Long Day's Journey into Night by Eugene ONeill

CHARACTER!" JA#E! T$RONE #AR$ CA%ANT$RONE& his 'i(e JA#E! T$RONE& JR)& their el*er son ED#+ND T$RONE& their younger son CATHLEEN& se,on* girl1 !CENE!" ACT 1 Li-ing roo. o( the Tyrones' su..er ho.e /"01 a).) o( a *ay in August& 1213 ACT 3 !CENE 1 The sa.e& aroun* 13"45 !CENE 3 The sa.e& about a hal( hour later ACT 0 The sa.e& aroun* 6"01that e-ening ACT 4 The sa.e& aroun* .i*night

A,t 1
!CENE7Li-ing roo. o( JA#E! T$RONE'! su..er ho.e on a .orning in August&1213) At rear are t'o *ouble *oor'ays 'ith 8ortieres) The one at right lea*s into a (ront 8arlor 'ith the (or.ally arrange*& set a88earan,e o( a roo. rarely o,,u8ie*) The other o8ens on a *ar9& 'in*o'less ba,9 8arlor& ne-er use* e:,e8t as a 8assage (ro. li-ing roo. to *ining roo.) Against the 'all bet'een the *oor'ays is a s.all boo9,ase& 'ith a 8i,ture o( !ha9es8eare abo-e it& ,ontaining no-els by ;al<a,& =ola& !ten*hal& 8hiloso8hi,al an* so,iologi,al 'or9s by !,ho8enhauer& Niet<s,he& #ar:& Engels& >ro8ot9in& #a: !terner& 8lays by ?bsen& !ha'& !trin*berg& 8oetry by !'inburne& Rossetti& @il*e& Ernest Do'son& >i8ling& et,)3
1 3

A ser-ant A -ariety o( 12thA,entury Bes8e,ially lateA12th,enturyC authors are ,ite*) Nobo*y in the au*ien,e 'oul*

be able to rea* the titles an* authors on these boo9s7an e:a.8le o( O'Neill's no-elisti, a88roa,h to theatri,al *etail& also seen in the .inute 8hysi,al *es,ri8tion he 8ro-i*es o( the ,hara,ters a88earan,e an* beha-ior throughout)

?n the right 'all& rear& is a s,reen *oor lea*ing out on the 8or,h 'hi,h e:ten*s hal('ay aroun* the house) Darther (or'ar*& a series o( three 'in*o's loo9s o-er the (ront la'n to the harbor an* the a-enue that runs along the 'ater (ront) A s.all 'i,9er table an* an or*inary oa9 *es9 are against the 'all& (lan9ing the 'in*o's) ?n the le(t 'all& a si.ilar series o( 'in*o's loo9s out on the groun*s in ba,9 o( the house) ;eneath the. is a 'i,9er ,ou,h 'ith ,ushions& its hea* to'ar* rear) Darther ba,9 is a large& glasse*Ain boo9,ase 'ith sets o( Du.as& %i,tor Hugo& Charles Le-er& three sets o( !ha9es8eare& The @orl*'s ;est Literature in (i(ty large -olu.es& Hu.e's History o( Englan*& Thiers' History o( the Consulate an* E.8ire& !.ollett's History o( Englan*& Eibbon's Ro.an E.8ire an* .is,ellaneous -olu.es o( ol* 8lays& 8oetry& an* se-eral histories o( ?relan*) The astonishing thing about these sets is that all the -olu.es ha-e the loo9 o( ha-ing been rea* an* rerea*) The har*'oo* (loor is nearly ,o-ere* by a rug& ino((ensi-e in *esign an* ,olor) At ,enter is a roun* table 'ith a green sha*e* rea*ing la.8& the ,or* 8lugge* in one o( the (our so,9ets in the ,han*elier abo-e) Aroun* the table 'ithin rea*ing light range are (our ,hairs& three o( the. 'i,9er ar.,hairs& the (ourth Bat right (ront o( tableC a -arnishe* oa9 ro,9er 'ith leather botto.) ?t is aroun* /"01) !unshine ,o.es through the 'in*o's at right) As the ,urtain rises& the (a.ily ha-e Fust (inishe* brea9(ast& #AR$ T$RONE an* her husban* enter together (ro. the ba,9 8arlor& ,o.ing (ro. the *ining roo.) #AR$ is (i(tyA(our& about .e*iu. height) !he still has a young& gra,e* (igure& a tri(le 8lu.8& but sho'ing little e-i*en,e o( .i**leAage* 'aist an* hi8s& although she is not tightly ,orsete*) Her (a,e is *istin,tly ?rish in ty8e) ?t .ust on,e ha-e been e:tre.ely 8retty& an* is still stri9ing) ?t *oes not .at,h her healthy (igure but is thin an* 8ale 'ith the bone stru,ture 8ro.inent) Her nose is long an* straight& her .outh 'i*e 'ith (ull& sensiti-e li8s) !he uses no rouge or any sort o( .a9eAu8) Her high (orehea* is (ra.e* by thi,9& 8ure 'hite hair) A,,entuate* by her 8allor an* 'hite hair& her *ar9 bro'n eyes a88ear bla,9) They are unusually large an* beauti(ul& 'ith bla,9 bro's an* long ,urling lashes) @hat stri9es one i..e*iately is her e:tre.e ner-ousness) Her han*s are ne-er still) They 'ere on,e beauti(ul han*s& 'ith long& ta8ering (ingers& but rheu.atis. has 9notte* the Foints an* 'ar8e* the (ingers& so that no' they ha-e an ugly ,ri88le* loo9) One a-oi*s loo9ing at the.& the .ore so be,ause one is ,ons,ious she is sensiti-e about their a88earan,e an* hu.iliate* by her inability to ,ontrol the ner-ousness 'hi,h *ra's

attention to the.) !he is *resse* si.8ly but 'ith a sure sense o( 'hat be,o.es her) Her hair is arrange* 'ith (asti*ious ,are) Her -oi,e is so(t an* attra,ti-e) @hen she is .erry& there is a tou,h o( ?rish lilt in it) Her .ost a88ealing Guality is the si.8le& una((e,te* ,har. o( a shy ,on-ent girl youth(ulness she has ne-er lost7an innate un'orl*ly inno,en,e) JA#E! T$RONE is si:tyA(i-e but loo9s ten years younger) About (i-e (eet eight& broa*A shoul*ere* an* *ee8A,heste*& he see.s taller an* slen*erer be,ause o( his bearing& 'hi,h has a sol*ierly Guality o( hea* u8& ,hest out& sto.a,h in& shoul*ers sGuare*) His (a,e has begun to brea9 *o'n but he is still re.ar9ably goo* loo9ing7a big& (inely sha8e* hea*& a han*so.e 8ro(ile& *ee8Aset lightAbro'n eyes) His grey hair is thin 'ith a bal* s8ot li9e a .on9's tonsure) The sta.8 o( his 8ro(ession is un.ista9ably on hi.) Not that he in*ulges in any o( the *eliberate te.8era.ental 8osturings o( the stage star) He is by nature an* 8re(eren,e a si.8le& un8retentious .an& 'hose in,linations are still ,lose to his hu.ble beginnings an* his ?rish (ar.er (orebears) ;ut the a,tor sho's in all his un,ons,ious habits o( s8ee,h& .o-e.ent an* gesture) These ha-e the Guality o( belonging to a stu*ie* te,hniGue) His -oi,e is re.ar9ably (ine& resonant an* (le:ible& an* he ta9es great 8ri*e in it) His ,lothes& assure*ly& *o not ,ostu.e any ro.anti, 8art) He 'ears a threa*bare& rea*yA .a*e& grey sa,9 suit an* shineless bla,9 shoes& a ,ollarAless shirt 'ith a thi,9 'hite han*9er,hie( 9notte* loosely aroun* his throat) There is nothing 8i,turesGuely ,areless about this getAu8) ?t is ,o..on8la,e shabby) He belie-es in 'earing his ,lothes to the li.it o( use(ulness& is *resse* no' (or gar*ening& an* *oesn't gi-e a *a.n ho' he loo9s) He has ne-er been really si,9 a *ay in his li(e) He has no ner-es) There is a lot o( stoli*& earthy 8easant in hi.& .i:e* 'ith strea9s o( senti.ental .elan,holy an* rare (lashes o( intuiti-e sensibility) T$RONE'! ar. is aroun* his 'i(e's 'aist as they a88ear (ro. the ba,9 8arlor) Entering the li-ing roo. he gi-es her a 8lay(ul hug) T$RONE" $ou're a (ine ar.(ul no'& #ary& 'ith those t'enty 8oun*s you'-e gaine*) #AR$" Hs.iles a((e,tionatelyI ?'-e gotten too (at& you .ean& *ear) ? really ought to re*u,e) T$RONE" None o( that& .y la*yJ $ou're Fust right) @e'll ha-e no tal9 o( re*u,ing) ?s that

