di ed

… what did you feel for me then? … nothing … and now I feel nothing … it's too bad …

MARSDEN--( thinking woundedly)

I ho pe d s he woul d thr ow he rs elf in my ar ms … we epi ng … hi de he r f ac e on my s houl de r … " Oh,

C ha rl ie , y ou 'r e a ll I 'v e go t l ef t i n t he w or ld … "

(t h en a ng r il y)

W hy d id s he h av e t o b ri ng t ha t D ar re ll w it h h er ?

N I N A - - ( flatly) Whe n I s ai d good- bye th at ni ght I ha d a pr emoni ti on I 'd ne ve r s ee hi m a ga in.

MARSDEN--( glad of this opening for moral indignation) Y ou' ve ne ve r t ri ed t o s ee hi m, N ina ! (t h en

o v er c om e b y d i sg u st w i th h i ms e l f- - c on t ri t e ly) Forgive me! It was rotten of me to s ay that!

N I N A - - ( shaking her head--flatly) I di dn' t wa nt hi m t o s ee wha t he woul d ha ve t hought wa s m e. (

ironically) T ha t' s t he o th er s id e o f i t y ou c ou ld n' t d is se ct i nt o w or ds f ro m h er e, C ha rl ie ! (t h en s u dd e nl y

a sk in g a n ec es sa ry q ue st io n i n h er n ur se 's c oo l, e ff ic ie nt t on es) Is he upst ai rs ? ( Marsdennods

stupidly.) I'll take Ne d up. I might as well. (She turns and walks out briskly.)

MARSDEN--( staring after her--dully)

T ha t i sn 't N in a. …

(indignantly )





T he y' ve k il le d h er s ou l d ow n t he re ! …

(T ea rs c om e t o h is e ye s s ud de nl y a nd h e p ul ls o ut h is h an dk er ch ie f a nd w ip es t he m, m ut te ri ng

huskily)

P oo r o ld P ro fe ss or ! …

(t he n s ud de nl y j ee r in g a t h im se l f )

F or G od' s s ak e, s to p a ct in g! … i t i sn 't t he P ro fe ss or ! … de ar ol d C ha rl ie i s c ry in g be ca us e s he di dn 't

we ep on hi s s houl der … a s he ha d hope d! …

( He laughs harshly--then suddenly sees a man outside the doorway and stares--then calls sharply)

W ho 's t hat ?

EVANS--(h is v oi ce e mb ar ra ss ed a nd h es it at in g c om es f ro m t he h al l ) It 's a ll r ight . ( He appears int h e d oo r wa y , g r in n in g b as h fu l ly .) I t's me -- I, I m ea n- -M is s Le eds t ol d me to c ome i n he re . ( He

stretches out his hand awkwardly.) G ue ss y ou d on 't r em em be r m e, M r. Ma rs de n . M is s L ee ds

i nt ro du ce d u s o ne d ay a t t he h os pi ta l. Y ou w er e l ea vi ng j us t a s I c am e i n. E va ns i s m y n am e.

MARSDEN--( w ho h as b ee n r eg ar di ng h im w it h w an in g r es en tm en t, f or ce s a c or di al s mi le a nd

shakes hands) O h, y es . At f ir st I c oul dn' t p la ce y ou .

EVANS--(awkwardly ) I sor t of f eel I' m butt ing in.

MARSDEN--( b eg in ni ng t o b e t ak en b y h is l ik ab le b oy is h q ua li ty) Not at all. Sit down. ( He sits in

the rocker at center as Evans goes to the bench at right. Evans sits uncomfortably hunched forward, twiddling his hat in his hands. He is above the medium height, very blond, with guileless,

d if fi de nt b lu e e ye s, h is f ig ur e i nc li ne d t o i mm at ur e l um be ri ng o ut li ne s. H is f ac e i s f re sh a nd

r ed -c he ek ed , h an ds om e i n a b oy is h f as hi on . H is m an ne r i s b as hf ul w it h w om en o r o ld er m en ,

c ol ti sh ly p la yf ul w it h h is f ri en ds . T he re i s a l ac k o f s el f c on fi de nc e, a l os t a nd s tr ay ed a pp ea li ng

air about him, yet with a hint of some unawakened obstinate force beneath his apparent weakness.

Although he is twenty-five and has been out of college three years, he still wears the latest in

c ol le gi at e c lo th es a nd a s h e l oo ks y ou ng er t ha n h e i s, h e i s a lw ay s m is ta ke n f or a n u nd er gr ad ua te

and lik es to be. I t keeps hi m placed in lif e for hims elf .)

MARSDEN--( studying him keenly--amused )

T hi s i s cer tain ly n o g iant i nt el lect … o verg ro wn b oy … l ik ab le q uali ty t ho ug h …

EVANS--(u ne a sy u nd e r Marsden's eyes)

Giving me the once-over … seems like good e gg … Nina s ays he is … suppos e I ought t o say

s om et hi ng a bout hi s bo oks , b ut I c an 't e ve n r em embe r a t it le of one …

( He suddenly blurts out ) Y ou 'v e k no wn N in a- -M is s L ee ds -- ev er s in ce s he w as a k id , h av en 't y ou ?

MARSDEN--( a b it s ho rt ly) Ye s. Ho w l ong ha ve you know n h er ?

E VA NS -- We ll -- re al ly o nl y s in ce s he 's b ee n a t t he h os pi ta l, a lt ho ug h I m et h er o nc e y ea rs a go a t a P ro m





with Gordon Shaw.

MARSDEN--( indifferently) O h, y ou k ne w G or do n?

EVANS--( proudly) Sure thing! I was in his class! (with admiration amounting to hero-worship ) He

s ur e w as a w on de r, w as n' t h e?

MARSDEN--( cynically)

G or d on ub er al les and f or ever ! … I b eg in t o app reciat e t he P ro fes so r' s v iew po in t …

(casually) A fi ne boy! Did you know him wel l?

E VA NS -- No . T he c ro wd h e w en t w it h w er e m os tl y f el lo ws w ho w er e g oo d a t s po rt s- -a nd I a lw ay s

was a dud. ( forcing a smile) I was always one of the f irst to ge t bounced off the squad i n any sport. (

then with a flash of humble pride ) B ut I n ev er q ui t t ry in g, any way!

MARSDEN--( consolingly) W el l, t he s po rt h er o u su al ly d oe sn 't s ta r a ft er c ol le ge .

E V AN S -- G or d on d i d! (ea g erl y- - wi t h i n t ens e a d m ir a t i on) In the war! He was an ace! And he always

f ou gh t j us t as clean ly as h e' d p layed f oo tb al l! E ven t he H un s r es pect ed h im !

MARSDEN--( t h i nki n g cyn i ca l l y)

T hi s G or do n w or sh ip pe r m us t b e t he a pp le o f N in a' s e ye ! …

(casually) We re you in t he a rmy?

EVANS--( shamefacedly) Y es -- in fant ry -- bu t I n ev er g ot t o t he f ro nt -- never s aw any th in g excit in g. (

thinking glumly)

W on 't t el l h im I t ri ed f or f lyi ng s er vi ce … w an te d t o g et i n G or do n' s o ut fi t … c oul dn 't m ak e t he p hy si ca l

e xa m … ne ve r ma de a nyt hi ng I w ant ed … s up pos e I 'l l l os e o ut w it h N ina , t oo …

(t h en r a ll y in g h i ms e lf )

He y, y ou! … wh at 's t he ma tt er w it h yo u? … don 't qu it ! …

MARSDEN--( w ho h as b ee n s ta ri ng a t h im i nq ui si ti ve ly) How did you happen to come out he re

tonight?

E VA NS -- I w as c al li ng o n N in a w he n y ou r w ir e c am e. N ed t ho ug ht I b et te r c om e a lo ng , t oo -- mi gh t b e

o f s om e u se .

MARSDEN--( frowning ) Yo u m ea n D oc to r D ar re ll ? ( Evans nods.) Is he a clos e fr iend of yours?

EVANS--(hesitatingly) W el l, s or t of . Ro ome d i n t he s am e do rm wi th me a t c ol le ge . He wa s a s eni or

when I wa s a freshman. Used t o he lp me a long in l ots of ways. Took pity on me, I was so green. Then

a bout a yea r ago whe n I we nt to t he hos pit al t o vis it a f ell ow who' d be en i n my out fit I ra n i nt o him aga in.

(then with a grin) B ut I w ou ld n' t s ay N ed w as c lo se t o a ny on e. H e' s a dy ed -i n- th e- wo ol d oc . H e' s o nl y

c lo se t o w ha te ve r' s t he m at te r w it h y ou ! ( He chuckles--then hastily) But don' t ge t m e wr ong a bout hi m.





H e' s t he be st e gg e ve r! Yo u kno w h im, do n' t y ou?

MARSDEN--( stiffly ) B ar el y. N in a i nt ro du ce d u s o nc e. (thinking bitterly)

He 's upsta irs alone wi th her … I hoped i t woul d be I who …

EVANS--

Don't want him to get the wrong idea of Ne d … Ned's my bes t fr iend … doing all he can to he lp me

wi th Ni na … he t hinks s he 'l l ma rr y me i n t he e nd … God, i f s he onl y woul d! … I woul dn' t expe ct he r t o

love me at first … be happy only to take care of her … cook her breakfast … bring it up to her in bed

… tuc k the pillows behind her … comb her ha ir for her … I'd be happy j ust t o kis s her hair ! …

MARSDEN--( agitated--thinking suspiciously)

W ha t a re D ar re ll 's r el at io ns w it h N in a? … c lo se t o w ha t' s t he m at te r w it h h er ? … d am ne d t ho ug ht s! …

why should I care? … I'll ask this Evans … pump him while I have a chance …

(with forced indifference ) I s y ou r f ri end, t he Do ct or , " cl os e" t o M is s Le eds ? Sh e' s ha d qui te a l ot t he

m at te r w it h h er s in ce h er b re ak do wn , i f t ha t' s w ha t i nt er es ts h im ! ( He smiles casually.)

EVANS--( gives a start, awakening from his dream) O h - - er- -y es . H e' s alw ay s t ry in g t o b ul ly h er i nt o

t ak in g b et te r c ar e o f h er se lf , b ut s he o nl y l au ghs a t h im . ( soberly) It 'd be much bet te r if s he 'd t ake hi s

advice.

MARSDEN--( suspiciously) No doubt .

EVANS--( pronounces with boyish solemnity) S he i sn 't h er se lf , M r. Ma rs de n . And I t hi nk nur si ng a llt hos e poo r guy s ke ep s t he wa r be for e he r whe n s he ought t o f or ge t i t. S he ou ght t o gi ve up nur si ng a nd

be nursed for a change, that's my idea.

MARSDEN--( struck by this--eagerly) E xact ly m y o pi ni on . (thinking )

If she 'd se ttle down her e … I could come over eve ry da y … I' d nurs e he r … Mothe r home … Nina

her e … how I c oul d work t he n! …

EVANS--(thinking )

He certainly seems all for me … s o far! …

(t he n i n a s udde n f lur ry)

Shall I tell him? … he'll be like her guardian now … I've got to know how he stands …

( He starts with a solemn earnestness.) M r. Ma rs de n , I -- th er e' s s om et hi ng I o ug ht t o t el l y ou , I t hi nk .

Y ou s ee , N in a' s t al ke d a l ot a bo ut y ou. I kn ow h ow m uc h s he t hi nks o f yo u. A nd now he r o ld m an -- ( He

h e si t at e s i n c o nf u si o n.) I m ea n, h er f at he r' s d ea d- -

MARSDEN--( i n a s or t o f p an ic -- th in ki ng )

Wha t' s t hi s? … pr oposa l? … in form? … f or he r hand? … to me? … Fa the r Cha rl ie now, e h? … ha!





… God, what a fool! … does he imagine she'd ever love him? … but she might … not bad looking …

l ik ab le, i nn ocen t … s om et hi ng t o m ot her …

EVANS--(b l un de r in g o n r e ga r dl e ss n ow) I kn ow i t' s ha rd ly t he p ro pe r t im e- -

MARSDEN--( interrupting--dryly) Pe rha ps I ca n a nt ici pa te . You w ant t o t el l me you' re i n l ove wi th

Nina?

E VA NS -- Ye s, s ir , a nd I 'v e a sk ed h er t o m ar ry m e.

M AR S DE N- - Wh at d i d s h e s ay?

EVANS--( sheepishly) N ot hi ng . S he j us t s mi led.

MARSDEN--( w it h r el i ef ) Ah. (t h en h a rs h ly) W el l, w ha t c ou ld y ou e xp ec t? S ur el y y ou m us t k no w s he

still loves Gordon?

EVANS--(manfully) Su re I k now i t- -a nd I a dm ir e he r f or i t! M os t gi rl s f or ge t t oo e as il y. She ou ght t o

l ov e G or do n f or a l on g t im e ye t. A nd I k now I 'm a n a wf ul wa sh- out c om pa re d t o h im- -b ut I l ov e h er a s

muc h as he did, or a nyone could! And I 'll work my way up for he r-- I know I ca n!- -so I can give he r

e ve ry th in g s he w an ts . A nd I w ou ld n' t a sk f or a ny th in g i n r et ur n e xc ep t t he r ig ht t o t ak e c ar e o f h er . (

b l ur t s o ut c o nf u se d ly) I n ev er t hi nk o f h er -- th at w ay -- sh e' s t oo b ea ut if ul a nd w on de rf ul -- no t t ha t I d on 't

ho pe s he 'd c om e t o l ove m e i n t im e- -

MARSDEN--( sharply) And jus t wha t do you expe ct me t o do a bout all this?

EVANS--(t a ken a b a ck ) W hy -- er -- no th in g, s ir . I j us t t ho ug ht y ou o ug ht t o k no w. (S h eep i s hl y h e

glances up at ceiling, then down at floor, twiddling his hat.)

MARSDEN--( thinking--at first with a grudging appreciation and envy )

He thinks he mea ns that … pure love ! … it's easy to ta lk … he doe sn't know life … but he might be

good f or Ni na … i f s he we re m ar ri ed t o t hi s s impl et on wou ld s he be f ai thf ul ? … a nd t he n I ? … w ha t a

vi le thought ! … I don' t me an t ha t! …

(then forcing a kindly tone) Y ou s ee , t he re 's r ea ll y n ot hi ng I c an do a bout i t. (w it h a s mi le) If Nina

w il l, s he w il l- -a nd i f s he w on 't , s he w on 't . B ut I c an w is h y ou g oo d l uc k.

EVANS--(i m me d ia t el y a l l b oy i sh g r at i tu de) T ha nk s! T ha t' s d ar n f in e o f y ou , M r. Ma rs de n !

M AR SD EN -- Bu t I t hi nk w e' d b et te r l et t he s ub je ct d ro p, d on 't y ou ? W e' re f or ge tt in g t ha t h er f at he r- -

EVANS--( guiltily embarrassed ) Ye s- -s ur e- -I 'm a d am n f oo l! E xc us e m e! (The re i s t he n oi se of

steps from the hall and Doctor Edmund Darrell enters. He is twenty-seven, short, dark, wiry, his

m ov em en ts r ap id a nd s ur e, h is m an ne r c oo l a nd o bs er va nt , h is d ar k e ye s a na ly ti ca l. H is h ea d i s

handsome and intelligent. There is a quality about him, provoking and disturbing to women, of

i nt en se p as si on w hi ch h e h as r ig id ly t ra in ed h im se lf t o c on tr ol a nd s et f re e o nl y f or t he o bj ec ti ve

satisfaction of studying his own and their reactions; and so he has come to consider himself as

i mm un e t o l ov e t hr ou gh h is s ci en ti fi c u nd er st an di ng o f i ts r ea l s ex ua l n at ur e. H e s ee s E va ns a nd

Marsden , nods at Marsden silently, who returns it coldly, goes to the table and taking a

prescription pad from his pocket, hastily scratches on it.)





MARSDEN--( t h i n ki n g s n eer in g l y)

A mu si ng , t he se y ou ng d oc to rs ! … p er sp ir e w it h t he e ff or t t o a pp ea r c oo l! … w ri ti ng a p re sc ri pt io n …

c ou gh m ed ic in e f or t he c or ps e, p er ha ps ! … g oo d- lo ok in g? … m or e o r l es s … a tt ra ct iv e t o w om en , I

da re s ay. …

DARRELL--(tears it off--hands it to Evans ) H er e, S am . R un a lo ng u p t he s tr ee t a nd g et t hi s f il le d.

EVANS--(w i th r e li e f ) Sure . Gl ad of the c ha nc e for a wa lk. ( He goes out, rear.)

DARRELL--(turning toM ar sd en) I t' s f or N in a. Sh e' s go t t o ge t s om e s le ep t oni gh t. ( He sits down

a br up tl y i n t he c ha ir a t c en te r.Marsden u nc on sc i ou sl y t ak es t he P ro fe ss or 's p la ce b eh in d t he t ab le .

The two men stare at each other for a moment, Darrell with a frank probing, examining look that

ruffles Marsden and makes him all the more resentful toward him. )

ThisM ar sd en do es n' t l ike m e … t ha t' s e vi de nt … bu t h e i nt er es ts m e … r ea d hi s b ook s … wa nt ed t ok no w h is b ea ri ng o n N in a' s c as e … h is n ov el s j us t w el l- wr it te n s ur fa ce … n o d ep th , n o d ig gi ng

u nd er ne at h … w hy ? … h as t he t al en t b ut d oe sn 't d ar e … a fr ai d h e' ll m ee t h im se lf s om ew he re … o ne o f

t ho se p oo r d ev il s w ho s pe nd t he ir l iv es t ry in g n ot t o d is co ve r w hi ch s ex t he y b el on g t o! …

MARSDEN--

G iv in g m e t he f is hy , d iagn os in g eye t hey p ract ice at m ed ical s ch oo l … l ik e f resh men f ro mI ow ay

c ul ti va ti ng b ro ad A 's a t H ar va rd ! … w ha t i s h is s pe ci al ty ? … n eu ro lo gi st , I t hi nk … I h op e n ot

psychoanalyst … a lot to account for, Herr Freud! … punishment to fit his crimes, be forced to listen

etern al ly d ur in g b reak fast w hi le i nn um er ab le p lain o nes t el l h im d ream s abo ut s nakes … pah , w hat an

e as y c ur e- al l! … s ex t he p hi lo so ph er 's s to ne … " O O ed ip us , O m y k in g! T he w or ld i s a do pt in g y ou !" …

DARRELL--

Must pit ch i nto him a bout Nina … ha ve t o ha ve hi s he lp … da mn li tt le ti me to c onvinc e hi m … he' s the

ki nd you have to explode a bomb under to ge t the m to move … but not too big a bomb … they blow to

pieces easily …

(brusquely ) N ina 's gon e t o pot a ga in! N ot t ha t h er f at he r' s de at h i s a s ho ck i n t he u sua l s ens e o f g ri ef . I

w is h t o G od i t w er e! N o, i t' s a s ho ck b ec au se i t' s f in al ly c on vi nc ed h er s he c an 't f ee l a ny th in g a ny m or e.

That's what she's doing upstairs now--trying to goad herself into feeling something!

MARSDEN--( resentfully) I t hi nk y ou 'r e m is ta ke n. S he l ov ed h er f at he r- -

DARRELL--( shortly and dryly) W e c an 't w as te t im e b ei ng s en ti me nt al ,M ar sd en ! S he 'l l b e d ow n a ny

mi nu te , a nd I 've got a l ot t o t al k ov er wi th you. (asMarsden seems again about to protest ) Nina has a

r ea l a ffe ct ion f or you and I i ma gi ne you ha ve for he r. The n you' ll wa nt a s muc h a s I do to ge t he r

s tr ai gh te ne d o ut . S he 's a c or ki ng g ir l. S he o ug ht t o h av e e ve ry c ha nc e f or a h ap py l if e. (t h en s h ar p ly

d ri vi ng h is w or ds i n) B ut t he w ay s he 's c on di ti on ed n ow , t he re 's n o c ha nc e. S he 's p il ed o n t oo m an y

d es tr uc ti ve e xp er ie nc es . A f ew m or e a nd s he 'l l d iv e f or t he g ut te r j us t t o g et t he s ec ur it y t ha t c om es f ro m

k no wi ng s he 's t ou ch ed b ot to m a nd t he re 's n o f ar th er t o g o!

MARSDEN--( r ev ol te d a nd a ng ry , h al f- sp ri ng s t o h is f ee t ) L oo k h er e, D ar re ll , I 'l l b e d am ne d i f I 'l l

listen to such a ridiculous statement!





DARRELL--(cu r t l y- - w i t h a u t h or i t y) Ho w do you kn ow i t' s r id ic ul ous ? Wh at do you kn ow of Ni na

s inc e s he l eft home ? But s he ha dn' t be en nur si ng wi th us t hr ee da ys be for e I s aw s he r ea ll y ou ght t o be a

patient; and ever since then I've studied her case. So I think it's up to you to listen.

MARSDEN--( freezingly) I 'm l is teni ng . (w i th a p pr e he n si v e t e r ro r )

Gutter … has she … I wish he wouldn' t tell me! …

DARRELL--(thinking )

How much ne ed I te ll hi m? … c an' t t ell him t he ra w tr uth a bout her promi scui ty … he i sn' t buil t to f ac e

reality … no writer is outside of his books … have to tone it down for him … but not too much! …

N in a h as b ee n g iv in g w ay m or e a nd m or e t o a m or bi d l on gi ng f or m ar ty rd om . T he r ea so n f or i t i s

o bv io us . G or do n w en t away w it ho ut -- well , l et 's s ay m ar ry in g h er . T he w ar k il led h im . S he w as l ef t

s us pe nd ed . T he n s he b eg an t o b la me h er se lf a nd t o w an t t o s ac ri fi ce h er se lf a nd a t t he s am e t im e g iv eh ap pi ne ss t o v ar io us f el lo w w ar -v ic ti ms b y p re te nd in g t o l ov e t he m. I t' s a p re tt y i de a b ut i t h as n' t w or ke d

o ut . N in a' s a b ad a ct re ss . S he h as n' t c on vi nc ed t he m en o f h er l ov e- -o r h er se lf o f h er g oo d i nt en ti on s.

A nd e ac h e xp er ie nc e o f t hi s k in d h as o nl y l ef t h er m or e a p re y t o a g ui lt y c on sc ie nc e t ha n b ef or e a nd

more determined to punish herself!


What does he mean? … how far did she? … how many? …

(c o ld ly a nd s n ee r in gl y) M ay I a sk on w ha t s pe ci fi c a ct ion s o f h er s t hi s t he or y of yo ur s i s ba se d?

DARRELL--(c ol dl y i n t ur n) O n h er evi dent cravi ng t o m ak e an exh ib it io n o f k is si ng , n ecki ng ,

petting--whatever you call it--spooning in general--with any patient in the institution who got a case on

he r! (ironically--thinking )

S po on in g! … r at he r a m il d w or d f or h er a ff ai rs … b ut s tr on g e no ug h f or t hi s l ad yl ik e s ou l. …

MARSDEN--( bitterly)

He's lying! … wha t's he trying to hide? … was he one of them? … he r love r? … I mus t get her away

f rom him … get her t o mar ry Eva ns! …

(with authority) T he n s he m us tn 't g o b ac k t o y ou r h os pi ta l, t ha t' s c er ta in !

DARRELL--(quickly) You're quite right. And that brings me t o what I want you to ur ge her to do.

MARSDEN--( t h i nki n g s u s pi ci o us l y)

He d oe sn' t w an t he r b ac k … I m us t h ave b ee n w ro ng … bu t t he re mi ght b e ma ny r ea so ns w hy h e' d

wish to get rid of her …

(coldly) I t hi nk y ou exagg er at e m y i nf lu en ce.

DARRELL--(eagerly) N ot a bi t. Yo u' re t he l as t l ink c onne ct ing h er w it h t he gi rl s he us ed t o be be for e





G or do n' s d eath . Y ou 'r e clo sely ass ociated i n h er m in d w it h t hat p er io d o f h ap py s ecur it y, o f h ealt h and

peace of mind. I know that from the way she talks about you. You're the only person she still

r esp ect s- - an d r eal l y l ov es. (asMarsden starts guiltily and glances at him in confusion--with a laugh)

O h, y ou n ee dn 't l oo k f ri gh te ne d. I m ea n t he s or t o f l ov e s he 'd f ee l f or a n u nc le .


F ri ght en ed? … wa s I ? … onl y pe rs on s he l ove s … a nd t he n h e s ai d " love s he 'd f ee l f or a n unc le " …

U nc le C ha rl ie n ow ! … G od d am n h im ! …

DARRELL--(e y ei n g h i m)

Loo ks da mna bl y ups et … wa nt s t o e va de a ll r es pons ibi li ty f or h er , I s up pos e … he 's t ha t ki nd … a ll t he

better! … he'll be only too anxious to get her safely married. …

(bluntly) A nd t ha t' s why I 've done a ll t hi s ta lki ng. You' ve got t o he lp s na p he r out of th is .

MARSDEN--( bitterly) And how, if I may ask?

D AR RE LL -- Th er e' s o nl y o ne w ay I c an s ee . G et h er t o m ar ry S am E va ns .

MARSDEN--( astonished ) Evans? ( He makes a silly gesture toward the door--thinking confusedly)

Wrong again … why doe s he want her mar rie d to … it' s some t rick. …

D AR RE LL -- Ye s, E va ns . H e' s i n l ov e w it h h er . A nd i t' s o ne o f t ho se u ns el fi sh l ov es y ou r ea d a bo ut .

An d s he i s f ond of hi m. I n a m at er na l wa y, of c our se -- bu t t ha t' s j us t wh at s he ne eds no w, s ome one s he

c ar es a bo ut t o m ot he r a nd b os s a nd k ee p h er o cc up ie d. A nd s ti ll m or e i mp or ta nt , t hi s w ou ld g iv e h er achance t o h av e chi ld ren. S he's g ot t o f in d n or mal o ut lets f or h er cravi ng f or s acri fi ce. S he n eeds n or mal

l ov e o bj ec ts f or t he e mo ti on al l if e G or do n' s d ea th b lo ck ed u p i n h er . N ow m ar ry in g S am o ug ht t o d o t he

t ri ck . O ug ht t o. N at ur al ly , n o o ne can s ay f or cer tain . B ut I t hi nk h is u ns el fi sh l ov e, com bi ned w it h h er

r eal l ik in g f or h im , w il l g radu al ly g iv e h er b ack a s en se o f s ecur it y and a f eeli ng o f b ei ng w or th s om et hi ng

t o l if e a ga in , a nd o nc e s he 's go t t ha t, s he 'l l b e s ave d! ( He has spoken with persuasive feeling. He asks

anxiously) D oe sn 't t ha t s ee m go od s en se t o y ou?

MARSDEN--( suspicious--dryly non-committal ) I'm sor ry but I'm in no posi tion to sa y. I don' t know

anything about Evans, for one thing.

DARRELL--(emphatically) W el l, I do. H e' s a f in e he al thy boy , c le an a nd uns poi le d. You c an t ake m y

w or d f or t ha t. A nd I 'm c on vi nc ed h e' s g ot t he r ig ht s tu ff i n h im t o s uc ce ed , o nc e h e g ro ws u p a nd b uc kl es

dow n t o w or k. H e' s onl y a bi g ki d now , but a ll h e n ee ds i s a l it tl e s el f- conf ide nc e a nd a s ens e of

r es po ns ib il it y. H e' s h ol di ng d ow n a f ai r j ob , t oo , con si deri ng h e' s j us t s tart ed i n t he adv er ti si ng

g am e- -eno ug h t o k eep t hem l iv in g. (w it h a s li gh t s mi le) I 'm pr es cr ib ing f or S am , t oo , w he n I bo os t t hi s

wedding.

MARSDEN--( h is s no bb er y c om in g o ut ) D o y ou k no w h is f am il y- -w ha t s or t o f p eo pl e? --

DARRELL--(bitingly) I 'm n ot acq uain ted w it h t heir s ocial q uali fi cati on s, i f t hat' s w hat y ou m ean!

T hey' re u ps tate cou nt ry f ol ks -- fr ui t g ro wers and f ar mers , w el l o ff , I b el ieve. S im pl e, h ealt hy p eo pl e, I 'm

s ur e o f t hat alt ho ug h I 'v e n ev er m et t hem.





MARSDEN--( a b it s ha me fa ce dl y -- c ha ng in g t he s ub je ct h as ti l y) H av e y ou s ug ge st ed t hi s m at ch t o

Nina?

D AR RE LL -- Yes, a g oo d m an y t im es l at el y i n a h al f- jo ki ng w ay . I f I w er e s er io us s he w ou ld n' t l is ten,

s he 'd s ay I w as p re sc ri bi ng . B ut I t hi nk w ha t I 'v e s ai d h as p la nt ed i t i n h er m in d a s a p os si bi li ty .

MARSDEN--( t h i nki n g s u s pi ci o us l y)

I s t hi s D oc tor he r l ove r? … t ry in g t o pul l t he wool ove r m y e ye s? … us e me t o a rr ange a c onve ni ent

triangle for him? …

(harshly--but trying to force a joking tone ) D o y ou k no w w ha t I 'm i nc li ne d t o s us pe ct , D oc to r? T ha t

y ou m ay b e i n l ov e w it h N in a y ou rs el f!

DARRELL--(astonished ) T he de uc e you do! Wha t i n t he de vi l m ake s you t hi nk t ha t? N ot t ha t a ny ma n

m ig ht n' t f al l i n l ov e w it h N in a. M os t o f t he m d o. B ut I d id n' t h ap pe n t o. A nd w ha t' s m or e I n ev er c ou ld .

I n m y m in d s he a lw ay s b el on gs t o G or do n. I t' s p ro ba bl y a r ef le ct io n o f he r o wn s il ly f ix ed i de a a bo ut h im .( suddenly, dryly and harshly) A nd I c oul dn' t s ha re a w om an -- ev en w it h a g ho st ! (t h i nki n g cyn i ca l l y)

N ot t o m ent ion t he l ivi ng who ha ve ha d he r! … Sa m doe sn' t kno w a bout t he m … a nd I 'l l be t h e c oul dn' t

believe it of her even if she confessed! …

MARSDEN--( thinking baffledly)

W ron g a ga in! … h e i sn 't l yi ng … bu t I f ee l h e' s hi di ng s om et hi ng … w hy d oe s h e s pe ak s o r es en tf ul ly o f

G or do n' s m em or y? … w hy d o I s ym pa th iz e? …

(i n a s tr an ge m oc ki ng i ro ni c t on e) I c an q ui te a pp re ci at e y ou r f ee li ng a bo ut G or do n. I w ou ld n' t c ar et o s hare w it h a g ho st -l ov er m ys el f. T hat s peci es o f d ead i s s o i nv ul nerabl y ali ve! E ven a d octo r cou ld n' t

kil l one , e h? ( He forces a laugh--then in a friendly confidential tone) G or don i s t oo e gr eg iou s f or a

g ho st . T ha t w as t he w ay N in a' s f at he r f el t a bo ut h im , t oo . ( suddenly reminded of the dead man--in

penitently sad tones) ,Y ou d id n' t k no w h er f at her, d id y ou ? A charm in g o ld f el lo w!

DARRELL--(h ea ri ng a n oi se f ro m t he h al l- -w ar ni ng ly)Sstt ! ( Nina enters slowly. She looks from

o ne to t he ot he r w it h a q ue er , q ui c k, i nq ui s it i ve st ar e , b ut he r f ac e i s a p al e e xp re s si on le s s m as k

dr ai ne d of al l e mo ti on al r es po ns e t o h um an c ont ac ts . I t i s as i f h er e ye s we re ac ti ng on t he ir o wn

a cc ou nt a s r es tl es s, p ry in g, r ec or di ng i ns tr um en ts . T he t wo m en h av e r is en a nd s ta re a t h er

an xi ous ly . Da rr el l m ov es ba ck a nd t o one s id e u nt il he i s s tan di ng i n r el at iv el y t he s ame pl ac e asMarsden h ad o cc up ie d i n t he p re vi ou s s ce ne w hi leMarsden i s i n he r f at he r' s pl ac e a nd s he s tops

w h er e sh e h a d b een . T h er e i s a p a us e. T h en j u s t a s ea ch of t h e m en i s a b o ut t o s pea k, s he a n s wer s

as if they had asked a question.)

N I N A - - (i n a q ue e r f l at v oi c e) Y es , h e' s d ea d- -m y f at he r- -w ho se p as si on c re at ed m e- -w ho b eg an

me -- he i s e nde d. The re i s o nl y h is e nd l ivi ng -- hi s d ea th. I t l iv es no w t o dr aw n ea re r m e, t o d ra w me

n ea re r, t o be com e m y e nd ! (then with a strange twisted smile ) Ho w we po or mo nke ys h ide f ro m

o ur selv es b eh in d t he s ou nd s call ed w or ds !

MARSDEN--( thinking frightenedly)

How terrible she is! … who is s he? … not my Nina ! …





(a s i f t o r ea ss ur e h im se lf -- ti mi dl y) Nina! ( Darrell makes an impatient gesture for him to let her go

on. What s he is saying i nte rest s him and he f eels talking it out will do her good. She looks at

Marsden for a moment startledly a s i f s he c ou ld n' t r ec og ni ze h im .)

N I NA - -W h at ? (t he n p la ci ng h im -- wi th r ea l a ff ec ti on t ha t i s l ik e a g al li ng g oa d t o h im) Dear old

Charlie!

MARSDEN--

D ea r d am ne d Ch ar li e! … Sh e l ov es t o t or tur e! …

(t h en f o rc i ng a s m il e -- s oo t hi n gl y) Y es , Ni na Ca ra Ni na ! R ig ht he re !

N I N A - - ( forcing a smile) Y ou l oo k f ri gh te ne d, C ha rl ie . D o I s ee m q ue er ? I t' s b ec au se I 'v e s ud de nl y

s een t he l i es i n t he s ou nd s cal l ed w or ds . Y ou k no w- -g ri ef , s or r ow , l ov e, f at her- - th os e s ou nd s o ur l i ps

m ak e a nd o ur h an ds w ri te . Y ou o ug ht t o k no w w ha t I m ea n. Y ou w or k w it h t he m. H av e y ou w ri tt en

a no th er n ov el l at el y? B ut , s to p t o t hi nk , y ou 'r e j us t t he o ne w ho c ou ld n' t k no w w ha t I m ea n. W it h y ou t hel ies h av e b ecom e t he o nl y t ru th fu l t hi ng s. A nd I s up po se t hat' s t he l og ical con cl us io n t o t he w ho le evasi ve

m es s, i sn 't i t? D o y ou u nd er st an d m e, C ha rl ie ? S ay l ie -- (S he s ay s i t, dr aw in g i t ou t.) L -i- i- e! N ow s ay

l if e. L- i- i- f- e! Y ou s ee ! Li fe i s j us t a l on g d ra wn ou t l ie w it h a s ni ff li ng s ig h a t t he e nd! (S he l a ug hs .)

MARSDEN--( i n s t ra ng e a go ny)

She 's ha rd! … li ke a w hore ! … t ea ri ng your he ar t wi th di rty fi nge r na il s! … m y Ni na ! … c rue l bi tc h! …

s ome d ay I w on' t b ea r i t! … I 'l l s cr ea m o ut t he t rut h a bo ut e ve ry w om an ! … no ki nde r a t h ea rt t ha n

d ol la r t ar ts ! …

(t he n i n a pas si on of r emor se)

F or gi ve m e, M ot he r! … I di dn 't m ea n a ll ! …

DARRELL--(a b i t w or r ie d h i ms e lf n ow - -p e rs u as i ve l y) Why not si t down, Nina, and le t us two

gentlemen sit down?

N I N A - - ( smiling at him swiftly and mechanically) Oh, all r ight, Ne d. (Sh e s it s a t c ent er . H e c om es

an d s it s on t he b en ch.Marsden sits by the table. She continues sarcastically.) A re y ou p re sc ri bi ng f or

m e a ga in , N ed? T hi s i s m y p et d oc to r, C ha rl ie . H e c ou ld n' t b e h ap py i n h ea ve n u nl es s G od c al le d h im i n

because He'd caught something! Did you ever know a young scientist, Charlie? He believes if you pick al ie t o p ie ce s, t he pi ec es a re t he t ru th! I l ike hi m be ca us e he 's s o i nhum an. B ut onc e he ki ss ed m e- -i n a

mo me nt of c ar na l we ak ne ss ! I w as a s s ta rt le d a s i f a m umm y h ad d one i t! A nd t he n he l ooke d s o

d is gu st ed w it h h im self ! I h ad t o l au gh ! (Sh e s mi le s a t h im wi th a p it yi ng s cor n.)

DARRELL--( good-naturedly smiling ) That 's ri ght! Rub it i n! (ruffled but amused in spite of it )

I 'd f or got te n a bou t t ha t k is s … I wa s s or e a t m ys el f a ft er wa rds … s he w as s o da mn ed i ndi ff er ent ! …

N I N A - - (wanderingly ) Do you know wha t I wa s doing ups tair s? I was tr ying to pray. I tr ied hard t o

pray to the modern science God. I thought of a million light years to a spiral nebula--one other universe

amo ng i nn um er ab le o th er s. B ut h ow cou ld t hat G od car e abo ut o ur t ri fl in g m is er y o f d eath -b or n- of -b ir th ?

I c ou ld n' t b el ie ve i n H im , a nd I w ou ldn 't i f I c ou ld ! I 'd r at he r i mi ta te H is i nd if fe re nc e a nd p rov e I h ad t ha t

o ne t ra it a t l ea st i n c om mo n!





MARSDEN--( worriedly ) N ina , why d on' t you l ie down?

N I N A - - ( jeeringly) O h, l et m e t al k, C ha rl ie ! T he y' re o nl y w or ds , r em em be r! S o m an ymany w or ds h av e

jammed up into thoughts in my poor head! You'd better let them overflow or they'll burst the dam! I

want ed to belie ve in a ny God a t any pric e--a heap of stone s, a mud i ma ge, a dra wi ng on a wal l, a bird, a

f is h, a s na ke , a b ab oo n- -o r e ve n a g oo d m an p re ac hi ng t he s im pl e p la ti tu de s o f t ru th , t ho se G os pe lw or ds we l ove t he s oun d of b ut w ho se m ea ni ng we p as s o n t o s po oks t o l iv e by !

MARSDEN--( again--half-rising--frightenedly) Nina! You ought to stop talking. You'll work yourself

into--( He glances angrily at Darrell as if demanding that, as a doctor, he do something.)

N I N A - - (w i th b i tt e r h op e le s sn e ss) O h, a ll r igh t!

DARRELL--(a ns w er i ng h i s l o ok - -t h in k in g )

You poor fool! … it' ll do her good to talk this out of her system … and then it'll be up t o you to bri ngher a round t o Sa m …

( starts toward the door ) T hi nk I 'l l go o ut a nd s tr et ch m y l eg s.

MARSDEN--( t h in k in g- - in a p an i c)

I don' t wa nt to be a lone wi th he r! … I don' t know her ! … I 'm a fra id! …

( protestingly) W ell - -b ut - -h ol d o n- - I' m s u re N i na w ou l d r ath er - -

N I N A - - (dully) Le t hi m go. I 've s ai d e ve ryt hi ng I c an e ve r s ay- -t o hi m. I w ant t o t al k t o yo u, Ch ar li e. ( Darrell goes out noiselessly with a meaning look at Marsden - - a p au s e.)

MARSDEN--( t h i n kin g t r em b li n g l y)

Here … now … what I hoped … she and I alone … she will cry … I will comfort her … why am I so

afraid? … whom do I fear? … is it she? … or I? …

N I N A - - ( suddenly, with pity yet with scorn) W hy h av e y ou a lw ay s b ee n s o t im id , C ha rl ie ? W hy a re

y ou a lw ay s a fr ai d? W ha t a re y ou a fr ai d o f?

MARSDEN--( t hi nk in g i n a p an ic)

Sh e s ne ak ed i nt o m y s oul t o s py ! …

(t h en b ol d ly)

We ll the n, a li ttl e t rut h for once i n a wa y! …

(timidly) I 'm a fr ai d o f- -o f l if e, N in a.

N I N A - - (n o dd i ng s l o wl y) I know. (a f te r a p a us e -- q ue e r ly) Th e m is ta ke be ga n w he n G od w as c re at ed

i n a m al e i ma ge . O f c ou rs e, w om en w ou ld s ee H im t ha t w ay , b ut m en s ho ul d h ave b ee n g ent le me n

e no ug h, r em em be ri ng t he ir m ot he rs , t o m ak e G od a w om an ! B ut t he G od o f G od s- -t he B os s- -h as





a lw ay s b ee n a m an . T ha t m ak es l if e s o p er ve rt ed , a nd d ea th s o u nn at ur al . W e s ho ul d h av e i ma gi ne d l if e

a s c re at ed i n t he b ir th -p ai n o f G od t he M ot he r. T he n w e w ou ld u nd er st an d w hy w e, H er c hi ld re n, h av e

i nhe ri te d p ai n, f or w e w oul d k no w t ha t ou r l if e' s r hyt hm b ea ts f ro m H er g re at h ea rt , t or n w it h t he a go ny

o f l ov e a nd b ir th . A nd w e w ou ld f ee l t ha t d ea th m ea nt r eu ni on w it h H er , a p as si ng b ac k i nt o H er

s ub st an ce , b lo od o f H er b lo od a ga in , pe ac e o f H er p ea ce ! ( Marsdenhas been listening to her

fascinatedly . Sh e g iv es a s tr an ge l it tl e l au gh.) N ow w ou ld n' t t hat b e m or e l og ical and s at is fy in g t han

h av in g G od a m al e w ho se c he st t hu nd er s w it h e go ti sm a nd i s t oo h ar d f or t ir ed h ea ds a nd t ho rou gh lycomfortless? Wouldn't it, Charlie?

MARSDEN--( w it h a s tr an ge p as si on at e e ag er ne ss ) Y es ! I t w ou ld , i nd ee d! I t w ou ld , N in a!

N I N A - - ( suddenly jumping to her feet and going to him--with a horrible moaning desolation) Oh,

God, Cha rl ie , I wa nt to be li eve i n s om et hi ng! I wa nt t o be li eve s o I c an f ee l! I w ant t o f ee l t ha t he i s

d ea d- -m y f at he r! A nd I c an 't f ee l a ny th in g, C ha rl ie ! I c an 't f ee l a ny thi ng a t a ll ! (S he t hr ow s h er se lf o n

he r k ne es be si de h im and hi de s h er f ac e i n he r han ds on hi s k ne es a nd be gi ns t o s ob- -s ti fl ed t or n

sounds.)

MARSDEN--( b en ds d ow n, p at s h er h ea d w it h t re mb li ng h an ds , s oo th es h er w it h u nc er ta in

t r e mb l in g w o rd s) There--there--don't--Nina, please--don't cry--you'll make yourself sick--come

n ow -- g et u p- - do ! ( His hands grasping her arms he half raises her to her feet, but, her face still

hi dde n i n he r hands , s obbing, s he s li ps on t o hi s l ap l ik e a l it tl e gi rl and hide she r f ac e o n hi s

shoulder. His expression becomes transported with a great happiness. In an ecstatic whisper )

As I dr ea me d … wi th a de epe r s we etne ss ! …

( He kisses her hair with a great reverence.)

There … this is all my desire … I am this kind of lover … this is my love … she is my girl … not woman… my little girl … and I am brave because of her little girl's pure love … and I am proud … no more

a fr ai d … no mo re a sha me d of be ing pur e! …

( He kisses her hair again tenderly and smiles at himself. Thenso ot hi ng ly w it h a t e as i ng

i n con g r uo u s g a i ety) T hi s wi ll ne ve r d o,

N in a C ar a N in a- -n ev er , n ev er d o, y ou k no w- -I c an 't p er mi t i t!

