Nothing.

HANK

Come across, Humpy.

JONATHAN

Don't you call me that!

HANK

So--ho! What you yelling at me for?

[_He sits up._

JONATHAN

Nothing.... I didn't mean to yell.

HANK

What you got there?

JONATHAN

I tell you I haven't got anything, Hank.

HANK

Come on. Come across.

JONATHAN

It's not for you.

HANK

Come on.

JONATHAN (_Rises and moves away_)

No.

HANK.

Gimme it here....

[_He grabs Jonathan and tears the flower from his hand._

JONATHAN

Stop that!

HANK

Great G.o.d! (_Throwing the crushed petals on the ground_) Say, what's the matter with you?

JONATHAN

I tell you, I'm going back.... I'm going back to my home.... I'm going to find my Uncle Nathaniel. I know he'll take me in. He won't blame me because I'm a cripple.... I know.... I know.... Didn't he say, "Poor Jonathan"?...

[_At this moment Nathaniel enters, and the two stand face to face as they had stood in the lumber-room at their first meeting._

_Hank slinks away._

_Nathaniel is untouched by the years. Jonathan looks at him hopefully, but there is no glint of recognition In Nathaniel's eye._

JONATHAN (_timidly_)

Uncle Nathaniel.

NATHANIEL

What did you say, my boy?

JONATHAN (_Less and less audible, as his disappointment increases_)

Uncle Nathaniel.

NATHANIEL

I can't hear you.

JONATHAN

You--are--my--Uncle Nathaniel.

NATHANIEL

Come, come, my boy. I can't hear you.

JONATHAN

Aren't you--Mr.--Nathaniel--Clay?

NATHANIEL (_kindly, but as to a stranger_)

Yes, I am Mr. Nathaniel Clay.