friendliness and sympathy with you-as a fellow- member of the same family, I may say-and with the highest ideals and the honor of that family always in view.[CURT makes no comment. SHEFFIELD unconsciously begins to adopt the alert keenness of the cross-examiner.] First, let me ask you, is it your intention to take that five o'clock train to-day?
CURTIS-[Harshly.]I've told you that.
SHEFFIELD-And then you'll join this expedition to Asia?
CURTIS-You know that.
SHEFFIELD-To be gone five years?
CURTIS-[Shrugging his shoulders.]More or less.
SHEFFIELD-Is it your intention to return here at any time before you leave for Asia?
CURTIS-No!
SHEFFIELD-And your determination on these plans is irrevocable?
CURTIS-Irrevocable! Exactly. Please remember that.
SHEFFIELD-[Sharply.]That being your attitude, I will come bluntly to the core of the whole matter-the child whose coming into the world cost Martha her life.
CURTIS-[Savagely.]Her murderer! You are right! [They all look shocked, suspicious.]
SHEFFIELD-[Remonstratingly but suspiciously.]You can hardly hold the child responsible for the terrible outcome. Women die every day from the same cause. [Keenly.] Why do you attribute guilt to the child in this case, Curt?
CURTIS-It lives and Martha is gone-But, enough! I've said I never wanted it mentioned to me. Will you please remember that?
SHEFFIELD-[Sharply.]Its name is Jayson. Curt-in the eyes of the law. Will YOU please remember that?
CURTIS-[Distractedly.]I don't want to remember anything! [Wildly.] Please, for God's sake, leave me alone!
SHEFFIELD-[Coldly.]I am sorry, Curt, but you cannot act as if you were alone in this affair.
CURTIS-Why not? Am I not alone-more alone this minute than any creature on God's earth?
SHEFFIELD-[Soothingly.]In your great grief. Yes, yes, of course. We all appreciate-and we hate to-[Persuasively.]Yes, it would be much wiser to postpone these practical considerations until you are in a calmer mood. And if you will only give us the chance-why not put off this precipitate departure-for a month, say-and in the meantime-
CURTIS-[Harshly.]I am going when I said I was. I must get away from this horrible hole-as far away as I can. I must get back to my work for only in it will I find Martha again. But you-you can't understand that. What is the good of all this talking which leads nowhere?
SHEFFIELD-[Coldly.]You're mistaken. It leads to this: Do you understand that your running away from this child-on the very day of its mother's funeral!-will have a very queer appearance in the eyes of the world?
EMILY-And what are you going to do with the baby, Curt? Do you think you can run off regardless and leave it here-on our hands?
CURTIS-[Distractedly.]I'll give it this home. And someone- anyone-Esther, Lily-can appoint a nurse to live here and-[Breaking down.] Oh, don't bother me!
SHEFFIELD-[Sharply.]In the world's eyes, it will appear precious like a desertion on your part.
CURTIS-Oh, arrange it to suit yourselves-anything you wish-
SHEFFIELD-[Quickly.]I'll take you at your word. Then let us arrange it this way. You will remain here a month longer at least-
CURTIS-No!
SHEFFIELD-[Ignoring the interruption.]You can make plans for the child's future in that time, become reconciled to it-
CURTIS-No!
JAYSON-[Pleadingly.]Curt-please-for all our sakes-when the honor of the family is at stake.
DICK-Yes, old man, there's that about it, you know.
CURTIS-No!
EMILY-Oh, he's impossible!
SHEFFIELD-Perhaps Curt misunderstood me.[Meaningly.] Be reconciled to it in the eyes of the public, Curt. That's what I meant. Your own private feelings in the matter-are no one's business but your own, of course.
CURTIS-[Bewilderedly.]But-I don't see-Oh, damn your eyes of the public!