N I N A - - (i n a m uf fl ed v oi ce , h er s ob bi ng b eg in ni ng t o e bb a wa y i nt o s ig hs -- in a y ou ng g ir l' s v oi ce)

O h, C ha rl ie , y ou 'r e s o k in d a nd c om fo rt in g! I 'v e w an te d y ou s o!

MARSDEN--( i m m edi a t el y d i s t ur b ed )

Wa nt ed? … wa nte d? … not t hat kind of wa nt ed … ca n she mea n? …

(q u es ti o n in g h es i ta t i ng l y) Y ou 'v e w an te d m e, N in a?

N IN A- -Y es ,- -a wf ul ly ! I 'v e b ee n s o h om es ic k. I 'v e w an te d t o r un h om e a nd ' fe ss u p, t el l h ow b ad I 'v e

been, and be punished! Oh, I've got to be punished, Charlie, out of mercy for me, so I can forgive

m ys el f! A nd n ow F at he r d ea d, t he re 's o nl y y ou . Y ou w il l, w on 't y ou -- or t el l m e h ow t o p un is h m ys el f?

Y ou 'v e s im pl y go t t o, i f yo u l ov e m e!

MARSDEN--( t h i n kin g i n t en sel y)





If I love her! … oh, I do love her! …

(eagerly) Anything you wish, Nina--anything!

N I N A - - (w it h a c om fo rt ed s mi le , c lo si ng h er e ye s a nd c ud dl in g u p a ga in st h im) I kne w you wo ul d.

D ea r o ld C ha rl ie ! (as he gi ve s a w in ci ng s tar t ) What is it? (Sh e l oo ks u p i nt o h is f ac e.)

MARSDEN--( forcing a smile--ironically) Twinge--rheumatics--getting old, Nina. (thinking with wild

agony )

D ea r o ld C ha rl ie ! … d es ce nd ed a ga in i nt o h el l! …

(then in a flat voice) W ha t d o y ou w an t t o be p un is he d f or , N in a?

N I N A - - (in a strange, far-away tone, looking up not at him but at the ceiling ) F or p layi ng t he s il ly

s lu t, C ha rl ie . F or g ivi ng m y c oo l c le an b od y t o m en w it h ho t h an ds a nd g re ed y e ye s w hi ch t he y c al le dl ov e! U gh ! ( A shiver runs over her body.)

MARSDEN--( thinking with sudden agony )

Th en s he di d! … t he l it tl e f il th ! …

(i n h is f la t v oi ce) Yo u me an y ou -- (t h en p l ead i n gl y) B ut n ot -- Dar rell ?

N I N A - - (w i th s i mp l e s u rp r is e) N ed? N o, ho w c ou ld I ? The w ar ha dn' t ma ime d h im . The re wou ld ha ve

been no point in that. But I did with others--oh, four or five or six or seven men, Charlie. I forget--and it

doe sn' t m at te r. The y we re a ll t he s am e. Cou nt t he m a ll a s one , a nd t ha t one a gho st of not hi ng. Tha t i s, t om e. T hey w er e i mp or tant t o t hems el ves, i f I r em em ber r ig ht ly . B ut I f or get.


B ut w hy ? … t he di rt y l it tl e t ro ll op ! … w hy ? …

(i n h is f la t v oi ce) Wh y di d yo u do t hi s, N ina ?

N I N A - - (wi th a s ad l it tl e l aug h) G od k no ws , Ch ar li e! Pe rha ps I k ne w a t t he t im e b ut I 've f or go tt en.

I t' s a ll m ix ed u p. Th er e w as a de si re t o b e k in d. B ut i t' s h or ri bl y h ar d t o g iv e a ny th in g, a nd f ri ght ful t or ecei ve! A nd t o g iv e l ov e- -o neself -- no t i n t hi s w or ld ! A nd m en are d if fi cu lt t o p leas e, C harl ie. I s eemed

t o f ee l G or do n s ta nd in g a ga in st a w al l w it h e ye s b an da ge d a nd t he se m en w er e a f ir in g s qu ad w ho se e ye s

we re al so ba nda ged- -a nd onl y I c oul d s ee! No, I wa s t he bl indes t! I woul d not se e! I kne w it wa s a

s tu pi d, m or bi d b us in es s, t ha t I w as m or e m ai me d t ha n t he y w er e, r ea ll y, t ha t t he w ar h ad b lo wn m y h ea rt

and i ns id es o ut ! A nd I k new t oo t hat I w as t or tu ri ng t hese t or tu red m en , m or bi dl y s up er -s en si ti ve

a lr ea dy , t ha t t he y l oa th ed t he c rue l mo cke ry of m y gi ft ! Ye t I ke pt on , f ro m one t o one , l ik e a s tupi d,

dr iv en a ni ma l u nt il on e n ig ht n ot l on g a go I h ad a dr ea m o f Go rd on di vi ng d ow n o ut o f t he s ky i n f la me s

a nd h e l oo ke d a t m e w it h s uc h s ad b ur ni ng e ye s, a nd a ll m y p oo r m ai me d m en , t oo , s ee me d s ta ri ng o ut

of hi s eye s wi th a bur ni ng pa in, a nd I woke up c rying, my own e ye s burni ng. The n I s aw wha t a f ool I 'd

been--a guilty fool! So be kind and punish me!

MARSDEN--( thinking with bitter confusion )





I wi sh s he ha dn' t t ol d me t hi s … i t ha s ups et me t er ribl y! … I pos iti ve ly mus t r un home a t onc e …

Mot he r i s wa it ing up … oh, how I 'd l ove t o ha te t hi s l it tl e whor e! … t he n I c oul d puni sh! … I wi sh he r

f at he r we re a li ve … " now he 's de ad t he re 's on ly y ou, " s he s ai d … " I' ve wa nt ed y ou, " …

(w i th i n te n s e b i tt e r ne s s)

Dea r old Fa ther Cha rli e now! … ha ! … that 's how she wa nt s me! …

(then suddenly in a matter-of-fact tone that is mockingly like her father's ) T he n, u nd er t he

c ir cu ms ta nc es , h av in g w ei gh ed t he p ro s a nd c on s, s o t o s pe ak , I s ho ul d s ay t ha t d ec id ed ly t he m os t

desirable course--

N I N A - - (d ro ws i ly - -h e r e y es s h ut ) Y ou s ou nd s o l ik e F at he r, C ha rl ie .

MARSDEN--( in the tone like her father's )--i s f or you t o ma rry t ha t young Eva ns . He is a s ple ndi d

c ha p, c le an a nd bo yi sh , w it h r ea l s tuf f i n h im , t oo , t o m ake a c ar ee r f or hi ms el f i f h e f in ds a h el pm ee t w ho

w il l i ns pi re h im t o h is b es t eff or ts and b ri ng h is l at en t abi li ty t o t he s ur face.

N I N A - - (drowsily) Sam is a ni ce boy. Yes , i t would be a ca ree r f or me t o bri ng a ca re er t o his s ur fa ce .

I w ou ld b e b us y- -s ur fa ce l if e- -n o m or e d ep th s, p le as e G od ! B ut I d on 't l ov e h im , F at he r.

MARSDEN--( b la nd ly -- in t he t on e l ik e h er f at he r 's) But you l ike him, Ni na . And he love s you

d ev ot ed ly . A nd i t' s t im e y ou w er e h av in g chi ld ren- -and w hen chi ld ren com e, l ov e com es , y ou k no w.

N I N A - - (drowsily) I w ant c hi ldr en. I mus t be come a mot he r s o I c an gi ve m ys el f. I a m s ic k of s ic kne ss .

MARSDEN--( briskly) T he n i t' s a ll s et tl ed ?

N I N A - - (drowsily) Yes. (v e ry s l ee pi l y) T ha nk y ou, Fa the r. Y ou 'v e be en s o k ind . Y ou 've l et m e of f t oo

e as il y. I d on 't f ee l a s i f y ou 'd p un is he d m e h ar dl y a t a ll . B ut I 'l l n ev er , n ev er d o i t a ga in , I p ro mi se -- ne ve r,

never!--(She f al ls a sl ee p a nd gi ve s a s of t l it tl e s nor e.)

MARSDEN--( still in her father's tones--very paternally--looking down) She's had a hard day of it,

poor child! I'll carry her up to her room. ( He rises to his feet with Nina sleeping peacefully in his

arms. At this moment Sam Evans enters from the right with the package of medicine in his hand. )

EVANS--( grinning respectfully) H er e' s t he -- (as he sees Nina) Oh! (then excitedly) D id s he f ai nt ?

MARSDEN--( smiling kindly at Evans--still in her father's tones) Ss sh ! S he 's a sl ee p. S he c ri ed a nd

t hen s he f el l asl eep- -l ik e a l it tl e g ir l. (t h en b en i gn a n t ly) But f ir st we spoke a word about you, Eva ns, and

I 'm s ur e yo u h av e e ve ry r ea son t o h op e.

EVANS--(o ve rc om e, h is e ye s o n h is s hu ff li ng f ee t a nd t wi dd li ng c ap) T han ks - -I - -I r eal l y d on 't

k no w h ow t o t ha nk --

MARSDEN--( going to door--in his own voice now) I' ve got t o go home . M y mot he r is wa it ing up f or

m e. I 'l l j us t c ar ry N in a u ps ta ir s a nd p ut h er o n h er b ed a nd t hr ow s om et hi ng o ve r h er .

E VA NS -- Ca n' t I h el p y ou , M r. Ma rs de n ?

MARSDEN--( dully) N o. I c ann ot h el p my se lf . ( As Evans looks puzzled and startled he adds with





a n i r on i ca l , s e lf - mo c ki n g g e ni a li t y) You' d be tt er c al l m e j us t Ch ar li e a ft er t hi s. ( He smiles bitterly to

hi ms el f as h e goe s out .)

EVANS--(l oo ks a ft e r h im f or a m om e nt - -t he n c an no t r e st ra in a j oy f ul , c ol ti s h c ap er - -g le ef ul l y)

G oo d e gg ! G oo d o ld C ha rl ie ! ( As if he had heard or guessed,Marsden's bitter laugh comes back

from the end of the hallway. )

(Curtain)

ACT THREE

SCENE-- Seven months or so later--the dining room of the Evans' homestead in northern New

Yo rk s tat e- -ab ou t n ine o 'c loc k i n t he m or ni ng o f a da y i n l at e s pr ing o f t he f ol low in g y ea r.

T he r oo m i s o ne o f t ho se b ig ,m is pr op or ti on ed d in in g r oo ms t hat are f ou nd i n t he l ar ge, j ig saw cou nt ry

h ou se s s ca tt er ed a ro un d t he c ou nt ry a s a r es ul t o f t he r ur al t as te f or g ra nd eu r i n t he e ig ht ie s. T he re i s a

cum bers om e h an gi ng l am p s us pend ed f ro m chain s o ver t he exact cen ter o f t he u gl y t ab le w it h i ts s et o f

s tr aig ht -b acked chair s s et b ack at s paced i nt erv al s agai ns t t he w al l s. T he w al l p ap er , a r ep ul si ve b ro wn ,

i s s ta in ed a t t he c ei li ng l in e w it h d am p b lo tc he s o f m il de w, a nd h er e a nd t he re h as s ta rt ed t o p ee l b ac k

wh er e t he s tr ips j oi n. Th e f loo r i s c ar pe te d i n a s me ar y br own wi th a da rk r ed d es ign bl ur re d i nt o i t. I n

t he l ef t w al l i s o ne w in do w w it h s ta rc he d w hi te c ur ta in s l oo ki ng o ut o n a c ov er ed s id e p or ch , s o t ha t n o

s unl ight e ve r g et s t o t hi s r oo m a nd t he l igh t f ro m t he wi ndo w, a lt hou gh i t i s a be aut if ul w ar m da y i n t hef lo we r g ar de n be yon d t he po rc h, i s c he er le ss a nd s ic kl y. T he re i s a doo r i n t he r ea r, t o l ef t of c ent er , t ha t

l ea ds t o a h al l op en ing on t he s am e p or ch. To t he r ig ht o f do or a he avy s id eb oa rd, a p ar t o f t he s et ,

d is pl ay in g s om e " co mp an y" chi na and g lass ware. I n t he r ig ht w al l, a d oo r l eadi ng t o t he k it ch en .

Ni na i s s ea te d a t t he f oo t o f t he t abl e, he r ba ck t o t he wi ndow , wr it ing a l et te r. He r w hol e pe rs on al it y

s ee ms c ha ng ed , h er f ac e h as a c on te nt ed e xp re ss io n, t he re i s a n i nn er c al m a bo ut h er . A nd h er p er so na l

a pp ea ra nc e h as c ha ng ed i n k in d, h er f ac e a nd f ig ur e ha ve f il le d o ut , s he i s p re tt ie r i n a c on ve nt io na l w ay

and l es s s tr ik in g and u nu su al ; n ot hi ng r em ai ns o f t he s tr an ge f as ci nati on o f h er f ace excep t h er

unchangeably mysterious eyes.

N I N A - - (reading what she has just written over to herself )

I t' s a q ue er h ou se , N ed . T he re i s s om et hi ng w ro ng w it h i ts p sy ch e, I 'm s ur e. T he re fo re y ou 'd s im pl y

ado re i t. I t' s a h id eo us o ld p lace, a f ad ed g in ger br ead w it h o rang efixi n's and n um er ou s l ig ht ni ng r od s.

A ro un d i t a re a cr es a nd a cr es o f a ppl e t re es i n f ul l b lo om , a ll w hi te a nd p in ki sh a nd b ea ut if ul , l ik e b ri de s

just tripping out of church with the bridegroom, Spring, by the arm.

W hi ch r em in ds m e, N ed , t ha t i t' s o ve r s ix m on th s s in ce S am a nd I w er e m ar ri ed a nd w e h av en 't s ee n

hi de nor ha ir of you s inc e t he c er em ony. Do you thi nk tha t i s any ni ce way t o a ct? Y ou m ight a t le as t

dr op m e a li ne . But I 'm onl y j oki ng. I know how bus y you mus t b e now t ha t you' ve got t he c ha nc e you' ve

a lw ay s w an te d t o d o r es ea rc h w or k. D id y ou g et o ur j oi nt l et te r o f c on gr at ul at io n w ri tt en a ft er w e r ea d o f





your appointment?

B ut t o ge t ba ck t o thi s h ous e. I f ee l i t ha s l os t i ts s oul and gr own r es igne d t o doing wi thout i t. I t i sn' t

h au nt ed b y a ny th in g a t a ll -- an d g ho st s o f s om e s or t a re t he o nl y n or ma l l if e a h ous e h as -- li ke o ur m in ds ,

y ou k no w. S o alt ho ug h l as t eveni ng w hen w e g ot h er e at f ir st I s ai d " ob vi ou sl y h au nt ed " t o m ys el f, n ow

t ha t I 'v e s pe nt on e ni ght i n i t I k no w t ha t wh at ev er s poo ks t he re m ay o nc e h ave b ee n h av e pa cke d u p

t he ir m an if es ta ti on s a l on g t im e a go a nd d ri ft ed a wa y o ve r t he g ra ss , w is ps o f m is t b et we en t he a pp let re es , w it ho ut o ne b ac kw ar d g la nc e o f r eg re t o r r ec ol le ct io n. I t' s i nc re di bl e t o t hi nk S am w as b or n a nd

s pe nt hi s c hi ldhood he re . I 'm gl ad he do es n' t s ho w i t! We s le pt l as t ni ght i n t he r oom he wa s bor n i n. O r

r at her he sl ept, I c oul dn't . I l ay a wa ke a nd found it dif fic ult t o br eat he , as i f al l the li fe i n t he a ir ha d long

s in ce b een exh au st ed i n k eepi ng t he d yi ng l iv in g a l it tl e l on ger. I t w as h ar d t o b el ieve any on e h ad ever

been born alive there. I know you're saying crossly "She's still morbid" but I'm not. I've never been more

n or mal. I f eel con tent ed and p laci d.

(looking up from the letter, thinking embarrassedly )

Should I have t old him? … no … my own secret … tell no one … not even Sa m … why haven' t I toldSam? … it'd do him so much good … he'd feel so proud of himself, poor dear … no … I want to keep

it just my baby … only mine … as long as I can … and it will be time enough to let Ned know when I go

t o Ne w Y or k … h e c an s ugg es t a go od ob st et ri ci an … ho w de li ght ed h e' ll be wh en h e he ar s! … he

always said it would be the best thing for me … well, I do feel happy when I think … and I love Sam

now … in a way … it will be his baby too …

(then with a happy sigh, turns back to letter )

B ut s peak in g o f S am 's b ir th , y ou r eall y m us t m eet h is m ot her s om et im e. I t' s amazi ng h ow l it tl e s he i s l ik e

h im , a s tr an ge w om an f ro m t he b it I s aw o f he r l as t n ig ht . S he ha s b ee n w ri ti ng S am r eg ul ar ly o nc e a

w ee k e ve r s in ce s he 's k no wn w e w er e m ar ri ed , t he m os t u rg en t i nv it at io ns t o v is it h er . T he y w er e r ea ll ym or e l ik e c om ma nd s, o r p ra ye rs . I s us pe ct s he i s t er ri bl y l on el y a ll b y h er se lf i n t hi s b ig h ou se . S am 's

f eeli ng t ow ar d h er p uzzl es m e. I d on 't b el ieve h e ever m en ti on ed h er u nt il h er l et ters b eg an com in g o r t hat

he 'd e ve r ha ve c om e t o s ee t he p oo r wo ma n i f I h ad n' t i ns is te d. H is a tt it ud e r at he r s hoc ke d m e. I t w as

just as though he'd forgotten he had a mother. And yet as soon as he saw her he was sweet enough. She

s ee me d d re ad fu ll y u ps et t o s ee C ha rl ie w it h u s, u nt il w e' d e xpl ai ne d i t w as t ha nk s t o h is ki nd ne ss a nd i n

h is c ar w e w er e t ak in g t hi s d ef er re d h on ey mo on . C ha rl ie 's l ik e a f us sy o ld w om an a bo ut h is c ar , h e' s

afr aid to l et Sa m or me drive it--

MARSDEN--( e nt er s f ro m t he r ear . H e i s s pr uc e, dr es se d i mm ac ul at el y, hi s f ac e a b it t ir ed and

r es ig ne d, b ut s mi li ng k in dl y. H e h as a l et te r i n h is h an d.) G oo d m or ni ng . (She gives a start and instinctively covers the letter with her hand.)

N I NA - -G oo d m or n in g. (thinking amusedly)

I f h e kn ew w ha t I 'd j us t w ri tt en … p oo r ol d Ch ar li e! …

(t he n i nd ic at in g t he l et te r h e c ar ri es) I s ee y ou 'r e a n e ar ly c or re sp on de nt , t oo .

MARSDEN--( w i th s u dd e n j e al o us s u sp i ci o n)

Why did she cover it up like that? … whom is she writing to? …

(coming toward her ) J us t a l in e t o M ot he r t o l et h er kno w we 've no t a ll be en m ur de re d b y r um -ba ndi ts .





Y ou k no w h ow s he w or ri es .

N I N A - - (thinking with a trace of pitying contempt )

Apr on st rings … st il l hi s devot ion t o her is t ouching … I hope if mi ne is a boy he wi ll l ove me a s much

… oh, I hope it is a boy … healt hy and strong a nd beautiful … like Gordon! …

(t h en s u dd e nl y s e ns i ng Marsden's curiosity--perfunctorily) I 'm w ri ti ng t o N ed D ar re ll . I 'v e o we d h im

one f or a ges . (She f olds i t up and puts it as ide.)

MARSDEN--( thinking glumly)

I t ho ug ht s he 'd f or go tt en h im … s ti ll I s up po se i t' s j us t f ri en dl y … a nd i t' s n on e o f m y b us in es s no w s he 's

m ar ri ed. …

( perfunctorily) H ow di d y ou s le ep?

N IN A- -N ot a w in k. I h ad t he s tr an ge st f ee li ng .

M AR SD EN -- Sl ee pi ng i n a s tr an ge b ed , I s up po se . ( jokingly ) Di d you s ee a ny gho st s?

N I N A - - (wi th a s ad s mi le) N o, I got t he f ee lin g t he ghos ts ha d a ll de se rt ed th e hous e a nd le ft i t w it hou t

a s ou l- -a s t he d ea d s o o ft en l ea ve t he l iv in g- -( she forces a little laugh) if you get what I mean.

MARSDEN--( t h i n ki n g w o r r i ed l y)

S li pp in g b ac k i nt o t ha t m or bi d t on e … f ir st t im e i n a l ong wh il e …

(teasingly) H el lo ! D o I h ea r g ra ve ya rd s y aw ni ng f ro m t he ir s le ep -- an d y et I o bs er ve i t' s a g or ge ou s

m or ni ng w it ho ut , t he f lo wers are f lo weri ng , t he t rees are t reei ng w it h o ne ano th er , and y ou , i f I m is take

n ot , are o n y ou r h on ey mo on !

N I N A - - (i m me d ia t el y g a il y m o ck i ng ) Oh , v er y w el l, o ld t hi ng ! " God 's i n hi s he av en , a ll 's r ig ht wi th t he

w or ld! " An dP ip pa 's c ur ed o f t he p ip ! (S he d an ce s u p t o hi m.)

MARSDEN--( gallantly)Pippa is certainly a pippin this morning!

N I N A - - (k is se s h im q ui ck ly) You d es er ve one f or t ha t! A ll I me ant w as t ha t ghos ts r em ind me of me n' ss ma rt c ra ck a bo ut w om en , y ou c an' t l iv e w it h t he m a nd c an 't l iv e w it ho ut t he m. ( stands still and looks

a t h im t e as in gl y) B ut t he re y ou s ta nd p ro vi ng m e a l ia r b y e ve ry b re at h y ou d ra w! Y ou 'r eg hos tl es s a nd

w om an le ss -- and a s s le ek a nd s at is fi ed a s a pe t s ea l! (She sticks out her tongue at him and makes a

face of superior scorn.) B ah ! T ha t f or y ou , ' Fr ai d- ca t C ha rl ie , y ou s la ck er b ac he lo r! (She runs to the

kitchen door.) I' m go ing t o bum s ome mor e c of fe e! Ho w a bo ut you?

MARSDEN--( w it h a f or ce d s mi le) No, thank you. (She disappears into the kitchen. Thinking with

b i tt e r p a in)

G ho st le ss ! … i f s he o nl y k ne w … t ha t j ok in g t on e h id es h er r ea l c on te mp t! …

( self-mockingly)





" Bu t w hen t he g ir ls b eg an t o p lay ' Fr aid -cat C harl ie r an away! "

(t h en r a ll y in g h i ms e lf )

B os h! … I ha ve n' t h ad s uc h t hough ts … not s in ce t he ir m ar ri age … ha ppy i n he r ha ppi ne ss … bu t i s s he

ha ppy? … i n t he f ir st f ew mont hs s he was obvi ous ly pl aying a pa rt … ki ss ed hi m too m uc h … a s if s he 'd

de te rmi ne d t o ma ke he rs el f a l ovi ng w if e … a nd t he n a ll of a s udde n s he be ca me c ont en te d … he r f ac ef il le d ou t … h er e ye s l az il y e xa mi ne d pe ac e … pr eg na nt … ye s, s he m us t be … I h ope s o … wh y? …

for her s ake … my own, too … whe n she ha s a child I know I can ent irel y ac cept … forget I ha ve lost

he r … lost her ? … sil ly a ss ! … how ca n you l os e wha t you never pos ses se d? … e xc ept in dre ams! …

( shaking his head exasperatedly)

R ou nd a nd r ou nd … t ho ug ht s … d am n p es ts ! … m os qu it oe s o f t he s ou l … w hi ne , s ti ng , s uc k o ne 's

blood … why did I invite Nina and Sam on this tour … it's a business trip with me, really … I need a

n ew s et ti ng f or m y ne xt n ov el … " Mr .M ar sd en d ep ar ts a bi t f ro m h is f ami li ar f ie ld" … w el l, t he re t he y

w er e s tu ck i n t he P ro fe ss or 's h ou se … c oul dn' t a ff or d a va ca ti on … n ev er ha d a h on eym oon … I 've pretended to be done up every night so they could … I've gone to bed right after dinner so they could be

alone and … I wonder if she can really like him … that way? …

(The sound of Evans' voice and his mother's is heard from the garden. Marsden goes over and

c a re f ul l y p e er s o u t.)

Sa m wi th hi s m ot he r … pe cul ia r wo ma n … s tr on g … g oo d c ha ra ct er f or a n ove l … no , s he 's t oo

s om be r … h er e ye s a re t he s add es t … a nd , a t t he s ame t im e, t he gr im me st … t he y' re c omi ng i n … I 'l l

d ri ve a ro un d t he c ou nt ry a b it … g iv e t he m a c ha nc e f or a f am il y c on fe re nc e … d is cu ss N in a' s

pregnancy, I suppose … does Sam know? … he gives no indication … why do wives hide it from their

h us band s? … ancient s hame … g ui lt y o f con ti nu in g l if e, o f b ri ng in g f resh p ai n i nt o t he w or ld …

( He goes out, rear. The outside door in the hall is heard being opened and Evans and his mother

evi d en t l y m eet Marsden a s he i s ab ou t t o go o ut . T he ir v oi ce s, hi s v oi ce e xpl ai ni ng , ar e h ea rd, t he n

t he out er do or be ing o pe ne d a nd s hut ag ai n a sMarsden departs. A moment later Evans and his

m ot he r e nt er t he di ni ng r oom . Sa m l ook s t im or ous ly ha pp y, a s i f he c oul d no t qui te be li ev e i n h is

good fortune and had constantly to reassure himself about it, yet he is riding the crest of the

w av e, h e r ad ia te s l ov e a nd d ev ot io n a nd b oy is h a do ra ti on . H e i s a c ha rm in g- lo ok in g f re sh b oy

no w. H e we ar s a s we at er an d l ine n k ni ck er s, c ol le gi at e t o t he l as t de gr ee . Hi s m ot he r i s a t iny

w om an w it h a f ra il f ig ur e, h er h ea d a nd f ac e, f ra me d i n i ro n- gr ay h ai r, s ee mi ng m uc h t oo l ar ge

for her body, so that at first glance she gives one the impression of a wonderfully made, lifelikedoll. She is only about forty-five but she looks at least sixty. Her face with its delicate features

must have once been of a romantic, tender, clinging-vine beauty, but what has happened to her

h as c om pr es se d i ts d ef en se le ss c ur ve s i nt o p la ne s, i ts m ou th i nt o t he t hi n l in e a ro un d a l oc ke d

d oo r, i ts g en tl e c hi n h as b ee n f or ce d o ut a gg re ss iv el y b y a l on g r el ia nc e o n c le nc he d t ee th . S he i s

v er y pal e. H er b ig d ar k e ye s a re gr im w it h t he p ri sone r- pai n of a wal le d- in s oul . Ye t a s we et

l ov i ng -k in dn es s, t he g ho st o f a n o ld f ai th a nd t r us t i n l if e 's g oo dn es s , h ov er s g ir li sh ly , f le e ti ng ly ,

about the corners of her mouth and softens into deep sorrow the shadowy grimness of her eyes.

Her voice jumps startlingly in tone from a caressing gentleness to a blunted flat assertiveness, as

if what she said then was merely a voice on its own without human emotion to inspire it.)

EVANS--(as they come in--rattling on in the cocksure boastful way of a boy showing off his

prowess before his mother, confident of thrilled adulation) In a fe w year s you won' t have to wor ry

one wa y or a nothe r a bout t he da rne d old a ppl e cr op. I' ll be a bl e to t ake c ar e of you the n. Wa it a nd s ee!





O f c ou rs e, I 'm n ot m ak in g s o m uc h n ow . I c ou ld n' t e xp ec t t o. I 'v e o nl y j us t s ta rt ed . B ut I 'm m ak in g

g oo d, a ll r ig ht , a ll r ig ht -- si nc e I g ot m ar ri ed -- an d i t' s o nl y a q ue st io n o f t im e w he n- -W hy , t o s ho w y ou ,

C ol e- -he 's t he ma na ge r a nd t he be st e gg e ve r- -c al le d m e i nt o h is of fi ce a nd t ol d me h e' d ha d hi s e ye on

me , t hat my s tuff wa s e xa ct ly wha t the y wa nte d, a nd he thought I ha d the ma ki ngs of a re al fi nd. ( proudly

) H ow 's t hat? T hat' s cer tain ly f ai r eno ug h, i sn 't i t?

M R S . E V AN S - -(vaguely--she has evidently not heard much of what he said ) T ha t' s f in e, S am my . (t h i n kin g a p p r eh en s i vel y)

I do hope I 'm wrong! … but t ha t old s hive r of dre ad t ook me the minut e s he ste ppe d in the door! … I

do n' t t hi nk s he 's t ol d Sa mm y bu t I go t t o m ake s ur e. …

EVANS--( seeing her preoccupation now--deeply hurt--testily) I' ll bet you didn' t he ar a wor d I s ai d!

A re y ou s ti ll w or ry in g a bo ut h ow t he d ar n ol d a pp le s a re g oi ng t o t ur n o ut ?

M R S . E V AN S - -(with a guilty start-- protestingly) Yes, I did hear you, Sammy--every word! That's

just what I was thinking about--how proud I am you're doing so wonderful well!

EVANS--(m ol l if i ed b ut s t il l g r um bl i ng ) Y ou 'd n ev er g ue ss i t f ro m t he g lo om y w ay y ou l oo ke d! (but

encouraged to go on ) And Cole a ske d me if I wa s ma rri ed-- see me d to t ake a r ea l per sona l

i nt er es t- -s ai d h e w as g la d t o h ea r i t b ec au se m ar ri ag e w as w ha t p ut t he r ig ht k in d o f a mb it io n i nt o a

fellow--unselfish ambition--working for his wife and not just himself--(t h en em b ar r a s s ed l y) He even

a sk ed m e i f w e w er e e xp ec ti ng a n a ddi ti on t o t he f am il y.

M R S . E V AN S - -( seeing this is her chance--quickly--forcing a smile) I 'v e be en me an ing t o a sk you

that myself, Sammy. (b l ur t s o u t a p pr e he n si v e ly) S he -- Ni na -- she i sn 't go in g t o ha ve a ba by, i s s he ?

EVANS--(w it h a n i nd ef in ab le g ui lt y a ir -- as i f h e w er e r el uc ta nt t o a dm it i t ) I -- wh y- -y ou m ea n, i ss he n ow ? I d on' t t hi nk s o, M ot he r. ( He strolls over to the window whistling with an exaggeratedly

c as ua l a ir , a nd l oo ks o ut .)

M R S . E V AN S - -(t h in k in g w i th g r i m r e l ie f )

He d on' t kno w … t he re 's t ha t m uc h t o be t ha nk ful f or , a nyw ay . …

EVANS--(t hi nk i ng w it h i nt e ns e l on gi ng )

I f t ha t' d onl y ha ppe n! … s oon! … Ni na 's be gu n t o l ove me … a l it tl e … I 've f el t i t t he l as t t wo m ont hs… God, i t's ma de me ha ppy! … bef or e that s he didn't … only liked me … that was all I as ke d … ne ve r

dar ed hope s he' d c ome t o l ove me … e ve n a li tt le … so s oon … somet ime s I fe el it 's too good t o be

tr ue … don' t des er ve it … a nd now … if t ha t' d happe n … t he n I 'd fee l s ur e … it 'd be ther e … half Nina,

ha lf m e … l ivi ng pr oof ! …

(t he n a n a pp re he ns iv e n ot e c r ee pi ng i n)

And I know s he wants a ba by s o muc h … one re ason why she marr ied me … a nd I know she's fel t

r ig ht a lo ng t ha t t he n s he 'd l ov e m e … r ea ll y l ov e m e …

( gloomily)

I wo nde r why … ou ght t o ha ve h appe ne d be for e t hi s … h ope i t' s n ot hi ng wr ong … wi th me ! …





( He starts, flinging off this thought--then suddenly clutching ata straw, turns hopefully to his

m o t h er .) W hy d id y ou a sk m e t ha t, M ot he r? D' yo u t hi nk -- ?

M R S . E V AN S - -(hastily) No, inde ed! I don't think she i s! I woul dn't sa y so a t a ll!

EVANS--(dejectedly ) O h- -I t ho ug ht p er ha ps -- (then changing the subject ) I suppose I ought to gou p a nd s ay h el lo t o A un t B es si e.

M R S . E V AN S - -(h er f ac e b ec om in g d ef en si v e- -i n b lu nt ed t on es , a t ri fl e p le ad in gl y) I w ou ld n' t,

S am my . S he h as n' t s ee n y ou s in ce y ou w er e e ig ht . S he w ou ld n' t k no w y ou . A nd y ou 'r e o n y ou r

h on ey mo on , a nd o ld a ge i s a lw ay s s ad t o y ou ng f ol ks . B e h ap py w hi le y ou c an ! (t he n p us hi ng h im

toward door ) L oo k h er e! Y ou c at ch t ha t f ri en d, h e' s j us t g et ti ng h is c ar o ut . Y ou d ri ve t o t ow n w it h h im ,

gi ve m e a c ha nc e t o ge t t o k now m y d aught er -i n- la w, a nd c al l he r t o a cc ount f or h ow s he 's t ak ing c ar e of

y ou ! (S he l a ug hs f o rc e dl y .)

EVANS--(b u rs t in g o u t p as s i on a te l y) B et te r t ha n I de se rv e! S he 's a n a nge l, M ot he r! I kno w y ou' lllove her!

M R S . E V AN S - -( gently) I d o a lr ea dy , S am my! S he 's s o p re tt y a nd s we et !

EVANS--(ki s s es h er -- j o you s l y) I 'l l t el l he r t ha t. I 'm goi ng out t hi s w ay a nd ki ss he r g ood- bye . ( He

runs out through the kitchen door. )

M R S . E V AN S - -(l o o kin g a f t er h i m - -p a s s io n a tel y)

He l ov es h er ! … h e' s h ap py ! … t ha t' s a ll t ha t c ou nt s! … b ei ng h ap py ! …

(t h i n kin g a p p r eh en s i vel y)

If only she isn't going to have a baby … if only she doesn't care so much about having one … I got to

have it out with her … got to! … no other way … in mercy … in justice … this has got to end with my

boy … and he's got to live happy! …

( At the sound of steps from the kitchen she straightens up in her chair stiffly. )

N I N A - - (c om es i n f ro m t he k it ch en , a c up o f c of fe e i n h er h an d, s mi li ng h ap pi ly) G oo d m or ni ng -- (

she hesitates--then shyly) M ot he r. (Sh e c ome s ov er an d k is se s h er -- sl ips do wn an d s it s on t he f lo or b e si d e h er .)

M R S . E V AN S - -( flusteredly--hurriedly) Good m or ni ng! I t' s a r ea l f ine da y, i sn' t i t? I ought t o ha ve

been here and got your breakfast, but I was out gallivanting round the place with Sammy. I hope you

found everything you wanted.

N IN A- -I nde ed I di d! A nd I a te s o m uc h I 'm a sh ame d o f m ys el f! (She nods at the cup of coffee and

laughs.) See. I'm still at it.

M RS . E VA NS -- Go od f or y ou !

N IN A- -I o ug ht t o a po lo gi ze f or c om in g d ow n s o l at e. S am s ho ul d h av e c al le d m e. B ut I w as n' t a bl e t o

g et t o s leep u nt il aft er d ay li gh t s om eh ow .





M R S . E V AN S - -( strangely) Y ou cou ld n' t s leep ? W hy ? D id y ou f eel any th in g f un ny -- ab ou t t hi s h ou se?

N I N A - - ( struck by her tone--looks up) No. Why? (thinking )

How her f ac e cha nge s! … what s ad e yes ! …

M R S . E V AN S - -(t hi nk in g i n a n a go ny o f a pp re he ns io n)

Got to start in to tell her … got to …

N I N A - - (a pp r eh e ns i v e h e rs e lf n o w)

Tha t si ck de ad f ee ling … whe n s ome thi ng is goi ng t o ha ppe n … I f el t i t be for e I got th e c abl e a bout

G or do n …

(then taking a sip of coffee, and trying to be pleasantly casual ) Sam sa id you wante d to tal k to me.

M R S . E V AN S - -(dully) Y es . Y ou l ove m y b oy , do n' t you ?

N I N A - - ( startled--forcing a smile, quickly) Why, of cour se ! (r ea ss u r in g h er sel f )

No, it isn't a lie … I do love him … the father of my baby …

M R S . E V AN S - -(blurts out ) Are you going to have a baby, Nina?

N I N A - - (S he p r es s es M r s. E v an s' h an d- - si m pl y) Y es , M ot he r.

M R S . E V AN S - -(i n h er b lu nt f la t t on es -- wi th a m ec ha ni ca l r ap id it y t o h er w or ds) D on 't y ou t hi nk

i t' s t oo s oo n? D on 't y ou t hi nk y ou b et ter w ai t u nt il S am my 's m ak in g m or e m on ey ? D on 't y ou t hi nk i t' ll b e

a dr ag o n hi m a nd yo u? W hy don' t you j us t go o n be in g ha ppy t oge the r, j us t you t wo?

N I N A - - (thinking frightenedly)

W ha t i s b eh in d w ha t s he 's s ay in g? … t ha t f ee li ng o f d ea th a ga in ! …

(m ov i ng a wa y f r om h er - -r e pu ls e d ) No, I don' t think any of those t hings, Mrs. Eva ns. I wa nt a

baby--beyond everything! We both do!

M R S . E V AN S - -(hopelessly) I know. (t h en g r im l y) B ut yo u c an' t! You' ve got t o m ake u p you r mi nd

yo u c an 't ! (thinking fiercely--even with satisfaction )

Te ll he r! … m ake he r s uf fe r wh at I w as m ad e t o s uf fe r! … I 'v e b ee n t oo l one ly! …

N I N A - - (thinking with terrified foreboding )

I knew it! … Out of a blue sky … black! …

( springing to her feet--bewilderedly) What do you mean? How can you say a thing like that?

M R S . E V AN S - -(r ea ch in g o ut h er h an d t en de rl y, t ry in g t o t ou ch N in a) I t' s be ca us e I wa nt





S am my -- an d y ou , t oo , c hi ld -- to b e h ap py . (t he n a s N in a s hr in ks a wa y f ro m h er h an d- -i n h er b lu nt ed

tones ) Yo u j us t c an 't .

N I N A - - (defiantly) B ut I c an! I h ave a lr ea dy ! I me an -- I a m, d id n' t y ou u nd er st an d m e?

M R S . E V AN S - -( gently) I know it's hard. (then inexorably) But you can' t go on!

N I N A - - (violently) I d on 't b el ie ve y ou k no w w ha t y ou 'r e s ay in g! I t' s t oo t er ri bl e f or y ou -- Sa m' s o wn

m ot he r- -h ow w ou ld y ou h av e f el t i f s om eo ne -- wh en y ou w er e g oi ng t o h av e S am -- ca me t o y ou a nd

said--?

M R S . E V AN S - -(t h i n ki n g f i er cely)

N ow 's m y c ha nc e! …

(tonelessly) The y di d s ay i t! Sa m' s own fa the r did -- my hus ba nd! And I s ai d i t t o mys el f! A nd I di d a ll I

cou ld , all m y h us band cou ld t hi nk o f, s o' s I w ou ld n' t- -b ut w e d id n' t k no w eno ug h. A nd r ig ht t o t he t im et he p ai ns c om e o n, I p ra ye dS am my 'd b e b or n d ea d, a nd S am my 's f at he r p ra ye d, b ut S am my w as b or n

h ea lt hy a nd s mi li ng , a nd w e j us t h ad t o l ove h im , a nd l iv e i n f ea r. H e do ub le d t he t or me nt o f f ea r we l iv ed

i n. A nd t ha t' s wha t yo u' d be i n f or . And Sa mm y, he 'd go t he wa y hi s f at he r w ent . An d y our ba by, y ou' d

be bringing it into torment. (a bit violently) I t el l y ou i t' d be a c ri me -- a c ri me w or se t ha n mu rde r! (t h en

recovering--commiseratingly) So you just can't, Nina!

N I N A - - (w ho h a s b e en l i st e ni n g d i st r ac t e dl y -- t hi n ki n g )

D on' t l is te n t o he r! … f ee li ng o f de at h! … wha t i s i t? … s he 's t ryi ng t o kil l my ba by ! … oh, I ha te he r!

…

(h ys t er i ca ll y r es ent f u l ) Wh at d o you me an? Wh y d on' t you s pe ak pl ai nl y? (violently) I t hin k you' re

h or ri bl e! P ra yi ng y ou r b ab y w ou ld b e b or n d ea d! T ha t' s a l ie ! Y ou c ou ld n' t!

M R S . E V AN S - -(thinking )

I know what she' s doing now … jus t what I did … tryi ng not to belie ve …

( fiercely)

But I' ll ma ke her ! … s he 's got to s uf fer , t oo! … I be en t oo l onel y! … she' s got t o shar e and help mes av e m y S am my ! …

(with an even more blunted flat relentless t on el es sn es s) I t ho ug ht I w as p lain , b ut I 'l l b e p lain er . O nl y

r em em be r i t' s a f am il y s ec re t, a nd n ow y ou 'r e o ne o f t he f am il y. I t' s t he c ur se o n t he Ev ans es . M y

h us ba nd 's m ot he r- -s he w as a n o nl y c hi ld -- di ed i n a n a sy lu m a nd h er f at he r b ef or e h er . I k no w t ha t f or a

f ac t. A nd m y h us ba nd 's s is te r, S am my 's a un t, s he 's o ut o f h er m in d. S he l iv es o n t he t op f lo or o f t hi s

h ou se , h as n' t b ee n o ut o f h er r oo m i n y ea rs , I 'v e t ake n c ar e of h er . Sh e j us t s it s, d oe sn' t s ay a w or d, bu t

s he 's ha ppy, s he l aug hs t o he rs el f a l ot , s he ha sn 't a c ar e i n t he w or ld. Bu t I r eme mbe r whe n s he wa s a ll

r ig ht , s he w as a lw ay s u nh ap py , s he n ev er g ot m ar ri ed , m os t p eo pl e a ro un d h er e w er e a fr ai d o f t he

E va ns es i n s pi te o f t he ir b ei ng r ic h f or h er ea bo ut s. T he y k ne w a bo ut t he c ra zi ne ss g oi ng b ac k, I g ue ss ,

f or h ea ve n k no ws h ow l on g. I d id n' t k no w a bo ut t he Ev an se s u nt il a ft er I 'd m ar ri ed m y h us ba nd. H e c am e

t o t he t ow n I l ive d i n, no one t he re kne w a bout t heEva ns es . He di dn' t te ll me unt il a ft er w e we re ma rri ed.

He as ked me t o f or giv e hi m, he s ai d he lov ed me so muc h he 'd ha ve gon e ma d wi th out me , s ai d I wa s hi s





o nl y h ope o f s al va ti on. S o I f or ga ve h im . I l ove d hi m a n a wf ul l ot . I s ai d t o m ys el f, I 'l l b e h is

s al va ti on -- an d m ay be I c ou ld h av e b ee n i f w e h ad n' t h ad S am my b or n. M y h us ba nd k ep t r ea l w el l u p t o

t he n. W e' d s wo re w e' d n ev er h av e c hi ld re n, w e n ev er f or go t t o b e c ar ef ul f or t wo w ho le y ea rs . T he n o ne

n ig ht w e' d b ot h g on e t o a d an ce , w e' d b ot h h ad a l it tl e p un ch t o d ri nk , j us t e no ug h- -t o f or ge t- -d ri vi ng

home in the moonlight--that moonlight!--such little things at the back of big things!

N I N A - - (in a dull moan) I d on 't b el ie ve y ou ! I w on 't b el ie ve y ou !