'hy you ate so little brea9(astK #AR$" !o littleK ? thought ? ate a lot) T$RONE" $ou *i*n't) Not as .u,h as ?'* li9e to see& any'ay) #AR$ HteasinglyI Oh youJ $ou e:8e,t e-eryone to eat the enor.ous brea9(ast you *o) No one else in the 'orl* ,oul* 'ithout *ying o( in*igestion) H!he ,o.es (or'ar* to stan* by the right o( table)I T$RONE" H(ollo'ing herI ? ho8e ?'. not as big a glutton as that soun*s) H'ith hearty satis(a,tionI ;ut than9 Eo*& ?'-e 9e8t .y a88etite an* ?'-e the *igestion o( a young .an o( t'enty& i( ? a. si:tyA(i-e) #AR$" $ou surely ha-e& Ja.es) No one ,oul* *eny that) H!he laughs an* sits in the 'i,9er ar.,hair at right rear o( table) He ,o.es aroun* in ba,9 o( her an* sele,ts a ,igar (ro. a bo: on the table an* ,uts o(( the en* 'ith a little ,li88er) Dro. the *ining roo. JA#?E! an* ED#+ND'! -oi,es are hear*) #ary turns her hea* that 'ay)I @hy *i* the boys stay in the *ining roo.& ? 'on*erK Cathleen .ust be 'aiting to ,lear the table) T$RONE" HFo9ingly but 'ith an un*er,urrent o( resent.entI ?t's a se,ret ,on(ab they *on't 'ant .e to hear& ? su88ose) ?'ll bet they're ,oo9ing u8 so.e ne' s,he.e to tou,h the Ol* #an) H!he is silent on this& 9ee8ing her hea* turne* to'ar* their -oi,es) Her han*s a88ear on the table to8& .o-ing restlessly) He lights his ,igar an* sits *o'n in the ro,9er at right o( table& 'hi,h is his ,hair& an* 8u((s ,ontente*ly) I There's nothing li9e the (irst a(terAbrea9(ast ,igar& i( it's a goo* one& an* this ne' lot ha-e the right .ello' (la-or) They're a great bargain& too) ? got the. *ea* ,hea8) ?t 'as #,Euire 8ut .e on to the.) #AR$" Ha tri(le a,i*lyI ? ho8e he *i*n't 8ut you on to any ne' 8ie,e o( 8ro8erty at the sa.e ti.e) His real estate bargains *on't 'or9 out so 'ell) T$RONE" H*e(ensi-elyI ? 'oul*n't say that& #ary) A(ter all& he 'as the one 'ho a*-ise* .e to buy that 8la,e on Chestnut !treet an* ? .a*e a Gui,9 turno-er on it (or a (ine 8ro(it) #AR$" Hs.iles no' 'ith teasing a((e,tionI ? 9no') The (a.ous one stro9e o( goo* lu,9) ?'. sure #,Euire ne-er *rea.e*7HThen she 8ats his han*)I Ne-er .in*& Ja.es) ? 9no' it's a 'aste o( breath trying to ,on-in,e you you're not a ,unning real estate s8e,ulator) T$RONE" Hhu((ilyI ?'-e no su,h i*ea) ;ut lan* is lan*& an* it's sa(er than the sto,9s an* bon*s o( @all !treet s'in*lers& Hthen 8la,atinglyI ;ut let's not argue about business this early in the .orning) HA 8ause) The boys' -oi,es are again hear* an* one o( the. has a

(it o( ,oughing& #AR$ listens 'orrie*ly) Her (ingers 8lay ner-ously on the table to8)I #AR$" Ja.es& it's E*.un* you ought to s,ol* (or not eating enough) He har*ly tou,he* anything e:,e8t ,o((ee) He nee*s to eat to 9ee8 u8 his strength) ? 9ee8 telling hi. that but he says he si.8ly has no a88etite) O( ,ourse& there's nothing ta9es a'ay your a88etite li9e a ba* su..er ,ol*) T$RONE" $es& it's only natural) !o *on't let yoursel( get 'orrie*7 #AR$" HGui,9lyI Oh& ?'. not) ? 9no' he'll be all right in a (e' *ays i( he ta9es ,are o( hi.sel(& Has i( she 'ante* to *is.iss the subFe,t but ,an'tI ;ut it *oes see. a sha.e he shoul* ha-e to be si,9 right no') T$RONE" $es& it is ba* lu,9) HHe gi-es her a Gui,9& 'orrie* loo9)I ;ut you .ustn't let it u8set you& #ary) Re.e.ber& you'-e got to ta9e ,are o( yoursel(& too) #AR$" HGui,9lyI ?'. not u8set) There's nothing to be u8set about) @hat .a9es you thin9 ?'. u8setK T$RONE" @hy& nothing& e:,e8t you'-e see.e* a bit highAstrung the 8ast (e' *ays) #AR$" H(or,ing a s.ileI ? ha-eK Nonsense& *ear) ?t's your i.aginationL H'ith su**en tensenessI $ou really .ust not 'at,h .e all the ti.e& Ja.es) ? .ean& it .a9es .e sel(A ,ons,ious) T$RONE" H8utting a han* o-er one o( her ner-ously 8laying onesI No'& no'& #ary) That's your i.agination) ?( ?'-e 'at,he* you it 'as to a*.ire ho' (at an* beauti(ul you loo9e*) HHis -oi,e is su**enly .o-e* by *ee8 (eeling) I ? ,an't tell you the *ee8 ha88iness it gi-es .e& *arling& to see you as you'-e been sin,e you ,a.e ba,9 to us& your *ear ol* sel( again) HHe leans o-er an* 9isses her ,hee9 i.8ulsi-ely7then turning ba,9 a**s 'ith a ,onstraine* airI !o 9ee8 u8 the goo* 'or9& #ary) #AR$" Hhas turne* her hea* a'ayI ? 'ill& *ear) H!he gets u8 restlessly an* goes to the 'in*o's at right)I Than9 hea-ens& the (og is gone) H!he turns ba,9)I ? *o (eel out o( sorts this .orning) ? 'asn't able to get .u,h slee8 'ith that a'(ul (oghorn going all night long) T$RONE" $es& it's li9e ha-ing a si,9 'hale in the ba,9 yar*) ?t 9e8t .e a'a9e& too) #AR$" Ha((e,tionately a.use*I Di* itK $ou ha* a strange 'ay o( sho'ing your restlessness) $ou 'ere snoring so har* ? ,oul*n't tell 'hi,h 'as the (oghornJ H!he ,o.es to hi.& laughing& an* 8ats his ,hee9 8lay(ully)I Ten (oghorns ,oul*n't *isturb you) $ou ha-en't a ner-e in you) $ou'-e ne-er ha*) T$RONE" Hhis -anity 8iGue*7testilyI Nonsense) $ou al'ays e:aggerate about .y snoring)

#AR$" ? ,oul*n't) ?( you ,oul* only hear yoursel( on,e7HA burst o( laughter ,o.es (ro. the *ining roo.) !he turns her hea*& s.iling)I @hat's the Fo9e& ? 'on*erK T$RONE" Hgru.8ilyI ?t's on .e) ?'ll bet that .u,h) ?t's al'ays on the Ol* #an) #AR$" HteasinglyI $es& it's terrible the 'ay 'e all 8i,9 on you& isn't itK $ou're so abuse*J H!he laughs7then 'ith a 8lease*& relie-e* airI @ell& no .atter 'hat the Fo9e is about& it's a relie( to hear E*.un* laugh) He's been so *o'n in the .outh lately) T$RONE" Hignoring this7resent(ullyI !o.e Fo9e o( Ja.ie's& ?'ll 'ager) He's (ore-er .a9ing sneering (un o( so.ebo*y& that one) #AR$" No' *on't start in on 8oor Ja.ie& *ear& H'ithout ,on-i,tionI He'll turn out all right in the en*& you 'ait an* see) T$RONE" He'* better start soon& then) He's nearly thirtyA(our) #AR$" Hignoring thisI Eoo* hea-ens& are they going to stay in the *ining roo. all *ayK H!he goes to the ba,9 8arlor *oor'ay an* ,allsI Ja.ieJ E*.un*J Co.e in the li-ing roo. an* gi-e Cathleen a ,han,e to ,lear the table) HED#+ND ,alls ba,9& M@e're ,o.ing& #a.a)M !he goes ba,9 to the table)I T$RONE" Hgru.blingI $ou'* (in* e:,uses (or hi. no .atter 'hat he *i*) #AR$" Hsitting *o'n besi*e hi.& 8ats his han*I !hush) Their sons JA#E!& JR)& an* ED#+ND enter together (ro. the ba,9 8arlor) They are both grinning& still ,hu,9ling o-er 'hat ha* ,ause* their laughter& an* as they ,o.e (or'ar* they glan,e at their (ather an* their grins gro' broa*er) JA#?E& the el*er& is thirtyAthree) He has his (ather's broa*Ashoul*ere*& *ee8A,heste* 8hysiGue& is an in,h taller an* 'eighs less& but a88ears shorter an* stouter be,ause he la,9s T$RONE'! bearing an* gra,e(ul ,arriage) He also la,9s his (ather's -itality) The signs o( 8re.ature *isintegration are on hi.) His (a,e is still goo* loo9ing& *es8ite .ar9s o( *issi8ation& but it has ne-er been han*so.e li9e T$RONE'!& although JA#?E rese.bles hi. rather than his .other) He has (ine bro'n eyes& their ,olor .i*'ay bet'een his (ather's lighter an* his .other's *ar9er ones) His hair is thinning an* alrea*y there is in*i,ation o( a bal* s8ot li9e T$RONE'!) His nose is unli9e that o( any other .e.ber o( the (a.ily& 8ronoun,e*ly aGuiline) Co.bine* 'ith his habitual e:8ression o( ,yni,is. it gi-es his ,ountenan,e a #e8histo8helian ,ast) ;ut on the rare o,,asions 'hen he s.iles 'ithout sneering& his 8ersonality 8ossesses the re.nant o( a hu.orous& ro.anti,& irres8onsible ?rish ,har.7that o( the beguiling ne'erA*oA'ell& 'ith

a strain o( the senti.entally 8oeti,& attra,ti-e to 'o.en an* 8o8ular 'ith .en) He is *resse* in an ol* sa,9 suit& not as shabby as T$RONE'!& an* 'ears a ,ollar an* tie) His (air s9in is sunburne* a re**ish& (re,9le* tan) ED#+ND is ten years younger than his brother& a ,ou8le o( in,hes taller& thin an* 'iry) @here JA#?E ta9es a(ter his (ather& 'ith little rese.blan,e to his .other& ED#+ND loo9s li9e both his 8arents& but is .ore li9e his .other) Her big& *ar9 eyes are the *o.inant (eature in his long& narro' ?rish (a,e) His .outh has the sa.e Guality o( hy8ersensiti-eness hers 8ossesses) His high (oreAhea* is hers a,,entuate*& 'ith *ar9 bro'n hair& sun blea,he* to re* at the en*s& brushe* straight ba,9 (ro. it) ;ut his nose is his (ather's an* his (a,e in 8ro(ile re,alls T$RONE'!) ED#+ND'! han*s are noti,eably li9e his .other's& 'ith the sa.e e:,e8tionally long (ingers) They e-en ha-e to a .inor *egree the sa.e ner-ousness) ?t is in the Guality o( e:tre.e ner-ous sensibility that the li9eness o( ED#+ND to his .other is .ost .ar9e*) He is A8lainly in ba* health) #u,h thinner than he shoul* be& his eyes a88ear (e-erish an* his ,hee9s are sun9en) His s9in& in s8ite o( being sunburne* a *ee8 bro'n& has a 8ar,he* sallo'ness) He 'ears a shirt& ,ollar an* tie& no ,oat& ol* (lannel trousers& bro'n snea9ers) #AR$" Hturns s.ilingly to the.& in a .erry tone that is a bit (or,e*I ?'-e been teasing your (ather about his snoring& Hto T$RONEI ?'ll lea-e it to the boys& Ja.es) They .ust ha-e hear* you) No& not you& Ja.ie) ? ,oul* hear you *o'n the hall al.ost as ba* as your (ather) $ou're li9e hi.) As soon as your hea* tou,hes the 8illo' you're o(( an* ten (oghorns ,oul*n't 'a9e you) H!he sto8s abru8tly& ,at,hing JA#?E'! eyes regar*ing her 'ith an uneasy& 8robing loo9) Her s.ile -anishes an* her .anner be,o.es sel(A,ons,ious)I @hy are you staring& Ja.ieK HHer han*s (lutter u8 to her hair)I ?s .y hair ,o.ing *o'nK ?t's har* (or .e to *o it u8 8ro8erly no') #y eyes are getting so ba* an* ? ne-er ,an (in* .y glasses) JA#?E" Hloo9s a'ay guiltilyI $our hair's all right& #a.a) ? 'as only thin9ing ho' 'ell you loo9) T$RONE" HheartilyI Just 'hat ?'-e been telling her& Ja.ie) !he's so (at an* sassy& there'll soon be no hol*ing her) ED#+ND" $es& you ,ertainly loo9 gran*& #a.a) H!he is reassure* an* s.iles at hi. lo-ingly) He 'in9s 'ith a 9i**ing grin)I ?'ll ba,9 you u8 about Oa8a's snoring) Eosh& 'hat

