ACT III

SCENE--Same as Act II. As the curtain rises, JAYSON is discovered sitting in an armchair by the fireplace, in which a log fire is burning fitfully. He is staring into the flames, a strained, expectant expression on his face. It is about three o'clock in the morning. There is no light but that furnished by the fire which fills the room with shifting shadows. The door in the rear is opened and RICHARD appears, his face harried by the stress of unusual emotion. Through the opened doorway, a low, m.u.f.fled moan of anguish sounds from the upper part of the house. JAYSON and RICHARD both shudder. The latter closes the door behind him quickly as if anxious to shut out the noise.

JAYSON--[Looking up anxiously.] Well?

RICHARD--[Involuntarily straightening up as if about to salute and report to a superior officer.] No change, sir. [Then, as if remembering himself, comes to the fireplace and slumps down in a chair--agitatedly.] G.o.d, Dad, I can't stand her moaning and screaming!

It's got my nerves shot to pieces. I thought I was hardened. I've heard them out in No Man's Land--dying by inches--when you couldn't get to them or help--but this is worse--a million times! After all, that was war--and they were men--

JAYSON--Martha is having an exceptionally hard ordeal.

RICHARD--Since three o'clock this morning--yesterday morning, I should say. It's a wonder she isn't dead.

JAYSON--[After a pause.] Where is Curt?

RICHARD--[Harshly.] Still out in the garden, walking around bareheaded in the cold like a lunatic.

JAYSON--Why didn't you make him come in?

RICHARD--Make him! It's easy to say. He's in a queer state, Dad, I can tell you! There's something torturing him besides her pain--

JAYSON--[After a pause.] Yes, there's a lot in all this we don't know about.

RICHARD--I suppose the reason he's so down on the family is because we've rather cut her since that tea affair.

JAYSON--He shouldn't blame us. She acted abominably and has certainly caused enough talk since then--always about with Bigelow--

RICHARD--[With a sardonic laugh.] And yet he keeps asking everyone to send for Bigelow--says he wants to talk to him--not us. WE can't understand! [He laughs bitterly.]

JAYSON--I'm afraid Curt knows we understand too much. [Agitatedly.] But why does he want Bigelow, in G.o.d's name? In his present state--with the suspicions he must have--there's liable to be a frightful scene.

RICHARD--Don't be afraid of a scene. [With pitying scorn.] The h.e.l.l of it is he seems to regard Bigelow as his best friend. d.a.m.ned if I can make it out.

JAYSON--I gave orders that they were always to tell Curt Bigelow was out of town and couldn't be reached. [With a sigh.] What a frightful situation for all of us! [After a pause.] It may sound cruel of me--but--I can't help wishing for all our sakes that this child will never--

RICHARD--Yes, Dad, I know what you're thinking. It would be the best thing for it, too--although I hate myself for saying it. [There is a pause. Then the door in rear is opened and LILY appears. She is pale and agitated. Leaving the door open behind her she comes forward and flings herself on the lounge.]

JAYSON--[Anxiously.] Well?

LILY--[Irritably, getting up and switching on the lights.] Isn't everything gloomy enough? [Sits down.] I couldn't bear it upstairs one second longer. Esther and Emily are coming down, too. It's too much for them--and they've had personal experience. [Trying to mask her agitation by a pretense at flippancy.] I hereby become a life-member of the birth-control league. Let's let humanity cease--if G.o.d can't manage its continuance any better than that!

RICHARD--[Seriously.] Second the motion.

JAYSON--[Peevishly.] You're young idiots. Keep your blasphemous nonsense to yourself, Lily!

LILY--[Jumping up and stamping her foot--hysterically.] I can't stand it. Take me home, d.i.c.k, won't you? We're doing no good waiting here.

I'll have a fit--or something--if I stay.

RICHARD--[Glad of the excuse to go himself--briskly.] That's how I feel. I'll drive you home. Come along. [ESTHER and EMILY enter, followed by JOHN.]

LILY--[Excitedly.] I'll never marry or have a child! Never, never! I'll go into Mark's office to-morrow and make myself independent of marriage.

ESTHER--Sssh! Lily! Don't you know you're shouting? And what silly talk!

LILY--I'll show you whether it's silly! I'll--

RICHARD--[Impatiently.] Are you coming or not?

LILY--[Quickly.] Yes--wait--here I am. [She pushes past the others and follows RICHARD out rear. ESTHER and EMILY sit on couch--JOHN on chair, right rear.]

ESTHER--[With a sigh.] I thought I went through something when mine were born--but this is too awful.

EMILY--And, according to John, Curt actually says he hates it! Isn't that terrible? [After a pause--meaningly.] It's almost as if her suffering was a punishment, don't you think?

ESTHER--If it is, she's being punished enough, Heaven knows. It can't go on this way much longer or something dreadful will happen.

EMILY--Do you think the baby--

ESTHER--I don't know. I shouldn't say it but perhaps it would be better if--

EMILY--That's what I think.

ESTHER--Oh, I wish I didn't have such evil suspicions--but the way Curt goes on--how can you help feeling there's something wrong?

JAYSON--[Suddenly.] How is Curt?

EMILY--John just came in from the garden. [Turning around to where JOHN is dozing in his chair--sharply.] John! Well I never! If he isn't falling asleep! John! [He jerks up his head and stares at her, blinking stupidly. She continues irritably.] A nice time to pick out for a nap, I must say.

JOHN--[Surlily.] Don't forget I have to be at the bank in the morning.

JAYSON--[Testily.] I have to be at the bank, too--and you don't notice me sleeping. Tell me about Curt. You just left him, didn't you?

JOHN--[Irritably.] Yes, and I've been walking around that d.a.m.ned garden half the night watching over him. Isn't that enough to wear anyone out?

I can feel I've got a terrible cold coming on--

ESTHER--[Impatiently.] For goodness sake, don't you start to pity yourself!

JOHN--[Indignantly.] I'm not. I think I've showed my willingness to do everything I could. If Curt was only the least bit grateful! He isn't.

He hates us all and wishes we were out of his home. I would have left long ago if I didn't want to do my part in saving the family name from disgrace.

JAYSON--[Impatiently.] Has he quieted down, that's what I want to know?

JOHN--[Harshly.] Not the least bit. He's out of his head--and I'd be out of mine if a child was being born to my wife that--

JAYSON--[Angrily.] Keep that to yourself! Remember you have no proof.

[Morosely.] Think all you want--but don't talk.