M R S . E V AN S - -(d ro ne s o n) M y h us ba nd , S am my 's f at he r, i n s pi te o f a ll h e a nd I f ou gh t a ga ins t i t, h e

f in al ly ga ve i n t o i t wh en Sa mm y wa s o nl y e ig ht , h e c oul dn' t ke ep up a ny mo re l ivi ng i n f ea r f or S amm y,

t hi nki ng a ny m in ut e t he c ur se m ig ht g et h im , e ve ry t im e h e w as s ic k, o r ha d a he ada che , o r bu mp ed h is

h ea d, o r s ta rt ed c ry in g, o r h ad a n ig ht ma re a nd s cr ea me d, o r s ai d s om et hi ng q ue er l ik e c hi ld re n d o

naturally. (a b it s t ri de nt l y) L ivi ng l ik e t ha t w it h t ha t f ea r i s a wf ul t or me nt ! I k no w t ha t! I w en t t hr oug h i t

by his side! It nearly drove me crazy, too--but I didn't have it in my blood! And that's why I'm telling

y ou ! Y ou go t t o s ee yo u c an 't , N in a!

N I N A - - ( suddenly breaking out--frenziedly) I don' t be li eve you ! I don 't b el ie ve S am wo ul d e ve r ha vem ar ri ed m e i f h e k ne w- -

M R S . E V AN S - -( sharply) Who s ai d S amm y kne w? H e don' t know a s in gl e t hi ng a bout i t! Tha t' s be en

t he w or k o f m y l if e, k ee pi ng hi m f ro m k no wi ng. W he n h is f at he r ga ve up a nd w en t o ff i nt o i t I s en t

S am my r igh t of f t o b oa rdi ng s ch oo l. I t ol d h im h is f at he r w as s ic k, a nd a l it tl e w hi le a ft er I s en t w or d h is

f at he r w as d ea d, a nd f ro m t he n o n u nt il h is f at he r d id r ea ll y d ie d ur ing S am my 's s ec on d y ea r t o c ol le ge , I

ke pt hi m a wa y a t s chool i n wi nte r a nd c amp i n s um me rs a nd I went t o s ee hi m, I ne ve r l et hi m c ome

h om e. (with a s igh) I t w as h ar d, g iv ing u p Sa mm y, k no wi ng I wa s m ak ing h im f or ge t h e ha d a m ot he r. I

wa s gl ad t ak ing c ar e o f t he m t wo ke pt me s o bus y I di dn' t ge t mu ch c ha nc e t o t hi nk t he n. B ut h er e' s wha t

I 'v e c om e t o t hi nk s inc e, N in a: I 'm c er ta in s ur e m y h us ba nd m ig ht h av e k ep t h is m in d w it h t he he lp of my

l ov e i f I h ad n' t h ad S am my . A nd i f I 'd n ev er h ad S am my I 'd n ev er h av e l ov ed S am my -- or m is se d hi m,w ou ld I ?- -a nd I 'd h av e k ep t m y h us ba nd .

N I N A - - (n ot h ee di ng t hi s l as t- - wi t h w il d m oc k er y) A nd I t ho ug ht S am w as s o n or ma l- -s o h ea lt hy a nd

s an e- -n ot l ik e m e! I t ho ug ht h e' d g ive m e s uc h h ea lt hy , h ap py c hi ld re n a nd I 'd f or ge t m ys el f i n t he m a nd

l earn t o l ov e h im !

M R S . E V AN S - -(horrified, jumping to her feet ) Le ar n to? You t ol d m e you di d lov e Sa mmy !

N IN A- -N o! M ay be I a lm os t h av e- -l at el y- -b ut o nl y w he n I t ho ug ht o f h is b ab y! N ow I h at e h im ! (She

be gi ns t o w ee p h ys te ri ca ll y. M rs . Ev ans go es t o he r a nd put s h er ar ms ar oun d h er . Ni na s obs o ut )D on 't t ou ch m e! I h at e y ou, t oo ! W hy d id n' t yo u t el l h im h e m us t n eve r m ar ry !

M RS . E VA NS -- Wh at r easo n cou ld I g iv e, w it ho ut t el li ng h im every th in g? A nd I n ev er h eard abo ut y ou

t il l a ft er y ou w er e ma rr ie d. The n I w ant ed t o wr it e t o y ou but I wa s s ca re d h e m ight r ea d i t. And I

c ou ld n' t l ea ve h er u ps ta ir s t o c om e a wa y t o s ee y ou . I k ep t w ri ti ng S am my t o b ri ng y ou h er e r ig ht o ff ,

alt ho ug h h av in g h im com e f ri gh tened m e t o d eath f or f ear h e m ig ht g et t o s us pect s om et hi ng . Y ou g ot t o

g et h im r ig ht away f ro m h er e, N in a! I j us t k ep t h op in g y ou w ou ld n' t w an t chi ld ren r ig ht away- -y ou ng

f ol ks d on 't n ow ad ay s- -un ti l I 'd s ee n y ou a nd t ol d y ou e ve ry th in g. A nd I t ho ug ht y ou 'd l ov e h im l ik e I d id

h is f at her, and b e s at is fi ed w it h h im alo ne.

N I N A - - (l i ft i ng h e r h e ad - -w i ld l y) N o! I don 't ! I w on 't ! I 'l l l ea ve hi m!

M R S . E V AN S - -( shaking her, fiercely) Y ou c an 't ! H e' d g o c ra zy s ur e t he n! Y ou' d b e a de vi l! D on' t





you s ee how he l ove s yo u?

N I N A - - (b r ea k in g a w ay f r om h e r- - ha r sh l y) W el l, I d on 't l ov e h im ! I on ly m ar ri ed h im b ec au se h e

ne ed ed me -- and I ne ed ed c hi ld re n! A nd no w y ou t el l m e I 've g ot t o k il l m y- -o h, ye s, I s ee I 've go t t o,

you ne edn' t a rgue a ny m or e! I l ov e i t t oo mu ch t o m ake i t r un t ha t c ha nc e! An d I ha te i t t oo, now ,

because it's sick, it's not my baby, it's his! (w i th t e rr i bl e i r on i c b i tt e rn e ss) And s ti ll you ca n da re to t el l

m e I c an' t e ve n l ea ve Sa m!

M R S . E V AN S - -(v er y s ad ly a nd b it te rl y) Y ou j us t s ai d y ou m ar ri ed h im b ec au se h e n ee de d y ou .

D on 't h e n ee d y ou n ow -- mo re 'n ev er ? B ut I c an 't t el l y ou no t t o l ea ve hi m, n ot i f y ou do n' t l ove h im . Bu t

y ou o ug ht n' t t o h av e m ar ri ed h im w hen y ou d id n' t l ov e h im . A nd i t' ll b e y ou r f au lt , w hat' ll h ap pen.

N I N A - - (torturedly) W ha t w il l h ap pe n? -- wh at d o y ou m ea n? -- Sa m w il l b e a ll r ig ht -- ju st a s h e w as

before--and it's not my fault anyway!--it's not my fault! (t h en t h in k in g c o ns c i en c e-strickenly)

Poor Sam … she's right … it's not his fault … it' s mine … I wante d to use him to save myself … I acted

the c owa rd a ga in … as I di d wit h Gor don …

M R S . E V AN S - -( grimly) Y ou kn ow w ha t' ll h ap pe n t o hi m i f y ou l ea ve hi m- -a ft er a ll I 'v e t ol d y ou ! (

t he n b re ak i ng i nt o i nt e ns e p le ad in g ) Oh, I' d get down on my knee s to you, don't ma ke my boy r un

t ha t ri sk! You got t o gi ve one Eva ns , t he l as t one , a cha nc e t o l ive in thi s wor ld! And you' ll le ar n t o l ove

him , i f you gi ve up e nough f or hi m! (t he n w it h a gr im s mi le) W hy , I e ve n l ov e t ha t i di ot u ps ta ir s, I 'v e

t ake n c ar e of h er s o m any ye ar s, l iv ed he r l if e f or h er w it h m y l if e, yo u m ig ht s ay . Yo u g iv e yo ur l if e t o

S am my , t he n y ou' ll l ov e hi m s am e a s y ou l ov e y ou rs el f. Y ou' ll h av e t o! T ha t' s s ur e a s d ea th ! (S he l a ug hs

a q ue er g en tl e l au gh f ul l o f a mu se d b it te rn es s.)

N I N A - - (with a sort of dull stupid wonderment ) A nd y ou 'v e f ou nd p ea ce ?- -

M R S . E V AN S - -( sardonically) T he re 's pe ac e i n t he gr ee n f ie lds of Ed en, t he y s ay! Yo u got t o d ie t o

f in d ou t! (t h en p r ou d ly) But I c an s ay I f eel pr oud of ha vi ng l ive d f ai r to t he m tha t ga ve me love a nd

t ru st ed i n m e!

N I N A - - ( struck--confusedly) Y es -- th at 's t ru e, i sn 't i t? (thinking strangely)

Li ve d f air … pri de … t rust … pla y the game ! … who i s spea king to me … Gordon! … oh, Gordon, do

you mean I must give Sam the life I didn't give you? … Sam loved you too … he said, if we have a boy,

w e' ll c al l h im G or do n i n G or do n' s h on or … G or do n' s h on or ! … w ha t m us t I d o n ow i n y ou r h on or ,

Gordon? … yes! … I know! …

( speaking mechanically in a dull voice) A ll r ig ht , M ot he r. I 'l l s ta y w it h Sa m. T he re 's n ot hi ng e ls e I c an

do, i s t he re , wh en i t i sn' t hi s f au lt , p oor b oy! (t he n s ud de nl y s na pp in g a nd b ur st in g o ut i n a d es pa ir in g

cry) B ut I 'll be s o l one ly! I 'l l ha ve l os t my ba by! (She sinks down on her knees at Mrs. Evans'

feet--piteously) O h, M ot he r, ho w c an I ke ep on l iv ing?

M R S . E V AN S - -(t h i n ki n g m i s er ab l y)

Now she knows my suffer ing … now I got t o help her … she 's got a r ight to ha ve a ba by … another

baby … sometime … somehow … she's giving her life to save my Sammy … I got to save her! …

( stammeringly) M ay be , N in a- -





N I N A - - (d ul ly a nd r e se nt fu ll y a ga in n ow) And how a bout Sam? You want him to be happy, don't

you? I t' s j us t a s i mport ant f or him as i t is f or m e tha t I s hould ha ve a ba by! If you know anyt hing a t a ll

a bo ut h im , y ou o ug ht t o s ee t ha t!

M R S . E V AN S - -( sadly) I know that. I see that in him, Nina. ( gropingly) There must be a

w ay -- so me ho w. I r em em be r w he n I w as c ar ry in g S am , s om et im es I 'd f or ge t I w as a w if e, I 'd o nl y

r em em be r t he c hi ld i n m e. A nd t he n I u se d t o w is h I 'd g one o ut d el ib er at e i n o ur f ir st y ea r, w it ho ut m yh us ba nd k no wi ng , a nd p ic ke d a m an , a h ea lt hy m al e t o b re ed b y, sa me 's w e d o w it h s to ck , t o g iv e t he

ma n I l ove d a he alt hy c hil d. And i f I di dn' t love t hat othe r man nor hi m me whe re would be the har m?

T he n G od w ou ld w hi sp er : " It 'd b e a s in , a du lt er y, t he w or st s in !" B ut a ft er H e' d g on e I 'd a rg ue b ac k

a ga in t o m ys el f, t he n w e' d h av e a he al th y c hi ld , I n ee dn 't b e a fr ai d! A nd m ay be m y hu sb an d w ou ld f ee l

w it ho ut e ve r k no wi ng h ow h e f el t i t, t ha t I w as n' t a fr ai d a nd t ha t c hi ld w as n' t c ur se d a nd s o h e n ee dn 't

f ea r a nd I c oul d s av e hi m. (t h en s c or n fu l ly) But I was too afraid of God then to have ever done it! (t h en

v er y s i mp ly) He l ov ed c hi ld re n s o, m y poo r h us ba nd di d, a nd t he w ay t he y t ook t o hi m, you ne ve r s aw

a nyt hi ng l ike i t, h e w as a n at ur al b or n f at he r. A nd S am my 's t he s am e.

N I N A - - (a s f ro m a d is ta nc e -- st r an ge l y) Ye s, Sammy's the sa me . But I'm not t he sa me a s you. (defiantly) I d on' t be li ev e i n G od t he F at he r!

M R S . E V AN S - -( strangely) Then it'd be easy for you. (wi th a gr im s mi le) And I don' t be lie ve i n Hi m,

ne it he r, no t a ny mo re . I us ed t o be a g re at one f or w or ryi ng a bou t wh at 's G od a nd w ha t' s d ev il , b ut I g ot

r ic hl y ov er i t l iv in g h er e w it h po or f ol ks t ha t w as b ei ng p un is he d f or n o s in s o f t he ir o wn , a nd m e b ei ng

punished with them for no sin but loving much. (w i th d e ci s io n) B ei ng ha pp y, t ha t' s t he ne ar es t w e c an

e ve r c om e t o k no wi ng w ha t' s g oo d! B ei ng h ap py , t ha t' s g oo d! T he r es t i s j us t t al k! (S h e p a us es - - th en

w it h a s t ra ng e a us te r e s t er nn es s) I love my boy, Sammy. I could see how much he wants you to have

a ba by. S am my' s got t o f ee l s ur e yo u l ove hi m- -t o be ha ppy. W ha te ve r y ou c an d o t o ma ke hi m h app y i s

g oo d- -i s g oo d, N in a! I d on 't c ar e w ha t! Y ou 'v e g ot t o h av e a h ea lt hy b ab y- -s om et im e- -s o 's yo u c an b ot h

be happy! It's your rightful duty!

N I N A - - (co n fu s edl y- - in a h a l f- w h is p er ) Ye s, M ot he r. (t h i nki n g l o n gi n g ly)

I want to be happy! … it's my right … and my duty! …

(t he n s ud de nl y i n g ui lt y a go ny)

Oh, my b aby … my p oor ba by … I 'm f or ge tt ing y ou … d es ir ing a not he r a ft er yo u a re de ad! … I f ee l

y ou b ea ti ng a ga in st m y h ea rt f or m er cy … o h! …

(S he w ee ps w it h b it te r a ng ui sh .)

M R S . E V AN S - -( gently and with deep sympathy) I k no w w ha t y ou 'r e s uf fe ri ng . A nd I w ou ld n' t s ay

wh at I j us t s ai d now o nl y I kn ow us t wo m us tn' t s ee e ac h ot he r e ve r a ga in. Y ou a nd Sa mmy ha ve g ot t o

f or ge t m e. (as Nina makes a motion of protest--grimly and inexorably ) O h, y es , y ou w il l- -e as y.

P eo pl e f or ge t e ve ry th in g. T he y g ot t o, p oo r p eo pl e! A nd I 'm s ay in g w ha t I s ai d a bo ut a h ea lt hy b ab ys o 's

y ou w il l r em em ber i t w hen y ou n eed t o, aft er y ou 'v e f or go tt en -- th is o ne.

N I N A - - ( sobbing pitifully) D on 't ! P le as e, M ot he r!

M R S . E V AN S - -(w it h s ud de n t en de rn es s -- ga th er in g N in a u p i n h er a rm s, b ro ke nl y) Y ou poor

c hi ld ! Y ou 'r e l ik e t he d au gh te r o f m y s or ro w! Y ou 'r e c lo se r t o m e n ow t ha n e ve r S am my c ou ld b e! I

want you t o be happy! (S he b eg in s t o s ob , t oo , k is si ng N in a' s b ow ed h ea d.)





(Curtain)

A CT F OU R

SCENE-- An evening early in the following winter about seven months later. The Professor's

study again. The books in the cases have never been touched, their austere array shows no gaps,

but the glass separating them from the world is gray with dust, giving them a blurred ghostly

qu al it y. Th e t ab le , al thou gh i t i s t he s am e, i s no l ong er t he Pr of es so r' s t abl e, j us t a s t he o th er

furniture in the room, by its disarrangement, betrays that the Professor's well-ordered mind no

l on ge r t ri ms i t t o h is p er so na li ty . T he t ab le h as b ec om e n eu ro ti c. V ol um es o f t he E nc yc lo pe di a Britannica mixed up with popular treatises on Mind Training for Success, etc., looking startlingly

m od er n a nd d is t ur bi ng a ga in st t he b ac kg ro un d o f c la ss ic s i n t he o ri gi na l, a re s l ap pe d

h e lt e r -s k e lt e r o n t op o f e a ch o t he r o n i t. T h e t it l e s o f t he s e b oo k s f a ce i n a l l di r e ct i on s , no o n e

volume is placed with any relation to the one beneath it--the effect is that they have no connected

meaning. The rest of the table is littered with an ink bottle, pens, pencils, erasers, a box of

typewriting paper, and a typewriter at the center before the chair, which is pushed back, setting

the rug askew. On the floor beside the table are an overflowing wastepaper basket, a few sheets

o f p ap er a nd t he r u bb er c ov er f or t he t y pe wr it er l ik e a c ol la ps ed t en t. T he r o ck in g c ha ir i s n o

l o ng e r a t c en t e r b u t h a s b e en p ul l e d n e ar e r t h e ta b le , di r e ct l y fa c es i t w it h i ts b a ck t o th e be n ch .

Th is be nc h i n t ur n ha s be en d raw n m uc h c los er , bu t i s now p lac ed mo re t o t he r ear a nd ha lf -f ac es

front, its back squarely to the door in the corner.

Eva ns i s s ea te d i n t he Pr of es sor 's o ld c ha ir . H e ha s e vi de nt ly b ee n t ypi ng, o r i s a bou t t o t yp e, f or a s he et

o f p ap er c an b e s ee n i n t he m ac hi ne . H e s mo ke s a p ip e, w hi ch h e i s a lw ay s r el ig ht in g w he th er i t n ee ds i t

o r n ot , a nd w hi ch h e b it es a nd s hi ft s a bo ut a nd p ul ls i n a nd o ut a nd p uf fs a t n er vo us ly . H is e xp re ss io n i s

d is pi ri ted, h is eyes s hi ft abo ut , h is s ho ul ders are col laps ed s ub mi ss iv el y. H e s eems m uch t hi nn er , h is f ace

d ra wn a nd s al lo w. T he c ol le gi at e c lo th es a re n o l on ge r n at ty , t he y n ee d p re ss in g a nd l oo k t oo b ig f or h im .

EVANS--(turns to his typewriter and pounds out a few words with a sort of aimlessdesperation--then tears the sheet out of the machine with an exclamation of disgust, crumples it

up andthrows it violently on the floor, pushing his chair back and jumping to his feet ) Hell! ( He

begins pacing up and down the room, puffing at his pipe, thinking tormentedly)

No us e … c an't t hi nk of a da rn t hi ng … we ll, who coul d dope out a nove l ad on anot he r powde re d

m il k, a ny wa y? … a ll t he s tu ff b ee n u se d a lr ea dy … T ar ta rs c on qu er in g on d ri ed m ar e' s m il k …

Me tchni koff , e mi ne nt s ci en ti st … b ee n d on e t o d ea th … b ut s im pl y g ot t o w or k o ut s om et hi ng o r …

Co le s ai d, wha t' s be en t he m at te r w it h y ou l at el y? … you s ta rt ed of f s o we ll … I t hought you we re a r ea l

f in d, b ut y ou r w or k' s f al len o ff t o n ot hi ng …

( He sits down on the edge of the bench nearby, his shoulders hunched--despondently)

C oul dn' t de ny i t … be en goi ng s ta le e ve r s inc e we c am e ba ck f rom t ha t t ri p h om e … n o i de as … I 'l l ge t





f ir ed … s te ri le …

(w it h a g ui lt y t er ro r )

in more ways tha n one, I guess! …

( He springs to his feet as if this idea were a pin stuck in him--lighting his already lighted pipe,w al ks u p a nd d ow n a ga in , f or ci ng h is t ho ug ht s i nt o o th er c ha nn el s.)

Be t the ol d ma n tur ns ove r i n his gr ave a t my wr it ing ads i n his s tudy … ma ybe t ha t' s why I c an' t … bum

i nf lu en ce … t ry t om or ro w i n m y b ed ro om … s le ep in g a lo ne … s in ce N in a g ot s ic k … s om e w om an 's

s ic kne ss … w oul dn' t t el l m e … t oo m ode st … s ti ll , t he re a re s om e t hi ng s a hus ba nd ha s a ri ght t o know

… e spe ci al ly w he n we ha ve n' t … i n f ive mo nt hs … doc tor to ld he r s he mus tn' t, s he s aid … wha t

doc tor ? … s he 's ne ve r s ai d … wh at t he he ll 's t he ma tt er w it h y ou, do you t hi nk N ina 's l yi ng? … no …

but …

(desperately)

If I was only sure it wa s beca use s he's re ally s ick … not just sick of me ! …

( He sinks down in the rocking chair despondently.)

C er ta in ly b ee n a b ig c ha ng e i n h er … s in ce t ha t v is it h om e … w ha t h ap pe ne d b et we en M ot he r a nd h er ?

… s he s ays not hi ng … t he y s ee me d t o l ike e ac h ot he r … bot h of t he m c ri ed whe n we l ef t … s ti ll , Ni na

i ns is te d on goi ng t ha t s ame da y a nd Mo the r s ee me d a nxi ou s t o ge t r id of us … c an' t m ake i t ou t … ne xt

f ew w ee ks N ina c oul dn 't be l ov ing e no ugh … I n eve r w as s o ha ppy … t he n s he c ra she d … s tr ai n o f

w ai ti ng a nd h op in g s he 'd g et p re gn an t … a nd no th in g h ap pe ni ng … t ha t' s w ha t d id i t … m y f au lt ! … h ow

d' you k no w? … y ou c an 't t el l t ha t! …

( He jumps to his feet again--walks up and down again distractedly. )

God, if we'd only have a kid! … t he n I'd show t hem al l what I coul d do! … Cole al wa ys use d to s ay I

h ad t he s tu ff , a nd N ed c er ta in ly t ho ug ht s o. …

(with sudden relieved excitement )

B y g os h, I w as f or ge tt in g! … N ed 's c om in g o ut t on ig ht … f or go t t o t el l N in a … m us tn 't l et h er g et w is e

I got hi m to come to look her over … she'd ha te me for swallowing my pride aft er he's ne ver be en to seeus … but I had to … this has got my goat … I've got to know what's wrong … and Ned's the only one I

ca n t rust …

( He flings himself on chair in front of desk and, picking up afresh sheet of paper, jams it into the

machine.)

Gosh, I ought to try a nd ge t a new st art on t his be fore i t's time …

( He types a sentence or two, a strained frown of concentration on his face. Nina comes silently

t hr ough t he d oo r an d s tan ds j us t i ns ide i t l oo ki ng at h im . S he h as g row n t hi n a ga in , he r f ac e i s

pale and drawn, her movements are those of extreme nervous tension. )

N I N A - - (before she can stifle her immediate reaction of contempt and dislike)





How wea k he i s! … he 'l l never do anything … neve r gi ve me my de si re … if he' d only fa ll i n l ove wi th

someone else … go away … not be here in my father' s room … I eve n have to give him a home … if

he' d dis appe ar … le ave me f re e … i f he' d die …

(ch ecki n g h er s el f - - r em o r sef u l ly)

I must s top such thoughts … I don't mea n it … poor Sam! … trying so ha rd … loving me so much … I

gi ve s o l it tl e i n r et ur n … h e f ee ls I 'm a lwa ys w at chi ng h im w it h s cor n … I c an' t t el l hi m i t' s wi th p it y …

h ow c an I h el p w at ch ing h im ? … h el p w or ry in g o ve r h is w or ry b ec au se o f w ha t i t m ig ht l ea d t o … a ft er

wha t hi s mo th er … how hor ri bl e l if e i s! … he 's wor ri ed n ow … he doe sn' t s le ep … I he ar hi m t os si ng

about … I must sleep with him again soon … he's only home two nights a week … it isn't fair of me …I

m us t t ry … I m us t! … he s us pe ct s m y r evul si on … i t' s hur ti ng h im … oh, p oor de ad ba by I da re d no t

bear, how I might have loved your father for your sake! …

EVANS--( suddenly feeling her presence, jerks himself to his feet--with a diffident guilty air which

i s not ic eabl e ab out hi m no w whe ne ve r he i s i n he r pr es enc e) H el lo, d ea r. I t ho ugh t y ou w er e l yi ngd ow n. ( guiltily) D id t he no is e o f m y t yp in g b ot he r y ou ? I 'm t er ri bl y s or ry !

N I N A - - (i rr it at ed i n s pi te o f h er se lf )

W hy i s h e alw ay s cri ng in g? …

(S he c ome s f or wa rd t o t he c ha ir at c ent er an d s it s do wn -- fo rc ing a s mi le) But t he re 's not hi ng t o b e

t er ri bl y s or ry abo ut ! ( As he stands awkward and confused, like a schoolboy who has been called on

to recite and cannot and is being "bawled out" before the class, she forces a playful tone.)

G oo dn es s, S am , h ow t ra gi c y ou c an g et a bo ut n ot hi ng a t a ll !

EVANS--( still forced to justify himself--contritely) I know i t i sn' t pl ea sa nt f or you ha vi ng me dra g my

w or k o ut he re , t ry in g t o po und ou t r ot te n a ds . (with a short laugh ) Trying to is right! (blurts out ) I

w ou ld n' t do i t e xc ept t ha t C ol e ga ve me a w ar ni ng t o bu ck up -- or g et o ut .

N I N A - - ( stares at him, more annoyed, her eyes hardening, thinking )

Y es ! … h e' ll a lw ay s b e l os ing o ne j ob , g et ti ng a no th er , s ta rt in g w it h a b ur st of c on fi de nc e e ac h t im e,

t he n …

(c ut ti ng h im w it h a c ar el es s s ne er in g t on e) We ll , it i sn' t a job to w or ry muc h a bout l osi ng, i s i t?

EVANS--(w i n ci n g p i t ia b l y) No, not much money. But I used to think t here was a fine cha nce to rise

t he re -- bu t o f c ou rs e t ha t' s m y f au lt , I h av en 't m ad e g oo d- -(h e f i ni s he s m is e ra bl y) somehow.

N I N A - - (her antagonism giving way to remorseful pity )

Wha t ma kes me s o c rue l? … he 's so de fens el es s … hi s mot he r' s ba by … poor s ic k ba by! … poor

Sa m! …

(She jumps to her feet and goes over to him. )

EVANS--(as she comes--with a defensive, boastful bravery ) Oh, I can get another job just as good,

all r ig ht -- mayb e a l ot b et t er .





N I N A - - (reassuringly) C er ta in ly , y ou c an ! A nd I 'm s ur e y ou 'r e n ot g oi ng t o l os e t hi s o ne . Y ou 'r e

always anticipating trouble. (She ki sse s hi m and si ts on the arm of hi s chair , putti ng an ar m ar ound

hi s ne ck an d p ul li ng hi s he ad on t o h er b re as t.) And i t is n' t your f ault , you bi g goos e, you! I t's m ine . I

know how ha rd i t m ake s e ve ry thi ng f or you, be ing t ie d t o a w ife who 's t oo s ic k t o be a wi fe . You ought

t o h av e m ar ri ed a b ig s tr ap pi ng , m ot herl y- -

EVANS--(in the seventh heaven now--passionately) B un k! A ll t he o th er w om en i n t he w or ld a re n' t

w or th yo ur l it tl e f in ge r! I t' s yo u w ho o ug ht t o ha ve m ar ri ed s om eo ne w or th w hi le , n ot a p oo r f is h l ik e m e!

But no one could love you more tha n I do, no matter what he wa s!

N I N A - - ( presses his head on her breast, avoiding his eyes, kisses him on the forehead ) And I love

yo u, S am . ( staring out over his head--with loving pity, thinking )

I a lm os t d o … p oor unf or tu na te boy! … a t t he se mom ent s … a s hi s m ot he r l ove s hi m … b ut t ha t i sn 't

e nough for hi m … I ca n hea r hi s mothe r s ayi ng, " Sammy' s got to f ee l sur e you love hi m … t o be ha ppy."

… I must try to make him feel sure …

( speaking gently) I want you to be happy, Sam.

EVANS--(h is f ac e t r an sf or me d w it h h ap pi ne s s) I a m- -a hu nd re d t im es m or e t ha n I d es er ve !

N I N A - - ( presses his head down on her breast so he cannot see her eyes--gently)Ssshh . (thinking

sadly)

I promise d her … but I couldn't se e how hard it woul d be to le t him love me … aft er his baby … wa s

gone … i t w as ha rd e ve n t o ke ep on l ivi ng … a ft er t ha t ope ra ti on … Gor do n' s s pi ri t f ol lowe d me fr om

r oo m t o r oo m … po or r ep ro ac hf ul gh os t! …

(w i t h b i t t er m o cker y)

Oh, G or do n, I 'm a fr ai d t hi s i s a d ee pe r poi nt o f h onor t ha n a ny t ha t wa s e ve r s hot dow n i n f la me s! …

what would your honor s ay now? … "Stick to him! … play the game!" … oh, ye s, I know … I'm

s ti cking … but he is n' t ha ppy … I 'm t ryi ng to pl ay t he game … the n why do I ke ep mys el f fr om hi m? …

but I was really sick … for a time after … since then, I couldn't … but … oh, I'll try … I'll try soon …

(tenderly--but having to force herself to say it ) Do es n' t m y b oy w ant t o s le ep wi th me

again--sometime soon?

EVANS--( passionately--hardly able to believe his ears) Oh, i t' d b e wo nde rf ul , Ni na ! Bu t a re yo u

s ur e y ou r eall y w an t m e t o- -t hat y ou 'l l f eel w el l eno ug h?

N I N A - - (r epe at s hi s w or ds a s i f s he we re me mor iz ing a l es son)

Y es , I wa nt you t o. Ye s, I 'l l fe el we ll e nough. ( He seizes herhand and kisses it in a passionately

grateful silence. She thinkswith resigned finality)

The re, Sa mmy' s mot he r a nd Gor don … I 'l l pl ay t he ga me … i t wi ll ma ke hi m ha ppy for a whi le … a s he

w as i n t ho se w ee ks a ft er w e' d l ef t h is m ot he r … w he n I g av e m ys el f w it h a m ad p le as ur e i n t or tu ri ng

m ys el f f or h is p leas ur e! …





(t he n w it h w ea ry h op el e ss ne s s)

H e' ll b e ha pp y u nt il h e b eg in s t o f ee l gu il ty a ga in b ec au se I 'm no t pr egn an t …

(w it h a g ri m bi tt er s mi le)

P oor S am, i f he onl y kne w t he pr ec aut ions … a s i f I woul dn 't di e r at he r t ha n t ake t he s li ght es t c ha nc e of that happening! … e ve r aga in … what a t ragic joke i t wa s on bot h of us! … I wa nt ed my ba by s o! …

oh, G od! … hi s m othe r s ai d … "Y ou've got to have a he alt hy ba by … s ome ti me … i t' s your ri ght ful

duty" … that s eemed right then … but now … it see ms cowa rdl y … to betra y poor Sam … a nd vi le to

g iv e m ys el f … w it ho ut l ov e or d es ir e … a nd y et I 'v e g ive n m ys el f t o m en b ef or e w it ho ut a t ho ug ht , j us t t o

gi ve t he m a m om en t' s h app ine ss … c an 't I do t ha t a ga in ? … w he n i t' s a c as e of S am 's ha pp ine ss ? … a nd

my own? …

(She gets up from beside him with a hunted movement. ) I t m us t b e ha lf p as t e ig ht . C ha rl ie 's c om ing

to bring his suggestions on my outline for Gordon's biography.

EVANS--(h i s b l i s s s h a tt er ed- - d eject edl y)

Al wa ys ha pp ens … j us t a s w e ge t c lo se … s om et hi ng c ome s be twe en …

(then confusedly) S ay , I f or go t t o t el l y ou N ed 's c om in g o ut t on ig ht .

N I N A - - (astonished ) N ed D ar re ll ?

E VA NS -- Su re . I h ap pe ne d t o r un i nt o h im t he o th er d ay a nd i nv it ed h im a nd h e s ai d S at ur da y e ve ni ng .

H e cou ld n' t t el l w hat t rain . S ai d n ev er m in d m eeti ng h im .

N I N A - - (excitedly ) W hy di dn' t you t el l m e be for e, you bi g booby! (S he k is se s h im .) T he re , d on 't m in d.

But it 's j us t l ike you. Now someone 'll h av e t o g o d ow n t o t he s tor e. A nd I 'l l h av e t o g et t he s pa re r oo m

r ea dy . (S he h ur ri es t o t he d oo rw ay . H e f ol lo ws h er .)

EVANS--I'll help you.

N IN A- -Y ou 'l l d o n ot hi ng o f t he k in d! Y ou 'l l s ta y r ig ht d ow ns ta ir s a nd b ri ng t he m i n h er e a nd c ov er u p

m y a bs en ce . T ha nk h ea ve ns , C ha rl ie w on 't s ta y l on g i f N ed i s h er e. (T h e d o or b el l r i n gs - - exci t edl y)

Th er e' s one of t he m no w. I 'l l r un ups ta ir s. Co me up a nd t el l me i f i t' s N ed- -a nd g et r id of Ch ar li e. (She

k is se s h im p la yf ul ly a nd h ur ri es o ut .)

EVANS--(looking after her--thinks )

She s eem s be tt er t onight … happi er … s he s ee ms t o l ove m e … i f she 'l l onl y ge t al l we ll a ga in, t he n

everything will …

(T he b el l r in gs a ga in .)

I must give Ned a good chance to talk to her …

( He goes out to the outer door--returns a moment later with Marsden . T he l at te r' s man ne r i s

preoccupied and nervous. His face has an expression of anxiety which he tries to conceal. He

seems a prey to some inner fear he is trying to hide even from himself and is resolutely warding





of f f ro m hi s c ons ci ou sne ss . Hi s t al l, t hi n bo dy s toop s as i f a pa rt of i ts s us tai ni ng w il l h ad be en

r em o ved .)

EVANS--(with a rather forced welcoming note) C om e o n i n, C harl ie. N in a' s u ps tair s l yi ng d ow n.

MARSDEN--( with marked relief ) Th en by a ll me ans do n' t d is tur b he r. I j us t dr opp ed i n t o b ri ng b ac k

h er o ut li ne w it h t he s ug gest io ns I 'v e m ad e. ( He has taken some papers out of his pocket and handst h em t o E va n s .) I c oul dn' t ha ve s ta ye d but a m in ut e i n a ny e ve nt . M ot he r i s a bi t un de r t he w ea the r

t hes e d ay s .

EVANS--( perfunctorily) Too bad. (thinking vindictively)

S er ve h er r ig ht , t he o ld s ca nd al -m on ge r, a ft er t he w ay s he 's g os si pe d a bo ut N in a! …

MARSDEN--( w i th a s su m ed c a re l es s ne s s) J us t a l it tl e i nd ig es ti on . N ot hi ng s er io us b ut i t ann oy s h er

terribly. (thinking frightenedly)

T ha t dul l pa in s he c ompl ai ns of … I d on' t l ike i t … a nd s he wo n' t s ee a nyon e b ut o ld D oc to rTi bbe tts …

s he 's s ix ty- eig ht … I c an' t he lp f ea ri ng … no! …

EVANS--(bored--vaguely) W el l, I s up po se y ou 've g ot t o b e c ar ef ul o f e ve ry l it tl e t hi ng w he n y ou g et

t o her a ge .

MARSDEN--( positively bristling ) Her age ? Mothe r i sn' t s o old!

EVANS--( surprised ) O ver s ix ty -f iv e, i sn 't s he?

MARSDEN--( indignantly ) Y ou 'r e q ui te o ut t here! S he's s ti ll u nd er s ix ty -f iv e- -and i n h ealt h and s pi ri tss he i sn 't m or e t han f if ty ! E very on e r em ar ks t hat! (annoyed at himself )

W hy di d I l ie t o hi m a bout her a ge ? … I mus t be on e dge … M ot he r i s r at he r di ff icul t t o l ive wi th t hes e

d ay s, g et ti ng m e w or ri ed t o d eath , w hen i t' s p ro babl y n ot hi ng …

EVANS--(a nn o ye d i n h i s t u rn - -t h in k in g )

Why all the fuss? … as if I gave a damn if the old girl was a million! …

(i n di c at i ng t h e p ap e rs ) I 'l l g iv e t hese t o N in a f ir st t hi ng i n t he m or ni ng .

MARSDEN--( mechanically ) Righto . T ha nk y ou . ( He starts to go toward door--then turns--fussily)

Bu t y ou' d b et te r t ake a l ook w hi le I 'm h er e a nd s ee i f i t' s c le ar . I 've w ri tt en on t he m ar gi ns . S ee i f t he re 's

any th in g y ou can 't m ak e o ut . ( Evans nods helplessly and begins reading the sheets, going back

beneath the lamp.)

MARSDEN--( l oo ki ng a ro un d h im w it h s qu ea mi s h d is ap pr ov al )

W ha t a me ss t he y' ve m ade of t hi s s tu dy … po or Pr of es so r! … de ad a nd f or go tt en … a nd h is t om b

des ec ra ted … doe s Sa m wr ite his a ds he re of a wee ke nd now? … t he l ast t ouc h! … and Ni na l abor s

w it h l ov e a t G or don 's bi ogr aph y … w ho m t he Pr of es so r ha te d! … " li fe i s s o f ul l of a nu mb er o f t hi ng s! "

… w hy doe s e ver yone in t he worl d t hink t he y ca n wr ite ? … but I 've onl y mys el f t o bla me … why in t he

de vil di d I e ve r s ugge st it t o he r? … be ca use I hope d my he lping he r whi le Sa m wa s i n the c it y would





bring us alone together? … but I made the suggestion before she had that abortion performed! … how

d o y ou k now s he d id ? … be ca us e I k now ! … t he re a re p sy ch ic a ff in it ie s … h er bo dy c onf es se d … a nd

since then, I've felt an aversion … as if she were a criminal … she is! … how could she? … why? … I

t houg ht s he wa nt ed a c hi ld … but e vi de nt ly I don' t know he r … I s uppos e, a fr ai d i t wo ul d s poi l he r

fi gur e … her f les h … her power t o ensla ve men's s enses … mine … a nd I had hoped … looked f orwar d

to her becoming a mother … for my peace of mind. …

(ca t chi n g h i m s el f - - vi ol en t ly)

Shu t up! … wh at a ba se c re at ur e I 'm be com ing ! … t o ha ve s uc h t ho ug ht s w he n M ot he r i s s ic k a nd I

o ugh t t o b e t hi nki ng on ly o f h er ! … a nd i t' s n on e o f m y d am n b us in es s, a nyw ay ! …

( glaring at Evans resentfully as if he were to blame)

Look a t hi m! … he' ll ne ve r sus pe ct a nythi ng! … wha t a s impl e- simon! … h e a do re d G or do n a s a

ne ws boy do es a c ha mpi on p ugi li st ! … a nd N ina wr it es of Go rdon a s i f h e ha d b ee n a demi - go d! …

w hen act uall y h e cam e f ro m t he com mo nest p eo pl e! …

( He suddenly speaks to Evans with a really savage satisfaction. ) Did I tell you I once looked up

G or do n' s f am il y i nB each am pt on ? A t r ul y d ep lo rabl e l ot ! W hen I r ememb er ed G or do n and l oo ked at h is

f at he r I ha d e it he r t o s us pe ct a l ove r i n t he w ood p il e or t o b el ie ve i n a n I mm ac ul at e Conc ep ti on … t ha t

i s, u nt il I s aw h is m ot her! T hen a s to rk b ecam e t he o nl y con ceiv ab le exp lanati on !

EVANS--(w ho h as o nl y h al f- he ar d a nd h as n' t u nd er st oo d, s ay s v ag ue l y) I never saw his folks. (

i n di c at i ng t h e p a pe r s) I ca n ma ke this a ll out al l ri ght.

MARSDEN--( sarcastically) I 'm g lad i t' s u nd er st an dabl e!

EVANS--(blunderingly) I 'l l g iv e i t t o N in a- -a nd I h op e y ou r m ot he r i s f ee li ng b et te r t om or ro w.

MARSDEN--( piqued ) O h, I 'm g oi ng . W hy d id n' t y ou t el l m e i f I w as i nt er ru pt in g- -y ou r w ri ti ng !

EVANS--(i m m edi a t el y g u i lt y) O h, c om e o n, C ha rl ie , d on 't ge t p ee vi sh , y ou kn ow I d id n' t m ea n- -(The

b el l r in gs . E va ns s ta mm er s i n c on fu si on , t ry in g a t a n on ch al an t a ir ) H el lo ! Tha t mu st be N ed. Yo u

r em em ber D ar rell . H e' s com in g o ut f or a l it tl e v is it . E xcus e m e. ( He blunders out of the door.)

MARSDEN--( l oo ki ng a ft er h im w it h a ng er m ix ed w it h a la rm ed s us pi ci on a nd s ur pr is e)

Da rr el l? … w ha t' s he do ing h er e? … ha ve t he y be en m ee ti ng? … pe rha ps he w as t he o ne w ho

performed the … no, his idea was she ought to have a child … but if she came and begged him? … but

why should Nina beg not to have a baby? …

(distractedly)

Oh, I don't know! … i t's al l a s or di d mes s! … I ought t o be going home ! … I don't wa nt to see Darr el l!

…

( He starts for the door--then struck by a sudden thought, stops. )

Wait … I could ask him about Mother … yes … good idea …





( He comes back to the middle of the room, front, and is standing there when Darrell enters,

followed by Evans. Darrell has not changed in appearance except that his expression is graver

and more thoughtful. His manner is more convincingly authoritative, more mature. He takes in

Marsden from head to foot with one comprehensive glance. )

EVANS--(awkwardly ) N ed , y ou r em em be r C ha rl ie Ma rs de n ?

MARSDEN--( h ol di ng o ut h is h an d, u rb an el y p ol it e) H ow a re y ou , D oc to r?

DARRELL--( shaking his hand--briefly) H el lo .

E VA NS -- I' ll g o u p a nd t el l N in a y ou 'r e he re , N ed . ( He goes, casting a resentful glance at Marsden .)

MARSDEN--( a wk wa rd ly , a s Da rr el l s it s do wn i n t he c hai r at c en te r, g oe s o ve r a nd s tan ds by t he

table) I w as on t he poi nt o f l ea vi ng w he n you r an g. Th en I d ec ide d t o s top a nd r ene w our a cqu ai nt anc e.

( He stoops and picks up one sheet of paper, and puts it back carefully on the table.)

DARRELL--(watching him--thinking )

N ea t … s us pi ci ou sl y ne at … he 's a n ol d m ai d who s ed uc es hi ms el f i n hi s nove ls … s o I s us pe ct … I 'd

l ik e a c ha nc e t o s tu dy h im m or e c lo se ly . …

MARSDEN--( thinking resentfully)

W ha t a boor ! … he m ight s ay s ome thi ng! …

( forcing a smile) And I wa nte d t o a sk a fa vor of you, a wor d of a dvi ce a s t o t he be st spec ial is t, t he

v er y b es t, i t w ou ld b e p os si bl e t o c on su lt --

DARRELL--( sharply) On what ?

MARSDEN--( almost nadvely) M y mot he r ha s a pa in i n he r s tom ach .

DARRELL--(amused--dryly ) P os si bl y s he e at s t oo m uc h.

MARSDEN--( a s he b end s and c ar ef ul ly pi ck s a not he r s he et f rom t he f loo r t o pl ac e i t a s c ar ef ul ly

on the table) S he d oe sn 't e at e no ugh t o ke ep a c an ar y a li ve . I t' s a d ul l, c on st an t p ai n, s he s ays . Sh e' s

t er ri bl y w or ri ed . S he 's t er ri fi ed b y t he i de a o f c an ce r. B ut , o f c ou rs e, t ha t' s p er fe ct r ot , s he 's n ev er b ee nsick a day in her life and- -

DARRELL--( sharply) S he's s ho wi ng m or e i nt el li gence abo ut h er p ai n t han y ou are.

