CURTIS-Oh, Martha, Martha! Martha, darling![He flings himself in the chair by the fireplace-hides his face in his hands and sobs bitterly. There is a ring from somewhere in the house. Soon after there is a knock at the door. CURTIS doesn't hear at first but when it is repeated he mutters huskily.] Come in.[BIGELOW enters. CURT looks up at him.] Close that door, Big, for God's sake!
BIGELOW-[Does so-then taking off his overcoat, hat, and throwing them on the lounge comes quickly over to CURT.]I got over as soon as I could.[As he sees CURT's face he starts and says sympathetically.] By Jove, old man, you look as though you'd been through hell!
CURTIS-[Grimly.]I have. I am.
BIGELOW-[Slapping his back.]Buck up![Then anxiously.] How's Martha?
CURTIS-She's in hell, too-
BIGELOW-[Attempting consolation.]You're surely not worrying, are you? Martha is so strong and healthy there's no doubt of her pulling through in fine shape.
CURTIS-She should never have attempted this.[After a pause.] I've a grudge against you, Big. It was you bringing your children over here that first planted this in her mind.
BIGELOW-[After a pause.]I've guessed you thought that. That's why you haven't noticed me-or them-over here so much lately. I'll confess that I felt you-[Angrily.] And the infernal gossip- I'll admit I thought that you-oh, damn this rotten town, anyway!
CURTIS-[Impatiently.]Oh, for God's sake![Bitterly.] I didn't want you here to discuss Bridgetown gossip.
BIGELOW-I know, old man, forgive me.[In spite of the closed door one of MARTHA's agonized moans is heard. They both shudder.]
CURTIS-[In a dead, monotonous tone.]She has been moaning like that hour after hour. I shall have those sounds in my ears until the day I die. Nothing can ever make me forget-nothing.
BIGELOW-[Trying to distract him.]Deuce take it, Curt, what's the matter with you? I never thought you'd turn morbid.
CURTIS-[Darkly.]I've changed, Big-I hardly know myself any more.
BIGELOW-Once you're back on the job again, you'll be all right. You're still determined to go on this expedition, aren't you?
CURTIS-Yes. I was supposed to join them this week in New York but I've arranged to catch up with them in China-as soon as it's possible for us to go.
BIGELOW-Us? You mean you still plan to take-
CURTIS-[Angrily aggressive.]Yes, certainly! Why not? Martha ought to be able to travel in a month or so.
BIGELOW-Yes, but-do you think it would be safe to take the child?
CURTIS-[With a bitter laugh.]Yes-I was forgetting the child, wasn't I?[Viciously.] But perhaps-[Then catching himself with a groan.] Oh, damn all children, Big!
BIGELOW-[Astonished.]Curt!
CURTIS-[In anguish.]I can't help it-I've fought against it. But it's there-deep down in me-and I can't drive it out. I can't!
BIGELOW-[Bewildered.]What, Curt?
CURTIS-Hatred! Yes, hatred! What's the use of denying it? I must tell someone and you're the only one who might understand.[With a wild laugh.] For you-hated your wife, didn't you?
BIGELOW-[Stunned.]Good God, you don't mean you hate- Martha?
CURTIS-[Raging.]Hate Martha? How dare you, you fool! I love Martha-love her with every miserable drop of blood in me-with all my life-all my soul! She is my whole world- everything! Hate Martha! God, man, have you gone crazy to say such a mad thing?[Savagely.] No. I hate it. It!
BIGELOW-[Shocked.]Curt! Don't you know you can't talk like that- now-when-CURTIS-[Harshly.]It has made us both suffer torments-not only now- every day, every hour, for months and months. Why shouldn't I hate it, eh?
BIGELOW-[Staring at his friend's wild, distorted face with growing horror.] Curt! Can't you realize how horrible-
CURTIS-Yes, it's horrible. I've told myself that a million times.[With emphasis.] But it's true!
BIGELOW-[Severely.]Shut up! You're not yourself. Come, think for a moment. What would Martha feel if she heard you going on this way? Why-it would kill her!
CURTIS-[With a sobbing groan.]Oh, I know, I know! [After a pause.] She read it in my eyes. Yes, it's horrible, but when I saw her there suffering so frightfully-I couldn't keep it out of my eyes. I tried to force it back-for her sake-but I couldn't. I was holding her hands and her eyes searched mine with such a longing question in them-and she read only my hatred there, not my love for her. And she screamed and seemed to try to push me away. I wanted to kneel down and