a ra,9etJ JA#?E" ? hear* hi.& too) HHe Guotes& 8utting on a ha.Aa,tor .annerI MThe #oor& ? 9no' his tru.8et)M0 HHis .other an* brother laugh) I T$RONE" Hs,athinglyI ?( it ta9es .y snoring to .a9e you re.e.ber !ha9es8eare instea* o( the *o8e sheet on the 8onies& ? ho8e ?'ll 9ee8 on 'ith it) #AR$" No'& Ja.esJ $ou .ustn't be so tou,hy) HJA#?E shrugs his shoul*ers an* sits *o'n in the ,hair on her right)I ED#+ND" HirritablyI $es& (or Oete's sa9e& Oa8aJ The (irst thing a(ter brea9(astJ Ei-e it a rest& ,an't youK HHe slu.8s *o'n in the ,hair at le(t o( table ne:t to his brother) His (ather ignores hi.)I #AR$" Hre8ro-inglyI $our (ather 'asn't (in*ing (ault 'ith you) $ou *on't ha-e to al'ays ta9e Ja.ie's 8art) $ou'* thin9 you 'ere the one ten years ol*er) JA#?E" Hbore*lyI @hat's all the (uss aboutK Let's (orget it) T$RONE" H,onte.8tuouslyI $es& (orgetJ Dorget e-erything an* (a,e nothingJ ?t's a ,on-enient 8hiloso8hy i( you'-e no a.bition in li(e e:,e8t to7 #AR$" Ja.es& *o be Guiet) H!he 8uts an ar. aroun* his shoul*er7,oa:inglyI $ou .ust ha-e gotten out o( the 'rong si*e o( the be* this .orning& Hto the boys& ,hanging the subFe,tI @hat 'ere you t'o grinning about li9e Cheshire ,ats 'hen you ,a.e inK @hat 'as the Fo9eK T$RONE" H'ith a 8ain(ul e((ort to be a goo* s8ortI $es& let us in on it& la*s) ? tol* your .other ? 9ne' *a.ne* 'ell it 'oul* be one on .e& but ne-er .in* that& ?'. use* to it) JA#?E" H*rylyI Don't loo9 at .e) This is the >i*'s story) ED#+ND" HgrinsI ? .eant to tell you last night& Oa8a& an* (orgot it) $ester*ay 'hen ? 'ent (or a 'al9 ? *ro88e* in at the ?nn7 #AR$" H'orrie*lyI $ou shoul*n't *rin9 no'& E*.un*) ED#+ND" Hignoring thisI An* 'ho *o you thin9 ? .et there& 'ith a beauti(ul bun on&4but !haughnessy& the tenant on that (ar. o( yours) #AR$" Hs.ilingI That *rea*(ul .anJ ;ut he is (unny) T$RONE" Hs,o'lingI He's not so (unny 'hen you're his lan*lor*) He's a 'ily !hanty #i,9& that one) He ,oul* hi*e behin* a ,or9s,re') @hat's he ,o.8laining about no'& E*.un*7(or ?'. *a.ne* sure he's ,o.8laining) ? su88ose he 'ants his rent lo'ere*) ?

0 4

!ha9es8eares Othello ?)e) *run9

let hi. ha-e the 8la,e (or al.ost nothing& Fust to 9ee8 so.eone on it& an* he ne-er 8ays that till ? threaten to e-i,t hi.) ED#+ND" No& he *i*n't bee( about anything) He 'as so 8lease* 'ith li(e he e-en bought a *rin9& an* that's 8ra,ti,ally unhear* o() He 'as *elighte* be,ause he'* ha* a (ight 'ith your (rien*& Har9er& the !tan*ar* Oil .illionaire& an* 'on a glorious -i,tory) #AR$" H'ith a.use* *is.ayI Oh& Lor*J Ja.es& you'll really ha-e to *o so.ething7 T$RONE" ;a* lu,9 to !haughnessy& any'ayJ JA#?E" H.ali,iouslyI ?'ll bet the ne:t ti.e you see Har9er at the Club an* gi-e hi. the ol* res8e,t(ul bo'& he 'on't see you) ED#+ND" $es) Har9er 'ill thin9 you're no gentle.an (or harboring a tenant 'ho isn't hu.ble in the 8resen,e o( a 9ing o( A.eri,a) T$RONE" Ne-er .in* the !o,ialist gabble) ? *on't ,are to listen7 #AR$" Hta,t(ullyI Eo on 'ith your story& E*.un*) ED#+ND" Hgrins at his (ather 8ro-o,ati-elyI @ell& you re.e.ber& Oa8a& the i,e 8on* on Har9er's estate is right ne:t to the (ar.& an* you re.e.ber !haughnessy 9ee8s 8igs) @ell& it see.s there's a brea9 in the (en,e an* the 8igs ha-e been bathing in the .illionaire's i,e 8on*& an* Har9er's (ore.an tol* hi. he 'as sure !haughnessy ha* bro9en the (en,e on 8ur8ose to gi-e his 8igs a (ree 'allo') #AR$" Hsho,9e* an* a.use*I Eoo* hea-ensJ T$RONE" Hsourly& hut 'ith a tra,e o( a*.irationI ?'. sure he *i*& too& the *irty s,ally'ag) ?t's li9e hi.) ED#+ND" !o Har9er ,a.e in 8erson to rebu9e !haughnessy) HHe ,hu,9les)I A -ery bonehea* 8layJ ?( ? nee*e* any (urther 8roo( that our ruling 8luto,rats& es8e,ially the ones 'ho inherite* their boo*le& are not .ental giants& that 'oul* ,lin,h it) T$RONE" H'ith a88re,iation& be(ore he thin9sI $es& he'* be no .at,h (or !haughnessy) Hthen he gro'lsI >ee8 your *a.ne* anar,hist re.ar9s to yoursel() ? 'on't ha-e the. in .y house) H;ut he is (ull o( eager anti,i8ation)I @hat ha88ene*K ED#+ND" Har9er ha* as .u,h ,han,e as ? 'oul* 'ith Ja,9 Johnson)5 !haughnessy got a (e' *rin9s un*er his belt an* 'as 'aiting at the gate to 'el,o.e hi.) He tol* .e he ne-er ga-e Har9er a ,han,e to o8en his .outh) He began by shouting that he 'as no sla-e !tan*ar* Oil ,oul* tra.8le on) He 'as a >ing o( ?relan*& i( he ha* his rights& an* s,u. 'as s,u. to hi.& no .atter ho' .u,h .oney it ha* stolen (ro. the 8oor)

Da.ous 8ri<e(ighter

#AR$" Oh& Lor*J H;ut she ,an't hel8 laughing)I ED#+ND" Then he a,,use* Har9er o( .a9ing his (ore.an brea9 *o'n the (en,e to enti,e the 8igs into the i,e 8on* in or*er to *estroy the.) The 8oor 8igs& !haughnessy yelle*& ha* ,aught their *eath o( ,ol*) #any o( the. 'ere *ying o( 8neu.onia& an* se-eral others ha* been ta9en *o'n 'ith ,holera (ro. *rin9ing the 8oisone* 'ater) He tol* Har9er he 'as hiring a la'yer to sue hi. (or *a.ages) An* he 'oun* u8 by saying that he ha* to 8ut u8 'ith 8oison i-y& ti,9s& 8otato bugs& sna9es an* s9un9s on his (ar.& but he 'as an honest .an 'ho *re' the line so.e'here& an* he'* be *a.ne* i( he'* stan* (or a !tan*ar* Oil thie( tres8assing) !o 'oul* Har9er 9in*ly re.o-e his *irty (eet (ro. the 8re.ises be(ore he si,9e* the *og on hi.) An* Har9er *i*J HHe an* JA#?E laugh)I #AR$" Hsho,9e* but gigglingI Hea-ens& 'hat a terrible tongue that .an hasJ T$RONE" Ha*.iringly be(ore he thin9sI The *a.ne* ol* s,oun*relJ ;y Eo*& you ,an't beat hi.J HHe laughs7then sto8s abru8tly an* s,o'ls)I The *irty bla,9guar*J He'll get .e in serious trouble yet) ? ho8e you tol* hi. ?'* be .a* as hell7 ED#+ND" ? tol* hi. you'* be ti,9le* to *eath o-er the great ?rish -i,tory& an* so you are) !to8 (a9ing& Oa8a) T$RONE" @ell& ?'. not ti,9le* to *eath) #AR$" HteasinglyI $ou are& too& Ja.es) $ou're si.8ly *elighte*J T$RONE" No& #ary& a Fo9e is a Fo9e& but7 ED#+ND" ? tol* !haughnessy he shoul* ha-e re.in*e* Har9er that a !tan*ar* Oil .illionaire ought to 'el,o.e the (la-or o( hog in his i,e 'ater as an a88ro8riate tou,h) T$RONE" The *e-il you *i*J H(ro'ningI >ee8 your *a.ne* !o,ialist anar,hist senti.ents out o( .y a((airsJ ED#+ND" !haughnessy al.ost 'e8t be,ause he ha*n't thought o( that one& but he sai* he'* in,lu*e it in a letter he's 'riting to Har9er& along 'ith a (e' other insults he'* o-erloo9e*) HHe an* JA#?E laugh)I T$RONE" @hat are you laughing atK There's nothing (unny7A (ine son you are to hel8 that bla,9guar* get .e into a la'suitJ #AR$" No'& Ja.es& *on't lose your te.8er) T$RONE" Hturns on JA#?EI An* you're 'orse than he is& en,ouraging hi.) ? su88ose you're regretting you 'eren't there to 8ro.8t !haughnessy 'ith a (e' nastier insults) $ou'-e a (ine talent (or that& i( (or nothing else)