MARSDEN--( b en d i ng d ow n f or a n o t her s h eet , h i s vo i ce tr em b l in g w it h t er ro r ) I don't

u nd er s tand -- qu it e. D o y ou m ean t o s ay y ou t hi nk -- ?

DARRELL--(brutally ) I t' s p os si bl e. ( He has pulled out his pen and a card and is writing. Thinking

grimly)

E xpl ode a bomb unde r hi m, a s I d id onc e be for e … onl y wa y t o ge t hi m s ta rt ed d oi ng a nyt hi ng. …

MARSDEN--( angrily) But--that's nonsense!





DARRELL--(w i t h s a t i s f act i o n- -unruffledly) People who are afraid to face unpleasant possibilities until

i t' s t oo l at e com mi t m or e m ur ders and s ui ci des t han- -(h ol ds o ut c ar d ) D oc to r S ch ul tz i s y ou r m an . T ak e

h er t o s ee h im -- t om or r ow !

MARSDEN--( b ur st in g o ut i n a ng er a nd m is er y) D am n i t, y ou 'r e con demn in g h er w it ho ut -- ! ( He

breaks down chokingly.) Y ou 'v e n o d am n r ig ht !- -( He bends down, trembling all over, to pick upa no th er p ie ce o f p ap er .)

DARRELL--( genuinely astonished and contrite)

A nd I t houg ht h e w as s o i ngr ow n he d idn' t c ar e a da mn a bout a ny one ! … hi s m ot he r … no w I be gi n t o

see him …

( He jumps from his chair and going toMarsden puts a hand on his shoulder--kindly) I beg your

pardon,Marsden . I only wanted to drive it in that all delay is dangerous. Your mother's pain may be due

t o a ny n um be r of h ar ml es s c aus es , bu t you ow e i t t o h er t o ma ke s ur e. H er e. ( He hands out the card.)

MARSDEN--( straightens up and takes it, his eyes grateful now--humbly) Tha nk yo u. I 'l l t ake h er t o

s ee h im t om or ro w. ( Evans comes in.)

EVANS--(to Marsden , blunderingly) Sa y, Ch ar li e, I don 't wa nt t o hur ry you bu t Ni na w an ts s om e

t hi ngs a t t he st or e be fo re i t c los es , a nd if you' d gi ve m e a l if t- -

MARSDEN--( dully) O f c ou rs e. C om e a lon g. ( He shakes hands with Darrell.) G oo d n ig ht ,

D oct or - -an d t h an k y ou .

DARRELL--Good night. ( Marsdengoes, followed by Evans.)

EVANS--(t ur ns i n t he do or way a nd s ay smeaningly) Ni na'l l b e r i gh t d o wn . F or P ete' s s ake, h ave a

g oo d h ea rt -t o- he ar t t al k w it h h er , N ed !

DARRELL--( frowning--impatiently) O h- -a ll r ig ht ! R un a lo ng . ( Evans goes. Darrell remains

standing near the table looking after them, thinking about Marsden .)

Q ue er f el lo w, Ma rs de n … m ot he r' s b oy s ti ll … i f s he d ie s w ha t w il l h e d o? …

(t h en d i s mi s s i ng Marsden wi th a s hr ug of hi s s houl de rs)

Oh, well , he can a lways e sca pe l ife in a new book. …

( He moves around the table examining its disorder critically, then sits down in armchair--amused

)

E vid enc es of a ut hor shi p … Sa m' s a ds ? … i sn' t ma king good, he s ai d … wa s I w rong i n th in ki ng he h ad

s tuff i n hi m? … hope not … a lw ays li ke d Sa m, don' t know why e xa ct ly … s ai dN in a' d g ot te n i nt o a ba d

s ta te a ga in … wh at 's ha pp ene d t o t he ir m ar ri age ? … I f el t a b it s or ry fo r my se lf a t t he ir we ddi ng … not

t ha t I' d e ve r f al le n … but I di d e nvy hi m i n a wa y … s he a lwa ys ha d s trong phys ic al a tt ra ct ion for m e …

t ha t t im e I k is se d h er … on e r ea son I 've s te er ed c le ar s inc e … t ake no c ha nc es on e mot ion al di dos …

ne ed a ll my mi nd on m y wor k … got r id of e ve n tha t sl ight s us pic ion … I 'd for gott en al l a bout he r …

s he 's a s tr ange g ir l … i nt er es tin g c as e … I s houl d ha ve ke pt i n t ouc h on t ha t a cc ount … h ope s he 'l l te ll





m e a bo ut h er se lf … c an 't u nd er st an d h er n ot ha vi ng c hi ld … i t' s s o o bv io us ly t he s en si bl e t hi ng …

(cynically)

P ro ba bl y w hy … t o e xp ec t c om mo n s en se o f p eo pl e p ro ve s y ou 'r e l ac ki ng i n i t y ou rs el f! …

N I N A - - (e nt er s s il en tl y. S he h as f ix ed h er se lf u p, p ut o n h er b es t d re ss , a rr an ge d h er h ai r, r ou ge d,e tc .- -b ut i t i s p ri nc ip al ly h er m oo d t ha t h as c ha ng ed h er , m ak in g h er a pp ea r a y ou ng er , p re tt ie r

person for the moment. Darrell immediately senses her presence, and, looking up, gets to his feet

with a smile of affectionate admiration. She comes quickly over to him saying with frank pleasure

) H el lo , N ed . I 'm c er ta in ly g la d t o s ee y ou a ga in -- af te r a ll t he se y ea rs !

DARRELL--(a s t he y s ha ke h an ds -- sm il in g ) Not as long as all that, is it? (t h i n ki n g a d m ir i n g ly)

W on de rf ul -l oo ki ng a s e ve r … S am i s a l uc ky d ev il ! …


S tr on g h an ds l ik e G or do n' s … t ak e h ol d o f y ou … n ot l ik e S am 's … y ie ld in g f in ge rs t ha t l et y ou f al l

back into yourself …

(teasingly) I o ug ht t o c ut y ou d ea d a ft er t he s ha me fu l w ay y ou 'v e i gn or ed u s!

DARRELL--(a b i t e m ba r ra s se d ly) I 've r ea ll y me ant t o w ri te . (h is e ye s e xa mi ni ng h er k ee nl y)

B ee n t hr ou gh a l ot s in ce I s aw h er … f ac e s ho ws i t … n er vo us t en si on p ro no un ce d … h id in g b eh in d h er

smile …

N I N A - - (u ne as y u nd er h is g la nc e)

I h at e t ha t p ro fe ss io na l l oo k i n h is e ye s … w at ch in g s ym pt om s … w it ho ut s ee in g m e …

(with resentful mockery) W el l, wha t d o y ou s us pe ct i s wr ong wi th t he pa ti en t n ow , Doc tor ? (She

l a u gh s n er vou s l y.) Si t d ow n, N ed . I s upp os e y ou c an 't he lp y ou r d ia gn os ing s ta re . (She turns from him

and sits down in the rocker at center. )

DARRELL--(q ui c k ly a v er t in g h i s e y es - - si t s d ow n -- j ok i ng l y) S am e o ld u nj us t a cc us at io n! Y ou w er e

a lw ay s r ea di ng d ia gn os is i nt o m e, w he n wh at I w as r ea ll y t hi nk ing w as w ha t f in e e ye s y ou ha d, o r w ha t a becoming gown, or--

N I N A - - ( smiling ) Or what a bec oming a libi you c oul d cook up! Oh, I know you! (W it h a s ud de n

c ha ng e o f m oo d s he l au gh s g ai ly a nd n at ur al ly .) B ut y ou 'r e f or gi ven- -t hat i s, i f y ou can exp lain w hy

y ou 've n ev er b ee n t o s ee u s.

D AR RE LL -- Ho ne st ly , N in a, I 'v e b ee n s o r us he d w it h w or k I h av en 't h ad a c ha nc e t o g o a ny wh er e.

NINA--Or an inclination!

DARRELL--( smiling ) Well--maybe.

N IN A- -D o y ou l ik e t he I ns ti tu te s o m uc h? ( He nods gravely.) I s i t t he b ig o pp or tu ni ty y ou w an te d?





DARRELL--( simply) I think it is.

N I N A - - (wi th a s mi le) W el l, y ou 'r e t he t ak in g k in d f or w ho m o pp or tu ni ti es are m ad e!

DARRELL--( smiling ) I hope so.

N I N A - - ( sighing ) I wi sh t ha t coul d be sa id of mor e of us --(then quickly)--meaning myself.

DARRELL--(thinking with a certain satisfaction )

M ea ni ng S am … t ha t d oe sn 't l oo k h op ef ul f or f ut ur e w ed de d b li ss ! …

(teasingly) B ut I h eard y ou w er e " taki ng an o pp or tu ni ty " t o g o i n f or l it er at ur e- -col labo rati ng w it h

M ar sd en .

N IN A- -N o, C ha rl ie i s o nl y g oi ng t o a dv is e. H e' d n ev er d ei gn t o a pp ea r a s c o- au th or . A nd b es id es , h en ev er a pp re ci at ed t he r ea l G or do n. N o o ne d id e xc ep t m e.

DARRELL--(t h i nki n g ca u st i ca l ly)

G or do n m yt h s tr on g a s e ve r … r oot o f he r t rou bl e s ti ll …

(keen l y i n q ui s i t i ve) S am cer tain ly app reci at ed h im , d id n' t h e?

N I N A - - (not remembering to hide her contempt ) Sa m? W hy, h e' s t he e xa ct opp os it e i n e ve ry wa y!

DARRELL--(ca u st i ca l ly t h i n ki n g )

Th es e h er oe s di e ha rd … b ut p er ha ps s he c an wr it e h im o ut of h er s ys te m. …

( persuasively) W el l, y ou 'r e g oi ng a he ad w it h t he b io gr aph y, a re n' t y ou ? I t hi nk y ou o ug ht t o.

N I N A - - (dryly) For my soul, Doct or? (listlessly) I s uppos e I wi ll . I d on' t know . I ha ve n' t muc h t im e.

T he d ut ie s o f a w if e- -(teasingly) B y t he w ay, i f i t i sn 't t oo r ud e t o i nqu ir e, a re n' t y ou g et ti ng y our se lf

e ng ag ed t o s om e f ai r l ad y o r o th er ?

DARRELL--( smiling--but emphatically) N ot o n y ou r l if e! N ot u nt il a ft er I 'm t hi rt y- fi ve , a t l ea st !

N I N A - - ( sarcastically) T hen y ou d on 't b el ieve i n t ak in g y ou r o wn m ed icin e? W hy , D octo r! T hi nk o f

h ow m uc h g oo d i t w ou ld d o y ou !- -(excitedly with a hectic sarcasm ) -- if yo u ha d a ni ce gi rl t o l ove -- or

w as i t l ea rn t o l ov e? -- an d t ak e c ar e o f- -w ho se c ha ra ct er y ou c ou ld s ha pe a nd w ho se l if e y ou c ou ld

g ui de and m ak e w hat y ou p leas ed , i n w ho se u ns el fi sh d ev ot io n y ou cou ld f in d p eace! (more and more

b i t t er l y s a r cas t i c) A nd y ou o ug ht t o h av e a b ab y, D oc to r! Y ou w il l n ev er k no w w ha t l if e i s, y ou 'l l n ev er

be really happy until you've had a baby, Doctor--a fine, healthy baby! (S he l au gh s a b it te r, s ne er in g

laugh.)

DARRELL--(after a quick, keen glance, thinking )

Good! … s he 's going to t ell …





(m eekl y) I r ec og ni ze m y a rg um en ts . W as I r ea ll y w ro ng on e ve ry p oi nt , N in a?

N I N A - - (harshly) O n every s in gl e p oi nt , D octo r!

DARRELL--( glancing at her keenly) B ut ho w? Y ou ha ve n' t gi ve n t he ba by e nd of i t a c ha nc e ye t,

have you?

N I N A - - (bitterly) Oh, haven't I? (then bursts out with intense bitterness ) I 'l l ha ve you know I 'm not

d es ti ne d t o b ea r b ab ie s, D oc to r!

DARRELL--( startledly)

What 's t hat ? … why not ? …

(a ga in w it h a c e rt ai n s at i sf ac t io n)

Can she mean Sam? … that he …

( soothingly--but plainly disturbed ) Why don' t you begin at the be gi nning and t el l me al l a bout it ? I fe el

responsible.

N I N A - - ( fiercely) You are! (t h en w e ar i ly) And you' re not. No one is . You didn' t know. No one c oul d

know.

DARRELL--(in same tone) Know what? (thinking with the same eagerness to believe something

h e h op es)

She m us t me an no one c oul d know t ha t Sa m wa sn' t … but I mi ght ha ve gue ss ed i t … fr om his ge ner alw ea kn es s … p oo r u nl uc ky d ev il …

(t he n a s s he r em ai ns s il en t- -urgingly) T el l m e. I w an t t o h el p y ou , N in a.

N I N A - - ( pouched ) It's too late, Ned. (t h en s u dd e nl y) I 'v e j us t t ho ug ht -- Sa m s ai d h e h ap pe ne d t o r un

into you. That i sn't so, i s it? He went to se e you and told you how worri ed he was about me and asked

you out t o s ee me , di dn' t he ? (a s D ar re ll n od s) O h, I don 't mi nd! I t' s e ve n r at he r t ouc hi ng. (t h en

mockingly) W el l, s in ce y ou 'r e o ut h er e p ro fe ss io na ll y, a nd m y h us ba nd w an ts m e t o c on su lt y ou, I m ig ht

a s w el l g iv e y ou t he w ho le c as e h is to ry ! (wearily ) I w ar n y ou i t i sn 't p re tt y, D oc to r! B ut t he n l if e d oe sn 't

s ee m t o be p re tt y, do es i t? An d, a ft er a ll , y ou a ide d a nd a be tt ed G od t he F at he r i n m aki ng t hi s m es s. Iho pe i t' ll t ea ch y ou no t t o be s o c oc ks ur e i n f ut ur e. (more and more bitterly ) I mus t s ay you pr oce eded

very unscientifically, Doctor! (t he n s ud de nl y s ta rt s h er s to ry i n a d ul l m on ot on ou s t on e r ec al li ng t ha t

of Evans' mother in the previous Act ) W he n we we nt t o v is it Sa m' s m ot he r I 'd k nown f or tw o m ont hs

that I wa s going to ha ve a baby.

DARRELL--( startled--unable to hide a trace of disappointment ) O h, t he n you a ct ua ll y we re ? (

t hi nk i ng d is ap po in te dl y a nd a sh am ed o f h im se lf f or b ei ng d is ap po in te d )

Al l w rong, wha t I t hought … s he wa s goi ng t o … t he n why di dn' t s he ? …

N I N A - - (with a strange happy intensity ) Oh, Ne d, I l ove d i t mor e t ha n I 've e ve r l ove d a nyt hi ng i n my

l if e- -e ve n G or do n! I l ov ed i t s o i t s ee me d a t t im es t ha t G or do n m us t b e i ts r ea l f at he r, t ha t G or do n m us t

ha ve c ome t o m e i n a dr ea m whi le I wa s l yi ng a sle ep be si de Sa m! And I wa s ha ppy! I a lm os t l ove d Sa m





t he n! I f el t he wa s a go od hu sba nd!

DARRELL--(i n st a nt l y r e pe l le d -- t hi n ki n g w i th s c or n fu l j e al o us y)

Ha! … the he ro a ga in! … come s t o her bed! … puts hor ns on poor Sam! … be come s t he f at he r of hi s

c hi ld! … I 'l l b e da mne d i f he rs i sn' t t he mos t i di ot ic obs es sion I e ve r …

N I N A - - (h er v oi ce s ud de nl y b ec om in g f la t a nd l if el es s) An d t he n Sa m' s m ot he r t ol d me I c oul dn' t

h av e m y b ab y. Y ou s ee , D oc to r, S am 's g re at -g ra nd fa th er w as i ns an e, a nd S am 's g ra nd mo th er d ie d i n a n

a sy lu m, a nd S am 's f at he r h ad l os t h is m in d f or ye ar s b ef or e h e d ie d, a nd a n a un t w ho i s s ti ll a li ve i s c ra zy .

So of c our se I had t o a gre e it woul d be wr ong- -a nd I ha d an ope ra tion.

DARRELL--(w ho h as l i st e ne d w it h a ma ze d h or r or - -p ro fo un dl y s ho ck e d a nd s tu nn ed ) G ood G od !

A re y ou c ra zy , N in a? I s im pl y c an 't b el ie ve ! I t w ou ld b e t oo h el li sh ! P oo r S am , o f a ll p eo pl e! (

bewilderedly ) N in a! A re y ou a bs ol ut el y s ur e?

N I N A - - (immediately defensive and mocking ) A bs ol ut el y, D oc to r! W hy ? D o y ou t hi nk i t' s I w ho a mc ra zy ? S am l oo ks s o h ea lt hy a nd s an e, d oe sn 't h e? H e f oo le d y ou c om pl et el y, d id n' t h e? Y ou t ho ug ht

h e' d b e a n i de al h us ba nd f or m e! A nd p oo r S am 's f oo li ng h im se lf t oo b ec au se h e d oe sn 't k no w a ny th in g

abo ut all t hi s- -s o y ou can 't b lame h im , D octo r!

DARRELL--(thinking in a real panic of horror--and a flood of protective affection for her )

God, this is too awful! … on t op of all the rest! … how did she ever stand it! … she' ll lose her mi nd too!

… and it's my fault! …

( getting up, comes to her and puts his hands on her shoulders, standing behind her--tenderly)

Nina! I'm so damn sorry! There's only one possible thing to do now. You'll have to make Sam give you adivorce.

N I N A - - (bitterly) Y es ? T he n w ha t d o yo u s up po se w oul d b e hi s f in is h? N o, I 'v e e no ug h g ui lt i n m y

m em or y no w, t ha nk you ! I 've go t t o s ti ck t o S am ! (then with a strange monotonous insistence ) I 've

promised Sam's mother I'd make him happy! He's unhappy now because he thinks he isn't able to give

m e a c hi ld . A nd I 'm u nh ap py b ec au se I 'v e l os t m y c hi ld . S o I m us t h av e a no th er b ab y- -s om eh ow -- do n' t

y ou t hi nk , D oc to r? -- to m ak e u s b ot h h ap py ? (She looks up at him pleadingly. For a moment they

stare into each other's eyes--then both turn away in guilty confusion.)

DARRELL--(b ew il d er edl y t h i n ki n g )

Tha t l ook in her eyes … what does s he wa nt me to think? … why doe s s he talk s o muc h about being

happy? … am I ha ppy? … I don't know … wha t is happine ss? …

(confusedly) N ina , I d on 't k no w w ha t t o t hi nk.

N I N A - - (thinking strangely)

That look in his eyes … what did he mean? …

(with the same monotonous insistence) You mus t know wha t t o think. I ca n't thi nk i t out mys elf any

m or e. I n eed y ou r adv ice-- yo ur scientific adv ice t hi s t im e, i f y ou p leas e, D octo r. I 'v e t ho ug ht and t ho ug ht

a bout i t. I 've t ol d m ys el f i t' s wh at I o ugh t t o d o. S am' s o wn m ot he r ur ge d m e t o do i t. I t' s s en si bl e a nd





k ind a nd j us t a nd g ood . I 'v e t ol d m ys el f t hi s a t hou sa nd t im es a nd ye t I c an 't q ui te c on vi nc e s om et hi ng i n

m e t ha t' s a fr ai d of s om et hi ng. I n ee d t he c our ag e o f s om eone w ho c an s ta nd ou ts ide a nd r ea so n i t o ut a s

i f Sa m a nd I we re no m or e t ha n gui ne a pi gs . Y ou' ve g ot t o he lp m e, D oc tor ! Yo u' ve got t o s ho w m e

w ha t' s t he s an e- -t he t ru ly s an e, y ou u nd er st an d! -- th in g I m us t d o f or S am 's s ak e, a nd m y o wn .

DARRELL--(thinking confusedly)

What do I have to do? … this was all my fault … I owe her something in return … I owe Sam

s om et hi ng … I o we t he m h ap pi ne ss ! …

(irritably )

Da mn i t, t he re 's a humm ing i n my e ars ! … I' ve c aught s ome fe ve r … I s wor e t o l ive c ool ly … l et me

see. …

(i n a c ol d, e mot ion le ss pr of es si on al v oi ce , hi s f ac e l ik e a m as k of a do ct or ) A doct or must be i n f ull

possession of the facts, if he is to advise. What is it precisely that Sam's wife has thought so much of doing?

N I N A - - (in the same insistent tone) O f p ic ki ng o ut a h ea lt hy m al e a bo ut w ho m s he c ar ed n ot hi ng a nd

h av in g a chi ld b y h im t hat S am w ou ld b el ieve w as h is chi ld , w ho se l if e w ou ld g iv e h im con fi dence i n h is

ow n l ivi ng , w ho woul d be f or hi m a l iv ing p roof t ha t hi s wi fe l ove d h im . (c o nf u se d ly , s t ra ng e ly a nd

purposefully)

T hi s d oc to r i s h ea lt hy . …

DARRELL--(i n h is u lt ra -p ro fe s si on al m an ne r -- li k e a n a ut om at on o f a d oc t or ) I se e. But t hi s ne eds

a l ot o f t hi nk in g o ve r. I t i sn 't e as y t o p re sc ri be -- (thinking )

I have a friend who has a wife … I was envious a t his we dding … but what has that to do with it? …

da mn it , my m ind won' t wor k! … i t ke eps runni ng a wa y t o he r … i t wa nts t o ma te wi th her mi nd … i n

t he i nt er es t o f S ci en ce ? … w ha t d am ne d r ot I 'm t hi nk in g! …

N I N A - - (thinking as before)

Thi s doc tor is nothi ng to me but a healt hy male … when he was Ne d he once ki ssed me … but I car ed

n ot hi ng a bo ut h im … s o t ha t' s a ll r ig ht , i sn 't i t, S am 's M ot he r?


Let me see … I am in the laboratory and they are guinea pigs … in fact, in the intere st of science, I can

be for the purpose of this experiment, a healthy guinea pig myself and still remain an observer … I

o bs er ve m y p ul se i s h ig h, f or e xa mp le , a nd t ha t' s o bv io us ly b ec au se I a m s tr ic ke n w it h a r ec ur re nc e o f a n

ol d de si re … de si re i s a na tu ra l ma le r ea ct ion t o t he be aut y of t he f ema le … he r hus ba nd i s m y f ri end …

I have a lways t ri ed t o he lp him …

(coldly) I 'v e b ee n c on si de ri ng w ha t S am 's w if e t ol d m e a nd h er r ea so ni ng i s q ui te s ou nd . T he c hi ld c an 't

be her husband's.

N IN A- -T he n y ou a gr ee w it h S am 's m ot he r? S he s ai d: " Be in g h ap py i s t he n ea re st w e c an e ve r c om e t o

knowing what good is!"





D AR RE LL -- I agr ee w it h h er d ecid ed ly . S am 's w if e s ho ul d f in d a h ealt hy f at her f or S am 's chi ld at o nce.

It is her sa ne duty t o he r hus ba nd. (w o r r ied l y t h i nki n g )

H av e I e ve r b ee n h ap py? … I h av e s tud ie d t o c ur e t he b ody 's un ha pp in es s … I ha ve w at ch ed h ap py

s mi le s f or m o n t he l ip s o f t he d yi ng … I h av e e xp er ie nc ed p le as ur e w it h a n um be r o f w om en I d es ir ed

but never loved … I have known a bit of honor and a trifle of self-satisfaction … this talk of happinesss ee ms t o m e e xt ra ne ou s …

N I N A - - (beginning to adopt a timid, diffident, guilty tone ) This wi ll ha ve t o be hidden f rom Sa m so

h e c an n ev er k no w! O h, D oc to r, S am 's w if e i s a fr ai d!

DARRELL--( sharply professional ) N on sens e! T hi s i s n o t im e f or t im id it y! H ap pi ness h at es t he t im id !

S o d oe s S ci en ce ! C er ta in ly S am 's w if e m us t c on ce al h er a ct io n! T o l et S am k no w w ou ld b e i ns an el y

c rue l of h er -- and s tu pi d, f or t he n n o o ne c ou ld be t he h ap pi er f or h er a ct ! (anxiously thinking )

Am I r ight t o advi se t his ? … ye s, i t is c le ar ly t he ra tiona l thi ng to do … but t hi s a dvi ce bet rays my f ri end!… no, it saves him! … it saves his wife … and if a third party should know a little happiness … is he any

poorer, am I any the less his friend because I saved him? … no, my duty to him is plain … and my duty

a s a n e xpe ri me nt al s ea rc he r a ft er t rut h … t o obs er ve t he se t hr ee gu ine a pi gs , of whi ch I a m one …

N I N A - - (thinking determinedly)

I must have my baby! …

(t i mi d ly - -g e ts f r om h e r c h ai r a nd h a lf - tu r ns t o wa r d h i m- - pl e ad i ng l y) You m us t gi ve hi s wi fe

cou rage, D octo r. Y ou m us t f ree h er f ro m h er f eeli ng o f g ui lt .

DARRELL--There can only be guilt when one deliberately neglects one's manifest duty to life. Anything

e ls e i s r ot ! T hi s w om an' s d ut y i s t o s av e h er h us ba nd a nd h er se lf b y b eg et ti ng a h ea lt hy c hi ld ! (thinking

guiltily and instinctively moving away from her )

I am healthy … but he is my friend … there is such a thing as honor! …

N I N A - - (determinedly)

I m us t t ake my ha ppi ne ss ! …

( frightenedly--comes after him) B ut s he i s a sh am ed . I t' s a du lt er y. I t' s w ro ng .

DARRELL--(m ov in g a wa y a ga in -- wi th a c ol d s ne e ri ng l au gh o f i mp at i en ce) W ro ng ! W ou ld s he

r at he r s ee he r hus ba nd wi nd up i n a n a syl um ? W oul d s he r at he r f ac e t he pr os pe ct of g oi ng t o p ot

mentally, morally, physically herself through year after year of devilling herself and him? Really, Madame,

i f y ou c an 't t hr ow o ve rb oa rd a ll s uc h i rr el ev an t m or al i de as , I 'l l h av e t o g iv e u p t hi s c as e h er e a nd n ow ! (

thinking frightenedly)

W ho i s t al ki ng? … i s h e s ugge st ing m e? … bu t you know ve ry we ll I c an' t b e t he one , Doc to r! … why

n ot , y ou 'r e h ea lt hy a nd i t' s a f ri en dl y a ct f or a ll c on ce rn ed …

N I N A - - (thinking determinedly)





I must have my baby! …

(Going further toward him--she can now touch him with her hand. ) P le as e, D oc to r, y ou m us t g iv e

he r s tre ngt h t o do t hi s r ight thi ng t ha t s ee ms t o he r s o r ight and the n s o wr ong! (She puts out her hand

and takes one of his. )

DARRELL--(thinking frightenedly)

Whose hand is t his? … it bur ns me … I kis sed he r onc e … he r l ips were cold … now they would burn

w it h h ap pi ne ss f or m e! …

N I N A - - (t ak ing h is ot he r h an d and s low ly p ul li ng h im ar ou nd t o f ac e h er , al th ou gh h e d oe s not

l o ok a t h e r- - pl e ad i ng l y) N ow s he f ee ls yo ur s tr en gt h. I t g iv es h er t he c ou ra ge t o a sk y ou , Do ct or , t o

s ug ge st t he f at he r. S he h as c ha ng ed , D oc to r, s in ce s he b ec am e S am 's w if e. S he c an 't b ea r t he t ho ug ht

n ow o f g iv in g h er se lf t o a ny m an s he c ou ld n ei th er d es ir e n or r es pe ct . S o e ac h t im e h er t ho ug ht s c om e t o

t he ma n s he mu st s el ec t t he y a re a fr ai d t o go o n! S he n ee ds yo ur c our age t o c ho os e!

DARRELL--(a s i f l is te ni ng t o h im se lf )

Sam is my friend … well, and isn't she your friend? … her two hands are so warm! … I must not eve n

hint a t my de si re! …

( judicially calm) W el l, t he m an m us t b e s om eo ne w ho i s n ot u na tt ra ct iv e t o h er p hy si ca ll y, o f c ou rs e.

N IN A- - Ne d a lw a ys a tt r ac t ed h er .


Wha t' s t ha t s he s ai d? … Ne d? … a tt ra ct s? …

(in same tone ) A nd t he m an s ho ul d h av e a m in d t hat can t ru ly u nd er st an d- -a s ci en ti fi c m in d s up er io r t o

the moral scruples that cause so much human blundering and unhappiness.

N IN A- -S he a lw ay s t ho ug ht N ed h ad a s up er io r m in d.


Did she say Ned? … she thinks Ned … ?

(in same tone ) The ma n s houl d l ike a nd a dm ir e he r, he s houl d be he r good f ri end a nd wa nt t o he lp he r,

but he should not love her--although he might, without harm to anyone, desire her.

N IN A- -N ed d oe s n ot l ov e h er -- bu t h e u se d t o l ik e h er a nd , I t hi nk , d es ir e h er . D oe s h e n ow , D oc to r?


Does he? … who is he? … he is Ned! … Ned is I! … I desire her! … I desire happiness! …

(t r em bl i n gl y n o w- - g ent l y) But , Ma dame , I must c onfe ss the Ned you ar e spea ki ng of is I, and I am

Ned.





N I N A - - ( gently) And I am Nina, who wants her baby. (T he n s he r eac he s out and t ur ns hi s h ead

un ti l hi s f ac e f ac es he rs but he k ee ps hi s e ye s dow n- -s he be nds he r h ead m ee kl y a nd

submissively--softly) I s houl d be s o gr at eful, Ne d. ( He starts, looks up at her wildly, makes a motion

as though to take her in his arms, then remains fixed for a moment in that attitude, staring at her

b ow ed h ea d a s s he r ep ea ts s ub mi ss iv el y) I s hou ld b e s o h um bl y g ra te ful .

DARRELL--( suddenly falling on his knees and taking her hand in both of his and kissing it h um bl y -- wi t h a s ob) Y es- - yes , N i na- -y es- - fo r y ou r h ap pi nes s- - in t h at s p ir i t! (thinking--fiercely

triumphant )

I shall be happy for a while! …

N I N A - - (r a i s in g h er h ea d- - t h in ki n g- - p r ou d l y t r i u mp h an t )

I s ha ll be ha ppy! … I s ha ll ma ke my hus ba nd ha ppy! …

(Curtain)

A CT F IV E

SCENE-- T he s it ti ng r oo m of a s ma ll ho us e E va ns ha s r en te d i n a s ea sho re s ubu rb n ear N ew

Y or k. I t i s a b ri gh t m or ni ng i n t he f ol lo wi ng A pr il .

T he r oo m i s a t yp ical s it ti ng r oo m o f t he q uant it y- pr od ucti on b un galo w t yp e. W in do ws o n t he l ef t l oo k

ou t o n a br oa d por ch. A dou bl e do or wa y i n r ea r l ea ds i nt o t he h al l. A doo r on r ig ht , t o t he di ni ng r oom .

Nina has tried to take the curse of offensive, banal newness off the room with some of her own things

f ro m h er o ld h om e b ut t he att em pt h as b een h al f- hear ted i n t he f ace o f s uch o verp ow er in g com mo nn es s,

a nd t he r es ul t i s a r oom a s di so rga ni ze d i n c ha ra ct er a s w as t he P rof es sor 's s tud y i n t he l as t Ac t.

T he a rr an ge me nt o f t he f ur ni tu re f ol lo ws t he s am e p at te rn a s i n p re ce di ng s ce ne s. T he re i s a M or ri s c ha ir a nd a r ou nd g ol de n o ak t ab le a t l ef t o f c en te r, a n u ph ol st er ed c ha ir , c ov er ed w it h b ri gh t c hi nt z a t c en te r,

a s of a c ov er ed w it h t he s am e c hi nt z a t r ig ht .

N ina i s s it ti ng i n t he c ha ir a t c ent er . Sh e ha s be en t ryi ng t o r ea d a bo ok but ha s l et t hi s d ro p l is tl es sly on

h er l ap . A g re at c ha ng e i s n ot ic ea bl e i n h er f ac e a nd b ea ri ng . S he i s a ga in t he p re gn an t w om an o f A ct

T hr ee b ut t hi s t im e t here i s a t ri um ph an t s tr en gt h abo ut h er exp ress io n, a r ut hl es s s el f- co nf id en ce i n h er

e ye s. S he h as g ro wn s to ut er , h er f ac e h as f il le d o ut . O ne g et s n o i mp re ss io n o f n eu ro ti c s tr ai n f ro m h er

n ow , s he s eems n er veless and d eepl y cal m.

N I N A - - (a s i f l is te ni ng f or s om et hi ng w it hi n h er -- jo yf ul ly)





Ther e! … t ha t c an' t be my ima gi nat ion … I fe lt it pl ainly … l if e … my ba by … my only baby … the

ot he r ne ver r ea ll y l ive d … thi s i s t he c hil d of my l ove ! … I l ove Ne d! … I 've l ove d hi m e ve r s inc e t ha t

f ir st a ft er no on … wh en I w ent t o hi m … s o s ci en ti fi ca ll y! …

(S he l au gh s a t h er se lf .)

Oh, what a goose I was! … then love came to me … in his arms … happiness! … I hid it from him … Is aw h e w as f ri gh tened … h is o wn j oy f ri gh tened h im … I cou ld f eel h im f ig ht in g w it h h im self … d ur in g all

t ho se a ft er no on s … o ur w on de rf ul a ft er no on s o f h ap pi ne ss ! … a nd I s ai d n ot hi ng … I m ad e m ys el f b e

c al cu la ti ng … s o w he n h e f in al ly s ai d … d re ad ful ly d is tur be d … " Lo ok h er e, N in a, w e' ve do ne a ll t ha t i s

n ec es sa ry , p la yi ng w it h f ir e i s d an ge ro us " … I s ai d, " Yo u' re q ui te r ig ht , N ed , o f a ll t hi ng s I d on 't w ant t o

f al l i n l ov e w it h y ou! " …

(S he l a ug hs .)

He didn' t like that ! … he looked a ngry … a nd a fra id … then f or wee ks he never even phoned … I

wa it ed … i t w as pr ud ent t o wa it … b ut e ve ry da y I gr ew mo re t er ri fi ed … t he n j us t a s m y w il l wa s breaking, his broke … he suddenly appeared again … but I held him to his aloof doctor's pose and sent

him awa y, pr oud of his wi ll powe r … a nd si ck of hi ms el f wit h de si re for me ! … e ve ry we ek s inc e t hen

h e' s b ee n c om in g o ut h er e … a s m y d oc to r … w e' ve t al ke d a bo ut o ur c hi ld w is el y, d is pa ss io na te ly … a s

i f i t wer e Sa m's c hil d … we 've ne ver gi ve n i n to our de sir e … a nd I' ve wat ched l ove gr ow in hi m unti l I' m

s ure …

(w it h s ud de n a la rm)

But a m I? … he' s never once me nt ione d love … pe rhaps I 've bee n a f ool to pl ay the part I' ve pla ye d …

i t m ay ha ve t ur ne d hi m a ga in st me …

( suddenly with calm confidence)

No … he does … I feel it … it's only when I start thinking, I begin to doubt …

(S he s et tl es b ac k a nd s ta re s d re am il y b ef or e h er -- a p au se .)

The re … a gai n … hi s c hi ld! … my c hil d m oving in my l ife … my li fe movi ng i n m y c hil d … t he wor ld i s

who le a nd pe rf ec t … a ll t hi ngs a re e ac h ot he r' s … l if e i s … a nd t he i sis be yo nd r ea so n … q ue st io ns di e

i n t he s il enc e of this pea ce … I a m li vi ng a dre am wi thi n t he gre at dre am of t he ti de … br ea thi ng i n t he

t ide I dr ea m a nd br ea th e b ac k my dr ea m i nt o t he t ide … s us pe nd ed i n t he mov eme nt o f t he t id e, I f ee llife move in me, suspended in me … no whys matter … there is no why … I am a mother … God is a

M ot he r …

(S he s ig hs h ap pi ly , c lo si ng h er e ye s. A p au se .)

EVANS--(e nt er s f rom t he hal lwa y i n r ear . H e i s dr es se d c ar ef ul ly but hi s c lot he s ar e o ld

o ne s -- s ha bb y c ol le gi at e g en ti li ty -- an d h e h as f or go tt en t o s ha ve . H is e ye s l oo k p it ia bl y h ar ri ed , h is

manner has become a distressingly obvious attempt to cover up a chronic state of nervous panic

a nd g ui lt y c on sc ie nc e. H e s to ps i ns id e t he d oo rw ay a nd l oo ks a t h er w it h a p it ia bl e f ur ti ve ne ss ,

a rg ui ng w it h h im se lf , t ry in g t o g et u p h is c ou ra ge .)

Tell her! … go on! … you made up your mind to, didn't you? … don't quit now! … tell her you've

decided … for her sake … to face the truth … that she can't love you … she's tried … she's acted like a





go od s por t … but s he 's b egi nni ng t o h at e yo u … a nd yo u c an 't bl ame he r … s he wa nt ed c hi ld re n … a nd

y ou h av en 't b ee n a bl e …

( protesting feebly)

B ut I do n' t k now f or c er ta in … t ha t t ha t' s m y f aul t …

(then bitterly)

A w, d on 't k id y ou rs el f, i f s he 'd m ar ri ed s om eo ne e ls e … i f G or do n h ad l iv ed a nd m ar ri ed h er … I 'l l b et

i n the f ir st month s he 'd … you'd be tte r r es ign fr om t he whol e ga me … wi th a gun! …

( He swallows hard as if he were choking back a sob--then savagely)

S to p wh in in g! … go on a nd wa ke he r up! … s ay you' re wi ll ing t o gi ve he r a di vor ce s o s he c an m ar ry

s ome r ea l guy w ho c an gi ve he r wha t s he ought t o ha ve ! …

(then with sudden terror )

And if s he s ays yes ? … I couldn't bea r it! … I' d di e wi thout her! …

(t he n w it h a s om be r a li en f or ce fu ln es s)

A ll r igh t … go od r id da nc e! … I 'd h ave t he gu ts t o bum p of f t he n, a ll r ight ! … t ha t' d s et he r f re e …

come on now! … ask her! …

( But his voice begins to tremble uncertainly again as he calls) N in a.

N I N A - - (o pe ns h er e ye s a nd g az es c al ml y, i nd if fe re nt ly a t h im) Y es ?

EVANS--(i m me d ia t el y t e r ri f i ed a n d b e at e n- - t hi n ki n g )

I can't! … the way she looks at me! … she'd say yes! …

( stammering ) I ha te to wake you up but- -i t' s a bout ti me f or Ne d t o come, i sn' t i t?

N I N A - - (calmly ) I wa sn' t a sle ep. (thinking as if she found it hard to concentrate on him, to realize

h i s e x i st e nc e)

Thi s ma n i s my hus ba nd … i t' s ha rd t o r em embe r tha t … pe opl e wi ll s ay he 's the f at her of m y c hil d. …

(w i th r e v ul s i on)

Th at 's s ha me ful ! … a nd y et t ha t' s e xa ct ly wh at I w ant ed! … w ant ed ! … n ot n ow ! … no w I l ov e Ne d!

… I w on' t l os e hi m! … Sa m mus t give m e a divor ce … I 've sa cr ifi ce d e nough of my l if e … wha t ha s he

given me? … not even a home … I had to sell my father's home to get money so we could move near his

job … and then he lost his job! … now he's depending on Ned to help him get another! … my love! …

h ow s hameless ! …

(then contritely)





Oh, I'm unjust … poor Sam doesn't know about Ned … and it was I who wanted to sell the place … I

was lonely there … I wanted to be near Ned. …

EVANS--(t hi nk in g i n a go ny)

W ha t' s s he t hi nk in g? … p ro ba bl y l uc ky f or m e I d on 't k no w! …

( forcing a brisk air as he turns away from her ) I hope Ned bri ngs that le tte r he promise d me to t he

m ana ge r o f t he G lob e c omp any. I 'm ke en t o g et o n t he j ob a ga in.

N I N A - - (w i t h s co r n f ul p i t y) Oh , I g ue ss Ne d w il l b ri ng t he l et te r. I a ske d h im not t o f or ge t.

E VA NS -- I h op e t he y' ll h av e a n o pe ni ng r ig ht o ff . W e c an u se t he m on ey . (h an gi ng h is h ea d ) I feel

r ot ten, l iv in g o n y ou w hen y ou 'v e g ot s o l it tl e.

N I N A - - (indifferently but with authority, like a governess to a small boy ) N ow , now !

EVANS--(relieved ) We ll , i t' s t ru e. (t h en c o mi n g t o h e r- - hu m bl y i n gr a ti a ti n g ) Yo u' ve f el t a l ot b et te r

lately, haven't you, Nina?

N I N A - - (w i th a s t ar t - -s h ar p ly) Why?

E VA NS -- Yo u l oo k e ve r s o m uc h b et te r. Y ou 'r e g et ti ng f at . ( He forces a grin.)

N I N A - - (curtly) Don't be abs urd, pl eas e! As a ma tte r of f ac t, I don't f ee l a bit be tt er.

EVANS--(thinking despondently)

La te ly, s he j umps on m e e ve ry c ha nc e s he ge ts … a s i f e ve ryt hi ng I di d di sgus te d he r! …

( He strays over to the window and looks out listlessly. ) I t ho ug ht w e' d g et s om e w or d f ro m C ha rl ie

t hi s m or ni ng s ay in g i f h e w as c om in g d ow n o r n ot . B ut I s up po se h e' s s ti ll t oo b ro ke n u p o ve r h is

m ot her 's d eat h t o w ri te.

N I N A - - (indifferently) H e' ll p ro babl y com e w it ho ut b ot heri ng t o w ri te. (vaguely--wonderingly)

Ch ar li e … de ar ol d Ch ar li e … I 'v e f or got te n h im, t oo . …

E VAN S- -I t hi nk t ha t' s Ne d' s c ar n ow. Y es . I t' s s to ppi ng . I 'l l g o o ut a nd m ee t h im . ( He starts for the

d oo r i n r ea r.)

N I N A - - ( sharply, before she can restrain the impulse) Don't be s uc h a f ool!

EVANS--( stops--stammers confusedly) W hat -- w hat 's t he m att er?

N I N A - - (co n tr o l l in g h er sel f - -b u t i r r i ta b l y) Don' t mi nd me . I 'm ne rvous . (t h i n ki n g g u i lt i l y)

On e m in ut e I f ee l a sha me d of hi m f or m aki ng s uc h a f ool o f h im se lf o ve r m y l ov er … t he ne xt m in ut e

s om et hi ng h at ef ul u rg es m e t o d ri ve h im i nt o d oi ng i t! …

(T he ma id ha s a ns we re d t he r in g and o pe ne d t he o ut er d oor . Ne d Da rr el l c ome s i n f rom t he r ea r.





His face looks older. There is an expression of defensive bitterness and self-resentment about his

m out h and e ye s. Th is v ani she s i nt o o ne of d es ir e and j oy as h e s ee s Ni na. He s tar ts t ow ar d h er

impulsively."Nina!"then stops short as he sees Evans )

N I N A - - ( forgetting Evans, gets to her feet as if to receive Darrell in her arms--with love) Ne d!

EVANS--(affectionately and gratefully ) H el lo, Ne d! ( He holds out his hand which Darrell takesmechanically. )

DARRELL--(trying to overcome his guilty embarrassment ) H el lo , Sa m. Di dn' t s ee yo u. (hurriedly

r ea ch in g i n h is c oa tp o ck e t ) Be for e I f or ge t, h er e' s t ha t l et te r. I ha d a t al k ov er t he ph on e wi th A pp le by

y es t er d ay . H e's p ret ty s ur e t her e' s an o pen in g- - (w it h a c on de sc en si on h e c an 't h el p) -- bu t y ou 'l l h av e t o

g et y ou r n os e o n t he g ri nd st on e t o m ak e g oo d w it h h im .

