EMILY-[Insane with rage-shrilly.]But we know-and the whole town knows-and you needn't pretend you've been blind. You've given the whole thing away yourself-the silly way you've acted- telling everyone how you hated that baby-letting everyone see-
JAYSON-Emily![The others are all frightened, try to interrupt her. CURT stares at her in a stunned bewilderment]
EMILY-[Pouring forth all her venom regardless.]But you might as well leave off your idiotic pretending. It doesn't fool us-or anyone else-your sending for Bigelow that night-your hobnobbing with him ever since-your pretending he's as much your friend as ever. They're all afraid of you-but I'm not! I tell you to your face-it's all acting you're doing-just cheap acting to try and pull the wool over our eyes until you've run away like a coward- and left us to face the disgrace for you with this child on our hands!
ESTHER-[Trying to silence her-excitedly.]Emily! Keep still, for Heaven's sake![The others all utter exclamations of caution, with fearful glances at CURT.]
EMILY-[Becoming exhausted by her outburst-more faintly.]Well, someone had to show him his place. He thinks he's so superior to us just because-telling us how much better she was than-But I won't stand for that. I've always had a clean name-and always will-and my children, too, thank God![She sinks down on the couch exhausted, panting but still glaring defiantly at CURT.]
CURTIS-[An awareness of her meaning gradually forcing itself on his mind.] Bigelow! Big? Pretending he's as much my friend-[With a sudden gasp of sickened understanding.]Oh![He sways as if he were about to fall, shrinking away from EMILY, all horror.] Oh, you-you-you-filth!
JOHN-[His fists clenched, tries to advance on his brother.]How dare you insult my wife![He is restrained, held bake by his remonstrating father and DICK.]
MRS. DAVIDSON-[As if suddenly coming out of a dream- frightenedly.] What is the matter? Why is John mad at Curt?
CURTIS-[His hands over his eyes, acting like a person stricken with a sudden attack of nausea, weakly.]So-that's-what has been in your minds. Oh, this is bestial-disgusting! And there is nothing to be done. I feel defenseless. One would have to be as low as you are-She would have been defenseless, too. It is better she is dead.[He stares about him-wildly.] And you think-you all think-
ESTHER-[Pityingly.]Curt, dear, we don't think anything except what you've made us think with your crazy carrying-on.
CURTIS-[Looking from one to the other of them.]Yes-all of you- it's on your faces.[His eyes fix themselves on his aunt.] No, you don't-you don't-
MRS. DAVIDSON-I? Don't what, Curtis? My, how sick you look, poor boy!
CURTIS-You-don't believe-this child-
MRS. DAVIDSON-He's the sweetest baby I ever saw[proudly] and Jayson right to the tips of his toes.
CURTIS-Ah, I know you-[Looking around at the others with loathing and hatred.]But look at them-[With a burst of fierce determination.]Wait! I'll give you the only answer-[He dashes for the door in rear, shakes off his father and DICK, who try to stop him, and then is heard bounding up the stairs in hall. DICK runs after him, JAYSON as far as the doorway. ESTHER gives a stifled scream. There is a tense pause. Then DICK reappears.]
DICK-It's all right. I saw him go in.
JAYSON-[Frightenedly.]But-good God-he's liable-why didn't you follow him?
DICK-The doctor and nurse are there. They would have called out, wouldn't they, if-
MRS. DAVIDSON-[Getting angrier and angrier as her puzzlement has grown greater-in a stern tone.]I understand less and less of this. Where has Curtis gone? Why did he act so sick? What is the matter with all of you?
ESTHER-Nothing, Aunt dear, nothing!
MRS. DAVIDSON-No, you'll not hush me up![Accusingly.] You all look guilty. Have you been saying anything against Curtis' baby? That was what Curtis seemed to think. A fine time you've picked out-with his wife not cold in her grave!
JAYSON-Aunt!
MRS. DAVIDSON-I never liked that woman. I never understood her. But now-now I love her and beg her forgiveness. She died like a true woman in the performance of her duty. She died gloriously- and I will always respect her memory.[Suddenly flying into a passion.] I feel that you are all hostile to her baby-poor, little, defenseless creature! Yes, you'd hate the idea of Curtis' having a son-you and your girls! Well, I'll make you bitterly regret the day you-[She plumps herself down in her chair again, staring stubbornly and angrily before her.]
EMILY-[Spitefully.]I fear it will be necessary to tell Aunt-
JAYSON-Sshh! You have made enough trouble with your telling already! [Miserably.] It should never have come to this pass. Curt will never forgive us, never!
ESTHER-[Resentfully to EMILY.]See what not holding your tongue has done-and my children will have to suffer for it, too!
SHEFFIELD-[Severely.]If Emily had permitted me to conduct this business uninterruptedly, this would never have occurred.
EMILY-That's right! All pick on me! Cowards![She breaks down and sobs.]