11

#AR$" Ja.esJ There's no reason to s,ol* Ja.ie) HJA#?E is about to .a9e so.e sneering re.ar9 to his (ather& but he shrugs his shoul*ers)I ED#+ND" H'ith su**en ner-ous e:as8erationI Oh& (or Eo*'s sa9e& Oa8aJ ?( you're starting that stu(( again& ?'ll beat it) HHe Fu.8s u8)I ? le(t .y boo9 u8stairs& any'ay) HHe goes to the (ront 8arlor& saying *isguste*lyI Eo*& Oa8a& ? shoul* thin9 you'* get si,9 o( hearing yoursel(7 HHe *isa88ears) T$RONE loo9s a(ter hi. angrily)I #AR$" $ou .usn't .in* E*.un*& Ja.es) Re.e.ber he isn't 'ell) HED#+ND ,an be hear* ,oughing as he goes u8stairs) !he a**s ner-ouslyI A su..er ,ol* .a9es anyone irritable) JA#?E" Hgenuinely ,on,erne*I ?t's not Fust a ,ol* he's got) The >i* is *a.ne* si,9) HHis (ather gi-es hint a shar8 'arning loo9 hut he *oesn't see itI #AR$" Hturns on hi. resent(ullyI @hy *o you say thatK ?t is Fust a ,ol*J Anyone ,an tell thatJ $ou al'ays i.agine thingsJ T$RONE" H'ith another 'arning glan,e at JA#?E7easelyI All Ja.ie .eant 'as E*.un* .ight ha-e a tou,h o( so.ething else& too& 'hi,h .a9es his ,ol* 'orse) JA#?E" !ure& #a.a) That's all ? .eant) T$RONE" Do,tor Har*y thin9s it .ight be a bit o( .alarial (e-er he ,aught 'hen he 'as in the tro8i,s) ?( it is& Guinine 'ill soon ,ure it) #AR$" Ha loo9 o( ,onte.8tuous hostility (lashes a,ross her (a,eI Do,tor Har*yJ ? 'oul*n't belie-e a thing he sai*& i( he s'ore on a sta,9 o( ;iblesJ ? 9no' 'hat *o,tors are) They're all ali9e) Anything& they *on't ,are 'hat& to 9ee8 you ,o.ing to the.) H!he sto8s short& o-er,o.e by a (it o( a,ute sel(A,ons,iousness as she ,at,hes their eyes (i:e* on her) Her han*s Fer9 ner-ously to her hair) !he (or,es a s.ile)I @hat is itK @hat are you loo9ing atK ?s .y hair7K T$RONE" H8uts his ar. aroun* her7'ith guilty heartiness& gi-ing her a 8lay(ul hugI There's nothing 'rong 'ith your hair) The healthier an* (atter you get& the -ainer you be,o.e) $ou'll soon s8en* hal( the *ay 8ri.8ing be(ore the .irror) #AR$" Hhal( reassure*I ? really shoul* ha-e ne' glasses) #y eyes are so ba* no') T$RONE" H'ith ?rish blarneyI $our eyes are beauti(ul& an* 'ell you 9no' it) HHe gi-es her a 9iss) Her (a,e lights u8 'ith a ,har.ing& shy e.barrass.ent) !u**enly an* startlingly one sees in her (a,e the girl she ha* on,e been& not a ghost o( the *ea*& but still a li-ing 8art o( her) I

11

#AR$" $ou .ustn't be so silly& Ja.es) Right in (ront o( Ja.ieJ T$RONE" Oh& he's on to you& too) He 9no's this (uss about eyes an* hair is only (ishing (or ,o.8li.ents) Eh& Ja.ieK JA#?E" Hhis (a,e has ,leare*& too& an* there is an ol* boyish ,har. in his lo-ing s.ile at his .otherI $es& $ou ,an't 9i* us& #a.a) #AR$" Hlaughs an* an ?rish lilt ,o.es into her -oi,eI Eo along 'ith both o( youJ Hthen she s8ea9s 'ith a girlish gra-ityI ;ut ? *i* truly ha-e beauti(ul hair on,e& *i*n't ?& Ja.esK T$RONE" The .ost beauti(ul in the 'orl*J #AR$" ?t 'as a rare sha*e o( re**ish bro'n an* so long it ,a.e *o'n belo' .y 9nees) $ou ought to re.e.ber it& too& Ja.ie) ?t 'asn't until a(ter E*.un* 'as born that ? ha* a single grey hair) Then it began to turn 'hite) HThe girlishness (a*es (ro. her (a,e)I T$RONE" HGui,9lyI An* that .a*e it 8rettier than e-er) #AR$" Hagain e.barrasse* an* 8lease*I @ill you listen to your (ather& Ja.ie7a(ter thirtyA(i-e years o( .arriageJ He isn't a great a,tor (or nothing& is heK @hat's ,o.e o-er you& Ja.esK Are you 8ouring ,oals o( (ire on .y hea* (or teasing you about snoringK @ell& then& ? ta9e it all ba,9) ?t .ust ha-e been only the (oghorn ? hear*) H!he laughs& an* they laugh 'ith her) Then she ,hanges to a bris9 businessli9e air)I ;ut ? ,an't stay 'ith you any longer& e-en to hear ,o.8li.ents) ? .ust see the ,oo9 about *inner an* the *ay's .ar9eting) H!he gets u8 an* sighs 'ith hu.orous e:aggeration)I ;ri*get is so la<y) An* so sly) !he begins telling .e about her relati-es so ? ,an't get a 'or* in e*ge'ays an* s,ol* her) @ell& ? .ight as 'ell get it o-er) H!he goes to the ha,9A8arlor *oor'ay& then turns& her (a,e 'orrie* again)I $ou .ustn't .a9e E*.un* 'or9 on the groun*s 'ith you& Ja.es& re.e.ber& Hagain 'ith the strange obstinate set to her (a,eI Not that he isn't strong enough& but he'* 8ers8ire an* he .ight ,at,h .ore ,ol*) H!he *isa88ears through the ba,9 8arlor) T$RONE turns on JA#?E ,on*e.ningly)I T$RONE" $ou're a (ine lun9hea*J Ha-en't you any senseK The one thing to a-oi* is saying anything that 'oul* get her .ore u8set o-er E*.un*) JA#?E" Hshrugging his shoul*ersI All right) Ha-e it your 'ay) ? thin9 it's the 'rong i*ea to let #a.a go on 9i**ing yoursel() ?t 'ill only .a9e the sho,9 'orse 'hen she has to (a,e it) Any'ay& you ,an see she's *eliberately (ooling hersel( 'ith that su..er ,ol* tal9) !he 9no's better) T$RONE" >no'sK Nobo*y 9no's yet) JA#?E" @ell& ? *o) ? 'as 'ith E*.un* 'hen he 'ent to Do, Har*y on #on*ay) ? hear*

13

hi. 8ull that tou,h o( .alaria stu(() He 'as stalling) That isn't 'hat he thin9s any .ore) $ou 9no' it as 'ell as ? *o) $ou tal9e* to hi. 'hen you 'ent u8to'n yester*ay& *i*n't youK T$RONE" He ,oul*n't say anything (or sure yet) He's to 8hone .e to*ay be(ore E*.un* goes to hi.) JA#?E" Hslo'lyI He thin9s it's ,onsu.8tion6& *oesn't he& Oa8aK T$RONE" Hrelu,tantlyI He sai* it .ight be) JA#?E" H.o-e*& his lo-e (or his brother ,o.ing outI Ooor 9i*J Eo* *a.n itJ HHe turns on his (ather a,,usingly)I ?t .ight ne-er ha-e ha88ene* i( you'* sent hi. to a real *o,tor 'hen he (irst got si,9) T$RONE" @hat's the .atter 'ith Har*yK He's al'ays been our *o,tor u8 here) JA#?E" E-erything's the .atter 'ith hi.J E-en in this hi,9 burg he's rate* thir* ,lassJ He's a ,hea8 ol* Gua,9J T$RONE" That's rightJ Run hi. *o'nJ Run *o'n e-erybo*yJ E-eryone is a (a9e to youJ JA#?E" H,onte.8tuouslyI Har*y only ,harges a *ollar) That's 'hat .a9es you thin9 he's a (ine *o,torJ T$RONE" HstungI That's enoughJ $ou're not *run9 no'J There's no e:,use7HHe ,ontrols hi.sel(7a bit *e(ensi-elyI ?( you .ean ? ,an't a((or* one o( the (ine so,iety *o,tors 'ho 8rey on the ri,h su..er 8eo8le7 JA#?E" Can't a((or*K $ou're one o( the biggest 8ro8erty o'ners aroun* here) T$RONE" That *oesn't .ean ?'. ri,h) ?t's all .ortgage*7 JA#?E" ;e,ause you al'ays buy .ore instea* o( 8aying o(( .ortgages) ?( E*.un* 'as a lousy a,re o( lan* you 'ante*& the s9y 'oul* be the li.itJ T$RONE" That's a lieJ An* your sneers against Do,tor Har*y are liesJ He *oesn't 8ut on (rills& or ha-e an o((i,e in a (ashionable lo,ation& or *ri-e aroun* in an e:8ensi-e auto.obile) That's 'hat you 8ay (or 'ith those other (i-eA*ollarsAtoAloo9AatAyourAtongue (ello's& not their s9ill) JA#?E" H'ith a s,orn(ul shrug o( his shoul*ersI Oh& all right) ?'. a (ool to argue) $ou ,an't ,hange the leo8ar*'s s8ots) T$RONE" H'ith rising angerI No& you ,an't) $ou'-e taught .e that lesson only too 'ell) ?'-e lost all ho8e you 'ill e-er ,hange yours) $ou *are tell .e 'hat ? ,an a((or*K $ou'-e ne-er 9no'n the -alue o( a *ollar an* ne-er 'illJ $ou'-e ne-er sa-e* a *ollar in your