EVANS--( flushing guiltily--forcing a confident tone) You bet I will! (then gratefully and humbly)

Go sh, Ne d, I c an 't t el l you ho w gr at ef ul I a m!

DARRELL--(b ru sq ue ly , t o h id e h is e mb ar r as sm en t ) Oh , s hut up! I 'm onl y t oo g la d.

N I N A - - (watching Evans with a contempt that is almost gloating--in a tone of curt dismissal )

Y ou 'd b et te r g o a nd s ha ve , h ad n' t y ou , i f y ou 'r e g oi ng t o t ow n?

EVANS--( guiltily, passing his hand over his face--forcing a brisk, purposeful air ) Yes, of course. I

f or go t I h ad n' t. E xc us e m e, w il l y ou? (T hi s t o D ar re ll . E va ns h ur ri es o ut , r ea r.)

DARRELL--(a s s oo n a s h e i s o ut o f e ar sh ot -- tu rn in g o n N in a a cc us in gl y) How c an you t re at hi m

t ha t w ay ? I t m ak es m e f ee l- -l ik e a s wi ne !

N I N A - - ( flushing guiltily-- protestingly) What way? (t h en i n con s equ en ti a l l y) H e' s alw ay s f or gett in g t o

shave lately.

D AR RE LL -- Yo u k no w w ha t I m ea n, N in a! (turns away from her--thinking bitterly )

Wh at a r ot te n l ia r I 'v e be com e! … a nd he t rus ts me a bs ol ut el y! …

N I N A - - (thinking frightenedly)

Why doesn't he t ake me in his a rms? … oh, I fe el he doe sn't love me now! … he' s so bi tte r! …

(trying to be matter-of-fact ) I' m sor ry, Ne d. I don' t m ea n t o be c ros s but Sa m doe s get on my ne rve s.

DARRELL--(thinking bitterly)

Sometimes I a lmost hate her! … i f it wa sn't for he r I'd have kept my peac e of mind … no good f or

a nyt hi ng l at el y, da mn i t! … bu t i t' s i di ot ic t o f ee l gu il ty … i f S am onl y di dn' t t ru st m e! …

(then impatiently)

B os h! … s en ti me nt al n on se ns e! … e nd j us ti fi es m ea ns ! … t hi s w il l h av e a g oo d e nd f or S am , I s we ar t o

t ha t! … w hy d oe sn 't s he t el l h im s he 's p re gn an t? … w ha t' s s he w ai ti ng f or ? …





N I N A - - (thinking passionately, looking at him)

O h, m y l ove r, w hy don 't yo u k is s me ? …

(imploringly) N ed ! D on 't b e c ro ss w it h m e, p le as e!

DARRELL--( fighting to control himself--coldly) I 'm n ot c ro ss , N in a. O nl y y ou m us t a dm it t he set ri an gu lar s cenes are, t o s ay t he l east , h um il iati ng . (resentfully) I w on 't c om e out h er e a ga in!

N I N A - - (with a cry of pain ) Ne d!

DARRELL--(thinking exultingly at first )

She loves me! … she's forgotten Gordon! … I'm happy! … do I love her? … no! … I won't! … I

c an 't ! … t hi nk w ha t i t w oul d m ea n t o Sa m! … t o my c ar ee r! … be obj ec ti ve a bo ut i t! … y ou gui ne a pi g!

… I' m he r doct or … and Sam' s … I pre sc ribed chil d f or t he m … that' s a ll t he re is t o i t! …

N I N A - - (torn between hope and fear )

W ha t i s he t hi nk ing ? … he 's f igh ti ng hi s l ove … o h, my l ov er ! …

(a g ai n w i th l o ng i ng ) Ne d!

DARRELL--( putting on his best professional air, going to her ) How do you fe el today? You l ook a s

i f you mi ght ha ve a l it tle f eve r. ( He takes her hand as if to feel her pulse. Her hand closes over his.

Sh e l oo ks u p i nt o hi s f ac e. H e k ee ps h is t ur ne d aw ay .)

N I N A - - ( straining up toward him--with intense longing--thinking )

I love you! … take me! … what do I ca re for anything i n t he world but you! … let Sam die ! …

DARRELL--( fighting himself--thinking )

Ch ri st ! … t ou ch of h er s ki n! … h er na ke dne ss ! … t hos e a ft er no on s i n h er a rms ! ha ppi ne ss ! … wh at do

I c ar e f or anyt hi ng el se ? … t o he ll wi th Sa m! …

N I N A - - (b r ea k in g o u t p a ss i on a te l y) Ne d! I love you! I ca n't hide it a ny more ! I won't ! I l ove you,

Ned!

DARRELL--( suddenly taking her in his arms and kissing her frantically) Nina! Beautiful!

N I N A - - (t r i u m ph a n t ly- - b et ween ki s s es) You l ove me , don' t you? Say you do, Ne d!

DARRELL--( passionately) Ye s! Y es!

N I N A - - (with a cry of triumph ) T ha nk G od ! A t l as t y ou 'v e t ol d m e! Y ou 'v e c on fe ss ed i t t o y ou rs el f!

Oh, N ed, you' ve ma de me s o ha ppy! (The re i s a r ing f rom t he f ron t do or b el l. Dar re ll he ar s i t. I t

ac ts l ik e a n e le ct ri c s hoc k on hi m. H e t ear s hi ms el f aw ay f ro m h er . I ns ti nc ti ve ly s he ge ts up t oo

and moves to the lounge at right.)

DARRELL--( stupidly) S om eo ne -- at t he d oo r. ( He sinks down in the chair by the table at left.





Thinking torturedly)

I said I loved her! … she won! … she used my desire! … but I don't love her! … I won't! … she can't

own m y l if e! …

(v i ol e nt l y- - al mo st s ho ut s a t h er ) I don't , Nina! I te ll you I don' t!

N I N A - - (The maid has just gone to the front door. )Sshh ! (then in a triumphant whisper ) You do,

Ned! You do!

DARRELL--(with dogged stupidity) I don't! (T h e f ro n t d oo r h a s b e en o p e ne d .Marsden a pp e ar s i n

t he r ear , wal ks s low ly and w oo de nl y l ik e a ma n i n a t ran ce i nt o t he r oom . H e i s d re ss ed

i mm ac ul at el y i n d ee p m ou rn in g. H is f ac e i s p al e, d ra wn , h ag ga rd w it h l on el in es s a nd g ri ef . H is

e y es h av e a d az e d l oo k as i f he w er e st i ll t oo s t un ne d t o c om pr e he nd c le ar l y w ha t ha s h ap pe ne d t o

h im . H e d oe s n ot s ee m c on sc io us o f D ar re ll 's p re se nc e a t f ir st . H is s ho ul de rs a re b ow ed , h is w ho le

figure droops.)

N I N A - - (t h in k in g -- i n a s t r an ge s u pe r st i ti o us p a ni c)

Bl ac k … i n t he m ids t o f h app ine ss … b la ck c om es … a ga in … de at h … m y f at he r … c om es b et we en

m e a nd h ap pi ne ss ! …

(t h en r e c ov e r in g h e rs e l f, s c or n fu l ly)

Y ou s il ly c ow ar d! … i t' s on ly C ha rl ie ! …

(then with furious resentment )

T he o ld f oo l! … w ha t d oe s h e m ea n c om in g i n o n u s w it hou t w ar ni ng ? …

MARSDEN--( forcing a pitiful smile to his lips) H el lo , N in a. I k no w i t' s a n i mp os it io n- -b ut -- I' ve b ee n

i n s uc h a t er ri bl e s ta te s in ce M ot he r- -( He falters, his face becomes distorted into an ugly mask of

grief, his eyes water.)

N I N A - - (i mm ed ia te l y s y mp at he t ic , g et s u p a nd g oe s t o h im i mp ul si v el y) T he re 's n o q ue st io n o f

i mp os it io n, C harl ie. W e w er e exp ecti ng y ou . (She has come to hi m and put her arms around hi m. He

gives way and sobs, his head against her shoulder.)

MARSDEN--( brokenly) Y ou d on ' t k no w, N i na- -h ow t err i bl e-- i t' s t err i bl e!- -

N I N A - - (l ea di ng h im t o t he c ha ir a t c en te r, s oo th in gl y) I know, Cha rli e. (t h in k in g w i th h e lp l es s

annoyance)

Oh, dea r, wha t c an I s ay? … his mot he r hat ed me … I' m not gla d s he' s dea d … but ne it he r a m I sorr y

…

(w i t h a t r a ce o f co n t em p t )

Poor Cha rl ie … he wa s s o ti ed t o he r a pr on s tr ings …

(then kindly but condescendingly, comforting him ) P oo r o ld C ha rl ie !





MARSDEN--( T he wor ds a nd t he t one s hoc k hi s pr ide t o l if e. He r ai se s hi s he ad a nd hal f- pu she s

h e r a w ay - -r e s en t fu l ly , t h in k in g )

Poor old Char lie ! … da mn it, wha t am I to he r? … he r ol d dog who' s lost his mothe r? … Mother hate d

h er … n o, p oor d ea r M ot he r w as s o s we et , s he n ev er h at ed a ny on e … s he s im pl y d is ap pr ov ed …

(coldly) I 'm a ll r ig ht , N in a. Q ui te a ll r ig ht n ow , t ha nk y ou. I a pol ogi ze f or m ak in g a s ce ne .

DARRELL--(h as g ot te n u p f ro m h is c ha ir -- wi th r e li ef - -t hi nk in g )

Th ank G od f or Ma rs de n … I f ee l s ane a ga in …

( He comes toMarsden --cordially) How a re you,Ma rs den ? (then offering conventional consolation,

pats Marsden's shoulder ) I 'm s or ry ,M ar sd en .

MARSDEN--( startled, looks up at him in amazement ) D ar re ll ! (then with instant hostility) T her e' sno th ing t o be s or ry a bo ut t ha t I c an di sc ove r! (The n a s t he y b ot h l ook at hi m i n s ur pr is e he r eal iz es

w ha t h e h as s ai d- -stammeringly) I mean--sorry--is hardly the right word--hardly--is it?

N I N A - - (worriedly ) Si t d ow n, C ha rl ie . Yo u l oo k s o t ir ed . ( He slumps down in the chair at center

m ec ha ni ca ll y. N in a, a nd D ar re ll r et ur n t o t he ir c ha ir s. N in a l oo ks a cr os s h im a t

Darrell--triumphantly--thinking )

You do love me, Ned! …

DARRELL--(t h i nki n g -- a n s wer i n g h er l o o k- - d ef ia n t l y)

I don' t love you! …

MARSDEN--( stares intensely before him. Thinking suspiciously--morbidly agitated )

D ar rell ! … and N in a! … t here's s om et hi ng i n t hi s r oo m! … s om et hi ng d is gu st in g! … l ik e a b ru tal, h ai ry

ha nd , r aw a nd r ed, a t m y t hr oa t! … s te nc h of hum an l if e! … he avy a nd r ank! … out si de i t' s Apr il …

gr een buds on the sli m tr ees … the sa dness of spring … my los s at pea ce in Na tur e … her s orr ow of

birth consoling my sorrow of death … something human and unnatural in this room! … love and hate and

passion and possession! … cruelly indifferent to my loss! … mocking my loneliness! … no longer any

l ove f or m e i n a ny r oom ! … l us t i n t hi s r oo m! … l us t wi th a l oa ths om e j ee r t aun ti ng m y s ens it ivet imi di ti es ! … m y pu ri ty! … p ur it y? … ha ! ye s, i f yo u s ay p rur ie nt p ur it y! … l us t og li ng m e f or a d ol la r

w it h o il y s ho e b ut to n I tali an eyes! …

(i n t er ro r )

W ha t t ho ug ht s! … w ha t a l ow s cou nd re l y ou a re ! … a nd yo ur m ot he r de ad o nl y t wo w ee ks ! … I h at e

Nina! … that Darrell in this room! … I feel their desires! … where is Sam? … I'll tell him! … no, he

woul dn' t bel ie ve … he 's s uc h a t rus ting fool … I mus t puni sh he r s ome ot he r wa y …

(remorsefully)

W ha t? … puni sh Ni na ? … my l it tl e Ni na ? … why , I wa nt he r t o be h appy! … e ve n w it h Da rr el l? … i t' s

a ll s o c onfus ed! … I mus t s top t hi nking! … I m ust t al k! … for ge t! … s ay s ome thing! … f or ge t





everything! …

( He suddenly bursts into a flood of garrulity.) M ot he r a sk ed f or y ou , N in a- -t hr ee d ay s b ef or e t he

e nd . S he s ai d, " Wh er e i s N in a L ee ds n ow , C ha rl ie ? W he n i s s he g oi ng t o m ar ry G or do n S ha w? " H er

m in d w as w an de ri ng , p oo r w om an ! Y ou r em em be r h ow f on d s he a lw ay s w as o f G or do n. S he u se d t o

l ov e t o w at ch t he f oo tb al l g am es w he n h e w as p la yi ng . H e w as s o h an ds om e a nd g ra ce fu l, s he a lw ay s

t ho ug ht . S he a lw ay s l ov ed a s tr on g, h ea lt hy b od y. S he t oo k s uc h s tr ic t c ar e o f h er o wn , s he w al ke d m il ese ve ry d ay , s he l ov ed b at hi ng a nd b oa ti ng i n t he s um me r e ve n a ft er s he w as s ix ty , s he w as n ev er s ic k a

d ay i n h er l if e u nt il -- ( He turns on Darrell--coldly) Y ou w er e r ig ht , D oc to r D ar re ll . I t w as c anc er . (t h en

angrily) B ut t he d oc to r y ou s en t m e t o, a nd t he o th er s h e c al le d i n c ou ld d o n ot hi ng f or h er -- ab so lu te ly

n ot hi ng ! I m ig ht j us t as w el l h av e i mp or ted s om e w it ch d octo rs f ro m t he S ol om on I sl an ds ! T hey at l east

w ou ld h av e d iv er ted h er i n h er l as t h ou rs w it h t heir s in gi ng and d an ci ng , b ut y ou r s peci al is ts w er e a t ot al

l os s! ( suddenly with an insulting, ugly sneer, raising his voice) I think you doctors are a pack of

God-damned ignorant liars and hypocrites!

N I N A - - ( sharply) Charlie!

MARSDEN--( c o mi n g t o h i ms e l f- - wi t h a g r oa n -- s ha m ef a ce d ly) D on 't m in d m e. I 'm no t m ys el f, N in a.

I 'v e b een t hr ou gh h el l! ( He seems about to sob--then abruptly springs to his feet, wildly) I t' s t hi s

r oo m! I can 't s tand t hi s r oo m! T here's s om et hi ng r ep ul si ve abo ut i t!

N I N A - - ( soothingly) I know it's ugly, Charl ie. I haven' t had a chance to fix it up yet. We've been too

broke.

MARSDEN--( confusedly) O h, i t' s a ll r ig ht . I 'm u gl y, t oo ! W he re 's S am ?

N I N A - - (eagerly) R ight ups ta ir s. G o o n u p. He 'l l be de li ght ed t o s ee you.

MARSDEN--( vaguely ) Very well. ( He goes to the door, then stops mournfully.) But from what I

s aw o n t ha t v is it t o h is h om e, h e d oe sn 't l ov e h is m ot he r m uc h. I d on 't t hi nk h e' ll u nd er st an d, N in a. H e

n ev er w ri te s t o h er , do es h e?

N I N A - - (uneasily) N o- -I d on 't k no w.

M AR SD EN -- Sh e s ee me d l on el y. H e' ll b e s or ry f or i t s om e d ay a ft er s he -- ( He gulps.) W el l- -( He goes.

)

N I N A - - (i n a s u dd e n p a ni c -- t hi n ki n g )

Sa m' s mot he r! … " Ma ke my bo y, Sa mm y, ha ppy! " … I pr om is ed … oh, w hy di d Ch ar li e ha ve t o

r em em be r h er ? …

(t h en r e s ol u te l y)

I can't remember her now! … I won't! … I've got to be happy! …

DARRELL--(u ne as il y t ry i ng t o f or c e a c as ua l c on ve rs at io n) P o or M ar s den i s com pl et el y k no ck ed

o ff b al an ce , i sn 't h e? (a p au se) My mother die d when I was away at s chool. I hadn't se en he r in some

t ime , s o he r de at h wa s ne ve r ve ry r ea l t o m e; but i nM ar sd en 's c a se - -

N I N A - - (w it h a p os se ss iv e s mi le o f t ol er an ce) Ne ve r mi nd Cha rl ie, Ne d. Wha t do I c are a bout





DARRELL--( stammering ) W el l- -a ll r ig ht -- le t' s s ay t ha t p ar t o f i t w as a ll r ig ht t he n. B ut i t' s g ot t o s to p!

I t c an' t go on!

N I N A - - (implacably ) Only your love can make me happy now! Sam must give me a divorce so I can

marry you.

DARRELL--(t h i nki n g s u s pi ci o us l y)

Look out! … there it is! … marry! … own me! … ruin my career! …

( scornfully) Ma rr y? Do you t hi nk I 'm a f ool ? G et t ha t out of yo ur he ad qui ck! I woul dn 't m ar ry

any on e- - no m at t er w hat ! (as she continues to look at him with unmoved determination--pleadingly )

B e s en si bl e, f or G od 's s ak e! W e' re a bs ol ut el y u ns ui te d t o e ac h o th er ! I d on 't a dm ir e y ou r c ha ra ct er ! I

d on 't r es pe ct y ou ! I k now t oo m uc h a bo ut y ou r pa st ! (t h en i n d i gn a n tl y) An d ho w a bou t Sa m? D iv or ce

h im ? H av e y ou f or go tt en a ll h is m ot he r t ol d y ou ? D o y ou m ea n t o s ay y ou 'd d el ib er at el y- -? A nd y ou

e xpe ct me t o-- ? Wha t do you thi nk I am?

N I N A - - (inflexibly) Y ou 'r e m y l ov er ! N ot hi ng e ls e m at te rs . Y es , I r em em be r w ha t S am 's m ot he r s ai d.

She s ai d, " be ing ha ppy i s t he ne ar es t w e c an c ome t o k nowi ng wha t good i s." A nd I 'm go ing t o be

h ap py ! I 'v e l os t e ve ry th in g i n l if e s o f ar b ec au se I d id n' t h av e t he c ou ra ge t o t ak e i t- -a nd I 'v e h ur t

e ve ry on e a ro un d m e. T he re 's n o u se t ry in g t o t hi nk o f o th er s. O ne h um an b ei ng c an 't t hi nk o f a no th er . I t' s

impossible. ( gently and caressingly) B ut t hi s t im e I 'm g oi ng t o t hi nk o f m y o wn h ap pi ne ss -- an d t ha t

m ea ns y ou -- an d o ur c hi ld ! T ha t' s q ui te e no ug h f or o ne h um an b ei ng t o t hi nk o f, d ea r, i sn 't i t? (She

r ea che s o ut and t ak es h is han d. A pa us e. Wi th he r ot he r ha nd s he g ent ly p ul ls hi m ar ou nd un ti l he

i s f or ce d t o l ook i nt o h er e ye s.)

DARRELL--(thinking fascinatedly)

I se e my ha ppine ss i n he r eyes … the touch of her s oft s ki n! … those aft ernoons ! … God, I wa s ha ppy!

…

(i n a s tr an ge daz ed v oi ce -- as i f i t w er e f or ce d o ut of hi m by an i mpul se s tr onge r t han h is wi ll )

Y es, N i na.

N I N A - - (i n a d et er mi ne d v oi ce) I 'v e g iv en S am e no ug h o f m y l if e! A nd i t h as n' t m ad e h im ha pp y, n ot

t he l ea st b it ! S o w ha t' s t he g oo d? A nd h ow c an w e r ea ll y k no w t ha t h is t hi nk in g o ur c hi ld w as h is w ou ld

do hi m a ny g ood? W e c an' t! I t' s a ll gue ss wor k. The onl y th ing s ur e i s t ha t we l ove e ac h ot he r.

DARRELL--(dazedly) Yes. ( A noise from the hall and Evans comes in from the rear. He sees their

two hands together but mistakes their meaning. )

EVANS--( genially--with a forced self-confident air ) W el l, D oc , h ow 's t he p at ie nt ? I t hi nk s he 's m uc h

better, don't you--although she won't admit it.

DARRELL--(at the first sound of Evans' voice, pulls his hand from Nina's as if it were a hot

c oa l- -a vo id in g E va ns ' e ye s , m ov in g a wa y f ro m h er j er k il y a nd s el f- c on sc io us ly) Y es . M uc h b et te r.

E V A NS - - Go o d! ( He pats Nina on the back. She shrinks away. His confidence vanishes in a flash.

T h i nki n g m i s er ab l y)





Why does she shrink awa y … if I e ven touch he r? …

N I N A - - (m a t t er - o f - f a ct l y) I m us t s ee how lu nc h i s c omi ng on. You' ll s ta y, o f c our se , Ne d?

DARRELL--( struggling--s ha ke nl y) N o, I t hi nk I ' d b et t er - -(t h i n kin g d es p era t el y)

Got to go! … can't go! … got to go! …

E VA NS -- Oh , c om e o n, o ld m an !


He m ust s ta y … and a ft er lunc h we 'l l te ll Sa m. …

(with certainty) He'l l sta y. (meaningly ) And we wa nt t o ha ve a l ong t al k wi th you a fte r l unch,

S am -- do n' t w e, N ed ? ( Darrell does not answer. She goes out, right.)

EVANS--(va g u el y m a ki n g t a l k ) I got Charl ie to lie down. He's all in, poor guy. (then trying to face

Darrell who keeps looking away from him) What did Nina mean, you want a long talk with me? Or is

i t a s ec re t, Ne d?

DARRELL--(c o nt r ol l in g a n i m pu l se t o wa r d h y st e ri c al l a ug ht e r ) A s ec re t? Ye s, you b et i t' s a s ec re t!

( He flings himself in the chair at left, keeping his face averted. His thoughts bitter and desperate

l ik e a c or ne re d f ug it iv e 's)

This i s hor ri ble ! … Sam t hinks I' m f ine st f el low i n worl d … a nd I do this t o hi m! … a s if he ha dn' t

enough! … born under a curse! … I finish him! … a doctor! … God damn it! … I can see his end! …

n ev er f or gi ve m ys el f! … n ev er f or ge t! … b re ak m e! … r ui n m y c ar ee r! …

(m o r e d es per a t ely)

G ot t o s top t hi s! … whi le t he re 's t ime ! … s he s ai d … a ft er l un ch, t al k … s he m ea nt , t el l h im … t ha t

me ans ki ll h im … t he n s he 'l l m ar ry me ! …

(b eg in ni ng t o b e a ng ry)

By God, I won't! … she'll find out! … smiling! … got me where she wants me! … then be as cruel to

me as she is to him! … love me? … liar! … still loves Gordon! … her body is a trap! … I'm caught in it!… s he touche s my ha nd, he r eye s ge t in mi ne, I l os e my wil l! …

( furiously)

By God, s he ca n' t make a fool of me tha t way! … I' ll go a wa y s ome pla ce! … go t o Eur ope! … s tudy!

… f or ge t he r i n w or k! … k ee p h idd en u nt il b oa t s ai ls s o s he c an 't r ea ch m e! …

( He is in a state of strange elation by this time.)

Go now! … no! … got to s pike he r guns with Sam! … by God, I see ! … t ell him a bout ba by! … that' ll

s to p he r! … w he n s he kn ows I 've t ol d h im t ha t, s he 'l l s ee i t' s hop el es s! … s he 'l l s ti ck t o h im ! … poo r

Nina! … I'm sorry! … she does love me! … hell! … she'll forget! … she'll have her child! … she'll be

h ap py ! … a nd Sam'l l b e h ap py ! …





( He suddenly turns to Evans who has been staring at him, puzzledly - -i n a w hi sp er ) L oo k h er e,

Sa m. I c an't s ta y t o l unch. I ha ve n' t t im e, I 've got a mi lli on thi ngs t o do. I 'm sa ili ng for Eur ope i n a fe w

days.

EVANS--( surprised ) You're sailing?

DARRELL--(v e ry h ur r ie d ly) Ye s- -go in g t o s tud y ov er t he re f or a ye ar or s o. I h av en' t t ol d a nyo ne . I

c ame o ut t od ay t o s ay go od- bye . Y ou w on' t be a bl e t o r ea ch m e a ga in. I 'l l be o ut of t own v is it ing . (t h en

elatedly) An d now f or y our s ec re t! I t o ugh t t o m ake y ou ve ry h appy , Sa m. I kno w how m uc h y ou' ve

w is he d f or i t, s o I 'm go ing t o t el l y ou a lt ho ug hNina' ll b e f ur io us w it h m e. S he w as s av in g i t t o s ur pr is e y ou

w it h a t h er o wn p ro pe r t im e- -( still more elatedly) -- bu t I 'm s el fi sh e no ug h t o w an t t o s ee y ou h ap py

before I go!

EVANS--(not daring to believe what he hopes--stammering ) W ha t- -w ha t i s i t, N ed ?

DARRELL--(clapping him on the back--with strange joviality ) You're goi ng t o be a f ather, ol ds co ut , t ha t' s t he s ec re t! (Then as Evans just stares at him dumbly in a blissful satisfaction, he rattles

on.) And now I 've got to r un. See you a ga in in a ye ar or s o. I' ve s ai d good- bye t o Ni na. Good- bye ,

Sa m. ( He takes his hand and clasps it.) G ood l uc k! Bu ckl e down t o wo rk no w! You' ve g ot t he s tu ff i n

yo u! W he n I g et ba ck I 'l l e xpe ct t o he ar you 'r e on t he hi ghr oa d t o s uc ce ss ! A nd t el l Ni na I 'l l e xpe ct t o

f in d y ou b ot h h ap py i n y ou r c hi ld -- bo th of y ou , t el l h er !- -h app y i n y ou r c hi ld ! T el l h er t ha t, S am ! ( He

t u rn s a n d g o es t o t h e d o or . T h in k i ng as h e g o es)

Th at do es i t! … h on or ab ly ! … I 'm f re e! …

( He goes out--then out the front door--a moment later his motor is heard starting--dies away.)

EVANS--( stares after him dumbly in the same state of happy stupefaction--mumbles ) T hank

y ou - -N e d. (t h i n ki n g d i s j o in t ed l y)

Why did I doubt myself? … now she loves me … she's loved me right along … I've been a fool …

( He suddenly falls on his knees.)

O h, G od , I t ha nk y ou !

( Nina comes in from the kitchen. She stops in amazement when she sees him on his knees. He jumps to his feet and takes her in his arms with confident happiness and kisses her.) Oh, Nina, I

l ov e y ou s o! A nd n ow I k no w yo u l ov e m e! I 'l l n ev er b e a fr ai d o f a ny th ing a ga in !

N I N A - - (b ew il de re d a nd t e rr or -s t ri ck e n, t ry i ng f e eb ly t o p us h h im a wa y- -t hi nk i ng )

Has he … has he gone crazy? …

(w ea kl y) S am ! W ha t' s c om e ov er y ou , S am ?

EVANS--(tenderly) N ed t ol d m e- -t he s ec re t- -a nd I 'm s o h app y, d ea r! ( He kisses her again.)

N I N A - - ( stammering ) N ed t ol d y ou -- wh at ?





EVANS--(tenderly) Th at w e' re goi ng t o ha ve a c hi ld, de ar . You mu st n' t be s or e a t hi m. W hy d id y ou

wa nt t o ke ep i t a s ec re t f rom m e? Di dn' t you k now h ow ha ppy i t wo ul d ma ke me , Ni na ?

N IN A- - He t ol d y ou w e- - we -- yo u, t he f a th er - -? (t h en s u dd e nl y b r ea k in g f r om h i m- - wi l dl y) N ed!

W he re i s N ed ?

E VA NS -- He l ef t a m om en t a go .

N I N A - - ( stupidly) L ef t? C al l h im b ac k. L un ch i s r ea dy .

E VAN S- -H e' s g one . H e c ou ld n' t s ta y. H e' s g ot s o m uc h t o d o g et ti ng r ea dy t o s ai l.

NINA--Sail?

EV AN S- -D idn 't he t el l y ou he w as s ai li ng f or E ur op e? He 's goi ng ove r f or a ye ar o r s o t o s tud y.

NI NA -- A ye ar or s o! (wildly) I've got to call him up! No, I'll go in and see him right now! (S h e t a kes awavering step toward the door. Thinking in anguish )

Go! … go to him! … find him! … my lover! …

E VA NS -- He w on 't b e t he re , I 'm a fr ai d. H e s ai d w e c ou ld n' t r ea ch h im , t ha t h e' d b e v is it in g f ri en ds o ut

o f t own un ti l he s ai le d. ( solicitously) W hy , d o y ou h av e t o s ee h im a bo ut s om et hi ng i mp or ta nt , N in a?

P er ha ps I c ou ld l oc at e --

N I N A - - ( stammering and swaying ) No. (S he s ti fl es a n h ys te ri ca l l au gh .) No, nothing--nothing

important--nothing is important--ha--! (She stifles another laugh--then on the verge of fainting,

w ea kl y) Sam ! Hel p me --

EVANS--(rushes to her, supports her to sofa at right ) Po or d ar li ng ! L ie d ow n a nd r es t. (She

r em ai ns i n a s it ti ng p os it io n, s ta ri ng b la nk ly b ef or e h er . H e c ha fe s h er w ri st s.) Po or da rl in g! (

thinking jubilantly)

H er c on di ti on … t hi s w ea kn es s c om es f ro m h er c on di ti on ! …

N I N A - - (t hi nk in g i n a ng ui s h)

Ned doe sn' t love me ! … he' s gone ! … gone for ever ! … l ike Gordon! … no, not li ke Gor don! … l ike asneak, a coward! … a liar! … oh, I hate him! … O Mother God, please let me hate him! … he must

ha ve be en pl anni ng thi s! … he mus t have known i t toda y whe n he s ai d he love d me ! …

(t h i n ki n g f r en z ied l y)

I won't bear it ! …he thinks he has palmed me off on Sam forever ! … and his child! … he ca n't! … I'll

te ll Sam he wa s lying! … I 'll ma ke Sa m hat e hi m! … I 'll ma ke Sa m kil l hi m! … I 'll promis e to l ove Sam if

h e k il ls h im ! …

( suddenly turns to Evans--savagely) He lied to you!

EVANS--(l et t i ng h er w r i s t s d r o p- - a pp a l l ed - - s ta m m er s) Y ou m ea n- - Ne d l ie d a bo ut -- ?





N I N A - - (in same tone) Ned lied to you!

EVANS--( stammers ) Y ou 'r e n ot -- go in g t o h av e a c hi ld --

N I N A - - ( savagely) O h, y es ! O h, ye s, I a m! N ot hi ng c an k ee p m e f ro m t ha t! B ut y ou' re -- yo u' re -- I

me an, you …

(t hi nk in g i n a ng ui sh)

I can't say that to him! … I can't tell him without Ned to help me! … I can't! … look at his face! … oh,

poor Sammy! … poor little boy! … poor little boy! …

(Sh e t ak es hi s he ad an d pr es se s i t t o he r br ea st an d be gi ns t o w ee p. We epi ng ) I m ea n, yo u we re n' t

t o k no w a bo ut i t, S am my .

EVANS--(i m me d ia t el y o n t h e c r e st a g ai n -- t en d er l y) Why? Don' t you want me to be ha ppy, Nina ?

N IN A- -Y es -- ye s, I d o, S am my . (t h i n ki ng s t r a n gel y)

L it tl e b oy ! … l it tl e b oy ! … o ne gi ve s b ir th t o l it tl e b oy s! … o ne d oe sn 't d ri ve t he m m ad a nd k il l t he m!

…

EVANS--(thinking )

S he 's n ev er c al le d m e S am my b ef or e … s om eo ne us ed t o … oh , y es , M ot he r. …

(t e nd e rl y a nd b oy i sh ly) And I 'm goi ng t o ma ke you happy f rom now on, Nina . I t el l you, the m ome nt

Ned told me, something happened to me! I can't explain it, but--I'll make good now, Nina! I know I'ves aid tha t be fore but I wa s onl y boa st ing. I wa s only tr yi ng t o ma ke mys el f thi nk s o. But now I sa y i t

knowing I can do it! ( softly ) I t' s b ec aus e we 'r e go ing t o h av e a c hi ld , N in a. I kn ew t ha t yo u' d ne ve r

c ome t o r ea ll y l ove me wi thout t ha t. Tha t' s w ha t I w as down on m y kne es f or whe n you c ame i n. I w as

thanking God--for our baby!

N I N A - - (tremblingly) S am my ! P oo r b oy !

E VA NS -- Ne d s ai d w he n h e c am e b ac k h e' d e xp ec t t o f ind u s b ot h h app y- -i n o ur b aby . H e s ai d t o t el l

y ou t ha t. Y ou w il l b e h ap py n ow , w on 't y ou , N in a?

N I N A - - (brokenly and exhaustedly) I 'l l t ry t o ma ke you ha ppy, Sa mmy. ( He kisses her, then hides

hi s h ead , on h er br eas t. Sh e s tar es ou t o ve r h is he ad. S he s ee ms t o g ro w ol de r. T hi nk in g as i f s he

were repeating the words of some inner voice of life)

Not Ne d' s chi ld! … not Sam 's c hi ld! … mi ne ! … the re ! … a gai n! … I f ee l m y c hi ld l ive … moving i n

m y l if e … my l if e mo vi ng i n m y c hi ld … b re at hi ng i n t he t id e I dr ea m a nd b re at he m y d re am b ac k i nt o t he

tide … God is a Mother. …

(t he n w it h s ud de n a ng ui sh)

O h, a ft er no on s … d ea r w on de rf ul a ft er no on s o f l ov e w it h y ou , m y l ov er … y ou a re l os t … g on e f ro m

m e f or ev er ! …





(hopefully)

Or i s i t onl y pi que ? … no wom an li ke s t o l os e a ma n e ve n whe n s he no l onge r love s hi m. …

(w i th m a li c io us i n si s te n ce) W hy i s t ha t h ar d t o i ma gi ne , N in a?

D ar re ll n ev er s tr uc k m e a s a G al ah ad . A ft er a ll , w hy s ho ul dn 't h e h av e a m is tr es s? (meaningly ) He hasn o t ie o ve r h er e t o r em ai n f ai th fu l t o, h as h e?

N I N A - - ( struggling with herself--thinking pitiably)

H e' s r igh t … w hy s hou ldn' t Ne d? … i s t ha t w hy he 's ne ve r wr it te n? …

(airily) I don' t kn ow wha t t ie s he ha s or ha sn' t got . I t' s not hi ng t o m e i f he ha s f if ty mi st re ss es . I s uppos e

h e' s no be tt er t ha n t he r es t of y ou .

EVANS--(l o ok i ng o v er a t h e r- - t en d er l y r e pr o ac h fu l ) Tha t i sn' t fa ir , Ni na. (t h i n ki n g p r o u dl y)

I 'm p ro ud of t ha t … n ev er a nyo ne be fo re h er …

N I N A - - (l oo ki ng a t h im -- wi t h r e al g ra ti tu de) I didn't mea n you, dea r. (thinking--proudly)

Thank God for Sammy! … I know he 's mine … no jea lousy … no fea r … no pa in … I've found pea ce

…

(t h en d i st r ac t e dl y)

Oh, Ned, why haven't you written? … stop it! … what a fool I am! … Ned's dead for me! … oh, I hateCha rl ie ! … why did he t ell me ? …

MARSDEN--( looking at Evans--contemptuously thinking )

W ha t a poor s impl et on Sa m i s! … boa st ing of hi s vir tue ! … a s i f wom en l ove d you f or t ha t! … t he y

de spi se i t! … I do n' t w ant N ina t o t hi nk I 've ha d n o e xp er ie nc es w it h w om en. …

(mockingly) So t he n it 's Sam who is t he Ga laha d, e h? Re al ly, Ni na, you shoul d have hi m put in the

Museum among the prehistoric mammals!

EVANS--( pleased--comes back ki ddi ngly) W el l, I n ev er h ad y ou r chances, C harl i e! I cou ld n' t r un o ver

t o E ur ope a nd ge t a wa y wi th m ur de r t he wa y you h ave !

MARSDEN--( foolishly pleased--admitting while denying ) Oh, I was n't qui te a s bad a s a ll t ha t, Sa m!

( scornfully ashamed of himself--thinking )

P oor s ic k a ss t ha t I a m! … I wa nt t he m t o t hi nk I 've be en a Don J ua n! … how pi ti ful a nd d is gus ti ng! …

I woul dn't have a mis tress if I coul d! … if I could? … of c ourse I could! … I' ve s impl y never cared to

degrade myself! …

N I N A - - (thinking--tormentedly)

T he t ho ug ht o f t hat w om an ! … N ed f or gett in g o ur aft er no on s i n n ig ht s w it h h er ! … s to p t hese t ho ug ht s!





… I won't give in to them! … why did Charlie want to hurt me? … is he jealous of Ned? … Charlie has

a lwa ys l ove d me i n s om e que er wa y of hi s own … h ow r idi cu lous ! … l ook a t hi m! … he 's s o pr oud of

being thought a Don Juan! … I'm sure he never even dared to kiss a woman except his mother! …

(mockingly) D o t el l u s abo ut all y ou r v ar io us m is tr es ses i n f or ei gn p ar ts , C harl ie!

MARSDEN--( i n c on fu si on n ow) I -- I r ea ll y d on 't r em em be r, N in a!

N IN A- -W hy , y ou 'r e t he m os t h ea rt le ss p er so n I 'v e e ve r h ea rd o f, C ha rl ie ! N ot r em em be r e ve n o ne !

A nd I s up po se t he re a re l it tl eM ar sd en s - -a nd y ou 'v e f or go tt en a ll a bo ut t he m t oo ! (S he l a ug hs

m al i ci o us l y- - Ev a ns l a ug hs w i th h e r.)

MARSDEN--( still more confused--with a silly idiotic smirk ) I c an't s ay a bout t ha t, Ni na . It 's a wi se

f at her w ho k no ws h is o wn chi ld , y ou k no w!

N I N A - - ( frightenedly--thinking )

W ha t d oe s he m ea n? … d oe s h e s us pe ct a bo ut t he b ab y t oo ? … I m us t b e t er ri bl y c ar ef ul o f C ha rl ie !

…

EVANS--(l oo ki ng u p f ro m h is p ap er a ga in) D id N ed s ay a ny th in g a bo ut c om in g b ac k?

N I N A - - (thinking--longingly )

Come back? … oh, Ned, how I wish! …

MARSDEN--( l oo ki ng a t h er - -meaningly) N o, h e d id n' t s ay . I g at hered h e w as s tayi ng o ver i nd ef in it el y.

E VA NS -- I' d s ur e l ik e t o s ee h im a ga in .


He h as f or go tt en me … i f h e di d c om e, he 'd pr oba bl y a voi d me . …

MAR SDEN-- He s poke of you. He a ske d i f I 'd hea rd whe the r Ni na ha d had he r ba by ye t or not . I t ol d

h im I h ad n' t.

EVANS--(heartily) To o b ad y ou di dn' t kn ow . Yo u c ou ld h av e t ol d h im w ha t a wo rl d- be at er we 'v eg ot ! E h, N in a?

N I N A - - (mechanically ) Yes. ( joyfully--thinking )

Ne d a ske d about my ba by! … t hen he ha dn' t f orgott en! … if he c ame ba ck he' d come to s ee his ba by!

…

EVANS--( solicitously) I sn 't i t t im e t o nu rs e hi m a ga in?

N I N A - - ( starts to her feet automatically ) Yes, I' m going now. (S he g la nc es a t Marsden , thinking

calculatingly )

I mus t wi n Cha rl ie ove r a ga in … I don' t f ee l s af e …





MARSDEN--( w i th s u dd e n r e si s ta nc e p ul l s a w ay - -d e te r mi n ed l y) No, I won't go, Sam. I want to

t hi nk out a ne w pl ot .

EVANS- -Oh, a ll ri ght ! I f i t' s a ca se of work, go to i t! Se e you l at er . ( He goes out. A moment later the

front door is heardclosing.)

MARSDEN--( looks after him with a mixture of annoyance andscornful amusement )

W ha t a f ou nt o f m ea ni ng le ss e ne rg y h e' s t ap pe d! … a lw ay s o n t he g o … t yp ic al t er ri bl e c hi ld o f t he a ge

… u ni ve rs al s lo ga n, k ee p m ov in g … m ov in g w he re ? … n ev er m in d t ha t … d on 't t hi nk o f e nd s … t he

m ea ns a re t he e nd … ke ep mo vi ng! …

( He laughs scornfully and sits down in Evans' chair, picking upthe paper and glancing at it

sneeringly)

I t' s i n e ve ry he adl ine o f t hi s d ai ly ne we r t es ta me nt … g oi ng … g oi ng … n eve r m in d t he g one … w e

won't live to see it … and we 'll be s o ri ch, we ca n buy off the deluge a nyway! … eve n our new God hasH is pr ic e! … mu st ha ve ! … a re n' t w e m ad e i n Hi s i ma ge ? … or v ic e- ve rs a? …

( He laughs again, letting the paper drop disdainfully--thenbitterly)

But why am I so s uperi or? … whe re am I going? … to the sa me nowhe re! … wor se! … I' m not even

goi ng! … I 'm t he re ! …

( He laughs with bitter self-pity--then begins to think withamused curiosity)

B ec om e S am 's p ar tn er ? … t he re 's a g ro te sq ue n ot io n! … i t m ig ht r ev iv e m y s en se o f h um or a bo ut

mys elf , a t l eas t … I' m t he l ogi ca l one t o he lp hi m … I he lpe d hi m t o Ni na … l ogi ca l pa rt ner … par tne r i n Nina? … what inane thoughts! …

(with a sigh)

N o u se t ryi ng t o t hi nk out t ha t p lot t on ight … I' ll t ry t o r ea d. …

( He sees the book he has been reading on the couch and gets up toget it. There is a ring from the

front door.Marsden t ur ns t ow ar d i t u nc er ta in ly . A p au se . T he n N in a' s v oi ce c al ls d ow n t he s ta ir s)

N IN A- -T he m ai d' s o ut . W il l y ou g o t o t he d oo r, C ha rl ie ?

MARSDEN--Surely. ( He goes out and opens the front door. A pause. Then he can be heard

saying resentfully) H el lo , D ar re ll . ( And someone answering "Hello,Marsden "a nd c om in g i n a nd t he

d o or cl o si n g . )

N I N A - - ( from upstairs, her voice strange and excited ) Who i s i t, Cha rl ie ?

DARRELL--(comes into view in the hall, opposite the doorway, at the foot of the stairs--his voice

t re mb li ng a l i tt le w it h s up pr e ss e d e mo ti on) I t' s I , N in a- -N ed D ar re ll .

N I N A - - (with a glad cry) Ned! (t he n i n a v oi ce whi ch s how s s he i s t ry in g t o c ont rol h er se lf , an d i s

frightened now) I -- ma ke yo ur se lf a t h om e. I 'l l be d ow n- -i n a m inu te o r t wo . ( Darrell remains standing

looking up the stairs in a sort of joyous stupor. Marsden stares at him.)





MARSDEN--( sharply) Come on in and sit down. ( Darrell starts, comes into the room, plainly

getting a grip on himself.Marsden follows him, glaring at his back with enmity and suspicion.

