MARTHA-[More and more stung by their strained attitudes and inquisitive glances. Coldly and cuttingly.]Finely, thank you. The book will cause quite a stir, I believe. It will make the name of Jayson famous in the big world outside of Bridgetown.
MRS. DAVIDSON-[Indignantly.]The name of Jayson has been-
JAYSON-[Pleadingly.]Aunt Elizabeth!
LILY-Aunt means it's world famous already, Martha.[Pointing to the sullen JOHN.] John was once a substitute on the Yale Freshman soccer team, you know. If it wasn't for his weak shins he would have made the team, fancy!
DICK-[This tickles his sense of humor and he bursts into laughter.] Lily wins![As his brother glares at him-looking at his watch.] Heavens, I'll have to hustle![Gets to his feet.] I'm due at the Casino.[Comes and shakes MARTHA's hand formally.] I'm sorry I can't stay.
MARTHA-So glad you came. Do come in again any time. We keep open house, you know-Western fashion.[She accentuates this.]
DICK-[Hurriedly.]Delighted to.[He starts for the door in rear.]
LILY-[As if suddenly making up her mind.]Wait a second! I'm coming with you-
DICK-Sure thing-only hurry, darn you![He goes out.]
LILY-[Stops at the door in rear and catching MARTHA's eye, looks meaningly at the others.]Phew! I need fresh air![She makes an encouraging motion as if pummeling someone to MARTHA, indicating her assembled family as the victim-then goes out laughing. A motor is heard starting-running off.]
ESTHER-[With a huge sigh of relief.]Thank goodness, she's gone. What a vixen! What would you do if you had a sister like that, Martha?
MARTHA-I'd love her-and try to understand her.
SHEFFIELD-[Meaningly.]She's a bad ally to rely on-this side of the fence one day, and that the next.
MARTHA-Is that why you advised her to become a lawyer, Mr. Sheffield?
SHEFFIELD-[Stung, but maintaining an unruffled front.]Now, now, that remark must be catalogued as catty.
MARTHA-[Defiantly.]It seems to be in the Bridgetown atmosphere. I never was-not the least bit-in the open air.
JAYSON-[Conciliatingly.]Oh, Bridgetown isn't so bad, Martha, once you get used to us.
JOHN-It's one of the most prosperous and wealthy towns in the U.S.-and that means in the world, nowadays.
EMILY-[With her sugary smile.]That isn't what Martha means, you silly. I know what she's thinking about us, and I'm not sure that I don't agree with her-partly. She feels that we're so awfully strict-about certain things. It must be so different in the Far West-I suppose-so much freer.
MARTHA-[Acidly.]Then you believe broad-mindedness and clean thinking are a question of locality? I can't agree with you. I know nothing of the present Far West, not having lived there for ten years, but Curt and I have lived in the Far East and I'm sure he'd agree with me in saying that Chinese ancestor worship is far more dignified than ours. After all, you know, theirs is religion, not snobbery.[There is a loud honking of an auto horn before the house. MARTHA starts, seems to come to a quick decision, and announces with studied carelessness.] That must be Mr. Bigelow. I suppose Lily told you I had an engagement to go motoring with him. So sorry I must leave. But I'm like Lily. I need fresh air.[She walks to the study door as she is talking.] I'll call Curt.[She raps loudly on the door and calls.] Curt! Come out! It's important.[She turns and goes to the door, smiling fixedly.] He'll be out when he's through swearing.[She goes out, rear.]
JOHN-[Exploding.]Well, of all the damned cheek!
ESTHER-She shows her breeding, I must say.
EMILY-[With horror.]Oh, how rude-and insulting.
MRS. DAVIDSON-[Rising rigidly to her feet.]I will never set foot in this house again! JAYSON-[Jumping up to restrain her- worriedly.]Now, Aunt Elizabeth, do keep your head! We must have no scandal of any sort. Remember there are servants about. Do sit down.[The old lady refuses in stubborn silence.]
SHEFFIELD-[Judiciously.]One must make allowances for one in her condition, Aunt.
JAYSON-[Snatching at this.]Exactly. Remember her condition. Aunt[testily] and do sit down.[The old lady plumps herself down again angrily.]
EMILY-[In her lisp of hidden meanings.]Yes, the family mustn't forget-her condition.[The door from the study is opened and CURT appears. His face shows his annoyance at being interrupted, his eyes are preoccupied. They all turn and greet him embarrassedly. He nods silently and comes slowly down front.]
CURTIS-[Looking around.]Where's Martha? What's the important thing she called me out for?
ESTHER-[Forcing gaiety.]To play host, you big bear, you! Don't