Tuber,ulosis

10

li(eJ At the en* o( ea,h season you're 8ennilessJ $ou'-e thro'n your salary a'ay e-ery 'ee9 on 'hores an* 'his9eyJ JA#?E" #y salaryJ ChristJ T$RONE" ?t's .ore than you're 'orth& an* you ,oul*n't get that i( it 'asn't (or .e) ?( you 'eren't .y son& there isn't a .anager in the business 'ho 'oul* gi-e you a 8art& your re8utation stin9s so) As it is& ? ha-e to hu.ble .y 8ri*e an* beg (or you& saying you'-e turne* o-er a ne' lea(& although ? 9no' it's a lieJ JA#?E" ? ne-er 'ante* to be an a,tor) $ou (or,e* .e on the stage) T$RONE" That's a lieJ $ou .a*e no e((ort to (in* anything else to *o) $ou le(t it to .e to get you a Fob an* ? ha-e no in(luen,e e:,e8t in the theater) Dor,e* youJ $ou ne-er 'ante* to *o anything e:,e8t loa( in barroo.sJ $ou'* ha-e been ,ontent to sit ba,9 li9e a la<y lun9 an* s8onge on .e (or the rest o( your li(eJ A(ter all the .oney ?'* 'aste* on your e*u,ation& an* all you *i* 'as get (ire* in *isgra,e (ro. e-ery ,ollege you 'ent toJ JA#?E" Oh& (or Eo*'s sa9e& *on't *rag u8 that an,ient historyJ T$RONE" ?t's not an,ient history that you ha-e to ,o.e ho.e e-ery su..er to li-e on .e) JA#?E" ? earn .y boar* an* lo*ging 'or9ing on the groun*s) ?t sa-es you hiring a .an) T$RONE" ;ahJ $ou ha-e to be *ri-en to *o e-en that .u,hJ HHis anger ebbs into a 'eary ,o.8laint)I ? 'oul*n't gi-e a *a.n i( you e-er *is8laye* the slightest sign o( gratitu*e) The only than9s is to ha-e you sneer at .e (or a *irty .iser& sneer at .y 8ro(ession& sneer at e-ery *a.ne* thing in the 'orl*7e:,e8t yoursel() JA#?E" H'ryPyI That's not true& Oa8a) $ou ,an't hear .e tal9ing to .ysel(& that's all) T$RONE" Hstares at hi. 8u<<le*ly& then Guotes .e,hani,allyI M?ngratitu*e& the -ilest 'ee* that gro'sMJN JA#?E" ? ,oul* see that line ,o.ingJ Eo*& ho' .any thousan* ti.es7J HHe sto8s& bore* 'ith their Guarrel& an* shrugs his shoul*ers)I All right& Oa8a) ?'. a bu.) Anything you li9e& so long as it sto8s the argu.ent) T$RONE" H'ith in*ignant a88eal no'I ?( you'* get a.bition in your hea* instea* o( (ollyJ $ou're young yet) $ou ,oul* still .a9e your .ar9) $ou ha* the talent to be,o.e a (ine a,torJ $ou ha-e it still) $ou're .y son7J JA#?E" Hbore*lyI Let's (orget .e) ?'. not intereste* in the subFe,t) Neither are you) HT$RONE gi-es u8) JA#?E goes on ,asually)I @hat starte* us on thisK Oh& Do, Har*y)

!ha9es8eares >ing Lear

14

@hen is he going to ,all you u8 about E*.un*K T$RONE" Aroun* lun,h ti.e) HHe 8auses7then *e(ensi-elyI ? ,oul*n't ha-e sent E*.un* to a better *o,tor) Har*y's treate* hi. 'hene-er he 'as si,9 u8 here& sin,e he 'as 9nee high) He 9no's his ,onstitution as no other *o,tor ,oul*) ?t's not a Guestion o( .y being .iserly& as you'* li9e to .a9e out) HbitterlyI An* 'hat ,oul* the (inest s8e,ialist in A.eri,a *o (or E*.un*& a(ter he's *eliberately ruine* his health by the .a* li(e he's le* e-er sin,e he 'as (ire* (ro. ,ollegeK E-en be(ore that 'hen he 'as in 8re8 s,hool& he began *issi8ating an* 8laying the ;roa*'ay s8ort to i.itate you& 'hen he's ne-er ha* your ,onstitution to stan* it) $ou're a healthy hul9 li9e .e7or you 'ere at his age7but he's al'ays been a bun*le o( ner-es li9e his .other) ?'-e 'arne* hi. (or years his bo*y ,oul*n't stan* it& but he 'oul*n't hee* .e& an* no' it's too late) JA#?E" Hshar8lyI @hat *o you .ean& too lateK $ou tal9 as i( you thought7 T$RONE" Hguiltily e:8losi-eI Don't be a *a.ne* (oolJ ? .eant nothing but 'hat's 8lain to anyoneJ His health has bro9en *o'n an* he .ay be an in-ali* (or a long ti.e) JA#?E" Hstares at his (ather& ignoring his e:8lanationI ? 9no' it's an ?rish 8easant i*ea ,onsu.8tion is (atal) ?t 8robably is 'hen you li-e in a ho-el on a bog& but o-er here& 'ith .o*ern treat.ent7 T$RONE" Don't ? 9no' thatJ @hat are you gabbing about& any'ayK An* 9ee8 your *irty tongue o(( ?relan*& 'ith your sneers about 8easants an* bogs an* ho-elsJ Ha,,usinglyI The less you say about E*.un*'s si,9ness& the better (or your ,ons,ien,eJ $ou're .ore res8onsible than anyoneJ JA#?E" HstungI That's a lieJ ? 'on't stan* (or that& Oa8aJ T$RONE" ?t's the truthJ $ou'-e been the 'orst in(luen,e (or hi.) He gre' u8 a*.iring you as a heroJ A (ine e:a.8le you set hi.J ?( you e-er ga-e hi. a*-i,e e:,e8t in the 'ays o( rottenness& ?'-e ne-er hear* o( itJ $ou .a*e hi. ol* be(ore his ti.e& 8u.8ing hi. (ull o( 'hat you ,onsi*er 'orl*ly 'is*o.& 'hen he 'as too young to see that your .in* 'as so 8oisone* by your o'n (ailure in li(e& you 'ante* to belie-e e-ery .an 'as a 9na-e 'ith his soul (or sale& an* e-ery 'o.an 'ho 'asn't a 'hore 'as a (oolJ JA#?E" H'ith a *e(ensi-e air o( 'eary in*i((eren,e againI All right) ? *i* 8ut E*.un* 'ise to things& but not until ? sa' he'* starte* to raise hell& an* 9ne' he'* laugh at .e i( ? trie* the goo* a*-i,e& ol*er brother stu(() All ? *i* 'as .a9e a 8al o( hi. an* be absolutely (ran9 so he'* learn (ro. .y .ista9es that7HHe shrugs his shoul*ers7,yni,allyI @ell& that i( you ,an't be goo* you ,an at least be ,are(ul) HHis

15

(ather snorts ,onte.8tuously) !u**enly JA#?E be,o.es really .o-e*) I That's a rotten a,,usation& Oa8a) $ou 9no' ho' .u,h the >i* .eans to .e& an* ho' ,lose 'e'-e al'ays been7not li9e the usual brothersJ ?'* *o anything (or hi.) T$RONE" Hi.8resse*7.olli(yinglyI ? 9no' you .ay ha-e thought it 'as (or the best& Ja.ie) ? *i*n't say you *i* it *eliberately to har. hi.) JA#?E" ;esi*es it's *a.ne* rotJ ?'* li9e to see anyone in(luen,e E*.un* .ore than he 'ants to be) His Guietness (ools 8eo8le into thin9ing they ,an *o 'hat they li9e 'ith hi.) ;ut he's stubborn as hell insi*e an* 'hat he *oes is 'hat he 'ants to *o& an* to hell 'ith anyone elseJ @hat ha* ? to *o 'ith all the ,ra<y stunts he's 8ulle* in the last (e' years7'or9ing his 'ay all o-er the .a8 as a sailor an* all that stu(() ? thought that 'as a *a.ne* (ool i*ea& an* ? tol* hi. so) $ou ,an't i.agine .e getting (un out o( being on the bea,h in !outh A.eri,a& or li-ing in (ilthy *i-es& *rin9ing rotgut& ,an youK No& than9sJ ?'ll sti,9 to ;roa*'ay& an* a roo. 'ith a bath& an* bars that ser-e bon*e* ;ourbon) T$RONE" $ou an* ;roa*'ayJ ?t's .a*e you 'hat you areJ H'ith a tou,h o( 8ri*eI @hate-er E*.un*'s *one& he's ha* the guts to go o(( on his o'n& 'here he ,oul*n't ,o.e 'hining to .e the .inute he 'as bro9e) JA#?E" Hstung into sneering FealousyI He's al'ays ,o.e ho.e bro9e (inally& hasn't heK An* 'hat *i* his going a'ay get hi.K Loo9 at hi. no'J HHe is su**enly sha.e(a,e*)I ChristJ That's a lousy thing to say) ? *on't .ean that) T$RONE" H*e,i*es to ignore thisI He's been *oing 'ell on the 8a8er) ? 'as ho8ing he'* (oun* the 'or9 he 'ants to *o at last) JA#?E" Hsneering Fealously againI A hi,9 to'n ragJ @hate-er bull they han* you& they tell .e he's a 8retty bu. re8orter) ?( he 'eren't your son7Hasha.e* againI No& that's not trueJ They're gla* to ha-e hi.& but it's the s8e,ial stu(( that gets hi. by) !o.e o( the 8oe.s an* 8aro*ies he's 'ritten are *a.ne* goo*& Hgru*gingly againI Not that they'* e-er get hi. any'here on the big ti.e& HhastilyI ;ut he's ,ertainly .a*e a *a.ne* goo* start) T$RONE" $es) He's .a*e a start) $ou use* to tal9 about 'anting to be,o.e a ne's8a8er .an but you 'ere ne-er 'illing to start at the botto.) $ou e:8e,te*7 JA#?E" Oh& (or Christ's sa9e& Oa8aJ Can't you lay o(( .eJ T$RONE" Hstares at hi.7then loo9s a'ay7a(ter a 8auseI ?t's *a.nable lu,9 E*.un* shoul* be si,9 right no') ?t ,oul*n't ha-e ,o.e at a 'orse ti.e (or hi.) HHe a**s& unable to ,on,eal an al.ost (urti-e uneasinessI Or (or your .other) ?t's *a.nable she shoul*

