LILY-The town doesn't trust this sudden fond parenthood, Martha. We've known him too long, you see.
MARTHA-But he's Curt's oldest and best friend.
LILY-We've found they always are.
MARTHA-[Springing to her feet-indignantly.]It's a case of evil minds, it seems to me-and it would be extremely insulting if I didn't have a sense of humor. [Resentfully.] You can tell your family, that as far as I'm concerned, the town may-
LILY-Go to the devil. I knew you'd say that. Well, fight the good fight. You have all my best wishes.[With a sigh.] I wish I had something worth fighting for. Now that I'm through with college, my occupation's gone. All I do is read book after book. The only live people are the ones in books, I find, and the only live life.
MARTHA-[Immediately sympathetic.]You're lonely, that's what, Lily.
LILY-[Drily.]Don't pity me, Martha-or I'll join the enemy.
MARTHA-I'm not. But I'd like to help you if I could.[After a pause.] Have you ever thought of marrying?
LILY-[With a laugh.]Martha! How banal! The men I see are enough to banish that thought if I ever had it.
MARTHA-Marriage isn't only the man. It's children. Wouldn't you like to have children?
LILY-[Turning to her bluntly.]Wouldn't you?
MARTHA-[Confused.]But-Lily-
LILY-Oh, I know it wasn't practicable as long as you elected to wander with Curt-but why not now when you've definitely settled down here? I think that would solve things all round. If you could present Father with a grandson, I'm sure he'd fall on your neck. He feels piqued at the John and Esther families because they've had a run of girls. A male Jayson! Aunt Davidson would weep with joy.[Suddenly.] You're thirty-eight, aren't you, Martha?
MARTHA-Yes. LILY-Then why don't you-before it's too late?[MARTHA, struggling with herself, does not answer. LILY goes on slowly.] You won't want to tag along with Curt to the ends of the earth forever, will you?[Curiously.] Wasn't that queer life like any other? I mean, didn't it get to pall on you?
MARTHA-[As if confessing it reluctantly.]Yes-perhaps-in the last two years.
LILY-[Decisively.]It's time for both of you to rest on your laurels. Why can't Curt keep on with what he's doing now-stay home and write his books?
MARTHA-Curt isn't that kind. The actual work-the romance of it- that's his life.
LILY-But if he goes and you have to stay, you'll be lonesome-[meaningly] alone.
MARTHA-Horribly. I don't know what I'll do.
LILY-Then why-why? Think, Martha. If Curt knew-that was to happen-he'd want to stay here with you. I'm sure he would.
MARTHA-[Shaking her head sadly.]No. Curt has grown to dislike children. They remind him of-ours that were taken. He adored them so-he's never become reconciled.
LILY-If you confronted Curt with the actual fact, he'd be reconciled soon enough, and happy in the bargain.
MARTHA-[Eagerly.]Do you really think so?
LILY-And you, Martha-I can tell from the way you've talked that you'd like to.
MARTHA-[Excitedly.]Yes, I-I never thought I'd ever want to again. For many years after they died I never once dreamed of it- But lately-the last years-I've felt-and when we came to live here-and I saw all around me-homes-and children, I-[She hesitates as if ashamed at having confessed so much.]
LILY-[Putting an arm around her-affectionately.]I know.[Vigorously.] You must, that's all there is to it! If you want my advice, you go right ahead and don't tell Curt until it's a fact he'll have to learn to like, willy-nilly. You'll find, in his inmost heart, he'll be tickled to death.
MARTHA-[Forcing a smile.]Yes, I-I'll confess I thought of that. In spite of my fear, I-I've-I mean-I-[She flushes in a shamed confusion.]
LILY-[Looking at her searchingly.]Why, Martha, what- [Then suddenly understanding-with excited pleasure.]Martha! I know! It is so, isn't it? It is!
MARTHA-[In a whisper.]Yes.
LILY-[Kissing her affectionately.]You dear, you! [Then after a pause.] How long have you known?
MARTHA-For over two months.[There is a ring from the front door bell in the hall.]
LILY-[Jumping up.]I'll bet that's we Jaysons now. [She runs to the door in the rear and looks down the hall to the right.] Yes, it's Esther and husband and Aunt Davidson.[She comes back toMARTHA laughing excitedly. The MAID is