Darrell moves as far away from him as possible, sitting down on the sofa at right.Marsden t a kes

Evans' chair by the table. Darrell is pale, thin, nervous, unhealthy looking. There are lines of

d es pe ra ti on i n h is f ac e, p uf fy s ha do ws o f d is si pa ti on a nd s le ep le ss ne ss u nd er h is r es tl es s, h ar ri ed

e ye s. H e i s d re ss ed c ar el es sl y, a lm os t s ha bb il y. H is e ye s w an de r a bo ut t he r oo m, g re ed il y t ak in g i t in.)

DARRELL--(t h i n ki n g d i s j o in t ed l y)

Here agai n! … dre amed of t hi s house … f rom her e, ra n awa y … I' ve come ba ck … my turn t o be

h ap py ! …

MARSDEN--( w a t chi n g h i m - - sa va gel y)

Now I know! … absolute ly! … his f ac e! … her voic e! … t he y did love ea ch othe r! … the y do now! …

( sharply) W he n di d y ou g et ba ck f ro m E ur ope ?

DARRELL--(curtly) T hi s m or ni ng o n t he O ly mp ic. (thinking--cautiously)

Look out for this fellow … always had it in for me … like a woman … smells out love … he suspected

before …

(t h en b ol d ly)

Well, who gives a damn now? … all got to come out! … Nina wanted to tell Sam … now I'll tell himmyself! …

MARSDEN--( r i g h teo u sl y i n d ig n a nt )

W ha t h as b ro ug ht h im b ac k? … w ha t a d ev il is h, c ow ar dl y t ri ck t o p la y o n p oo r u ns us pe ct in g S am ! …

(revengefully)

B ut I 'm n ot un su sp ec ti ng ! … I 'm n ot t he ir f oo l! …

(coldly) W ha t b ro ug ht y ou b ac k s o s oo n? W he n I s aw y ou i n M un ic h y ou w er en 't i nt en di ng --

DARRELL--( shortly) My fa the r di ed thr ee wee ks a go. I' ve ha d to c ome ba ck a bout hi s e sta te . (

thinking )

Li e … Fa the r' s de at h j us t ga ve me a n e xc us e t o my se lf … wo ul dn' t h ave c om e b ac k f or t ha t … c ame

back because I love her! … damn his questions! … I want to think … before I see her … sound of her

voi ce … s ee me d t o bu rn i ns ide m y he ad … G od, I' m l ic ke d! … no us e f ight ing i t … I' ve done m y

damne de st … work … booze … other women … no use … I l ove her ! … alwa ys ! … to hel l with

pride! …






Tha t t one ! … a s i f s he d idn' t c ar e! … c an' t be li eve t ha t! … s he 's pl ay ing a ga me t o f ool Ma rs de n ! …

MARSDEN--( who is watching them keenly--thinking )

She l ove s his l ove for he r … s he' s c rue lly c onf ide nt … muc h a s I ha te thi s ma n I ca n' t he lp fe el ing s or ry

… I know her cruelty … it's time I took a hand in this … what a plot for a novel! …

(almost mockingly) D ar re ll 's f at he r di ed , N in a. H e h ad t o c om e h om e t o s ee a bo ut t he e st at e.

DARRELL--(with a glare at Marsden -- protestingly) I was coming home anyway. I only intended to

s ta y a ye ar , a nd i t' s ov er t ha t s inc e- -(intensely) I w as c om in g b ac k a ny wa y, N in a!

N I N A - - (thinking with triumphant happiness )

You dear, you! … as if I didn't know that! … oh, how I'd love to take you in my arms! …

(happily) I 'm awf ul ly g lad y ou 'v e com e, N ed . W e' ve m is sed y ou t er ri bl y.

DARRELL--(thinking--more and more at sea )

Sh e l ook s gl ad … bu t s he 's c ha nge d … I do n' t u nd er st and h er … " we 'v e m is se d" … t ha t m ea ns S am

… wha t doe s t hat me an? …

(i n te n se l y, p re s si n g h e r h an d ) A nd I 'v e m is s ed y ou -- terr ib ly !

MARSDEN--( sardonically) Y es , i nd eed, D ar rell , I can v ou ch f or t heir m is si ng y ou -- Sam i n p ar ti cu lar.

H e w as a sk in g a bo ut y ou o nl y a s ho rt w hi le a go -- ho w t hi ng s w er e g oi ng w it h y ou w he n I s aw yo u i nMunich. (maliciously) B y t he w ay , w ho w as t he l ad y y ou w er e w it h t ha t d ay ? S he w as c er ta in ly s ta rt li ng

looking.

N I N A - - (thinking--triumphantly mocking )

A mis s, Char lie ! … he love s me! … wha t do I car e about that woma n? …

( gaily) Y es , w ho wa s t he my st er iou s be aut y, Ne d? D o t el l u s! (She moves away from him and sits

d ow n a t c e nt er . D ar re ll r em ai ns s ta nd in g.)

DARRELL--( glaring at Marsden , sullenly) O h, I d on 't r em em be r- -(thinking apprehensively with a

b i t t er r es en t m en t )

She doesn't give a damn! … i f she l oved me she' d be j eal ous ! … but s he doe sn' t give a damn! …

( He blurts out resentfully at Nina) W el l, s he w as m y m is tr es s- -f or a t im e- -I w as l on el y. (t h en w i t h

sudden anger turning onM ar sd en ) B ut w ha t' s a ll t hi s t o yo u, Ma rs de n ?

MARSDEN--( coolly) A bs ol ut el y n ot hi ng . P ar do n m e. I t w as a t ac tl es s q ue st io n. (then with continued

o pe n m al i ce) B ut I w as s ta rt in g t o s ay h ow S am h ad m is se d y ou , D ar re ll . I t' s r ea ll y r em ar ka bl e. O ne

d oesn 't encou nt er s uch f ri en ds hi p o ft en i n t hese s lack d ay s. W hy , h e' d t ru st y ou w it h any th in g!

N I N A - - (wincing--thinking )





I c ou ldn 't f in d a be tt er h us ba nd t ha n Sa m … a nd I c oul dn' t f ind a be tt er l ove r t ha n N ed … I ne ed t he m

both to be happy …

MARSDEN--( w i th s u dd e n d e sp ai r in g s u sp i ci o n)

G ood God … a ft er a ll , i s i t S am' s c hi ld? … mi ght n' t i t be D arr el l' s! … why ha ve I ne ve r t hought of t ha t?

… No! … Ni na c oul dn' t b e s o vi le ! … t o go on l ivi ng wi th Sa m, pr et endin g … a nd, a ft er a ll , w hy s houl ds he , y ou f ool ? … t he re 's no s en se ! … s he c oul d ha ve gon e o ff wi th D ar re ll , c ou ldn' t s he ? … Sa m w oul d

h av e g iv en h er a d iv or ce … t he re w as n o p os si bl e r ea so n f or h er s ta yi ng w it h S am , w he n s he l ov ed

D ar re ll , u nl es s e xa ct ly b ec aus e t hi s w as Sa m' s b ab y … f or i ts s ak e …

(h ect ica l l y r el i eved )

Of c our se ! … of c ou rs e! … t ha t' s a ll r igh t! … I l ove t ha t po or ba by n ow! … I 'l l f ight f or i ts s ak e a ga in st

t he se t wo ! …

( smilingly gets to his feet--thinking )

I ca n leave them alone now … for the y won't be alone, thanks to me! … I leave Sam and his baby in

t hi s r oom wit h the m … and t hei r honor …

( suddenly raging )

The ir honor! … wha t a n obs cene j oke ! … the honor of a harl ot and a pimp! … I hat e t hem! … if only

God would str ike them dea d! … now! … and I coul d se e them di e! … I would prai se His jus tic e! …

Hi s ki ndne ss a nd me rc y t o m e! …

N I N A - - (t h i n ki n g - -w i t h h o r r if i ed co n f us i o n)

W hy d oe sn 't C ha rl ie g o? … W ha t i s h e t hi nk in g? … I s ud de nl y f ee l a fr ai d o f hi m! …

(She gets to her feet with a confused pleading cry. ) Charlie!

MARSDEN--( i m me d ia t el y u r ba n e a nd s m il i ng ) I t' s al l ri ght . I' m going out to f ind Sa m. Whe n he

k no ws y ou 'r e h er e h e' ll c om e o n t he r un , D ar re ll . ( He goes to the door. They watch him suspiciously.)

And you t wo pr obably ha ve a lot to tal k ove r. ( He chuckles pleasantly and goes into the

h a l l- - m ocki n gl y w a r ni n g ) We 'l l be ba ck be for e l ong. (T he f ro nt d oo r i s h ea rd s la mm in g. N in a a nd

Darrell turn and look at each other guiltily and frightenedly . Then he comes to her and takes botho f h er h an ds u nc e rt ai nl y.)

DARRELL--( stammeringly) N in a- -I - -I 'v e c om e b ac k t o y ou -- do y ou -- do y ou s ti l l c a re -- Ni na ?

N I N A - - ( giving way to his love passionately, as if to drown her fears ) I love you, Ned!

DARRELL--(k i s se s h e r a w kw a rd l y- - s ta m me r i ng ) I -- I d id n' t k no w- -y ou s ee me d s o c ol d- -d am n

M ar sd en - -h e s us pe ct s, d oe sn 't h e? -- bu t i t m ak es n o d if fe re nc e n ow , d oe s i t? (then in a flood of words

) O h, i t' s b ee n h el l, N in a! I c ou ld n' t f or ge t y ou ! O th er w om en -- th ey o nl y m ad e m e l ov e y ou m or e! I

h at ed t he m a nd l ov ed y ou e ve n a t t he m om en t w he n- -t ha t' s h on es t! I t w as a lw ay s y ou i n m y a rm s- -a s

y ou u sed t o b e- -t ho se af ter no on s- -G od , h ow I ' ve t ho ug ht o f t hem- - ly in g awake- -r ecal li ng ever y w or d

y ou s ai d, each m ov em en t, each exp ress io n o n y ou r f ace, s mell in g y ou r h ai r, f eeli ng y ou r s of t b od y- -(

suddenly taking her in his arms and kissing her again and again--passionately) Ni na! I love you so!





DARRELL--(w it h a h ar sh l au gh) And i s t ha t what you c al l pla yi ng f air to Sam?

N I N A - - ( simply) S am w il l n ev er k now . T he h app in es s I h ave g iv en h im h as m ad e h im t oo s ur e of

hi ms el f e ve r t o su sp ec t me now . And a s l ong a s we c an l ove e ach ot he r wi thout da nge r t o hi m, I f eel he

owes that to us for all we've done for him. (with finality) T ha t' s t he o nl y p os si bl e s ol ut io n, N ed , f or a ll

o ur s ak es , n ow y ou 'v e c om e b ac k t o m e.

DARRELL--(repulsed ) N ina ! H ow c an y ou b e s o i nhu ma n a nd c al cu la ti ng !

N I N A - - ( stung--mockingly) I t w as y ou w ho t au gh t m e t he s ci en ti fi c a pp ro ac h, D oc to r!

DARRELL--( shrinking back from her--threateningly) The n I 'l l l ea ve a ga in! I 'l l g o ba ck t o Eu rope ! I

w on 't e nd ur e -- ! (t he n i n a qu ee r, f ut il e r age) Y ou t hi nk I 'l l s tay- -t o b e y ou r l ov er -- watchi ng S am w it h

my wi fe a nd my c hi ld- -you t hin k t ha t' s wha t I c ame ba ck t o you f or ? You c an go t o he ll , N ina !

N I N A - - (c a lm l y- - su r e o f h i m) But what else can I do, Ned? (t h en w ar n in g ly) I h ea r t he m c om in g,

d ea r. I t' s S am , y ou k no w.

DARRELL--(i n a f re nz y) W ha t e ls e c an you do? Li ar ! B ut I c an do s om et hi ng e ls e! I c an s ma sh your

cal cu lati ng g am e f or y ou ! I can t el l S am -- an d I w il l- -r ig ht n ow -- by G od , I w il l!

N I N A - - (quietly) No. You won't , Ned. You ca n't do that to Sam.

DARRELL--( savagely) Like hell I can't! (T he f ro nt d oo r i s o pe ne d. E va ns ' v oi ce i s i mm ed ia te ly

he ar d, e ve n b ef or e h e bou nds i nt o t he r oo m. He r us he s up t o N ed hi lar io us ly , s hak es hi s h and a nd

pounds his back, oblivious to Darrell's wild expression.)

E VA NS- -You ol d s on of a gun! Wh y d idn' t you l et a guy kno w y ou we re c om ing? W e' d ha ve m et yo ua t t he doc k, a nd br oug ht t he b aby . Le t me h ave a l ook a t y ou! Y ou l ook t hi nn er . W e' ll f at te n yo u up,

won 't we , N ina ? Le t us do t he pr es cr ibi ng t hi s t im e! W hy d id n' t yo u l et u s kno w w he re yo u we re , y ou

o ld b um? W e w an te d t o w ri te y ou a bo ut t he ba by. A nd I w an te d t o bo as t a bo ut ho w I w as g et ti ng on !

Y ou 'r e t he o nl y p er so n i n t he w or ld -- ex ce pt N in a a nd C ha rl ie -- I w ou ld b oa st a bo ut t ha t t o.

N I N A - - (affectionately ) Mercy, Sam, give Ned a chance to get a word in! (l oo ki ng a t N ed p it y in gl y

b u t ch a ll en gi n g ly) H e w an ts t o t el l y ou s om et hi ng , S am .

DARRELL--(crushed--stammers) No--I mean, yes--I want to tell you how damn glad I am … ( He

t ur ns a way , hi s f ac e i s s cr ewe d u p i n hi s e ff or t t o ho ld ba ck hi s t ear s. Th ink ing m is er ab ly)

I can't tell him! … God damn him, I can't! …

N I N A - - (with a strange triumphant calm )

Ther e! … t ha t' s se tt led for al l ti me ! … poor Ned! … how c rushed he l ooks! … I mustn't let Sa m l ook

at him! …

(She steps between them protectingly .) W her e' s C har li e, S am ?

MARSDEN--( a pp ea ri ng f ro m t he h al l ) He re , N in a. A lw ay s he re ! ( He comes to her, smiling with

assurance. )





N I N A - - ( suddenly with a strange unnatural elation--looking from one to the other with

t r i u mp h a nt p o s s ess i o n) Y es , y ou 'r e h er e, C ha rl ie -- al wa ys ! A nd y ou , S am -- an d N ed ! (with a strange

gaiety) Sit down, a ll of you! Ma ke your sel ve s a t home ! You a re m y thr ee me n! Thi s i s your home wi th

me! (t he n i n a s t ra ng e h al f- wh is pe r ) Sss hh ! I t hou ght I he ar d t he b aby. You m us t a ll s it dow n a nd be

ve ry qu ie t. Yo u mu st no t w ak e our b aby . ( Mechanically the three sit down, careful to make no

n oi se -- Ev an s i n h is o ld p la ce b y t he t ab le ,Marsden at c ent er , Da rr el l on t he s of a at r igh t. T he y s it

staring before them in silence. Nina remains standing, dominating them, a little behind and to thel ef t o f Marsden .)

DARRELL--(thinking abjectly)

I c ou ld n' t! … t he re a re t hi ng s o ne m ay n ot d o a nd l iv e w it h o ne se lf a ft er wa rd s … t he re a re t hi ng s o ne

ma y not s ay … m emor y i s t oo f ul l of e choe s! … t he re a re s ec re ts one mus t not r ev ea l … me mor y i s

l ined wi th mi rror s! … he wa s t oo ha ppy! … t o ki ll ha ppi ne ss i s a wor se mur de r t ha n t aking li fe ! … I

g av e h im t ha t h ap pi ne ss ! … S am d es er ve s m y h ap pi ne ss ! … G od b le ss y ou , S am ! …

(then in a strange objective tone--thinking )

M y e xp er im en t w it h t he g ui ne a pi gs h as b ee n a s uc ce ss … t he a il in g o ne s, S am , a nd t he f em al e, N in a,

h av e b ee n r es to re d t o h ea lt h a nd n or ma l f un ct io n … o nl y t he o th er m al e, N ed , s ee ms t o h av e s uf fe re d

deterioration. …

(then bitterly humble)

Not hing le ft but to acc ept her ter ms … I love her … I can help to make he r happy … half a loa f i s

better … to a starving man… .

( glancing over at Evans--bitterly gloating )

An d yo ur c hi ld i s m in e! … yo ur w if e i s m in e! … yo ur h app in es s i s m ine ! … m ay yo u e nj oy my

h ap pi nes s, h er h us band ! …

EVANS--(l o ok i ng a t D a rr e l l a f fe c t io n at e l y)

Sure good t o se e Ned a ga in … a r eal f rie nd if ther e ever was one … looks bl ue a bout s omet hi ng … oh,

t ha t' s r ight , Cha rl ie s aid hi s ol d ma n ha d ki cke d i n … hi s ol d ma n wa s r ic h … t ha t' s a n i de a … I 'l l be t

he 'd pu t up t ha t c ap it al …

(then ashamed of himself )

Aw h el l, w ha t' s t he m at te r w it h m e? … h e' s n o s oon er he re t ha n I s ta rt … he 's don e e no ugh … f or ge t i t!

… n ow a nyw ay … h e l ook s pr et ty d is si pa te d … t oo m an y wom en … oug ht t o ge t m ar ri ed a nd s et tl e

do wn … t el l h im t ha t i f I di dn 't t hi nk he 'd l aug h a t m e g ivi ng h im a dv ic e … b ut h e' ll s oon r ea li ze I 'm n ot

t he o ld S am h e kn ew … I s upp os e N in a' s b ee n b oa st in g a bo ut t ha t a lr ea dy … s he 's p rou d … s he 's

he lpe d me … s he 's a wonde rf ul wi fe a nd m ot he r …

(l o ok i ng u p a t h e r- - so l ic i to us l y)

She act ed a bi t ner vous jus t now … que er … l ike s he used t o … have n't noti ced her that way in a l ong

t im e … s uppo se i t' s t he e xc it em ent o f N ed t ur ni ng up … m us tn 't l et he r ge t ove r- exc it ed … b ad f or t he

baby's milk. …





) G oo d n ig ht , C harl ie.

MARSDEN--( with a touch of her father's manner ) T ha t' s a g oo d g ir l! G oo d n ig ht , d ea r.

N I N A - - (She g oe s and k is se s D ar re ll l ov ingl y on t he l ips as s he w oul d k is s he r l ov er .) G oo d n ig ht ,

Ned.

DARRELL--(looks at her with grateful humility ) T ha nk y ou . G oo d n ig ht . (She turns and walks

quietly out of the room. The eyes of the three men follow her. )

(Curtain)

A CT S EV EN

SCENE-- Nearly eleven years later. The sitting room of the Evans' apartment on Park Avenue,

New York City--a room that is a tribute to Nina's good taste. It is a large, sunny room, the

furniture expensive but extremely simple. The arrangement of the furniture shown is as in

previous scenes except there are more pieces. Two chairs are by the table at left. There is a

smaller table at center, and a chaiselongue . A large, magnificently comfortable sofa is at right.

I t i s a bout one i n t he a ft er noo n of a da y i n e ar ly f al l. N ina a nd Da rr el l a nd t he ir s on, G or don, a re i n t he

r oo m. N in a i s r ecli ni ng o n t he chais el ongue w at ch in g G or do n w ho i s s it ti ng o n t he f lo or n ear h er , t ur ni ngo ve r t he p ag es o f a b oo k. D ar re ll i s s it ti ng b y t he t ab le a t l ef t, w at ch in g N in a.

N in a i s t hi rt y- fi ve, i n t he f ul l b lo om o f h er w om an ho od . S he i s s li mm er t han i n t he p revi ou s s cene. H er

s ki n s ti ll r et ai ns a t ra ce o f s um me r t an a nd s he a ppe ar s i n t he p ink o f p hy si ca l c on di ti on . B ut a s i n t he f ir st

a ct o f t he p la y, t he re i s b en ea th t hi s a s en se o f g re at m en ta l s tr ai n. O ne n ot ic es t he m an y l ine s i n h er f ac e

a t s ec on d g la nc e. H er e ye s a re t ra gi ca ll y s ad i n r ep os e a nd h er e xp re ss io n i s s et a nd ma skl ike .

G or don i s e le ve n- -a f ine boy wi th, e ve n a t t hi s a ge , t he f igu re of a n a thl et e. He l oo ks ol de r t ha n he i s.

T he re i s a g ra ve e xp re ss io n t o h is f ac e. H is e ye s a re f ul l o f a q ui ck -t em pe re d s en si ti ve ne ss . H e d oe s n ot

n ot ic ea bl y r es em bl e h is m ot he r. H e l oo ks n ot hi ng a t a ll l ik e h is f at he r. H e s ee ms t o h av e s pr un g f ro m al in e d is ti nc t f ro m a ny o f t he p eo pl e w e h av e s ee n.

D ar re ll ha s a ge d gr ea tl y. H is ha ir i s s tre ake d wi th gr ay. He ha s gr own s tout . H is f ac e i s a bi t j ow ly a nd

puffy under the eyes. The features have become blurred. He has the look of a man with no definite aim or

amb it io n t o w hi ch h e can r el at e h is l iv in g. H is eyes are emb it tered and t hey h id e h is i nn er s el f- resent ment

behind a pose of cynical indifference.

GORDON--( t h in k in g a s h e p l ay s -- r es e nt f ul l y)

I wis hDa rre ll' d g et o ut o f he re ! … w hy c oul dn 't M ot he r l et me r un my ow n b ir thda y? … I 'd ne ve r h ad

hi m h er e, you be t! … wha t' s he a lw ays ha ngi ng ' round f or ? … w hy don' t he go of f on one of hi s ol d t ri ps





f re ed om , I 'd c om e w agg in g m y t ai l … n o, g ui ne a p ig s ha ve n o t ai ls … I h op e m y e xp er im en t h as p ro ve d

s ome thing! … Sa m … ha ppy and we al thy … a nd he al thy! … I use d t o hope he 'd br ea k down … I' d

w at ch h im a nd r ea d s ym pt om s o f i ns an it y i nt o e ve ry m ov e h e m ad e … d es pi ca bl e? … c er ta in ly, b ut l ov e

m ak es o ne e it he r n ob le o r d es pi ca bl e! … h e o nl y g re w h ea lt hi er … n ow I 'v e g ive n u p w at ch in g h im …

a lmos t e nt ir el y … now I wa tc h hi m gr ow f at a nd I l augh! … t he huge j oke h as da wne d on me ! … Sa m i s

the only normal one! … we lunatics! … Nina and I! … have made a sane life for him out of our

m ad nes s! …

(w a t chi n g N i n a- - s a dl y)

Always thinking of her son … well, I gave him to her … Gordon … I hate that name … why do I

c on ti nu e ha ng in g a ro un d h er e? … e ac h t im e a ft er a f ew m on th s m y l ove c ha ng es t o b it te rn es s … I b la me

Nina for the mess I've made of life …

N I N A - - ( suddenly turning on him) W he n ar e you goi ng bac k to the Wes t Indie s, Ne d?

DARRELL--(determinedly) S oo n!

GORDON--( stops playing to listen--thinking )

Gos h, I 'm gl ad! … How s oon, I wonder ? …

N I N A - - (with a trace of a sneer ) I don't se e how you c an afford to le ave your work for such l ong

periods. Don't you grow rusty?

DARRELL--(looking at her meaningly) My life work is to rust--nicely and unobtrusively! ( He smiles

mockingly. )

N I N A - - ( sadly--thinking )

To rot away in peace … that's all he wants now, too! … and this is what love has done to us! …

DARRELL--(bitterly) My wor k wa s f ini she d t we lve ye ar s a go. As I be li ev e you kno w, I e nd ed i t wi th

an experiment which resulted so successfully that any further meddling with human lives would have been

superfluous!

N I N A - - ( pityingly) Ne d!

DARRELL--(i n di f fe r e nt a nd c y ni c al ) B ut y ou m ea nt m y p re se nt d ab bl in g a bo ut . Y ou k no w b et te r

t ha n t o c al l t ha t w or k. I t' s m er el y m y h ob by . O ur b ac ki ng S am h as m ad eM ar sd en a nd m e s o w ea lt hy

t ha t w e' re f or ce d t o t ak e u p h ob bi es .M ar sd en go es i n f or hi s ol d on e o f da sh ing of f ge nt ee l n ov el s, w hi le

I p la y a t b io log y. S am a rg ue d t ha t g ol f w ou ld be h ea lt hi er a nd l es s no ns en si ca l f or m e, bu t y ou i ns is te d o n

biology. And give it its due, it has kept me out in the open air and been conducive totravelling and

broadening my mind! (t he n f or ci ng a s mi le) B ut I 'm e xa gg er at in g. I r ea ll y a m i nt er es te d, o r I 'd n ev er

k ee p f in an ci ng t he S ta ti on . A nd w he n I 'm d ow n t he re I d o w or k h ar d, h el pi ng P re st on . H e' s d oi ng

r em ar ka bl e w or k a lr ea dy , a nd h e' s s ti ll i n h is t we nt ie s. H e' ll b e a b ig m an -- (h is b it te rn es s c ro pp in g u p

again) a t l ea st i f h e t ak es m y a dv ic e a nd n ev er c ar ri es h is e xp er im en ts a s f ar a s h um an l iv es !

N I N A - - (in a low voice) H ow c an y ou b e s o b it te r, N ed -- on G or do n' s b ir th da y?

DARRELL--(t h i nki n g cyn i ca l l y)





S he e xpe ct s m e t o l ove t he c hi ld s he de li be ra te ly t ook f rom me a nd g ave t o a not he r m an! … no, t ha nk

you, Ni na ! … I' ve be en hur t e nough ! … I 'l l not l ea ve mys el f o pe n t he re ! …

(r eg ar di ng h is s on b it te rl y) E ve ry da y he g et s m or e l ike S am , d oe sn' t h e?

GORDON--( thinking )

H e' s t al ki ng a bou t m e … he be tt er l oo k o ut ! …

N I N A - - (resentfully) I don' t t hi nk Gor don r es emb le s S am a t a ll . H e r em inds me a gr ea t de al o f hi s

namesake.

DARRELL--(t ou ch ed o n a s or e s po t- -w it h a n as ty l au gh -- c ut ti ng ly) G or do n S ha w? N ot t he s li gh te st

bit in the world! And you ought to thank God he doesn't! It's the last thing I'd want wished on a boy of

m in e- -t o b e l ik e t ha t r ah -r ah h er o!

GORDON--( thinking contemptuously)

Boy of his! … He hasn't got a boy! …

N I N A - - (a mu se d a nd p le as ed b y h is j ea lo us y)

P oor N ed! … i sn 't he s il ly? … a t hi s a ge , a ft er a ll w e' ve be en t hro ugh, t o s ti ll f ee l j ea lo us …

D AR RE LL -- I' d m uch r at her h av e h im ( pointing to Gordon) gr ow up t o be an e xa ct duplic at e of t he

esteemed Samuel!

GORDON--( thinking resentfully)

H e' s a lwa ys m aki ng f un of my f at he r! … he be tt er l ook out ! …

DARRELL--(more and more mockingly ) And what could be faire r? The good Samuel is a n A one

s uc ce ss . H e h as a c ha rm in g w if e a nd a d ar li ng b oy , a nd a P ar k A ve nu e a pa rt me nt a nd a m em be rs hi p i n

a n e xp en si ve g ol f c lu b. A nd , a bo ve a ll , h e r es ts s o c om pl ac en tl y o n t he p ro ud a ss ur an ce t ha t h e i s

self-made!

N I N A - - ( sharply) Ne d! Y ou o ug ht t o b e a sh am ed ! Y ou kno w h ow g ra te fu l S am ha s a lw ays b ee n t oyou!

DARRELL--(bitingly) Would he be gr at eful if he knew how muc h I 'd r eal ly done f or hi m?

N I N A - - ( sternly) Ne d!

GORDON--( suddenly jumps up and confronts Darrell, his fists clenched, trembling with rage,

stammers ) Y ou -- sh ut u p- -m ak in g f un o f m y f at her!

N I N A - - (i n d is ma y) G or d on !

DARRELL--(mockingly) M y de ar b oy, I w oul dn' t m ake f un of yo ur f at he r f or t he wor ld !





each o th er again !

DARRELL--(w it h a n i ro ni ca l g ri ma ce) O r I m ig ht cheat m ys el f i nt o b el ievi ng I 'd f al len i n l ov e w it h

s om e ni ce gi rl a nd ge t m ys el f e nga ge d t o be ma rr ie d a ga in a s I di d onc e be for e! And t he n y ou' d be

jealous again and have to find some way of getting me to break it off!

N I N A - - ( forlornly amused ) Ye s- -I s uppo se t he t hou ght o f a wi fe t aki ng you a wa y f rom me wou ld betoo much--again! (t h en h el pl es s ly) Oh , N ed, whe n a re w e e ve r g oi ng t o l ea rn s om et hi ng a bou t e ac h

o th er ? W e a ct l ik e s uc h b ra in le ss f oo ls -- wi th o ur l ov e. I t' s a lw ay s s o w on de rf ul w he n y ou f ir st c om e

back, but you always stay too long--or I always keep you too long! You never leave before we've come

t o t he ugl y bi tt er s ta ge whe n we bl ame e ac h ot he r! (t h en s u dd e nl y f o rl o rn l y t e nd e r ) Is i t pos si bl e you

c an s ti ll l ov e m e, N ed ?

DARRELL--(m o ur n f ul l y s m i l in g ) I mus t, or I 'd ne ver ac t t his fool wa y, would I?

N I N A - - ( smiling back ) And I must love you. (t h en s er i ou s l y) Af te r a ll , I c an ne ve r f or ge t t ha t Gor do n

i s t he c hil d of your l ov e, Ne d.

DARRELL--( sadly) Y ou 'd b et te r f or ge t t ha t, f or h is s ak e a nd y ou r o wn . C hi ld re n h av e s ur e i nt ui ti on s.

H e f ee ls c he at ed o f y ou r l ov e- -b y m e. S o h e' s c on ce nt ra ti ng h is a ff ec ti on s o n S am w ho se l ov e h e k no ws

is secure, and withdrawing from you.

N I N A - - ( frightened--angrily) Don't be s tupid, Ned! That isn't so at a ll! I hat e you whe n you talk t hat

way!

DARRELL--(cynically) H at e m e, e xa ct ly. A s he doe s! Tha t' s wha t I 'm a dvi si ng yo u t o do i f you wa nt

to ke ep his l ove! ( He smiles grimly.)

N I N A - - ( sharply) I f G or do n d oe sn 't l ov e y ou i t' s b ec au se y ou 'v e n ev er m ad e t he s li gh te st a tt em pt t o b e

l ov abl e t o h im ! T he re 's n o e ar th ly r ea so n w hy h e s ho ul d l ik e y ou , w he n y ou c om e r ig ht d ow n t o i t, N ed !

T ak e t od ay , f or i ns ta nc e. I t' s h is b ir th da y b ut y ou 'd f or go tt en , o r d id n' t c ar e! Y ou n ev er e ve n b ro ug ht h im

a p re se nt .

DARRELL--(w it h b it te r s ad ne ss ) I di d bri ng him a pr es ent. It 's out i n the hal l. I bought him a c os tl y

d el ic at e on e s o he c ou ld g et f ul l s at is fa ct io n a nd y et n ot s tr ai n hi ms el f w he n h e s ma sh ed i t, a s he 's

s ma she d e ver y pre se nt of mi ne i n t he pa st! And I l ef t it out in t he ha ll , to be gi ve n t o him af ter I 've gone

because, after all, he is my son and I'd prefer he didn't smash it before my eyes! (trying to mock his

own emotion back--with savage bitterness ) I'm sel fish, you s ee! I don't want my s on t o be t oo happya t m y e xp en se , e ve n on h is b ir thd ay !

N I N A - - (tormented by love and pity and remorse ) Ne d! For God' s s ake ! Ho w c an y ou t or tur e u s

l ik e t ha t! O h, i t' s t oo d re ad fu l- -w ha t I h av e d on e t o y ou ! F or gi ve m e, N ed !

DARRELL--(hi s e xp re ss ion c hang ing t o on e of pi ty f or h er -- goe s t o h er and p ut s hi s h and o n h er

head--tenderly) I'm sorry. (w i th r e mo r se f ul t e nd e rn e ss) D readf ul , w hat y ou 'v e d on e, N in a? W hy ,

y ou 'v e g iv en m e t he o nl y h ap pi ne ss I 'v e e ve r k no wn ! A nd n o m at te r w ha t I m ay s ay o r d o i n b it te rn es s,

I'm proud--and grateful, Nina!

N I N A - - (looks up at him with deep tenderness and admiration ) D ea re st , i t' s w on de rf ul o f y ou t o s ay

t ha t! (She ge ts up and pu ts h er hand s on hi s s houl de rs a nd l ook s i nt o hi s e ye s- -t end er ly i n a s or t o f

pleading ) C an 't w e b e b ra ve e no ug h- -f or y ou t o go a wa y- -n ow , o n t hi s n ot e- -s ur e o f o ur l ov e- -w it h no





ugly bitterness for once?

DARRELL--( joyfully) Y es ! I 'l l g o- -t hi s m in ut e i f y ou w is h!

N I N A - - ( playfully) O h, yo u ne edn 't go t hi s m in ut e! Wa it a nd s ay g oo d- bye t o Sa m. He 'd be t er ri bl y

h ur t i f y ou d id n' t. (t h en s er i ou s l y) An d w il l you pr om is e t o s ta y a wa y t wo ye ar s- -e ve n i f I c al l you ba ck

before then--and work this time, really work?

DARRELL--I'll try, Nina!

N IN A- -A nd t he n- -s ur el y c om e b ac k t o m e!

DARRELL--( smiling ) Surely--again!

N IN A- - Th en g oo d- by e , d e ar ! (S he k is se s h im .)

DARRELL--Again! ( He smiles and she smiles and they kiss again. Gordon appears in the doorwayat rear and stands for a moment in a passion of jealousy and rage and grief, watching them. )

GORDON--( thinking with a strange tortured shame)

I must n' t s ee he r! … pre te nd I didn' t s ee he r! … mus tn't ne ve r le t her know I s aw her ! …

( He vanishes as silently as he had come.)

N I N A - - ( suddenly moving away from Darrell, looking around her uneasily) Ned, did you see--? I

h ad t he q ueer est f eeli ng j us t t hen t hat s om eo ne--

GORDON--( His voice sounds from the hall with a strained casualness.) M ot her! U ncle C harl ie's

d ow ns tair s. S hall h e com e r ig ht u p?

N I N A - - ( startled, her own voice straining to be casual ) Y es , d ea r- -o f c ou rs e! (t h en w o rr i ed l y) His

v oi ce s ou nd ed f un ny . D id i t t o y ou ? D o y ou s up po se h e- -?

DARRELL--(wit h a wry smile) I t' s p os si bl e. T o b e on t he s af e s id e, you 'd b et te r t el l hi m yo u ki ss ed

me good-bye t o get rid of me! (t h en a n gr i ly) S oM ar sd en 's h er e a ga in ! T he d am ne d o ld w om an ! I

s im pl y c an 't g o h im a ny m or e, N in a! W hy G or do n s ho ul d t ak e s uc h a f an cy t o t ha t o ld s is sy i s b ey on d

me!

N I N A - - ( suddenly struck--thinking )

W hy , h e' s j ealo us o f G or do n l ik in g C harl ie! …

(immediately all affectionate pity)

T he n h e m us t l ov e G or do n a l it tl e! …

(l et ti ng h er p it y e sc ap e h er ) Poor Ned! (S h e m a kes a m o vem en t t o w a r d h i m . )

DARRELL--( startled and afraid she may have guessed something he doesn't acknowledge to

himself ) What? Why do you say that? (then rudely defensive) D on' t be s ill y! (resentfully) You know





we ll e nough wha t I' ve a lwa ys he ld aga inst hi m! I wa nte d t o put up al l t he m one y t o ba ck Sam when he

s ta rt ed . I w an te d t o d o i t f or S am 's s ak e- -b ut e sp ec ia ll y f or m y c hi ld 's s ak e. W hy d id Ma rs de n a bs ol ut el y

i ns is t o n S am l et ti ng h im i n e qu al ly? I t i sn' t t ha t I be gr udg e hi m t he m one y he 's m ad e, b ut I k now t he re

w as s om et hi ng q ue er i n hi s mi nd a nd t ha t he d id i t i nt en ti ona ll y t o s pi te m e! ( From the hallway comes

the sound of Marsden's v oi ce a nd G or do n' s g re et in g h im v oc if er ou sl y a s h e l et s h im i nt o t he

a pa rt me nt . A s D ar re ll l is te ns h is e xp re ss io n b ec om es f ur io us a ga in . H e b ur st s o ut a ng ri ly) Y ou 'r e

l et ti ng t ha t o ld a ss s po il G or do n, y ou f oo l, y ou ! ( Marsdencomes in from the rear, smiling,i mm ac ul at el y d re ss ed a s u su al . H e l oo ks h ar dl y a ny o ld er e xc ep t t ha t h is h ai r i s g ra ye r a nd h is t al l

figure more stooped. His expression and the general atmosphere he gives out are more nearly like

those of Act One. If not happy, he is at least living in comparative peace with himself and his

environment. )

MARSDEN--( comes straight to Nina) H el lo , N in a C ar a N in a! C on gr at ul at io ns o n y ou r s on 's

birthday! ( He kisses her.) H e' s g ro wn s o m uc h b ig ge r a nd s tr on ge r i n t he t wo m on th s s in ce I 'v e s ee n

hi m. ( He turns and shakes hands with Darrell coldly--with a trace of a patronizing air ) H el lo ,

Da rr el l. La st t ime I w as he re you we re l ea vi ng fo r t he We st I ndi es in a we ek but I s ee yo u' re s ti ll a round.

DARRELL--( furious--with a mocking air ) A nd h er e y ou are aro un d again y ou rs el f! Y ou 'r e l oo ki ng

c om fo rt ab le t he se d ay s, Ma rs de n . I h op e y ou r s is te r i s w el l. I t m us t b e a g re at c om fo rt , h av in g h er t o

t ak e y ou r m ot he r' s p la ce ! (then with a harsh laugh) Y es , w e' re t wo b ad p en ni es , e h, Ma rs de n

?--counterfeits--fakes--Sam's silent partners!

N I N A - - (t h i nki n g i r r i t ab l y)

N ed 's g et ti ng h at ef ul a ga in ! … P oo r C ha rl ie ! … I w on 't h av e h im i ns ul te d! … h e' s b ec om e s uc h a

c om fo rt … h e u nd er st an ds s o mu ch … w it ho ut m y ha vi ng t o t el l hi m …

(looking rebukingly a t D ar r el l ) N ed i s s ai li ng t hi s w ee k, C ha rl ie .

MARSDEN--( thinking triumphantly)

He's trying to insult me … I know all he means … but what do I care what he says … she's sending him

away! … i nt en ti on al ly b ef or e m e! … i t m eans h e' s f in is hed! …

DARRELL--(thinking resentfully)

I s s he t ry in g t o h um il ia te m e b ef or e h im ? … I 'l l t ea ch he r! …

(t h en s t r ug gl i ng w i th h i ms e lf - -r e mo r se f ul l y)

No … not this time … I pr omis ed … no quarr el … r emember …

(a cq ui es c in g- -w it h a p le as an t n od t oM ar sd en ) Ye s, I 'm go in g t hi s w ee k a nd I e xp ec t t o b e g on e a t

l ea st t wo y ea rs t hi s t im e- -t wo y ea rs o f h ar d w or k.

MARSDEN--( thinking with scornful pity )

H is w or k! … w ha t a p re te ns e! … a s ci en ti fi c d il et ta nt e! … c ou ld a ny th in g b e m or e p it ia bl e? … p oo r

c ha p! …

( perfunctorily) B io lo gy m us t b e a n i nt er es ti ng s tud y. I w is h I k ne w m or e a bo ut i t.





DARRELL--( stung yet amused by the other's tone--ironically) Yes , s o do I wis h you did,Ma rs den !

T he n y ou m igh t w ri te m or e a bo ut l if e a nd l es s a bou t d ea r o ld l ad ie s a nd d ev il is h b ac he lo rs ! W hy d on 't

y ou w ri te a n ov el abo ut l if e s om et im e, Mar sd en ? ( He turns his back onMarsden with a glance of

repulsion and walks to the window and stares out. )

MARSDEN--( confusedly) Y es - -d eci dedl y- -b ut h ar dl y i n m y l i ne-- (t hi nk in g i n a ng ui sh -- pi ck i ng u p am ag az i ne a nd t ur ni ng o ve r t he p ag es a im le ss ly)

That … is … true! … he's full of poison! … I've never ma rried the word to life! … I've been a t imid

bachelor of Arts, not an artist! … my poor pleasant books! … all is well! … is this well, the three of us?

… Darre ll has bec ome le ss and le ss her lover … Ni na has turned more and mor e t o me … we have built

u p a s ec re t l if e o f s ub tl e s ym pa th ie s a nd c on fi de nc es … s he h as k no wn I h av e u nd er st oo d a bo ut h er

m er e p hy si ca l p as si on f or D ar re ll … w ha t w om an c ou ld b e e xp ec te d t o l ov e S am p as si on at el y? … s om e

d ay s he 'l l c on fi de a ll a bo ut D ar re ll t o m e … n ow t ha t h e' s f in is he d … s he k no ws t ha t I l ov e h er w it ho ut

my t el ling … s he e ve n knows t he sor t of l ove i t is … .

( passionately--thinking )

My love is finer than any she has known! … I do not lust for her! … I would be content if our marriage

s houl d be pur el y t he pl ac ing of our a she s i n t he s ame t omb … our ur ns s ide by si de a nd touc hi ng one

a not he r … c oul d t he ot he rs s ay a s m uc h, c oul d t he y l ov e s o de epl y? …

(t h en s u dd e nl y m i se r ab l y s e lf - c on t em p tu o us)

What ! … plat oni c he roi cs at my a ge! … do I bel ieve a word of tha t? … look at her beautif ul eyes ! …

w oul dn 't I gi ve a nyt hi ng i n l if e t o s ee t he m d es ir e m e? … a nd t he i nt im ac y I 'm b oa st in g a bou t, w ha t m or e

d oe s i t m ea n t ha n t ha t I 'v e b ee n p la yi ng t he d ea r o ld C ha rl ie o f h er g ir lh oo d a ga in ? …

(t hi nk in g i n a ng ui sh)

D am ned cow ar d and w eakl i ng ! …

N I N A - - (l o o kin g a t h i m - -p i t yin g l y-- t h i nki n g )

What does he always want of me? … me? … I am the only one who senses his deep hurt … I feel how

l if e h as w ou nd ed h im … i s t ha t p ar tl y m y f au lt , t oo ? … I h av e w ou nd ed e ve ry on e … p oo r C ha rl ie , w ha t

c an I do f or you? … i f gi vi ng m ys el f t o you woul d br ing you a mom ent 's ha ppine ss , c oul d I ? … t he i deau se d t o b e r ev ol ti ng … n ow , n ot hi ng a bo ut l ov e s ee ms i mp or ta nt e no ug h t o b e r ev ol ti ng … p oo r C ha rl ie ,

he onl y t hi nks he ough t t o de si re m e! … de ar Ch ar li e, w ha t a p er fe ct l ove r he wo ul d ma ke f or on e' s ol d

a ge ! … w ha t a p er fe ct l ov er w he n o ne w as pa st p as si on! …

(t he n w it h s ud de n s c or nf ul r e vu ls io n)

The se me n ma ke me s ic k! … I ha te a ll thr ee of the m! … t he y dis gus t me ! … the wi fe a nd mi st re ss i n me

ha s be en ki lle d by the m! … t ha nk God, I a m onl y a mot her now! … Gordon i s m y l itt le m an, my onl y

m an! …

( suddenly) I 'v e go t a j ob f or y ou , C ha rl ie -- ma ke t he s al ad d re ss in g f or l un ch . Y ou k no w, t he on e I 'm s o

crazy about.