16

ha-e this to u8set her& Fust 'hen she nee*s 8ea,e an* (ree*o. (ro. 'orry) !he's been so 'ell in the t'o .onths sin,e she ,a.e ho.e) HHis -oi,e gro's hus9y an* tre.bles a little)I ?t's been hea-en to .e) This ho.e has been a ho.e again) ;ut ? nee*n't tell you& Ja.ie) HHis son loo9s at hi.& (or the (irst ti.e 'ith an un*erstan*ing sy.8athy) ?t is as i( su**enly a *ee8 bon* o( ,o..on (eeling e:iste* bet'een the. in 'hi,h their antagonis.s ,oul* be (orgotten)I JA#?E" Hal.ost gentlyI ?'-e (elt the sa.e 'ay& Oa8a) T$RONE" $es& this ti.e you ,an see ho' strong an* sure o( hersel( she is) !he's a *i((erent 'o.an entirely (ro. the other ti.es) !he has ,ontrol o( her ner-es7or she ha* until E*.un* got si,9) No' you ,an (eel her gro'ing tense an* (rightene* un*erneath) ? 'ish to Eo* 'e ,oul* 9ee8 the truth (ro. her& but 'e ,an't i( he has to be sent to a sanatoriu.) @hat .a9es it 'orse is her (ather *ie* o( ,onsu.8tion) !he 'orshi8e* hi. an* she's ne-er (orgotten) $es& it 'ill be har* (or her) ;ut she ,an *o itJ !he has the 'ill 8o'er no'J @e .ust hel8 her& Ja.ie& in e-ery 'ay 'e ,anJ JA#?E" H.o-e*I O( ,ourse& Oa8a& HhesitantlyI Outsi*e o( ner-es& she see.s 8er(e,tly all right this .orning) T$RONE" H'ith hearty ,on(i*en,e no'I Ne-er better) !he's (ull o( (un an* .is,hie() H!u**enly he (ro'ns at JA#?E sus8i,iously)I @hy *o you say& see.sK @hy shoul*n't she be all rightK @hat the hell *o you .eanK JA#?E" Don't start Fu.8ing *o'n .y throatJ Eo*& Oa8a& this ought to be one thing 'e ,an tal9 o-er (ran9ly 'ithout a battle) T$RONE" ?'. sorry& Ja.ie & HtenselyI ;ut go on an* tell .e7 JA#?E" There's nothing to tell) ? 'as all 'rong) ?t's Fust that last night7@ell& you 9no' ho' it is& ? ,an't (orget the 8ast) ? ,an't hel8 being sus8i,ious) Any .ore than you ,an) HbitterlyI That's the hell o( it) An* it .a9es it hell (or #a.aJ !he 'at,hes us 'at,hing her7 T$RONE" Hsa*lyI ? 9no'& HtenselyI @ell& 'hat 'as itJ Can't you s8ea9 outJ JA#?E" Nothing& ? tell you) Just .y *a.ne* (oolishness) Aroun* three o',lo,9 this .orning& ? 'o9e u8 an* hear* her .o-ing aroun* in the s8are roo.) Then she 'ent to the bathroo.) ? 8reten*e* to be aslee8) !he sto88e* in the hall to listen& as i( she 'ante* to .a9e sure ? 'as) T$RONE" H'ith (or,e* s,ornI Dor Eo*'s sa9e& is that allK !he tol* .e hersel( the

1N

(oghorn 9e8t her a'a9e all night& an* e-ery night sin,e E*.un*'s been si,9 she's been u8 an* *o'n& going to his roo. to see ho' he 'as) JA#?E" HeagerlyI $es& that's right& she *i* sto8 to listen outsi*e his roo.) Hhesitantly againI ?t 'as her being in the s8are roo. that s,are* .e) ? ,oul*n't hel8 re.e.bering that 'hen she starts slee8ing alone in there& it has al'ays been a sign7 T$RONE" ?t isn't this ti.eJ ?t's easily e:8laine*) @here else ,oul* she go last night to get a'ay (ro. .y snoringK HHe gi-es 'ay to a burst o( resent(ul anger)I ;y Eo*& ho' you ,an li-e 'ith a .in* that sees nothing but the 'orst .oti-es behin* e-erything is beyon* .eJ JA#?E" HstungI Don't 8ull thatJ ?'-e Fust sai* ? 'as all 'rong) Don't you su88ose ?'. as gla* o( that as you areJ T$RONE" H.olli(yinglyI ?'. sure you are& Ja.ie) HA 8ause) His e:8ression be,o.es so.ber) He s8ea9s slo'ly 'ith a su8erstitious *rea*)I ?t 'oul* be li9e a ,urse she ,an't es,a8e i( 'orry o-er E*.un*7?t 'as her long si,9ness a(ter bringing hi. into the 'orl* that she (irst7 JA#?E" !he *i*n't ha-e anything to *o 'ith itJ T$RONE" ?'. not bla.ing her) JA#?E" HbitinglyI Then 'ho are you bla.ingK E*.un*& (or being bornK T$RONE" $ou *a.ne* (oolJ No one 'as to bla.e) JA#?E" The bastar* o( a *o,tor 'asJ Dro. 'hat #a.a's sai*& he 'as another ,hea8 Gua,9 li9e Har*yJ $ou 'oul*n't 8ay (or a (irstArate7 T$RONE" That's a lieJ H(uriouslyI !o ?'. to bla.eJ That's 'hat you're *ri-ing at& is itK $ou e-ilA.in*e* loa(erJ JA#?E" H'arningly as he hears his .other in the *ining roo.I !shJ HT$RONE gets hastily to his (eet an* goes to loo9 out the 'in*o's at right) JA#?E s8ea9s 'ith a ,o.8lete ,hange o( tone)I @ell& i( 'e're going to ,ut the (ront he*ge to*ay& 'e'* better go to 'or9) H#AR$ ,o.es in (ro. the ba,9 8arlor) !he gi-es a Gui,9& sus8i,ious glan,e (ro. one to the other& her .anner ner-ously sel(A,ons,ious)I T$RONE" Hturns (ro. the 'in*o'7'ith an a,tor's heartinessI $es& it's too (ine a .orning to 'aste in*oors arguing) Ta9e a loo9 out the 'in*o'& #ary) There's no (og in the harbor) ?'. sure the s8ell o( it 'e'-e ha* is o-er no') #AR$" Hgoing to hi.I ? ho8e so& *ear& Hto JA#?E& (or,ing a s.ileI Di* ? a,tually hear

1/

you suggesting 'or9 on the (ront he*ge& Ja.ieK @on*ers 'ill ne-er ,easeJ $ou .ust 'ant 8o,9et .oney ba*ly) JA#?E" H9i**inglyI @hen *on't ?K HHe 'in9s at her& 'ith a *erisi-e glan,e at his (ather)I ? e:8e,t a salary o( at least one large iron .an/ at the en* o( the 'ee97to ,arouse onJ #AR$" H*oes not res8on* to his hu.or7her han*s (luttering o-er the (ront o( her *ressI @hat 'ere you t'o arguing aboutK JA#?E" Hshrugs his shoul*ersI The sa.e ol* stu(() #AR$" ? hear* you say so.ething about a *o,tor& an* your (ather a,,using you o( being e-ilA.in*e*) JA#?E" HGui,9lyI Oh& that) ? 'as saying again Do, Har*y isn't .y i*ea o( the 'orl*'s greatest 8hysi,ian) #AR$" H9no's he is lying7-aguelyI Oh) No& ? 'oul*n't say he 'as either) H,hanging the subFe,t7(or,ing a s.ileI That ;ri*getJ ? thought ?'* ne-er get a'ay) !he tol* .e about her se,on* ,ousin on the 8oli,e (or,e in !t) Louis& Hthen 'ith ner-ous irritationI @ell& i( you're going to 'or9 on the he*ge 'hy *on't you goK HhastilyI ? .ean& ta9e a*-antage o( the sunshine be(ore the (og ,o.es ba,9& Hstrangely& as i( tal9ing alou* to hersel(I ;e,ause ? 9no' it 'ill) H!u**enly she is sel(A,ons,iously a'are that they are both staring (i:e*ly at her7(lurrie*ly& raising her han*sI Or ? shoul* say& the rheu.atis. in .y han*s 9no's) ?t's a better 'eather 8ro8het than you are& Ja.es) H!he stares at her han*s 'ith (as,inate* re8ulsion)I +ghJ Ho' ugly they areJ @ho'* e-er belie-e they 'ere on,e beauti(ulK HThey stare at her 'ith a gro'ing *rea*)I T$RONE" Hta9es her han*s an* gently 8ushes the. *o'nI No'& no'& #ary) None o( that (oolishness) They're the s'eetest han*s in the 'orl*) H!he s.iles& her (a,e lighting u8& an* 9isses hi. grate(ully) He turns to his son)I Co.e on Ja.ie) $our .other's right to s,ol* us) The 'ay to start 'or9 is to start 'or9) The hot sun 'ill s'eat so.e o( that boo<e (at o(( your .i**le) HHe o8ens the s,reen *oor an* goes out on the 8or,h an* *isa88ears *o'n a (light o( ste8s lea*ing to the groun*& JA#?E rises (ro. his ,hair an*& ta9ing o(( his ,oat& goes to the *oor) At the *oor he turns ba,9 but a-oi*s loo9ing at her& an* she *oes not loo9 at hi.) I JA#?E" H'ith an a'9'ar*& uneasy ten*ernessI @e're all so 8rou* o( you& #a.a& so *arne* ha88y) H!he sti((ens an* stares at hi. 'ith a (rightene* *e(ian,e) He (loun*ers

