JOHN--[Firmly.] He must be brought to time.

SHEFFIELD--Yes, we must talk to him--quite openly, if we're forced to.

After all, I guess he realizes the situation more keenly than any of us.

LILY--[Who has wandered to window on right.] You mean you think he believes--Well, I don't. And you had better be careful not to let him guess what you think. [Pointing outside.] There's my proof. There he is walking about with Bigelow. Can you imagine Curt doing that--if he thought for a moment--

d.i.c.k--Oh, I guess Curt isn't all fool. He knows that's the very best way to keep people from suspecting.

ESTHER--[Indignantly.] But wouldn't you think that Bigelow person--It's disgusting, his sticking to Curt like this.

SHEFFIELD--Well, for one, I'm becoming quite resigned to Bigelow's presence. In the first place, he seems to be the only one who can bring Curt to reason. Then again, I feel that it is to Bigelow's own interest to convince Curt that he mustn't provoke an open scandal by running away without acknowledging this child.

LILY--[Suddenly bursting forth hysterically.] Oh, I hate you, all of you! I loathe your suspicions--and I loathe myself because I'm beginning to be poisoned by them, too.

EMILY--Really, Lily, at this late hour--after the way Curt has acted--and her last words when she was dying--

LILY--[Distractedly.] I know! Shut up! Haven't you told it a million times already? [MRS. DAVIDSON gets up and walks to the door, rear. She has been crying softly during this scene, oblivious to the talk around her.]

JAYSON--[Testily.] Aunt Elizabeth! Where are you going? [As she doesn't answer but goes out into the hall.] Esther, go with her and see that she doesn't--

ESTHER--[Gets up with a jealous irritation.] She's only going up to see the baby. She's simply forgotten everything else in the world!

LILY--[Indignantly.] She probably realizes what we are too mean to remember--that the baby, at least, is innocent. Wait, Esther. I'll come with you.

JAYSON--Yes, hurry, she shouldn't be left alone. [ESTHER and LILY follow the old lady out, rear.]

d.i.c.k--[After a pause--impatiently.] Well, what next? I don't see what good we are accomplishing. May I run along? [He gets up restlessly as he is speaking and goes to the window.]

JAYSON--[Severely.] You will stay, if you please. There's to be no shirking on anyone's part. It may take all of us to induce Curt--

SHEFFIELD--I wouldn't worry. Bigelow is taking that job off our hands, I imagine.

d.i.c.k--[Looking out of the window.] He certainly seems to be doing his d.a.m.nedest. [With a sneer.] The stage missed a great actor in him.

JAYSON--[Worriedly.] But, if Bigelow should fail--

SHEFFIELD--Then we'll succeed. [With a grim smile.] By G.o.d, we'll have to.

JAYSON--Curt has already packed his trunks and had them taken down to the station--told me he was leaving on the five o'clock train.

SHEFFIELD--But didn't you hint to him there was now this matter of the child to be considered in making his plans?

JAYSON--[Lamely.] I started to. He simply flared up at me with insane rage.

d.i.c.k--[Looking out the window.] Say, I believe they're coming in.

JAYSON--Bigelow?

d.i.c.k--Yes, they're both making for the front door.

SHEFFIELD--I suggest we beat a retreat to Curt's study and wait there.

JAYSON--Yes, let's do that--come on, all of you. [They all retire grumblingly but precipitately to the study, closing the door behind them. The front door is heard opening and a moment later CURT and BIGELOW enter the room. CURT's face is set in an expression of stony grief. BIGELOW is flushed, excited, indignant.]

BIGELOW--[As CURT sinks down on the couch--pleading indignantly.] Curt, d.a.m.n it, wake up! Are you made of stone? Has everything I've said gone in one ear and out the other? I know it's h.e.l.l for me to torment you at this particular time but it's your own incredibly unreasonable actions that force me to. I know how terribly you must feel but--d.a.m.n it, man, postpone this going away! Face this situation like a man! Be reconciled to your child, stay with him at least until you can make suitable arrangements--

CURTIS--[Fixedly.] I will never see it! Never!

BIGELOW--How can you keep repeating that--with Martha hardly cold in her grave! I ask you again, what would she think, how would she feel--If you would only consent to see this baby, I know you'd realize how d.a.m.nably mad and cruel you are. Won't you--just for a second?

CURTIS--No. [Then raging.] If I saw it I'd be tempted to--[Then brokenly.] No more of that talk, Big. I've heard enough. I've reached the limit.

BIGELOW--[Restraining his anger with difficulty--coldly.] That's your final answer, eh? Well, I'm through. I've done all I could. If you want to play the brute--to forget all that was most dear in the world to Martha--to go your own d.a.m.n selfish way--well, there's nothing more to be said. You will be punished for it, believe me! [He takes a step toward the door.] And I--I want you to understand that all friendship ceases between us from this day. You are not the Curt I thought I knew--and I have nothing but a feeling of repulsion--good-by. [He starts for the door.]

CURTIS--[Dully.] Good-by, Big.

BIGELOW--[Stops, his features working with grief and looks back at his friend--then suddenly goes back to him--penitently.] Curt! Forgive me!

I ought to know better. This isn't you. You'll come to yourself when you've had time to think it over. The memory of Martha--she'll tell you what you must do. [He wrings CURT's hand.] Good-by, old scout!

CURTIS--[Dully.] Good-by. [BIGELOW hurries out, rear. CURT sits in a dumb apathy for a while--then groans heart-brokenly.] Martha! Martha!

[He springs to his feet distractedly. The door of the study is slowly opened and SHEFFIELD peers out cautiously--then comes into the room, followed by the others. They all take seats as before. CURT ignores them.]

SHEFFIELD--[Clearing his throat.] Curt--

CURTIS--[Suddenly.] What time is it, do you know!

SHEFFIELD--[Looking at his watch.] Two minutes to four.

CURTIS--[Impatiently.] Still an hour more of this!

JAYSON--[Clearing his throat.] Curt--[Before he starts what he intends to say, there is the sound of voices from the hall. ESTHER and LILY help in MRS. DAVIDSON to her former chair. The old lady's face is again transformed with joy. ESTHER joins EMILY on the couch. LILY sits in chair--front right. There is a long, uncomfortable pause during which CURT paces up and down.]

MRS. DAVIDSON--[Suddenly murmuring aloud to herself--happily.] He's such a dear! I could stay watching him forever.

JAYSON--[Testily.] Sshhh! Aunt! [Then clearing his throat again.]

Surely you're not still thinking of going on the five o'clock train, are you, Curt?

CURTIS--Yes.

SHEFFIELD--[Drily.] Then Mr. Bigelow didn't persuade you--

CURTIS--[Coldly and impatiently.] I'm not to be persuaded by Big or anyone else. And I'll thank you not to talk any more about it. [They all stiffen resentfully at his tone.]

JAYSON--[To CURT--in a pleading tone.] You mustn't be unreasonable, Curt. After all we are your family--your best friends in the world--and we are only trying to help you--

CURTIS--[With nervous vehemence.] I don't want your help. You will help me most by keeping silent.

EMILY--[ With a meaning look at the others--sneeringly.] Yes, no doubt.