MARSDEN--( springs to his feet ) Righto ! ( He puts his armabout her waist and they go out

t o g et her l a u g h i ng l y, w i t h o ut a g l a nce a t D a rr el l .)

DARRELL--(t h in k in g d ul l y)

I must n't stay to lunch … ghost at my son's fea st! … I bett er go now … why wait for Sam? … what is

there to say t o him I ca n say? … and ther e's nothing about him I want t o see … he's as healt hy as a pig… and as sa ne … I was af rai d once his mother had l ied t o Ni na … I went ups tat e and inves tigate d …

t ru e, every w or d o f i t … h is g reat -g rand fath er , h is g rand mo th er , h is f at her, w er e all i ns an e …

(m o vi ng u n eas i l y)

St op i t! … t ime t o g o w he n t hos e t houg ht s c om e … s ai l o n Sa tu rda y … n ot c om e he re a ga in … N ina

wi ll soon be fi ght ing Sam f or my s on' s love ! … I 'm be tt er out of t hat ! … O Chr is t, wha t a me ss it a ll i s!

…

GORDON--( app ear s i n t he door way i n r ear . He c ar ri es a s mal l, e xp ens iv e y ac ht 's mo de l of a sloop with the sails set. He is in a terrific state of conflicting emotions, on the verge of tears yet

stubbornly determined.)

I got to do it! … Gosh, it's awful … this boat is so pretty … why did it have to come from him? … I can

ge t Dad to buy me another boa t … but now I love this one … but he kis sed Mother … she ki sse d hi m

…

( He walks up defiantly and confronts Darrell who turns to him in surprise.) Hey--Darrell--did

y ou -- ? ( He stops chokingly.)

DARRELL--(i m me d ia t el y r e al i zi n g w ha t i s c o mi n g- - t hi n ki n g w i th s o mb e r a n gu i sh)

So thi s has to ha ppen! … what I dre aded! … my f ate is mer cil es s, it se ems ! …

(w i th s t r ai n ed k i nd l in e ss) Di d wha t?

GORDON--( growing hard--stammers angrily) I f ound t hi s-- out i n t he ha ll . I t c an' t be f rom a nybo dy

el se. I s t hi s -- yo ur p res en t?

DARRELL--(hard and defiant himself ) Ye s.

GORDON--( i n a r a ge - -t r em bl i ng l y) T he n- -h er e' s w ha t- -I t hi nk o f y ou ! ( Beginning to cry, he breaks

off the mast, bowsprit, breaks the mast in two, tears the rigging off and throws the dismantled

h ul l a t D ar re ll 's f ee t.) The re ! You ca n ke ep it!

DARRELL--(his anger overcoming him for an instant ) Y ou -- yo u m ean l it tl e d ev il , y ou ! Y ou d on 't

g et t ha t f ro m m e- -( Hehas taken a threatening step forward. Gordon stands white-faced, defying

h im . D ar re ll p ul ls h im se lf u p s ho rt -- th en i n a t re mb li ng v oi ce o f d ee pl y w ou nd ed a ff ec ti on) You

s hou ldn 't h ave d on e t ha t, s on . W ha t di ff er en ce do I ma ke ? I t wa s ne ve r m y b oa t. B ut i t wa s yo ur bo at .

Y ou s ho ul d c on si de r t he b oa t, n ot m e. D on 't y ou l ik e b oa ts f or t he ms el ve s? I t w as a b ea ut if ul l it tl e b oa t, I

t ho ug ht . T hat 's w hy I --

GORDON--( sobbing miserably) I t was a wf ul pr ett y! I di dn' t wa nt to do it! ( He kneels down and

gathers up the boat into his arms again.) Hones t I didn' t. I l ove boats ! But I hat e you! (this last with





passionate intensity)

DARRELL--(dryly) So I 'v e ob se rve d. (thinking with angry anguish )

H e h ur ts , d am n hi m! …

G OR DO N- - No , y ou d on ' t k no w! Mo re 'n e ve r n ow !M or e' n e ve r! (t he s ec re t e sc ap in g h im) I saw youk is si ng M ot he r! I s aw M ot he r, t oo !

DARRELL--( startled, but immediately forcing a smile) B ut I w as s ay ing g oo d- by e. W e' re ol d

f ri en ds . Y ou k no w t hat.

G OR DO N- -Y ou c an 't f oo l m e! T hi s w as d if fe re nt ! (explosively ) It would se rve you good and

r igh t- -a nd M ot he r, t oo -- if I w as t o t el l D ad o n y ou !

D AR RE LL -- Wh y, I 'm S am 's o ld es t f ri en d. D on 't m ak e a l it tl e f oo l o f y ou rs el f!

GORDON--You are not his friend. You've always been hanging around cheating him--hanging around

Mother!

D AR RE LL -- Keep s ti ll ! W hat d o y ou m ean cheat in g h im ?

G OR DO N- -I d on 't k no w. B ut I k no w y ou a re n' t h is f ri en d. A nd s om et im e I 'm g oi ng t o t el l h im I s aw

you--

DARRELL--(w i th g r ea t s e r io u sn e ss n o w- - de e pl y m ov e d ) L is te n! T he re a re t hi ng s a m an o f h ono r

do es n' t t el l a ny on e- -n ot e ve n h is m ot he r or f at he r. Y ou w an t t o be a m an o f ho nor , do n' t y ou ? (intensely

) Ther e ar e things we don't tell, you and I! ( He has put his hand around Gordon's shoulder impulsively.)

This is my son! … I love him! …

GORDON--( t h i n ki n g - -t er r i bl y t o r n)

Why do I like him now? … I like him awful! …

(crying ) W e?- -w h o d' yo u m ean ?-- I 'v e g ot h on o r! - -m or e' ny ou ! -- yo u d on 't h av e t o t ell m e!- - I w as n' t

g oi ng t o t el l D ad a ny wa y, h on es t I w as n' t! W e? -- wh at d' yo u m ea n, w e? -- I' m n ot l ik e y ou ! I d on 't w an t t o be ever like you! (T h er e i s t h e s o u n d of a d o o r b ei n g f l un g o p en a nd s h u t a n d E va ns ' h ea r t y vo i ce.)

EVANS--( from the entrance hall ) Hello, everybody!

DARRELL--( slapping Gordon on the back ) Buc k up, s on! He re he is ! Hide tha t boa t or he 'll a sk

questions. (G or do n r un s a nd h id es t he b oa t u nd er t he s of a. W he n E va ns e nt er s, G or do n i s e nt ir el y

composed and runs to him joyfully. Evans has grown stouter, his face is heavy now, he has grown

executive and used to command, he automatically takes charge wherever he is. He does not look

hi s a ge e xc ept t ha t hi s ha ir has gr ow n s can ty and t he re i s a pe rc ep ti bl e b al d s pot on t op. H e i s

exp en si vel y t a i l or ed .)

EVANS--(h u gg i ng G or d on t o h i m- - lo v in g ly) H ow 's t he o ld s on ? H ow 's t he b ir th da y c om in g a lo ng ?





GORDON--Fine, Dad!

E VA NS -- He ll o, N ed ! I sn 't t hi s k id o f m in e a w ho pp er f or h is a ge , t ho ug h!

DARRELL--( smiling strainedly) Yes. (writhing--thinking )

It hurts now! … to see my son his son! … I've had enough! … get out! … any excuse! … I can phonea ft er wa rds ! … I 'l l y el l o ut t he w ho le b us in es s i f I s ta y! …

I w as j us t go ing, Sa m. I 've go t t o s te p a rou nd a nd s ee a f el low w ho l ive s n ea r- -bi ol og is t. ( He has gone

to the door.)

EVANS--(disappointedly ) The n you won' t be he re f or l unc h?


I 'll ye ll t he t rut h i nt o your ea rs i f I s ta y a se cond longe r … you da mne d luna tic ! …

C an 't s ta y. S or ry . T hi s i s i mp or ta nt . I 'm s ai li ng i n a f ew d ay s- -l ot s t o d o- -s ee y ou l at er , S am . S o

long--Gordon.

GORDON--( as he goes out with awkward haste ) G oo d- by e- - Un c le N ed . (thinking confusedly)

Why did I call him that when I said I never would? … I know … must be because he said he's sailing

and I 'm gla d …

E VA NS -- So l on g, N ed . (thinking--good-naturedly superior )

N ed a nd h is b io lo gy ! … H e t ak es h is h ob by p re tt y s er io us ly ! …

(with satisfaction)

W ell , he c an a ffor d t o ha ve hobbie s now ! … hi s i nve st me nt wi th me ha s m ade hi m a pi le … . Whe re 's

Mother, son?

G OR DO N- -O ut i n t he k it chen w it h U ncle C harl i e. (thinking )

I hope he never comes back! … why did I like him the n? … it was only for a second … I didn't re ally… I never coul d! … why does he always cal l me Gor don as if he ha ted t o? …

EVANS--( sitting down at left ) I h ope l unc h i s r ea dy s oon. I' m hun gr y a s t he de vi l, a re n' t you?

GORDON--( absent-mindedly) Yes, Dad.

E VA NS -- Co me o ve r h er e a nd t el l m e a bo ut y ou r b ir th da y. (Gordon comes over. Evans pulls him up

on hi s l ap.) H ow 'd y ou l ik e y ou r p re se nt s? W ha t' d y ou g et f ro m U nc le N ed ?

GORDON--( eva s i vel y) The y we re a ll d andy. ( suddenly) W hy wa s I na me d G or don ?

E VA NS -- Oh , y ou k no w a ll a bo ut t ha t- -a ll a bo ut G or do n S ha w. I 'v e t ol d y ou t im e a nd a ga in .





G OR DO N- -Y ou t ol d m e o nc e h e w as M ot he r' s b ea u- -w he n s he w as a g ir l.

EVANS--(teasingly) W ha t d o y ou k no w a bou t be au s? Y ou' re g ro wi ng u p!

G OR DO N- -D id M ot he r l ov e h im a l ot ?

EVANS--(embarrassedly) I guess so.

GORDON--( thinking keenly)

T ha t' s w hy D ar re ll h at es m e b ei ng c al le d G or do n … h e k no ws M ot he r l ov ed G or do nb et te r' n s he d oe s

hi m … n ow I kn ow ho w t o ge t b ac k a t h im … I 'l l be j us t l ike G or do n wa s a ndMot her 'll love meb et te r' n

hi m! …

A nd t he n t ha t G or do n w as ki ll ed , w as n' t h e? A m I a nyt hi ng l ike h im ?

EV AN S- -I h ope y ou a re . I f w he n yo u go t o c ol le ge yo u c an pl ay f oot ba ll o r r ow l ik e Go rdo n di d,I 'l l- -I 'l l g iv e y ou any th in g y ou ask f or ! I m ean t hat!

GORDON--( dreamily ) T el l m e a bo ut h im a ga in , w il l y ou , D ad -- abo ut t he t im e h e w as s tr ok ing t he

c re w a nd t he f el lo w w ho w as N umb er Se ve n be ga n t o c ra ck, a nd he c oul dn' t s ee h im but he f el t h im

c ra ck in g s om eh ow , a nd h e be ga n t al ki ng b ac k t o hi m a ll t he t im e a nd s or t o f g ave h im h is s tr en gt h s o t ha t

w he n t he r ac e w as o ve r a nd t he y' d w on G or do n f ai nt ed a nd t he o th er f el lo w d id n' t.

EVANS--(with a fond laugh ) Why, you know i t a ll by he art ! Wha t's t he use of m y t ell ing you?

N I N A - - (c om es i n f ro m t he r ea r w hi le t he y a re t al ki ng . S he c om es f or wa rd s lo wl y. T hi nk in g

resentfully)

Does he love Sam more than he does me? … oh, no, he can't! … but he trusts him more! … he

con fi des i n h im m or e! …

G OR DO N- -D id y ou e ve r u se d t o f ig ht f el lo ws , D ad ?

EVANS--(embarrassedly) Oh, a l itt le --when I had t o.

GORDON--Could you lick Darrell?

N I N A - - (thinking frightenedly) W hy d oe s h e a sk t ha t? …

EVANS--( surprised ) Y ou r U nc le N ed ? W ha t f or ? W e' ve a lw ay s b ee n f ri en ds .

G OR DO N- - I m ean, i f y ou w er en' t f r iend s, cou ld y ou ?

EVANS--(boastfully) Oh, yes, I guess so. Ned was never as strong as I was .

N I N A - - (thinking contemptuously)

Ned is weak. …

(t h en a p p reh en s ivel y)





B ut y ou 'r e g et ti ng t oo s tr on g, S am . …

G OR DO N- - Bu t G or do n cou ld h ave l ick ed y ou , cou ld n' t h e?

E VA NS -- Yo u b et h e c ou ld !

GORDON--( thinking )

S he m us t h av e l ov ed G or do nb et te r' n D ad e ve n! …

N I N A - - (S h e co mes f o r w ar d t o t h e cha i r a t cen t er, f o r ci ng a s m i l e.) W ha t' s a ll t hi s t al k a bo ut

f ig ht in g? T hat' s n ot n ice. F or h eaven' s s ak e, S am , d on 't encou rage h im --

EVANS--( grinning ) N eve r mi nd t he wome n, G or don. You' ve got t o know how t o f ight t o ge t on i n t hi s

world.

N I N A - - (t h i n ki n g p i t yi ng l y)

Y ou poor boo by! … how br ave you a re now ! …

( softly ) P er ha ps y ou 'r e r ig ht , d ea r. (l o ok i ng a r ou n d ) Has Ned gone?

GORDON--( defiantly) Y es -- an d h e' s n ot c om in g b ac k- -a nd h e' s s ai li ng s oo n!

N I N A - - (w it h a s hu dd er )

Why does he c halle nge me t hat wa y? … and cling to Sam? … he must have seen Ned and me … hedoesn't offer to come to my lap … he used to … Ned was right… I've got to lie to him … get him back

… here … on my lap! …

(with a sneer--to Evans ) I 'm gla d Ned's gone. I wa s afr aid he was going to be on our hands a ll day.

GORDON--( e ag er l y, h al f -g et ti ng d ow n f ro m h is f at he r' s l ap) Y ou 'r e g la d- -? (t h en c a ut i ou s ly

thinking )

She 's chea ting … I s aw he r kiss him. …

N IN A- -N ed 's g et ti ng t o be a n a wf ul bo re . H e' s s o we ak. H e c an 't g et s ta rt ed o n a ny th ing u nl es s h e' s

pushed.

GORDON--( m o vi n g a l i tt l e n e ar e r- - se a rc h in g h e r f a ce - - th i nk i ng )

She doesn' t seem to like him so much … but I saw he r kiss him! …

EVANS--( surprised ) Oh, come now, Nina, ar en't you bei ng a li tt le ha rd on Ne d? It 's t rue he' s s or t of

l os t hi s gr ip i n a wa y but he 's our be st f ri end.

GORDON--( moving away from his father again--resentfully--thinking )

W ha t' s D ad s ta ndi ng up f or hi m t o he r f or ? …





He r ea d my thought s! … I mus tn' t eve n t hi nk of Ned whe n he' s a round! … poor Ne d! … no, don't

t hink of hi m! …

(leaning forward toward Gordon with her arms stretched out entreatingly but adopting a playful

tone ) W hy , G or don , w ha t' s c om e ov er yo u? Y ou j um pe d of f m y l ap a s t hou gh y ou 'd s at on a t ac k! (She

forces a laugh.)

GORDON--( h is e ye s o n t he f lo or -- e va si ve l y) I' m hungry. I wa nt to s ee if l unc h i s ne ar ly r eady. ( He

t u rn s a b ru p tl y a nd r u ns o u t.)

EVANS--(i n a t on e o f s up er io r m an ly u nd er st an di ng , k in dl y b ut l ay in g d ow n t he l aw t o w om an ly

weakness ) H e' s s ic k of be in g ba bi ed, N ina . Yo u f or ge t h e' s ge tt ing t o b e a bi g b oy. And w e wa nt h im t o

gr ow up a r ea l he -m an a nd no t a n ol d l ady l ik e Ch ar li e. ( sagaciously) T ha t' s w ha t' s m ad e C ha rl ie l ik e h e

i s, I 'l l b et . H is m ot her n ev er s to pp ed b ab yi ng h im .

N I N A - - ( submissively--but with a look of bitter scorn at him) P er ha ps y ou 'r e r ig ht , S am .

EVANS--(confidently) I know I am!

N I N A - - (thinking with a look of intense hatred )

O h, Mo the r G od, gr ant t ha t I ma y s om e da y t el l t hi s f oo l t he t rut h! …

(Curtain)

ACT EIGHT

SCENE-- Late afternoon in late June, ten years later--the afterdeck of the Evans' motor cruiser

an ch or ed i n t he l an e of y ac ht s ne ar t he f in is h l ine a t Po ugh ke eps ie . The b ow and amidship o f t h e

c rui se r a re o ff r ig ht , po in te d u ps tr eam . T he p or ts id e r ai l i s i n t he r ea r, t he c ur ve of t he s te rn a t

left, the rear of the cabin with broad windows and a door is at right. Two wicker chairs are at left a nd a c ha is elongue at right. A wicker table with another chair is at center. The afterdeck is in cool

shade, contrasted with the soft golden haze of late afternoon sunlight that glows on the river.

N in a i s s it ti ng b y t he t ab le at cen ter, D ar rell i n t he chair f ar th es t l ef t, Mar sd en i n t he chais el ongue at r ig ht .

E vans i s l eani ng o ver t he r ai l d ir ectl y b ack o f N in a, l oo ki ng u p t he r iv er t hr ou gh a p ai r o f b in ocul ar s.

M ad el in e A rn ol d i s s tand in g b y h is s id e.

N in a' s h ai r h as t ur ned com pl et el y w hi te. S he i s d es perately t ry in g t o con ceal t he o bv io us i nr oads o f t im e

by an over-emphasis on make-up that defeats its end by drawing attention to what it would conceal. Her

f ac e i s t hi n, he r c he ek s t au t, h er m out h dr aw n w it h f or ce d s mi li ng . T he re i s l it tl e l ef t o f h er f ac e' s c ha rm

e xc ep t h er e ye s w hi ch n ow s ee m l ar ge r a nd m or e d ee pl y m ys te ri ou s t ha n e ve r. B ut s he h as k ep t h er

beautiful figure. It has the tragic effect of making her face seem older and more worn-out by contrast.

H er g en er al m an ner r ecal ls i ns tant ly t he N in a o f A ct F ou r, n eu ro ti c, p as si on at el y emb it tered and t or n.





S he i s d re ss ed i n a w hi te y ac ht in g c os tu me .

D ar re ll s ee ms t o ha ve " thr own ba ck " t o t he you ng doc to r w e h ad s ee n a t t he hous e o f N ina 's f at he r i n

A ct T wo . H e h as a ga in t he a ir o f t he c oo l, d et ac he d s ci en ti st r eg ar di ng h im se lf a nd t he p eo pl e a ro un d h im

a s i nt er es ti ng p he no me na . I n a pp ea ra nc e, h e i s o nc e m or e s ha rp ly d ef in ed , h is f ac e a nd b od y h av e g ro wn

l ean and w el l- co nd it io ned, t he p uf fi ness and j ow ls o f t he p revi ou s A ct are g on e. H is s ki n i s t an ned alm os t

black by his years in the tropics. His thick hair is iron-gray. He wears flannel pants, a blue coat, white buckskin shoes. He looks his fifty-one years, perhaps, but not a day more.Marsden has aged greatly.

T he s to op o f hi s t al l f igu re i s a cc ent ua te d, h is h ai r h as g ro wn w hi ti sh. H e i s a n o ld er i ma ge of t he Ma rs de n

o f A ct F iv e, w ho w as s o p ro st ra te d b y hi smother's death. Now it is his sister's death two months

b ef or e t ha t h as p lu ng ed h im i nt o d es pa ir . H is p re se nt g ri ef , h ow ev er , i s m or e r es ig ne d t o i ts f at e

t han t he o ld. H e i s dr es se d i mm ac ul at el y i n bl ac k, as i n A ct Fi ve .

E vans i s s im pl y E vans , h is t yp e l og ical ly d ev el op ed b y t en y ears o f con ti nu ed s uccess and accum ul at in g

w ealt h, j ov ial and s im pl e and g oo d- natu red as ever, b ut i ncreas in gl y s tu bb or n and s el f- op in io nated. H e

h as g ro wn v er y s to ut . H is j ow ly b ro ad f ac e h as a h ea vy , f lu sh ed , a po pl ec ti c l oo k. H is h ea d h as g ro wn

q ui te b al d o n t op . H e i s w eari ng a y acht in g cap , b lu e y acht in g coat, w hi te f lann el p an ts , b ucks ki n s ho es .

M ad el in e A rn ol d i s a p re tt y g ir l o f n in et ee n, w it h d ar k h ai r a nd e ye s. H er s ki n i s d ee pl y t an ne d, h er

f ig ur e t al l and ath leti c, r em in di ng o ne o f N in a' s w hen w e f ir st s aw h er . H er p er so nali ty i s d ir ect and f rank .

S he g iv es t he i mp re ss io n of a pe rs on w ho a lw ay s k no ws e xa ct ly w ha t s he i s a ft er a nd g en er al ly g et s i t,

but is also generous and a good loser, a good sport who is popular with her own sex as well as sought

a ft er b y m en . S he i s d re ss ed i n a b ri gh t- co lo re d s po rt c os tu me .

EVANS--(n e rv o us a nd e x c it e d- - on p i ns a nd n e ed l es - -l o we r in g h i s b i no c ul a rs i m pa t ie n tl y) C an 't

s ee a ny th in g u p t he re ! T he re 's a d am ne d h az e o n t he r iv er ! (h an di ng t he b in oc ul ar s t o M ad el in e) H er e,Madeline. You've got young eyes.

MADELINE--(eagerly) Tha nk you. (S h e l o ok s u p t h e ri v e r t h ro u gh t he g l as s e s.)

N I N A - - (thinking--bitterly)

You ng e ye s! … t he y l oo k i nt o Go rdon' s e ye s! … he s ee s l ove i n he r yo ung e ye s! … mi ne a re ol d now !

…

EVANS--( pulling out his watch) Soon be time for the start. (co m es f o r w ar d - - exas p er a t ed l y) Of c ou rs e, t he d amn ed r adi o h as t o p ic k out t hi s t im e t o go de ad! B ra nd n ew one I ha d i ns ta ll ed e spe ci al ly

f or t hi s r ac e, t oo! J us t my l uc k! (c omi ng t o N ina a nd pu tt in g hi s ha nd o n he r s houl de r ) G os h, I 'l l b et

G or do n' s s om e k ey ed -u p r ig ht at t hi s m om en t, N in a!

MADELINE--(w it ho ut l ow er in g t he g la ss e s) Poor kid! I' ll bet he i s!

N I N A - - (thinking with intense bitterness )

T ha t t one i n he r vo ic e! … he r l ove a lr ea dy pos se ss es hi m! … my s on ! …

(vindictively )

But she won't! … as long as I live! …





( flatly ) Ye s, he m us t be n er vou s.

EVANS--(t ak in g h is h an d a wa y, s ha rp ly) I di dn' t m ea n ne rv ou s. H e doe sn' t k now wh at i t i s t o ha ve

n er ves. N ot hi ng 's ever g ot h im r at tl ed y et . (this last with a resentful look down ather as he moves

back to the rail )

MADELINE--(with the calm confidence of one who knows ) Y es , y ou c an b ank o n G or do n ne ve r

losing his nerve.

N I N A - - (coldly) I 'm q ui te a wa re m y s on i sn 't a w ea kl in g- -(m ea ni ng ly , w it h a g la nc e a t M ad el in e)

even t ho ug h h e d oes d o w eak t hi ng s s om et im es .

MADELINE--(w it ho ut l ow er i ng t he g la ss e s f ro m h er e y es -- t hi nk in g g oo d- na tu re dl y)

Ouch! … tha t was mea nt f or me! …

(then hurt )

Why doe s s he di sli ke me s o? … I 've done my be st , f or Gordon' s s ake , t o be nic e t o her … .

EVANS--(looking back at Nina resentfully--thinking )

A no th er n as ty c ra ck a t M ad el in e! … N in a' s c er ta in ly b ec om e t he p ri ze b um s po rt ! … I t ho ug ht o nc e

he r c ha ng e of l if e w as ove r s he 'd b e a sha me d of he r c ra zy j ea lous y … i ns te ad o f t ha t i t' s go t wor se …

but I'm not going to let her come between Gordon and Madeline … he loves her and she loves him …

and he r folks ha ve got money and posit ion, too … and I l ike her a lot … a nd, by God, I' m going to s ee

t o i t t he ir m ar ri ag e g oe s t hr ou gh o n s ch ed ul e, n o m at te r h ow m uc h N in a k ic ks u p! …

DARRELL--(keenly observant--thinking )

N in a h at es t hi s y oun g l ad y … o f c ou rs e! … G or do n' s g ir l … s he 'l l s ma sh t he ir e ng ag em ent i f s he c an …

as s he did mine once … onc e! … tha nk God my sl ave ry i s over! … how did s he know I was bac k in

t own? … I wa sn' t goi ng t o s ee he r a ga in … but he r i nvi ta tion wa s s o i mpl or ing … m y dut y t o Gor don,

s he wrot e … wha t duty? … pre tt y la te i n t he da y! … t ha t' s be tte r l eft de ad, t oo! …

EVANS--(looking at his watch again) T hey ought t o be l ined up a t t he s tar t a ny mi nute now. (

pounding his fist on the rail--letting his pent-up feelings explode) C om e o n, G or do n!

N I N A - - ( startled--with nervous irritation) Sa m! I t old you I h ave a s pl it ti ng he ada che ! (thinking

intensely)

Y ou v ul ga r b oo r! … G or do n' s e ng ag em en t t o h er i s a ll y ou r f au lt ! …

EVANS--(resentfully) I 'm s or ry . W hy do n' t y ou t ak e s ome a sp ir in ? (t h i n ki n g i r r i t ab l y)

Ni na i n t he dumps ! … Cha rl ie i n mour ni ng! … wha t a pa ir of kil lj oys ! … I wa nte d t o br ing Gor don a nd

his fr ie nds on boar d t o ce le bra te … no c hanc e! … have to ta ke Ma del ine … st age a pa rt y i n Ne w Yor k

… lea ve this outfi t flat …Nina'll be s or e a s t he d evi l but s he 'l l ha ve t o l ike i t …

DARRELL--(exa mi n i n g N i n a cr i t i ca l l y- -t h i nki n g )





Sh e' s got te n i nt o a f ine n eu rot ic s ta te … r emi nds me of whe n I f ir st kne w he r …

(t h en exu l t a n t l y)

T ha nk G od , I c an w at ch h er o bj ec ti ve ly a ga in … t he se l as t t hr ee y ea rs a wa y h av e f in al ly d on e i t …

com pl ete cur e! …

(t h en r em o rs ef u l l y)

P oo r N in a! … w e' re a ll de se rt in g h er …

(t h en g l a nc i ng a t Marsden -- wit h a trace of a sneer )

EvenM ar sd en s ee ms t o h av e l ef t h er f or t he de ad ! …

MARSDEN--( va g u el y i r r i t at ed - - t hi n ki ng )

Wha t am I doing here ? … wha t do I care about this stupid race? … why did I let Nina bully me into

c omi ng? … I ought t o be a lone … wi th my m emor ie s of de ar J ane … i t wi ll be t wo m ont hs a go Sa tur da y

s he di ed …

( His lips tremble, tears come to his eyes.)

MADELINE--(w it h a n i mp at ie nt s ig h, l ow er in g t he g la ss e s) It's no use, Mr. Evans, I can't see a

thing.

EVANS--(w it h a ng ry d is gu st ) I f o nl y t ha t d am ne d r ad io w as w or ki ng !

N I N A - - (exasperatedly ) F or h ea ve n' s s ak e, s to p s we ar in g s o m uc h!

EVANS--(hurt--indignantly) Wha t a bout i t i f I a m e xc it ed? S ee ms t o m e you c oul d s how a l it tl e mor e

i nt er es t w it ho ut i t h ur ti ng y ou , w he n i t' s G or do n' s l as t r ac e, h is l as t a pp ea ra nc e o n a v ar si ty ! ( He turns

away from her.)

MADELINE--(thinking )

H e' s r ig ht … s he 's a ct in g r ot te n … i f I w er e G or do n' s m ot he r, I c er ta in ly w ou ld n' t …

EVANS--(t u rn i ng b a ck t o N i na - -r e s en t fu l ly) Y ou us ed t o c he er l oud e no ug h f or G or don Sha w! A nd

ou r Go rdo n' s g ot hi m be at a m il e, a s a n oa rs ma n, a t l ea st ! (t u rn i ng t o D ar r el l ) An d t ha t i sn 't f at he r s tuf f

e it he r, N ed ! A ll t he e xp er ts s ay s o!

DARRELL--(cynically) Oh , c om e on, Sa m! Sur el y no one c oul d e ve r t ouc h Sha w i n a nyt hi ng! ( He

glances at Nina with a sneer. Immediately angry at himself )

Wha t an i diot! … that poppe d out of me ! … old habit! … I haven't love d her in yea rs ! …

N I N A - - (thinking indifferently)

Ne d s ti ll f ee ls j ea lous … t ha t no l onge r pl ea se s me … I don' t f ee l a nythi ng … e xc ept tha t I m ust ge t hi m





to help me. …

(S he t ur ns t o D ar re ll b it te r ly .) S am s ai d " ou r" G or do n. H e m ea ns h is . G or do n' s b ec om e s o l ik e S am ,

Ned, you won't recognize him!

MADELINE--(t h i n kin g i n d i gn a n tl y)

S he 's c ra zy ! … h e' s n ot hi ng l ik e h is f at he r! … h e' s s o s tr on g a nd h an ds om e! …

EVANS--( good-naturedly, with a trace of pride) You f la tt er me , N ina . I wi sh I t hought t ha t. But he

i sn' t a b it l ike me , l uc ki ly f or hi m. He 's a de ad ri nge r f or Gor don Sha w a t hi s be st .

MADELINE--(thinking )

Shaw … I've se en his picture in t he gym … my Gordon is better looking … he once told me Shaw was

a n ol d be au of hi s mo the r' s … t he y s ay s he wa s be au ti ful on ce …

N I N A - - ( shaking her head--scornfully) D on 't b e m od es t, S am . G or do nis you. He may be a fine

a th le te l ik e G or do n S ha w, b ec au se y ou 'v e h el d t ha t o ut t o h im a s y ou r i de al , b ut t he re t he r es em bl an ce

c ea se s. H e i sn 't r ea ll y l ik e h im a t a ll , no t t he s li ght es t b it !

EVANS--(r e s tr a in i ng h i s a ng e r w i th d i ff i c ul t y- - t hi n ki n g )

I 'm g et ti ng s ic k o f t hi s! … s he 's c ar ry in g h er j ea lo us g ro uc h t oo f ar ! …

( suddenly exploding, pounds his fist on the rail ) Da mn i t, N ina , i f y ou ha d a ny f ee li ng yo u

cou ld n' t- -r ig ht at t he m om en t w hen h e' s p ro babl y g et ti ng i nt o t he s hell -- ( He stops, trying to control

h im se l f, p an ti ng , h is f ac e r ed .)

N I N A - - ( staring at him with repulsion--with cool disdain) I d id n' t s ay a ny th in g s o d ir e, d id I -- me re ly

t ha t G or do n r es em bl es y ou i n c ha ra ct er . (w i th m a li c e) D on 't g et s o e xc it ed . I t' s b ad f or yo ur h igh bl oo d

pressure. Ask Ned if it isn't. (intensely--thinking )

If he'd only die ! …

(thinking--immediately)

Oh, I don't mean that … I mustn't …

DARRELL--(thinking keenly)

The re 's a de at h wi sh … t hi ngs h ave go ne pr et ty f ar … Sa m d oe s l ook a s i f he m igh t h ave a ba d pr es sur e

… what hope that would have given me at one time! … no more, tha nk God! …

(in a joking tone) Oh, I gue ss Sa m' s a ll r igh t, N ina .

EVANS--( gruffly ) I ne ver fel t be tte r. ( He jerks out his watch again.) Time for the start. Come on in

t he c abi n, N ed , a nd s ho ot a d ri nk. We 'l l s ee i f Mc Ca be 's g et ti ng t he d am ne d r adi o f ix ed. ( Passing by

Marsden h e c la ps h im o n t he s ho ul de r e xa sp er at ed ly .) C om e on, Ch ar li e! Sna p out o f i t!

MARSDEN--( startled out of his trance--bewilderedly) E h?-- wh at i s i t?- -are t hey com in g?





EVANS--(r ec ov er in g h is g oo d n at ur e- -w it h a g ri n, t ak in g h is a rm) Y ou 'r e c omi ng t o s hoot a d ri nk .

You ne ed a bout te n, I t hi nk, t o ge t you i n t he ri ght s pir it t o s ee t he f inis h! (t o D ar re ll w ho ha s go tt en u p

b ut i s s ti ll s ta nd in g b y h is c ha ir ) Come on, Ne d.

N I N A - - (quickly) N o, l ea ve N ed wi th m e. I w an t t o t al k t o hi m. Ta ke M ad el ine -- and C ha rl ie .

MARSDEN--( l oo ki ng a t h er a pp ea li ng ly) B ut I 'm p er fect ly con tent ed s it ti ng -- (then after a look in

h er eyes - -t h i nki n g )

She w ant s t o b e a lone w it h D ar re ll … a ll r igh t … doe sn' t m at te r n ow … t he ir l ove i s de ad … bu t t he re 's

s ti ll s om e s ec re t b et we en t he m s he 's n ev er t ol d m e … n ev er m in d … s he 'l l t el l m e s om et im e … I 'm a ll

s he wi ll ha ve le ft … s oon. …

(then stricken with guilt )

Poo r de ar J ane ! … how c an I t hi nk of a nyon e but yo u! … G od , I 'm c on te mpt ib le ! … I 'l l ge t d runk w it ht ha t f ool ! … t ha t' s a ll I 'm goo d f or ! …

MADELINE--(thinking resentfully)

S he t ake s a f ine do- thi s- li tt le -gi rl t one t owa rd m e! … I 'l l gi ve i n t o he r now … but onc e I 'm ma rr ie d! …

E VA NS -- Co me o n t he n, M ad el in e. W e' ll g iv e y ou a s ma ll o ne . (impatiently) C ha rl ie ! H ea d u p!

MARSDEN--( with hectic joviality) I ho pe i t' s s tr ong po is on!

EVANS--(laughing ) Th at 's t he s pi ri t! W e' ll m ake a s po rt o ut of you y et !

MADELINE--(l au gh in g, g oe s a nd t ak e sMarsden's arm ) I'll see you ge t home safe , Mr.Ma rs de n ! (

They go into the cabin, Evans following them. Nina and Darrell turn and look at each other

w on de ri ng ly , i nq ui si ti ve ly , f or a l on g m om en t. D ar re ll r em ai ns s ta nd in g a nd s ee ms t o b e a l it tl e

uneasy.)

DARRELL--(thinking with melancholy interest )

And no w? … w ha t? … I c an l oo k i nt o he r e ye s … s tr ang e e ye s t ha t wi ll ne ve r gr ow o ld … wi th out

de si re or j ea lo us y o r b it te rn es s … w as s he e ve r m y m is tr es s? … c an s he be t he m ot he r o f m y c hi ld ? …is there suc h a person as my son? … I can't think of these things as real a ny more … they must have

h ap pened i n ano th er l if e. …

N I N A - - (t h in k in g s a dl y)

My old lover … how well and young he looks … now we no longer love each other at all … our

a cc ou nt w it h G od t he F at he r i s s et tl ed … a ft er no on s o f h ap pi ne ss p ai d f or w it h y ea rs o f p ai n … l ov e,

passion, ecstasy … in what a far-off life were they alive! … the only living life is in the past and future …

t he p re se nt i s a n i nt er lu de … s tr an ge i nt er lu de i n w hi ch w e c al l o n p as t a nd f ut ur e t o b ea r w it ne ss w e a re

living! …

(w it h a s ad s mi le) Sit down, Ned. Whe n I he ar d you we re ba ck I wrot e you be caus e I ne ed a f ri end. I t

ha s be en s o l ong s inc e we l ov ed e ac h ot he r we c an no w be f ri ends a ga in. Do n' t you f ee l t ha t?





DARRELL--( gratefully) Yes. I do. ( He sits down in one of the chairs at left, drawing it up closer

t o h er . T hi nk in g c au ti ou sl y)

I want to be her friend … but I will never …

N I N A - - (t h i n ki n g ca u t i ou s l y)

I must keep ver y cool and se nsi ble or he won't help me . …

(w it h a f ri en dl y s mi le) I ha ve n' t s ee n you look s o young a nd hands om e s inc e I f irs t kne w you. T el l m e

y ou r s ec re t. (bitterly) I n ee d i t! I 'm ol d! Lo ok a t m e! And I wa s a ct ua ll y l ook ing f or wa rd t o be ing ol d! I

t ho ug ht i t w ou ld m ean p eace. I 'v e b een s ad ly d is il lu si on ed ! (t he n f or ci ng a s mi le) So tell me what

fountain of youth you've found.

DARRELL--( proudly) T ha t' s e as y. W or k! I 'v e be co me a s i nt er es te d i n bi ol ogy a s I on ce wa s i n

m ed icin e. A nd n ot s el fi sh ly i nt er es ted, t hat' s t he d if ference. T here's n o chance o f m y b ecom in g a f am ou s biologist and I know it. I'm very much a worker in the ranks. But our Station is a "huge success," as Sam

w ou ld s ay . W e' ve m ad e s om e d am ne d i mp or ta nt d is co ve ri es . I s ay " we ." I r ea ll y m ea n P re st on . Y ou

m ay r em em be r I u se d t o w ri te y ou a bou t hi m w it h e nt hus ia sm . H e' s j us ti fi ed i t. H eis making his name

w or ld -f am ou s. H e' s w ha t I m ig ht h av e b ee n- -I d id h av e t he b ra in s, N in a! -- if I 'd h ad m or e g ut s a nd l es s

v an it y, i f I 'd he wn t o t he l ine ! (t he n f or ci ng a s mi le) B ut I 'm n ot l am en ti ng . I 'v e f ou nd m ys el f i n h el pi ng

hi m. I n t ha t w ay I f ee l I 've pa id m y de bt -- tha t hi s wor k i s pa rt ly my wo rk. An d he a ck nowl edge s i t. He

possesses the rare virtue of gratitude. (with proud affection ) He' s a f ine boy, Nina! I suppose I should

s ay m an no w h e' s i n h is t hi rt ie s.

N I N A - - (thinking with bitter sorrow )

So , N ed … yo u r eme mbe r ou r l ove … w it h bi tt er ne ss ! … a s a s tu pi d m is ta ke ! … t he pr oo f of a gu tl es s

v an it y t ha t r ui ne d y ou r c ar ee r! … o h! …

(t h en co n tr o l li n g h er s el f - - th i n ki n g cyn i ca l l y)

W el l, a ft er a ll , h ow do I r em embe r our l ove ? … wi th n o e mot ion a t a ll , not e ve n b it te rne ss ! …

(then with sudden alarm )

H e' s f or go tt en G or do n f or t hi s P re st on ! …

(t h i n kin g d es p er at el y)

I m ust m ake hi m r eme mbe r Gor don i s hi s c hi ld or I c an ne ve r pe rs ua de hi m to he lp me ! …

(reproachfully) So you ha ve f ound a s on wh il e I wa s l os ing mi ne -- who i s your s, to o!

DARRELL--( struck by this--impersonally interested ) T ha t' s ne ve r oc cur re d t o m e b ut no w I t hi nk of

it--( smiling ) Y es , p er haps u ncon scio us ly P rest on i s a com pens at in g s ub st it ut e. W el l, i t' s d on e b ot h o f u s

g oo d and h as n' t h ar med any on e.

N I N A - - (with bitter emphasis ) E xc ep t y ou r r ea l s on -- an d m e- -b ut w e d on 't c ou nt , I s up po se !





(then alarmed )

But I w as ne ver goi ng t o me ddle aga in …

( sternly) I s wo re I 'd ne ve r a ga in m ed dl e w it h h um an l ive s, N in a!

N I N A - - (unheedingly) Y ou m us t k eep h im f ro m r ui ni ng h is l if e.

DARRELL--(d o gg ed ly- - s t ru g g li n g w i t h h i m s el f ) I won't touch a life that has more than one cell! (

harshly) A nd I w ou ld n' t h el p yo u i n t hi s, a ny wa y! Y ou' ve g ot t o gi ve up ow ni ng pe op le , m ed dl in g i n t he ir

l ive s a s i f yo u we re G od a nd ha d c re at ed t he m!

N I N A - - ( strangely forlorn) I don' t know wha t you mea n, Ne d. Gordon is my s on, i sn't he?

DARRELL--(w it h a s ud de n s tr an ge v io le nc e) A nd m ine ! Mi ne , t oo! ( He stops himself. Thinking )

Shut up, you fool! … is that the way to humor he r? …

N I N A - - (with strange quiet ) I t hink I st il l love you a l itt le , Ne d.

DARRELL--(i n he r t on e) And I s ti ll l ove you a l it tl e, Ni na . (t h en s t er n ly) But I will not meddle in your

life again! (w it h a ha rs h l au gh) A nd y ou 'v e m ed dl ed eno ug h w it h h um an l ov e, o ld l ad y! Y ou r t im e f or

t hat i s o ver! I 'l l s en d y ou a cou pl e o f m il li on cel ls y ou can t or tu re w it ho ut h ar mi ng y ou rs el f! (regaining

control--shamefacedly) N in a! P leas e f or gi ve m e!

N I N A - - ( starts as if out of a dream--anxiously) What we re you s aying, Ne d? (She l ets go of hi s

ha nd and go es ba ck t o he r c hai r.)

DARRELL--(dully) Nothing.

N I N A - - ( strangely) W e w er e t al ki ng a bou t Sa m, w er en 't w e? H ow d o yo u t hi nk h e l ook s?

DARRELL--(co n fu s edl y ca s ua l ) F in e. A b it t oo f at , o f c ou rs e. H e l oo ks a s t ho ug h h is b lo od pr es sur e

m igh t be h ig he r t ha n i t ou gh t t o be . B ut t ha t' s n ot u nu su al i n p er son s of h is b ui ld a nd a ge . I t' s n ot hi ng t o

h op e- -I m ea nt , t o w or ry o ve r! (then violently) God da mn it, why did you make me sa y hope?

N I N A - - (calmly ) I t ma y have be en in your mind, t oo, ma yn' t i t?

D AR RE LL -- No ! I 'v e n ot hi ng a ga in st S am . I 'v e a lw ay s b ee n h is b es t f ri en d. H e o we s h is h ap pi ne ss t o

me.

N I N A - - ( strangely) T he re a re s o m an y c ur io us r ea so ns w e da re n ot t hi nk a bo ut f or t hi nk in g t hi ng s!

DARRELL--(rudely) T hi nk in g d oe sn 't m at te r a d am n! L if e i s s om et hi ng i n o ne c el l t ha t d oe sn 't n ee d t o

think!

N I N A - - ( strangely) I know! God t he Mothe r!

DARRELL--(excitedly ) And a ll t he r est i s gut le ss e got is m! But t o he ll wit h i t! Wha t I s ta rt ed to s ay

w as , w ha t p os si bl e r ea so n c ou ld I h av e f or h op in g f or S am 's d ea th ?





N I N A - - ( strangely) W e' re a lw ay s d es ir in g d ea th f or o ur se lv es o r o th er s, a re n' t w e- -w hi le w e w hi le

away o ur l iv es w it h t he o ld s ur face r it ual o f cov et in g o ur n ei gh bo r' s ass ?

DARRELL--( frightenedly) Y ou 'r e t al ki ng l ik e t he o ld N in a n ow -- wh en I f ir st l ov ed y ou . P le as e d on 't !