!lang (or Q*ollarR

12

on)I ;ut you'-e still got to be ,are(ul) $ou .ustn't 'orry so .u,h about E*.un*) He'll be all right) #AR$" H'ith a stubborn& bitterly resent(ul loo9I O( ,ourse& he'll be all right) An* ? *on't 9no' 'hat you .ean& 'arning .e to be ,are(ul) JA#?E" Hrebu((e* an* hurt& shrugs his shoul*ersI All right& #a.a) ?'. sorry ? s8o9e) HHe goes out on the 8or,h) !he 'aits rigi*ly until he *isa88ears *o'n the ste8s) Then she sin9s *o'n in the ,hair he ha* o,,u8ie*& her (a,e betraying a (rightene*& (urti-e *es8eration& her han*s ro-ing o-er the table to8& ai.lessly .o-ing obFe,ts aroun*) !he hears ED#+ND *es,en*ing the stairs in the (ront hall) As he nears the botto. he has a (it o( ,oughing) !he s8rings to her (eet& as i( she 'ante* to run a'ay (ro. the soun*& an* goes Gui,9ly to the 'in*o's at right) !he is loo9ing out& a88arently ,al.& as he enters (ro. the (ront 8arlor& a boo9 in one han*) !he turns to hi.& her li8s set in a 'el,o.ing& .otherly s.ile)I #AR$" Here you are) ? 'as Fust going u8stairs to loo9 (or you) ED#+ND" ? 'aite* until they 'ent out) ? *on't 'ant to .i: u8 in any argu.ents) ? (eel too rotten) #AR$" Hal.ost resent(ullyI Oh& ?'. sure you *on't (eel hal( as ba*ly as you .a9e out) $ou're su,h a baby) $ou li9e to get us 'orrie* so 'e'll .a9e a (uss o-er you) HhastilyI ?'. only teasing& *ear) ? 9no' ho' .iserably un,o.(ortable you .ust be) ;ut you (eel better to*ay& *on't youK H'orrie*ly& ta9ing his ar.I All the sa.e& you'-e gro'n .u,h too thin) $ou nee* to rest all you ,an) !it *o'n an* ?'ll .a9e you ,o.(ortable) HHe sits *o'n in the ro,9ing ,hair an* she 8uts a 8illo' behin* his ba,9)I There& Ho''s thatK ED#+ND" Eran*) Than9s& #a.a) #AR$" H9isses hi.7ten*erlyI All you nee* is your .other to nurse you) ;ig as you are& you're still the baby o( the (a.ily to .e& you 9no') ED#+ND" Hta9es her han*7'ith *ee8 seriousnessI Ne-er .in* .e) $ou ta9e ,are o( yoursel() That's all that ,ounts) #AR$" He-a*ing his eyesI ;ut ? a.& *ear& H(or,ing a laughI Hea-ens& *on't you see ho' (at ?'-e gro'nJ ?'ll ha-e to ha-e all .y *resses let out) H!he turns a'ay an* goes to the 'in*o's at right) !he atte.8ts a light& a.use* tone)I They'-e starte* ,li88ing the he*ge)

31

Ooor Ja.ieJ Ho' he hates 'or9ing in (ront 'here e-eryone 8assing ,an see hi.) There go the Chat(iel*s in their ne' #er,e*es) ?t's a beauti(ul ,ar& isn't itK Not li9e our se,on*han* Oa,9ar*) Ooor Ja.ieJ He bent al.ost un*er the he*ge so they 'oul*n't noti,e hi.) They bo'e* to your (ather an* he bo'e* ba,9 as i( he 'ere ta9ing a ,urtain ,all) ?n that (ilthy ol* suit ?'-e trie* to .a9e hi. thro' a'ay) HHer -oi,e has gro'n bitter) I Really& he ought to ha-e .ore 8ri*e than to .a9e su,h a sho' o( hi.sel() ED#+ND" He's right not to gi-e a *a.n 'hat anyone thin9s) Ja.ie's a (ool to ,are about the Chat(iel*s) Dor Oete's sa9e& 'ho e-er hear* o( the. outsi*e this hi,9 burgK #AR$" H'ith satis(a,tionI No one) $ou're Guite right& E*.un*) ;ig (rogs in a s.all 8u**le) ?t is stu8i* o( Ja.ie ) H!he 8auses& loo9ing out the 'in*o'7then 'ith an un*er,urrent o( lonely yearningI !till& the Chat(iel*s an* 8eo8le li9e the. stan* (or so.ething) ? .ean they ha-e *e,ent& 8resentable ho.es they *on't ha-e to be asha.e* o() They ha-e (rien*s 'ho entertain the. an* 'ho. they entertain) They're not ,ut o(( (ro. e-eryone) H!he turns ba,9 (ro. the 'in*o')I Not that ? 'ant anything to *o 'ith the.) ?'-e al'ays hate* this to'n an* e-eryone in it) $ou 9no' that) ? ne-er 'ante* to li-e here in the (irst 8la,e& but your (ather li9e* it an* insiste* on buil*ing this house& an* ?'-e ha* to ,o.e here e-ery su..er) ED#+ND" @ell& it's better than s8en*ing the su..er in a Ne' $or9 hotel& isn't itK An* this to'n's not so ba*) ? li9e it 'ell enough) ? su88ose be,ause it's the only ho.e 'e'-e ha*) #AR$" ?'-e ne-er (elt it 'as .y ho.e) ?t 'as 'rong (ro. the start) E-erything 'as *one in the ,hea8est 'ay) $our (ather 'oul* ne-er s8en* the .oney to .a9e it right) ?t's Fust as 'ell 'e ha-en't any (rien*s here) ?'* be asha.e* to ha-e the. ste8 in the *oor) ;ut he's ne-er 'ante* (a.ily (rien*s) He hates ,alling on 8eo8le& or re,ei-ing the.) All he li9es is to hobnob 'ith .en at the Club or in a barroo.) Ja.ie an* you are the sa.e 'ay& but you're not to bla.e) $ou'-e ne-er ha* a ,han,e to .eet *e,ent 8eo8le here) ? 9no' you both 'oul* ha-e been so *i((erent i( you'* been able to asso,iate 'ith ni,e girls instea* o(7$ou'* ne-er ha-e *isgra,e* yoursel-es as you ha-e& so that no' no res8e,table 8arents 'ill let their *aughters be seen 'ith you) ED#+ND" HirritablyI Oh& #a.a& (orget itJ @ho ,aresK Ja.ie an* ? 'oul* be bore* sti(() An* about the Ol* #an& 'hat's the use o( tal9ingK $ou ,an't ,hange hi.) #AR$" H.e,hani,ally rebu9ingI Don't ,all your (ather the Ol* #an) $ou shoul* ha-e .ore res8e,t& Hthen *ullyI ? 9no' it's useless to tal9) ;ut so.eti.es ? (eel so lonely) HHer

31

li8s Gui-er an* she 9ee8s her hea* turne* a'ay) I ED#+ND" Any'ay& you'-e got to be (air& #a.a) ?t .ay ha-e been all his (ault in the beginning& but you 9no's that later on& e-en i( he'* 'ante* to& 'e ,oul*n't ha-e ha* 8eo8le here7HHe (loun*ers guiltily)I ? .ean& you 'oul*n't ha-e 'ante* the.) #AR$" H'in,ing7her li8s Gui-ering 8iti(ullyI Don't) ? ,an't bear ha-ing you re.in* .e) ED#+ND" Don't ta9e it that 'ayJ Olease& #a.aJ ?'. trying to hel8) ;e,ause it's ba* (or you to (orget) The right 'ay is to re.e.ber) !o you'll al'ays be on your guar*) $ou 9no' 'hat's ha88ene* be(ore& H.iserablyI Eo*& #a.a& you 9no' ? hate to re.in* you) ?'. *oing it be,ause it's been so 'on*er(ul ha-ing you ho.e the 'ay you'-e been& an* it 'oul* be terrible7 #AR$" Hstri,9enlyI Olease& *ear) ? 9no' you .ean it (or the best& but7HA *e(ensi-e uneasiness ,o.es into her -oi,e again)I ? *on't un*erstan* 'hy you shoul* su**enly say su,h things) @hat 8ut it in your .in* this .orningK ED#+ND" He-asi-elyI Nothing) Just be,ause ? (eel rotten an* blue& ? su88ose) #AR$" Tell .e the truth) @hy are you so sus8i,ious all o( a su**enK ED#+ND" ?'. notJ #AR$" Oh& yes you are) ? ,an (eel it) $our (ather an* Ja.ie& too78arti,ularly Ja.ie) ED#+ND" No' *on't start i.agining things& #a.a) #AR$" Hher han*s (lutteringI ?t .a9es it so .u,h har*er& li-ing in this at.os8here o( ,onstant sus8i,ion& 9no'ing e-eryone is s8ying on .e& an* none o( you belie-e in .e& or trust .e) ED#+ND" That's ,ra<y& #a.a) @e *o trust you) #AR$" ?( there 'as only so.e 8la,e ? ,oul* go to get a'ay (or a *ay& or e-en an a(ternoon& so.e 'o.an (rien* ? ,oul* tal9 to7not about anything serious& si.8ly laugh an* gossi8 an* (orget (or a 'hile7so.eone besi*es the ser-ants7that stu8i* CathleenJ ED#+ND" Hgets u8 'orrie*ly an* 8uts his ar. aroun* herI !to8 it& #a.a) $ou're getting yoursel( 'or9e* u8 o-er nothing) #AR$" $our (ather goes out) He .eets his (rien*s in barroo.s or at the Club) $ou an* Ja.ie ha-e the boys you 9no') $ou go out) ;ut ? a. alone) ?'-e al'ays been alone) ED#+ND" HsoothinglyI Co.e no'J $ou 9no' that's a (ib) One o( us al'ays stays aroun* to 9ee8 you ,o.8any& or goes 'ith you in the auto.obile 'hen you ta9e a *ri-e) #AR$" HbitterlyI ;e,ause you're a(rai* to trust .e aloneJ H!he turns on hi.7shar8ly)I ? insist you tell .e 'hy you a,t so *i((erently this .orning7'hy you (elt you ha* to