I t i sn 't d ec en t- -a t o ur a ge ! (t hi nk i ng i n t er r or )

The ol d Ni na! … am I the old Ne d? … then that mea ns ? … but we must not meddl e in e ach other' s

lives again! …

N I N A - - ( strangely) I a m t he old Ni na ! And t hi s ti me I wil l not le t my Gordon go f rom me for eve r!

EVANS--(a pp ea rs i n t he d oo rw ay o f t he c ab in -- ex ci te d a nd i rr it at ed ) M ad el in e' s l is teni ng i n n ow . I t

went dead on me. ( Raising the binoculars as he goes to the rail, he looks up the river.) Last I got,

G or do n t hi rd , N av y and W as hi ng to n l eadi ng . T hey' re t he o nes t o f ear , h e s ai d- -N av y es peciall y. (

putting down the glasses--with a groan) Da mne d h az e! M y e ye s a re ge tt ing ol d. (then suddenly with

a gr in) Y ou o ug ht t o s ee C ha rl ie ! H e s ta rt ed t hr ow in g S co tc h i nt o h im a s i f h e w er e d ri nk in g a ga in stt ime . I ha d to t ake t he bot tl e a way f rom hi m. I t's hi t hi m a n aw ful wal lop. (then looking from one to the

other--resentfully) W ha t' s t he m at te r w it h y ou t wo? Th er e' s a r ac e g oi ng on, don 't you k no w i t? A nd

y ou s it l ik e d ea d c la ms !

DARRELL--( placatingly) I t hou ght so me on e' d b et te r s ta y o ut h er e a nd l et y ou k no w w he n t he y g et i n

sight.

EVANS--(relieved ) O h, s ur e, t ha t' s r ig ht ! H er e, t ak e t he g la ss es . Y ou a lw ay s ha d g ood e ye s. ( Darrell

gets up and takes the glasses and goes to the rail and begins adjusting them. )

D AR RE LL -- Wh ic h c re w w as i t y ou s ai d G or do n f ea re d t he m os t?

EVANS--(has gone back to the cabin doorway ) Navy. (t h en p r ou d ly) Oh , h e' ll b ea t t he m! B ut i t' ll

be damn close. I'll see if Madeline's getting--( He goes back in the cabin.)

DARRELL--(looking up the river--with vindictive bitterness--thinking )

C ome on, Na vy! …

N I N A - - (thinking bitterly)

Ma de li ne 's G or do n! … Sa m' s Go rdon ! … t he t ha nk s I ge t f or s avi ng Sa m a t t he s ac ri fi ce o f m y own

ha ppine ss! … I won' t have it! … what do I car e what ha ppens t o Sa m now? … I ha te hi m! … I' ll tel l

h im G or do n i sn 't h is c hi ld ! … a nd t hr ea te n t o t el l G or do n t oo , u nl es s! … h e' ll b e i n d ea dl y f ea r o f t ha t!

… h e' ll s oo n f in d s om e e xc us e t o b re ak t he ir e ng ag em en t! … h e c an ! … h e h as t he s tr an ge st i nf lu en ce

over Gordon! … but Ned must bac k me up or Sam won' t be lie ve me ! … Ned must t ell him too! … but

wi ll Ne d? … he' ll be a fr aid of the i nsa nit y! … I must ma ke hi m be li eve Sa m' s in no dange r …

(intensely) L is te n, N ed , I 'm a bs ol ut el y s ur e, f ro m t hi ng s s he w ro te m e b ef or e s he d ie d, t ha t S am 's

m ot her m us t h av e b een d el ib er at el y l yi ng t o m e abo ut t he i ns an it y t hat t im e. S he w as j ealo us b ecau se

S am l ov ed m e a nd s he s im pl y w an te d t o b e r ev en ge d, I 'm s ur e.

DARRELL--(w i t ho u t l o w er i n g g l a ss es - -d r yl y) N o. S he t ol d y ou t he t ru th. I ne ve r m ent io ne d i t, but I

w en t u p t here o nce and m ad e a t ho ro ug h i nv es ti gati on o f h is f am il y.





N I N A - - (with resentful disappointment ) Oh-- I s uppos e you wa nt ed t o ma ke s ure so you c oul d hope

h e' d g o i ns an e?

DARRELL--( simply) I ne ede d to be a ble t o hope tha t, t he n. I loved you horribly a t that time ,

Nina--horribly!

N I N A - - ( putting her hands on his arm) A nd y ou d on 't -- an y m or e, N ed ? (t h i n ki n g i n t ens el y)

Oh, I must make hi m l ove me a ga in … e nough to make hi m te ll Sa m! …

DARRELL--(t h in k in g s t r an g el y -- s t ru g gl i ng w i th h i ms e lf )

S he 'd l ike to own me a ga in … I w is h s he woul dn' t t ouc h m e … wh at i s t hi s ti e of ol d ha ppi ne ss be twe en

o ur f le sh ? …

(h ar s hl y -- we ak l y s tr ug gl in g t o s ha ke o ff h er h an ds , w it ho ut l ow er i ng t he g la ss e s) I w on 't m ed dl eagain w it h h um an l iv es , I t ol d y ou !

N I N A - - (u nh ee di ng , c li ng in g t o h im) And I l oved you horribl y! I s till do love you, Ne d! I used to hope

he 'd go i ns ane m ys el f be ca us e I l ove d y ou s o! B ut l oo k a t Sa m! He 's s an e a s a p ig! T he re 's a bs ol ut el y no

danger now!

DARRELL--(thinking--alarmed )

What is she af te r now- -wha t doe s she wa nt me f or? …

( stiffly ) I 'm n o l ong er a d oc to r bu t I s hou ld s ay he 's a h ea lt hy m is s of N at ur e' s. I t' s a t ho us an d t o on ea ga in st i t a t t hi s l at e d ay .

N I N A - - (w it h s ud de n f i er c e i nt en si ty) T he n i t' s t im e t o t el l h im t he t ru th , i sn 't i t? W e' ve s uf fe re d a ll ou r

l ive s f or hi s s ake ! We 've m ade hi m r ic h a nd ha ppy! I t' s t ime he ga ve us ba ck ou r s on!


Aha … so that's it! … tell Sam the truth? … at last! … by God, I'd like to tell him, at that! …

(w it h a s ne er ) O ur s on ? Y ou m ea n y ou rs , m y d ea r! K in dl y c oun t m e o ut o f a ny f ur th er m ed dl in g w it h- -

N I N A - - (unruffledly--obsessed ) But Sam won't beli eve me if I 'm the only one t o te ll him! He'l l think I' m

l yi ng f or s pi te , t ha t i t' s o nl y m y c ra zy j ea lo us y! H e' ll a sk y ou ! Y ou 've g ot t o t el l h im t oo , N ed !


I 'd l ike to s ee his f ac e whe n I t old him t his fa mous oa rs ma n is n't his son but mi ne ! … t ha t might pa y m e

back a little for all he's taken from me! …

(harshly) I 'v e s to pp ed m ed dl in g i n S am 's l if e, I t el l y ou !

N I N A - - (insistently) Thi nk of wh at Sa m ha s m ade us go thr ough, of how he 's ma de us s uff er ! You 've

g ot t o t el l h im ! Y ou s ti ll l ove m e a l it tl e, do n' t y ou , N ed? Y ou m us t w he n y ou r em em be r t he h app in es s





w e' ve k no wn i n e ac h o th er 's a rm s! Y ou w er e t he o nl y h ap pi ne ss I 'v e e ve r k no wn i n l if e!

DARRELL--( struggling weakly--thinking )

Sh e l ie s! … t he re w as he r ol d l ove r, Go rd on ! … he w as a lwa ys f ir st ! … t he n he r s on, G or don ! …

(w i th d e sp e ra t e r a nc o r- - th i nk i ng )

C om e o n, N av y! … b ea t h er Gor don s f or m e! …

N I N A - - (intensely) Oh, i f I' d onl y gone a way wi th you t ha t t ime w hen you c ame ba ck f rom Eur ope !

H ow h app y w e wo ul d h av e be en, de ar ! Ho w o ur bo y wo ul d ha ve l ov ed y ou -- if i t h ad n' t b ee n f or Sa m!

DARRELL--(thinking--weakly )

Ye s, i f i t ha dn' t be en f or S am I wo ul d ha ve be en ha pp y! … I wo ul d h av e be en t he wo rl d' s gr ea te st

n eu ro lo gi st ! … m y b oy w oul d h av e l ov ed m e a nd I 'd h av e l ov ed h im ! …

N I N A - - (w it h a c ro wn in g i nt en si ty t o b re ak d ow n h is l as t r es is ta nc e) Y ou mus t t el l hi m, Ne d! For

m y s ak e! B ecau se I l ov e y ou ! B ecaus e y ou r ememb er o ur aft ern oo ns -- ou r m ad h ap pi nes s! B ecaus e y ou

love me!

DARRELL--(beaten--dazedly) Y es -- wh at m us t I d o? -- me dd le a ga in ? (T he n oi se o f M ad el in e' s

e xc it ed v oi ce c he er in g a nd c la pp in g h er h an ds , o f Marsden's v oi ce y e ll in g d ru nk e nl y, o f E va ns ', a ll

shouting " Go rd on ! G or do n! C om e o n, G or do n! "comes from the cabin. Marsden a pp e ar s s w ay i ng i n

t he c ab in d oo rw ay y el li ng "Gordon!" He is hectically tipsy. Darrell gives a violent shudder as if he

were coming out of a nightmare and pushes Nina away from him. )

DARRELL--(t hi nk in g- -d az ed ly s ti ll , b ut i n a t on e o f r el ie f )

M ar sd en ag ai n! … t ha nk G od ! … h e' s s ave d m e! … f rom h er ! … a nd h er Go rd on s ! …

(t ur ni ng o n h er t r iu mp ha nt ly) N o, N in a- -s or ry -- bu t I c an 't h el p y ou . I t ol d yo u I 'd n ev er m edd le a ga in

with human lives! (more and more confidently) B es ide s, I 'm qui te s ure Gor don i sn' t my s on, i f t he r ea l

dee p cor e of t he t rut h we re known! I was onl y a body t o you. Your f ir st Gordon us ed t o c ome ba ck t o

l if e. I w as ne ve r m or e t o yo u t ha n a s ub st it ut e f or y our de ad l ove r! G or do n i s r ea ll y Go rdon 's s on! So

you s ee I' d be tel ling Sam a lie if I boas te d that I- -And I 'm a man of honor! I' ve prove d that, at l ea st! ( He

r ai se s h is g la ss es a nd l oo ks u p t he r iv er . T hi nk in g e xu lt an tl y)

I 'm f ree ! … I 've bea ten he r a t la st! … now c ome on, Na vy! … you've got t o bea t he rGor dons for me!

…

N I N A - - (after staring at him for a moment--walking away from him--thinking with a dull fatalism

)

I've lost him … he'll never te ll Sam now … is what he said right? … is Gor don Gordon' s? … oh, I hope

s o! … oh, de ar , dea d Gordon, hel p me to get ba ck your s on! … I must f ind s ome wa y. …

(S he s it s d ow n a ga in .)

MARSDEN--( who has been staring at them with a foolish grin ) H el lo, you t wo ! W hy do yo u l ook





(w it h a de adl y s mi le o f t ri um ph)

T ha t w il l be po et ic j us ti ce ! … t ha t w il l s ol ve e ve ryt hi ng ! … s he w on' t m ar ry hi m! … he wi ll t ur n t o m e

f or c om fo rt ! … b ut I m us t p la n i t ou t c ar ef ul ly ! …

MARSDEN--( driven on--extravagantly) L is te n, N in a! A ft er w e' re m ar ri ed I 'm g oi ng t o w ri te an ov el -- my f ir st r eal n ov el ! A ll t he t went y o dd b oo ks I 'v e w ri tt en h av e b een l on g- wi nd ed f ai ry t al es f or

g ro wn -u ps - -abo ut d ear o ld l adi es and w it ty , cyn ical b achelo rs and q uain t charact ers w it h d ialects , and

m ar ri ed f ol k w ho a lw ay s a dm ir e a nd r es pe ct e ac h o th er , a nd l ov er s w ho a vo id l ov e i n h us he d w hi sp er s!

T ha t' s w ha t I 'v e b ee n, N in a- -a h us h- hu sh w hi sp er er o f l ie s! N ow I 'm g oi ng t o g iv e a n h on es t h ea lt hy

y el l- -t ur n o n t he s un i nt o t he s ha do ws o f l ie s- -s ho ut " Th is i s l if e a nd t hi s i s s ex , a nd h er e a re p as si on a nd

h at re d a nd r egr et a nd j oy a nd pa in a nd e cs ta sy , a nd t he se a re m en a nd w om en a nd s ons a nd d au gh te rs

w ho se h ea rt s a re w ea k a nd s tr on g, w ho se b lo od i s bl oo d a nd n ot a s oo th in g s yr up !" Oh , I c an do i t,

Nina! I can write the truth! I've seen it in you, your father, my mother, sister, Gordon, Sam, Darrell and

m ys el f. I 'l l w ri te t he bo ok of u s! B ut h er e I a m t al ki ng w hi le m y l as t c ha pt er s a re i n t he m ak in g- -r ig ht h er e

a nd n ow -- (hurriedly) You' ll e xc us e me , w on' t you , Ni na ? I mu st w at ch- -m y dut y a s a n a rt is t! ( He scrambles to his feet and peers about him with a hectic eagerness. Nina pays no attention to him.)

EVANS--(e x as pe ra te dl y, t ak i ng d ow n h is g la ss e s) Y ou c an 't t el l a da mn t hi ng -- wh ic h i s w hi ch o r

w ho 's ahead -- I' m g oi ng t o l is ten i n again . ( He hurries into the cabin.)

N I N A - - (w it h a s mi le o f c ru el t ri um ph -- th in ki ng )

I c an t el l h er … c onf ide nt ia ll y … I c an p re te nd I 'm f or ce d t o t el l he r … a s Sa m' s m ot he r di d w it h m e …

because I feel it's due to her happiness and Gordon's … it will explain my objection to the engagement

… oh , i t c an' t he lp s uc ce edi ng … m y G or do n w il l c ome ba ck! … I 'l l s ee h e ne ve r ge ts a wa y a ga in! …

(S he c al l s) Madeline!


W hy i s s he c al li ng M ade li ne ? … I m us t w at ch a ll t hi s c ar ef ul ly! …

EVANS--(c om es r us hi ng o ut i n w il d a la rm) B ad n ew s! N av y h as d ra wn a he ad -- ha lf a l en gt h- -l oo ks

l ik e N av y' s r ac e, h e s ai d- -(then violently) B ut w ha t d oe s h e k no w, t ha t d am n f oo l a nn ou nc er -- so me

poor boob--!

MADELINE--(excitedly ) H e d oe sn 't k no w G or do n! H e' s a lw ay s b es t w he n h e' s p us he d t o t he l im it !

N I N A - - (S he c al ls m or e s ha rp ly .) Madeline!

DARRELL--(turns around to stare at her--thinking )

W hy i s s he c al li ng M ad el ine ? … s he 's b ou nd s he 'l l m ed dl e i n t he ir l iv es … I 'v e go t t o w at ch h er … w el l,

l et 's s ee . …

( He touches Madeline on the shoulder.) M rs . E vans i s cal li ng y ou , M is s A rn ol d.

MADELINE--(impatiently) Y es , M rs . E va ns . B ut t he y' re g et ti ng c lo se r. W hy d on 't y ou c om e a nd

watch?





EVANS--(w i ld l y e x c it e d ) G or do n' s s pr in ti ng , i sn 't h e? H e' s d ra wi ng u p o n t ha t m id dl e o ne !

M A DE L IN E- - Yes ! O h , co me o n, G or d on !

DARRELL--(exu l t a n t l y) Come on, Na vy!

EVANS--(w ho i s s tand ing n ex t t o N ed , w hi rl s on hi m i n a f ur io us pa ss io n) W ha t' s t ha t? W ha t t heh el l' s t he m at ter w it h y ou ?

DARRELL--( facing him--with a strange friendliness slaps him on the back ) We've got to be at

t he se Go rdo ns , S am ! W e' ve g ot t o b ea t- -

EVANS--(raging ) You--! ( He draws back his fist--then suddenly horrified at what he is doing but

still angry, grabs Darrell by both shoulders and shakes him.) W ake up! Wh at t he h el l' s got i nt o you?

H av e y ou g on e crazy ?

DARRELL--(mockingly) P rob abl y! I t r un s i n m y f am il y! A ll o f m y f at he r' s pe opl e w er e h ap pylunatics--not healthy, country folk like yours, Sam! Ha!

EVANS--( staring at him) N ed , o ld m an , w ha t' s t he t ro ub le ? Y ou s ai d " Na vy ."

DARRELL--(i r on i ca l ly - -w i th a b it t er h op e le s s l a ug h) S li p o f t he t on gu e! I m ea nt G or do n! M ea nt

G or do n, o f c ou rs e! G or do n i s a lw ay s m ea nt -- me an t t o w in ! C om e o n, G or do n! I t' s f at e!

M AD EL IN E- -H er e t he y c om e! T he y' re b ot h s pu rt in g! I c an s ee G or do n' s b ac k!

EVANS--( forgetting everything else, turns back to the race) Come on, boy! Come on, son! (The

chorus of noi se is now a bedlam as the cre ws near t he finish line. The people have to yell and scream to make themselves heard. )

N I N A - - ( getting up--thinking with a strange, strident, wild passion)

I he ar t he Fa th er l augh ing! … O M ot he r G od, pr ot ec t m y s on! … l et G or don f ly t o you i n he ave n! …

q ui ck , G or don ! … l ov e i s t he F at he r' s l igh tn ing ! … M ad el ine w il l b ri ng y ou d ow n i n f la me s! … I he ar

H is s cr ea mi ng l au gh te r! … f ly ba ck t o m e! …

(S he i s l ook ing de spe rat el y u p i nt o t he s ky a s i f s ome r ac e o f l if e a nd d ea th w er e h ap pe ni ng t he re

for her.)

EVANS--(holding on to a stanchion and leaning far out at the imminent risk of falling in) One

s pur t mor e wil l do i t! Com e on, boy, c ome on! It t ook dea th t o bea t Gor don Sha w! You c an' t be bea ten

e it he r, G or do n! L if t h er o ut o f t he w at er , s on ! S tr ok e! S tr ok e! H e' s g ai ni ng ! N ow ! O ve r t he l in e, b oy !

O ve r wi th h er ! S tr oke ! T ha t' s d on e i t! H e' s w on ! H e' s wo n!

MADELINE--(has been shrieking at the same time ) G or do n! G or do n! H e' s w on ! O h, h e' s f ai nt ed !

P oo r d ea r d ar li ng ! (S he r em ai ns s ta nd in g o n t he r ai l, l ea ni ng o ut d an ge ro us ly , h ol di ng o n w it h o ne

h an d, l oo ki ng d ow n l on gi ng ly t ow ar d h is s he ll .)

EVANS--(bounding back to the deck, his face congested and purple with a frenzy of joy, dancing

about ) H e' s wo n! B y G od, i t w as c los e! Gr ea te st r ac e i n t he h is tor y o f r owi ng! H e' s t he g re at es t

o ar sm an G od e ve r m ad e! (e mb ra ci ng N in a a nd k is si ng h er f ra nt ic al ly) A re n' t y ou h ap py , N in a? O ur





bless him! ( He makes a motion over the body like a priest blessing.)

DARRELL--(h is v oi c e s ud de nl y b re ak in g w it h a s in ce r e h um an gr ie f ) Sa m, ol d boy! I 'm s o da mne d

s or ry! I w il l g ive my l if e t o s av e y ou!

N I N A - - (i n d ul l a ng ui sh) S av e- -a ga in ? (then lovingly, kissing Evans' face) D ea r h us ba nd , y ou h av e

t ri ed t o m ak e m e ha pp y, I w il l g iv e y ou m y ha pp ine ss a ga in ! I w il l g ive yo u Go rdo n t o g ive t o M ad el in e!

MADELINE--( still standing on the rail, staring after Gordon'sshell )

Gordon! … dear lover … how tired … but you'll rest in my arms … your head will lie on my brea st …

s oo n! …

(Curtain)

A CT N IN E

SCENE-- Several months later. A terrace on the Evans' estate on Long Island. In the rear, the

t er ra ce ov er loo ks a s mal l ha rbo r wi th t he oc ean b ey ond . O n t he r ig ht i s a s ide e nt ran ce of t he

pretentious villa. On the left is a hedge with an arched gateway leading to a garden. The terrace is paved with rough stone. There is a stone bench at center, a recliner at right, a wicker table and

armchair at left.

I t i s l at e a ft er no on o f a d ay i n e ar ly f al l. G or do n E va ns i s s it ti ng on t he s to ne b en ch , hi s c hi n p ro pp ed o n

h is h an ds , M ad el in e s tand in g b eh in d h im , h er arm abo ut h is s ho ul ders . G or do n i s o ver s ix f eet t al l w it h t he

f ig ur e o f a t rain ed ath lete. H is s un -b ro nzed f ace i s ext remely h an ds om e aft er t he f as hi on o f t he m ag azin e

c ov er A me ri ca n c ol le gi an. I t i s a s tr on g f ac e b ut o f a s tr en gt h w ho ll y m at er ia l i n q ua li ty. H e h as be en t oo

t ho ro ug hl y t ra in ed t o p ro gr es s a lo ng a c er ta in g ro ov e t o s uc ce ss e ve r t o q ue st io n i t o r b e d is sa ti sf ie d w it h

i ts r ew ar ds . A t t he s am e t im e, alt ho ug h ent ir el y an u ni magi nati ve cod e- bo un d g en tl em an o f h is g ro ov e, h e

i s b oy is h and l ik ab le, o f an even, m od es t, s po rt in g d is po si ti on . H is exp ress io n i s b oy is hl y f or lo rn , b ut h e i sm ak in g a m an ly eff or t t o con ceal h is g ri ef .

M ad el in e i s m uc h t he s am e a s i n t he p re vi ou s A ct e xc ep t t ha t t he re i s n ow a d is ti nc t m at er na l o ld er

f eeli ng i n h er att it ud e t ow ar d G or do n as s he end eavo rs t o con so le h im .

MADELINE--(t e nd e rl y , s m oo t hi n g h i s h a ir ) T he re , de ar ! I kno w how h or ri bl y ha rd i t i s f or you . I

l ove d h im , t oo. H e w as s o w on de rf ul a nd s we et t o me .

GORDON--( h is v oi c e t r em bl in g ) I d id n' t r ea ll y r ea li ze h e w as g on e- -u nt il o ut a t t he c em et er y- -( His

voice breaks.)





m ade Da d ha ppy … s he ga ve u p h er ow n ha pp ine ss f or hi s s ake … t ha t w as c er ta inl y da mn f ine … t ha t

was playing the game … I'm a hell of a one to criticize … my own mother! …

(changing the subject of his thoughts abruptly)

F or ge t i t! … t hi nk o f M ad el in e … w e' ll b e m ar ri ed … t he n t wo m on th s' h on ey mo on i n E ur op e … G od ,

t ha t' ll be gr ea t! … t he n ba ck a nd di ve i nt o t he b us ine ss … D ad r el ie d on me t o c ar ry on wh er e h e l ef t of f … I'll have to star t a t the bottom but I'l l get to t he top in a hurry, I promise you that, Dad! …

( Nina and Darrell come out of the house on the right. He hearsthe sound of the door and looks

a r ou n d. T h in k in g r e s en t fu l ly)

Funny! … I can' t sta nd it e ven now! … when I s ee him with Mother! … I'd like t o beat him up! …

( He gets to his feet, his face unconsciously becoming older and cold and severe. He stares

ac cus ing ly at t he m as t he y c ome s low ly t owa rd hi m i n s il enc e. N ina l ook s mu ch ol de r t han i n t he

preceding Act. Resignation has come into her face, a resignation that uses no make-up, that has given up the struggle to be sexually attractive and look younger. She is dressed in deep black.

Darrell's deep sunburn of the tropics has faded, leaving his skin a Mongolian yellow. He, too,

l oo ks m uc h o ld er . H is e xp re ss io n i s s ad a nd b it te r.)

N I N A - - ( glancing at Gordon searchingly--thinking sadly)

He s ent f or m e t o s ay g ood -b ye … r ea ll y g oo d- bye f or eve r t hi s t ime … h e' s n ot m y s on no w, no r

G or do n' s s on , n or S am 's , n or N ed 's … h e h as b ec om e t ha t s tr an ge r, a no th er w om an 's l ov er . …

DARRELL--(also after a quick keen glance at Gordon's face--thinking )

T here's s om et hi ng u p … s om e f in al accou nt in g …

(t h i nki n g r es i gn ed l y)

We ll , le t' s ge t it ove r … t hen I c an go bac k to wor k … I' ve s ta yed t oo l ong up he re … Pre ston mus t be

w on deri ng i f I 'v e d es er ted h im … .

(t he n w it h a w on de ri ng s ad ne ss)

I s t ha t my s on? … my f le sh a nd bl ood? … s ta ring a t me wi th s uc h c ol d e nm ity? … how s ad a nd i di ot icthis all is! …

N I N A - - ( putting on a tone of joking annoyance ) Y ou r m es sa ge w as a g od se nd , G or do n. T ho se

s tu pi d p eo pl e w it h t heir s ocial con do lences w er e k il li ng m e. P er haps I 'm m or bi d b ut I alw ay s h av e t he

f eeli ng t hat t hey' re s ecretl y g lad s om eo ne i s d ead- -t hat i t f latt er s t heir v an it y and m ak es t hem f eel s up er io r

because they're living. (She s it s we ar ily on t he be nc h. D ar re ll s it s on s id e of t he r ec li ne r at r igh t.)

GORDON--( r e pe l le d b y t h is i de a -- s ti f fl y) T he y w er e a ll g oo d f ri en ds o f D ad 's . W hy s ho ul dn 't t he y b e

s inc er el y s or ry? H is d ea th ought t o be a l os s t o e ve ryon e w ho k ne w hi m. ( His voice trembles. He turns

away and walks to the table. Thinking bitterly )

She doe sn' t c are a damn! … she 's fr ee to ma rr y Da rr el l now! …





N I N A - - (thinking sadly, looking at his back )

He 's a cc us in g m e be ca us e I 'm n ot we epi ng … w el l, I di d w ee p … a ll I c oul d … t he re a re n' t ma ny t ea rs

left … it was too bad Sam had to die … living suited him … he was so contented with himself … but I

ca n' t f eel guil ty … I hel pe d him to live … I ma de hi m bel ieve I love d him … his mind was per fe ct ly s ane

t o t he e nd … a nd j us t b ef or e h e di ed , h e s mi le d a t m e … so gr at ef ul ly a nd f or gi vi ng ly, I t ho ug ht …

c los ing our li fe t oge the r wi th t ha t s mi le … t ha t li fe i s de ad … i ts r egr et s a re de ad … I a m s ad b ut t he re 'sc om fo rt i n t he t hought t ha t now I a m f re e a t l as t t o r ot a wa y i n pe ac e … I 'l l go a nd l ive i n Fa the r' s ol d

home … Sam bought that back … I suppose he left it to me … Charlie will come in every day to visit …

he' ll comfort and amuse me … we can ta lk together of the ol d days … when I was a girl … whe n I wa s

ha ppy … bef or e I f ell i n l ove wi th Gor don Sha w a nd a ll t his t angl ed me ss of love a nd ha te a nd pa in a nd

birth began! …

DARRELL--( staring at Gordon's back resentfully )

I t g et s u nd er m y s ki n t o s ee h im a ct s o u nf ee li ng ly t ow ar d h is m ot he r! … i f h e o nl y k ne w w ha t s he 's

s uf fe re d f or h is s ak e! … t he G or do n S ha w i de al p as se d o n t hr ou gh S am h as c er ta in ly m ad e m y s on a ninsensitive clod! …

(with disgust )

Ba h, w ha t ha s t ha t y oung m an t o do wi th m e? … c om pa re d t o Pr es ton he 's o nl y a w el l- mus cl ed,

h an ds om e f oo l! …

(with a trace of anger )

B ut I 'd l ik e t o j ol t h is s tu pi d s el f- co mp la ce nc y! … i f he k ne w t he f ac ts a bo ut h im se lf , h e w ou ld n' t b e

s obb in g s en ti me nt al ly a bo ut S am … h e' d b et te r c ha ng e h is t un e o r I 'l l c er ta in ly b e t em pt ed t o t el l hi m …t he re 's n o r ea so n f or h is n ot k no wi ng n ow …

( His face is flushed. He has worked himself into a real anger.)

GORDON--( suddenly, having got back his control, turns to them--coldly) T here are cer tain t hi ng s

c on ne ct ed w it h D ad 's w il l I t ho ug ht I o ug ht t o- -(w it h a t in ge o f s at is fi ed s up er io ri ty) I do n' t b el ie ve

D ad t ol d y ou a bo ut h is w il l, d id h e, M ot he r?

N I N A - - (indifferently) No.

G OR DO N- -W el l, t he w ho le e st at e g oe s t o y ou a nd m e, o f c our se . I di dn' t m ea n t ha t. (with a resentful

l oo k a t D ar re ll ) B ut t he re i s o ne p ro vi si on t ha t i s p ec ul ia r, t o s ay t he l ea st . I t c on ce rn s y ou , D oc to r

D ar rell -- a h al f- mi ll io n f or y ou r S tati on t o b e u sed i n b io lo gi cal r es earch w or k.

DARRELL--(h is f ac e s ud de nl y f lu sh in g w it h a ng er ) W ha t' s tha t? Tha t's a j oke , i sn' t i t? (thinking

furiously)

I t' s w or se ! … i t' s a de li be ra te i ns ul t! … a l as t s ne er o f ow ne rs hi p! … of my l if e! …

GORDON--( co l dl y s n eer i n g ) I t ho ug ht i t m us t b e a j ok e m ys el f- -b ut D ad i ns is te d.

DARRELL--(angrily) W el l, I w on 't a cc ep t i t- -a nd t ha t' s f in al !





GORDON--( coldly) I t' s n ot l ef t t o y ou b ut t o t he S ta ti on . Y ou r s up er vi si on i s m en ti on ed b ut I s up po se

i f you won' t c ar ry on, wh oe ve r i s i n r ea l c ha rge down t he re wi ll be onl y t oo gl ad t o a cc ept i t.

DARRELL--( stupefied ) T hat m eans P res to n! B ut S am d id n' t even k no w P res to n- - ex cept f ro m h eari ng

m e t al k a bo ut h im ! W ha t h ad S am t o d o w it h P re st on ? P re st on i s n on e o f h is b us in es s! I 'l l a dv is e P re st on

t o r ef us e i t! (thinking torturedly)

But it's for science! … he has no right to re fuse! … I have no right t o a sk him to! … God damn Sam!

… wa sn't it e nough for hi m to own my wif e, my son, in his li fe ti me? … now i n de at h he re ac hes out to

s te al Pre ston! … t o s tea l my work! …

N I N A - - (thinking bitterly)

E ve n i n d ea th S am m ak es p eo pl e s uf fe r …

( sympathetically) I t i sn' t f or yo u- -n or f or P re st on. I t' s f or s ci en ce , N ed . Y ou m us t l oo k a t i t t ha t w ay .

GORDON--( thinking resentfully)

W ha t a t en de r t on e s he t ak es t ow ar d hi m! … s he 's f or got te n D ad a lr ea dy ! …

(w it h a s ne er ) Y ou 'd b et ter accep t. H al f- mi ll io ns aren' t b ei ng t hr ow n away f or n ot hi ng every d ay .

N I N A - - (i n a n g ui s h - -t h i nki n g )

Ho w c an G or don i ns ul t po or N ed l ike t ha t! … h is ow n f at he r! … Ne d ha s s uf fe re d t oo m uc h! …

( sharply) I t hi nk y ou 'v e s ai d a bo ut e no ug h, G or do n!

GORDON--( b it te r ly , b ut t r yi ng t o c on tr ol h im se lf - -meaningly) I h av en 't s ai d all I 'm g oi ng t o s ay ,

Mother!

N I N A - - (thinking--at first frightenedly)

What does he mean? … does he know about Ned being … ?

(then with a sort of defiant relief )

We ll , wh at d oe s i t ma tt er wha t he t hi nks of m e? … he 's h er s now , a ny wa y. …

DARRELL--(thinking vindictively)

I hope he knows t he t rut h, f or i f he does n' t, by God, I 'l l te ll hi m! … if onl y t o ge t s ome thi ng ba ck f rom

Sa m of al l he' s s tol en fr om me ! …

(authoritatively--as Gordon hesitates ) We ll, wha t have you got to sa y? Your mother and I are

waiting.

GORDON--( furiously, taking a threatening step toward him) Sh ut up , y ou! D on' t t ake t ha t t on e

w it h m e o r I 'l l f or ge t y ou r a ge -- (contemptuously ) a nd g ive y ou a s pa nki ng !





N I N A - - (t h i nki n g h ys t er i ca l ly)

Sp an ki ng ! … t he s on s pa nk s t he f at he r! …

(laughing hysterically) O h, G or do n, d on 't m ak e m e l au gh ! I t' s a ll s o f un ny !

DARRELL--( jumps from his chair and goes to her--solicitously) N in a! D on 't m in d hi m! H e d oe sn 'trealize--

GORDON--( m a dd e ne d , c o me s c l os e r ) I realiz e a lot! I re alize you' ve acted like a cur! ( He steps

forward and slaps Darrell across the face viciously. Darrell staggers back from the force of the

b lo w, h is h an ds t o h is f ac e. N in a s cr ea ms a nd f li ng s h er se lf o n G or do n, h ol di ng h is a rm s.)

N I N A - - ( piteously--hysterically) F or G od' s s ak e, G or do n! W ha t w ou ld y ou r f at he r s ay ? Y ou d on 't

know what you're doing! You're hitting your father!

DARRELL--( suddenly breaking down--chokingly) N o- - it ' s all r ig ht , s on -- al l r i gh t- - yo u d id n' t k no w- -

GORDON--( c ru sh ed , o ve rc om e b y r em or se f or h is b lo w) I ' m s o rr y -- s or r y- - yo u' r e r i gh t,

M ot he r- -Da d wo ul d f ee l a s if I 'd hi t hi m- -j us t a s ba d a s i f I 'd hi t hi m!

DARRELL--It's nothing, son--nothing!

GORDON--( brokenly) T ha t' s d am n f in e, D ar re ll -- da mn f in e a nd s po rt in g o f y ou ! I t w as a r ot te n, d ir ty

t ri ck ! A ccep t m y apo lo gy , D ar rell , w on 't y ou ?

DARRELL--( staring at him stupidly--thinking )

D ar re ll ? … he c al ls m e Da rr el l! … but doe sn 't he kno w? … I t ho ught s he t ol d h im. …

N I N A - - (laughing hysterically--thinking )

I told him he hit his father … but he c an't unde rstand me ! … why, of course he c an't! … how c ould he?

…

GORDON--( i ns is te nt ly h ol di ng o ut h is h an d ) I 'm d am ne d s or ry! I d idn 't m ea n i t! Sh ak e ha nds , w on' t

you?

DARRELL--(d o in g s o m echa n i ca l l y- - s t up i dl y) O nl y t oo g la d- -p le as ed t o m ee t y ou -- kn ow y ou b y

r epu tat io n- - th e f amo us o ar s man- - gr eat r ace y ou s tr ok ed l ast J un e- -b ut I w as h op in g t he N av y w ou ld

g iv e y ou a b eati ng .

N I N A - - (t h in k in g i n d e sp e ra t e h y st e ri c al a n gu i sh)

Oh, I wish Ne d woul d go a wa y and sta y away f ore ve r! … I c an't be ar to wat ch him s uff er any more ! …

i t' s t oo f ri ghtf ul ! … ye s, God t he Fa the r, I he ar you l aughi ng … you s ee the jok e … I' m l aughi ng t oo …

i t' s a ll s o c ra zy, i sn' t i t? …

(laughing hysterically) O h, N ed ! P oo r N ed ! Y ou w er e b or n u nl uc ky !

GORDON--( m ak in g h er s i t d ow n a ga in -- so ot hi ng h er ) M ot her! S to p l au gh in g! P leas e! I t' s all





D AR RE LL -- I h op e n ot , N in a. A s ci en ti st s ho ul dn 't b el ieve i n g ho st s. (with a mocking smile) But

perhaps we'll become part of cosmic positive and negative electric charges and meet again.

NINA--In our afternoons--again?

DARRELL--( smiling sadly) A gain . I n o ur aft er no on s.

MARSDEN--( coming out of his day dream ) W e' ll b e m ar ri ed i n t he aft er no on , d ecid ed ly . I 'v e alr eady

picked out the church, Nina--a gray ivied chapel, full of restful shadow, symbolical of the peace we have

f ou nd . T he c ri ms on s a nd p ur pl es i n t he w in do ws w il l s ta in o ur f ac es w it h f ad ed p as si on. I t m us t b e i n t he

h ou r b ef or e s un set w hen t he ear th d ream s i n aft er th ou gh ts and m ys ti c p remo ni ti on s o f l if e' s b eaut y. A nd

t he n w e' ll g o u p t o y ou r o ld h om e t o l iv e. M in e w ou ld n' t b e s ui ta bl e f or u s. M ot he r a nd J an e l ive t he re i n

m em or y. A nd I 'l l w or k i n y ou r f at he r' s o ld s tu dy . H e w on 't m ind m e. ( From the bay below comes the

r oa ri ng h um o f a n a ir pl an e m ot or . N in a a nd D ar re ll j um pstartledly and go to the rear of the

terrace to watch the plane ascend from the water, standing side by side. Marsden remains

oblivious.)

N I N A - - (w i th a ng u is h) G or do n! G oo d- by e, d ea r! ( pointing as the plane climbs higher moving

away off to the left--bitterly) S ee , N ed ! H e' s l ea vi ng m e w it ho ut a b ac kwa rd l oo k!

DARRELL--( joyfully) N o! H e' s c ir cl in g. H e' s c om in g ba ck! (T he r oa r o f t he e ng in e g ro ws s te ad il y

n e ar e r n o w.) He 's goi ng t o p as s d ir ec tl y ov er us ! (The ir e ye s f ol low t he pl an e as i t c om es s wi ft ly

n ea re r a nd p as se s d ir ec tl y o ve r t he m.) See ! He' s wa vi ng t o us!

N IN A- -O h, G or do n! M y d ea r s on ! (She waves frantically. )

DARRELL--(with a last tortured protest ) Ni na ! A re yo u f or ge tt in g? H e' s my s on , t oo! ( He shouts up

a t t h e s ky ) Y ou 'r e m y s on , G or do n! Y ou 'r e m y- -( He controls himself abruptly--with a smile of cyn ica l s el f -p i t y) He c an't he ar! We ll, at le as t I've done my dut y! (then with a grim fatalism--with a

final wave of his hand at the sky ) G oo d- by e, G or do n' s s on !

N I N A - - (with tortured exultance) F ly u p t o h ea ve n, G or do n! F ly w it h y ou r l ov e t o h ea ve n! F ly

a lw ay s! Ne ve r c ra sh t o e ar th l ik e m y o ld G or do n! B e h ap py, de ar ! Y ou' ve go t t o b e h ap py!

DARRELL--( sardonically) I 'v e h ea rd t ha t c ry f or h ap pi ne ss b ef or e, N in a! I r em em be r h ea ri ng m ys el f

cry i t- -o nce- -i t m us t h av e b een l on g ago ! I 'l l g et b ack t o m y cel ls -- sens ib le u ni cell ul ar l if e t hat f lo at s i n t he

s ea a nd h as n ev er l ea rn ed t he c ry f or h ap pi ne ss ! I 'm g oi ng , N in a. (a s s he r em ai ns o bl iv io us , s ta ri ng

a f te r t h e p l an e -- t hi n ki n g f a ta l is t i ca l ly)

S he d oe sn 't h ea r, e it he r… .

( He laughs up at the sky. )

Oh, God, so deaf and dumb and blind! … teach me to be resigned to be an atom! …

( He walks off, right, and enters the house.)

N I N A - - ( finally lowering her eyes--confusedly) G one . M y e ye s a re gr ow ing di m. W he re i s Ne d?

G on e, t oo . A nd S am i s go ne . T he y' re a ll d ea d. W he re a re F at he r a nd C ha rl ie ? (With a shiver of fear

she hurries over and sits on the bench besideMarsden , huddling against him.) G or do n i s d ea d,

F at he r. I 'v e j us t h ad a c abl e. Wh at I m ea n i s, h e f le w a wa y t o a not he r l if e- -m y s on , G or don , C ha rl ie . S o





w e' re a lo ne a ga in -- ju st a s w e u se d t o b e.

MARSDEN--( putting his arm around her--affectionately ) Just as we used to be, dear Nina Cara

Nina, before Gordon came.

N I N A - - (looking up at the sky--strangely) My ha vi ng a s on was a f ail ur e, wa sn' t i t? He c ouldn' t give

m e h ap pi ness . S on s are alw ay s t heir f at hers . T hey p as s t hr ou gh t he m ot her t o b ecom e t heir f at her again .T he S on s o f t he Fa th er h ave a ll b ee n f ai lu re s! Fa il in g t he y d ie d f or u s, t he y f le w a wa y t o ot he r l iv es , t he y

c oul d n ot s ta y w it h u s, t he y c ou ld n ot g iv e us h ap pi ne ss !

MARSDEN--( paternally--in her father's tone) You ha d be st f or ge t t he whol e a ff ai r of your

ass ociati on w it h t heGo rd on s . A ft er all , d ear N in a, t here w as s om et hi ng u nr eal i n all t hat h as h ap pened

s in ce y ou f ir st m et G or do n S haw, s om et hi ng ext ravagant and f an tast ic, t he s or t o f t hi ng t hat i sn 't d on e,

r ea ll y, i n o ur a ft er no on s. S o l et 's y ou a nd m e f or ge t t he w ho le d is tr es si ng e pi so de , r eg ar d i t a s a n

i nt er lu de, o f t ri al and p reparati on , s ay , i n w hi ch o ur s ou ls h av e b een s cr ap ed clean o f i mp ur e f lesh and

m ad e w or th y t o b le ac h i n p ea ce .

N I N A - - (w it h a s tr an ge s mi le) S tr an ge i nt er lu de! Y es , o ur l iv es are m er el y s tr an ge d ar k i nt er lu des i n

t he e le ct ri ca l d is pl ay o f G od t he F at he r! (r es ti ng h er h ea d o n h is s ho ul de r ) Y ou 'r e s o r es tf ul , C ha rl ie . I

f ee l a s i f I w er e a gi rl a ga in a nd you we re my f at he r a nd t he Cha rl ie of t hos e da ys ma de int o one . I

w on de r i s o ur o ld g ar de n t he s am e? W e' ll p ic k f lo we rs t og et he r i n t he a gi ng a ft er no on s o f s pr in g a nd

summer, won't we? It wil l be a comf or t to get home -- to be old a nd to be home a gai n a t la st- -to be i n

l ov e w it h p ea ce t og et he r- -t o l ov e e ac h o th er 's p ea ce -- to s le ep w it h p ea ce t og et he r- -! ( she kisses

h im -- th en s hu ts h er e ye s w it h a d ee p s ig h o f r eq ui te d w ea ri ne ss ) -- to d ie i n p ea ce ! I 'm s o c on te nt ed ly

weary with life!

MARSDEN--( w it h a s er en e p ea ce) Re st , de ar Ni na . (thentenderly) It has been a long day. Why

d on 't y ou s le ep n ow -- as y ou u se d t o, r em em be r? -- fo r a l it tl e w hi le ?

N I N A - - (murmurs with drowsy gratitude ) T ha nk y ou , F at he r- -h av e I b ee n w ic ke d? -- yo u' re s o




o'neill, eugene - 1928 - strange interludepdf

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