33

re.in* .e7 ED#+ND" Hhesitates7then blurts out guiltilyI ?t's stu8i*) ?t's Fust that ? 'asn't aslee8 'hen you ,a.e in .y roo. last night) $ou *i*n't go ba,9 to your an* Oa8a's roo.) $ou 'ent in the s8are roo. (or the rest o( the night) #AR$" ;e,ause your (ather's snoring 'as *ri-ing .e ,ra<yJ Dor hea-en's sa9e& ha-en't ? o(ten use* the s8are roo. as .y be*roo.K HbitterlyI ;ut ? see 'hat you thought) That 'as 'hen7 ED#+ND" Htoo -ehe.entlyI ? *i*n't thin9 anythingJ #AR$" !o you 8reten*e* to be aslee8 in or*er to s8y on .eJ ED#+ND" NoJ ? *i* it be,ause ? 9ne' i( you (oun* out ? 'as (e-erish an* ,oul*n't slee8& it 'oul* u8set you) #AR$" Ja.ie 'as 8reten*ing to be aslee8& too& ?'. sure& an* ? su88ose your (ather7 ED#+ND" !to8 it& #a.aJ #AR$" Oh& ? ,an't bear it& E*.un*& 'hen e-en you7J HHer han*s (lutter u8 to 8at her hair in their ai.less& *istra,te* 'ay) !u**enly a strange un*er,urrent o( re-enge(ulness ,o.es into her -oi,e)I ?t 'oul* ser-e all o( you right i( it 'as trueJ ED#+ND" #a.aJ Don't say thatJ That's the 'ay you tal9 'hen7 #AR$" !to8 sus8e,ting .eJ Olease& *earJ $ou hurt .eJ ? ,oul*n't slee8 be,ause ? 'as thin9ing about you) That's the real reasonJ ?'-e been so 'orrie* e-er sin,e you'-e been si,9) H!he 8uts her ar.s aroun* hi. an* hugs hi. 'ith a (rightene*& 8rote,ti-e ten*erness)I ED#+ND" HsoothinglyI That's (oolishness) $ou 9no' it's only a ba* ,ol*) #AR$" $es& o( ,ourse& ? 9no' thatJ ED#+ND" ;ut listen& #a.a) ? 'ant you to 8ro.ise .e that e-en i( it shoul* turn out to be so.ething 'orse& you'll 9no' ?'ll soon be all right again& any'ay& an* you 'on't 'orry yoursel( si,9& an* you'll 9ee8 on ta9ing ,are o( yoursel(7 #AR$" H(rightene*lyI ? 'on't listen 'hen you're so sillyJ There's absolutely no reason to tal9 as i( you e:8e,te* so.ething *rea*(ulJ O( ,ourse& ? 8ro.ise you) ? gi-e you .y sa,re* 'or* o( honorJ Hthen 'ith a sa* bitternessI ;ut ? su88ose you're re.e.bering ?'-e 8ro.ise* be(ore on .y 'or* o( honor) ED#+ND" NoJ #AR$" Hher bitterness re,e*ing into a resigne* hel8lessnessI ?'. not bla.ing you& *ear) Ho' ,an you hel8 itK Ho' ,an any one o( us (orgetK HstrangelyI That's 'hat .a9es it so

30

har*7(or all o( us) @e ,an't (orget) ED#+ND" Hgrabs her shoul*erI #a.aJ !to8 itJ #AR$" H(or,ing a s.ileI All right& *ear) ? *i*n't .ean to be so gloo.y) Don't .in* .e) Here) Let .e (eel your hea*) @hy& it's ni,e an* ,ool) $ou ,ertainly ha-en't any (e-er no') ED#+ND" DorgetJ ?t's you7 #AR$" ;ut ?'. Guite all right& *ear& H'ith a Gui,9& strange& ,al,ulating& al.ost sly glan,e at hi.I E:,e8t ? naturally (eel tire* an* ner-ous this .orning& a(ter su,h a ba* night) ? really ought to go u8stairs an* lie *o'n until lun,h ti.e an* ta9e a na8) HHe gi-es her an instin,ti-e loo9 o( sus8i,ion7then& asha.e* o( hi.sel(& loo9s Gui,9ly a'ay) !he hurries on ner-ously)I @hat are you going to *oK Rea* hereK ?t 'oul* be .u,h better (or you to go out in the (resh air an* sunshine) ;ut *on't get o-erheate*& re.e.ber) ;e sure an* 'ear a hat) H!he sto8s& loo9ing straight at hi. no') He a-oi*s her eyes) There is a tense 8ause) Then she s8ea9s Feeringly)I Or are you a(rai* to trust .e aloneK ED#+ND" Htor.ente*lyI NoJ Can't you sto8 tal9ing li9e thatJ ? thin9 you ought to ta9e a na8) HHe goes to the s,reen *oor7(or,ing a Fo9ing toneI ?'ll go *o'n an* hel8 Ja.ie bear u8) ? lo-e to lie in the sha*e an* 'at,h hi. 'or9) HHe (or,es a laugh in 'hi,h she .a9es hersel( Foin) Then he goes out on the 8or,h an* *isa88ears *o'n the ste8s) Her (irst rea,tion is one o( relie() !he a88ears to rela:) !he sin9s *o'n in one o( the 'i,9er ar.,hairs at rear o( table an* leans her hea* ba,9& ,losing her eyes) ;ut su**enly she gro's terribly tense again) Her eyes o8en an* she strains (or'ar*& sei<e* by a (it o( ner-ous 8ani,) !he begins a *es8erate battle 'ith hersel() Her long (ingers& 'ar8e* an* 9notte* by rheu.atis.& *ru. on the ar.s o( the ,hair& *ri-en by an insistent li(e o( their o'n& 'ithout her ,onsent)I C+RTA?N

A,t 3
!CENE 1

!CENE7The sa.e) ?t is aroun* Guarter to one) No sunlight ,o.es into the roo. no'

34

through the 'in*o's at right) Outsi*e the *ay is still (ine but in,reasingly sultry& 'ith a (aint ha<iness in the air 'hi,h so(tens the glare o( the sun) ED#+ND sits in the ar.,hair at le(t o( table& rea*ing a boo9) Or rather he is trying to ,on,entrate on it but ,annot) He see.s to be listening (or so.e soun* (ro. u8stairs) His .anner is ner-ously a88rehensi-e an* he loo9s .ore si,9ly than in the 8re-ious a,t) The se,on* girl& CATHLEEN& enters (ro. the ba,9 8arlor) !he ,arries a tray on 'hi,h is a bottle o( bon*e* ;ourbon& se-eral 'his9ey glasses an* a 8it,her o( i,e 'ater) !he is a bu:o. ?rish 8easant& in her early t'enties& 'ith a re*A,hee9e* ,o.ely (a,e& bla,9 hair an* blue eyes7a.iable& ignorant& ,lu.sy& an* 8ossesse* by a *ense& 'ellA.eaning stu8i*ity) !he 8uts the tray on the table& ED#+ND 8reten*s to be so absorbe* in his boo9 he *oes not noti,e her& but she ignores this) CATHLEEN" H'ith garrulous (a.iliarityI Here's the 'his9ey) ?t'll be lun,h ti.e soon) @ill ? ,all your (ather an* #ister Ja.ie& or 'ill youK ED#+ND" H'ithout loo9ing u8 (ro. his boo9I $ou *o it) CATHLEEN" ?t's a 'on*er your (ather 'oul*n't loo9 at his 'at,h on,e in a 'hile) He's a *e-il (or .a9ing the .eals late& an* then ;ri*get ,urses .e as i( ? 'as to bla.e) ;ut he's a gran* han*so.e .an& i( he is ol*) $ou'll ne-er see the *ay you're as goo* loo9ing7nor #ister Ja.ie& either) H!he ,hu,9les)I ?'ll 'ager #ister Ja.ie 'oul*n't .iss the ti.e to sto8 'or9 an* ha-e his *ro8 o( 'his9ey i( he ha* a 'at,h to his na.eJ ED#+ND" Hgi-es u8 trying to ignore her an* grinsI $ou 'in that one) CATHLEEN" An* here's another ?'* 'in& that you're .a9ing .e ,all the. so you ,an snea9 a *rin9 be(ore they ,o.e) ED#+ND" @ell& ? ha*n't thought o( that7 CATHLEEN" Oh no& not youJ ;utter 'oul*n't .elt in your .outh& ? su88ose) ED#+ND" ;ut no' you suggest it7 CATHLEEN" Hsu**enly 8ri.ly -irtuousI ?'* ne-er suggest a .an or a 'o.an tou,h *rin9& #ister E*.un*) !ure& *i*n't it 9ill an un,le o( .ine in the ol* ,ountry& HrelentingI !till& a *ro8 no' an* then is no har. 'hen you're in lo' s8irits& or ha-e a ba* ,ol*) ED#+ND" Than9s (or han*ing .e a goo* e:,use& Hthen 'ith (or,e* ,asualnessI $ou'* better ,all .y .other& too) CATHLEEN" @hat (orK !he's al'ays on ti.e 'ithout any ,alling) Eo* bless her& she has so.e ,onsi*eration (or the hel8)

35

ED#+ND" !he's been ta9ing a na8) CATHLEEN" !he 'asn't aslee8 'hen ? (inishe* .y 'or9 u8stairs a 'hile ba,9) !he 'as lying *o'n in the s8are roo. 'ith her eyes 'i*e o8en) !he'* a terrible hea*a,he& she sai*) ED#+ND" Hhis ,asualness .ore (or,e*I Oh 'ell then& Fust ,all .y (ather) CATHLEEN" Hgoes to the s,reen *oor& gru.bling goo*Anature*lyI No 'on*er .y (eet 9ill .e ea,h night) ? 'on't 'al9 out in this heat an* get sunstro9e) ?'ll ,all (ro. the 8or,h) H!he goes out on the si*e 8or,h& letting the s,reen *oor sla. behin* her& an* *isa88ears on her 'ay to the (ront 8or,h) A .o.ent later she is hear* shouting)I #ister TyroneJ #ister Ja.ieJ ?t's ti.eJ H ED#+ND & 'ho has been staring (rightene*ly be(ore hi.& (orgetting his boo9& s8rings to his (eet ner-ously) I ED#+ND" Eo*& 'hat a 'en,hJ HHe grabs the bottle an* 8ours a *rin9& a**s i,e 'ater an* *rin9s) As he *oes so& he hears so.eone ,o.ing in the (ront *oor) He 8uts the glass hastily on the tray an* sits *o'n again& o8ening his boo9& JA#?E ,o.es in (ro. the (ront 8arlor& his ,oat o-er his ar.) He has ta9en o(( ,ollar an* tie an* ,arries the. in his han*) He is 'i8ing s'eat (ro. his (orehea* 'ith a han*9er,hie(& ED#+ND loo9s u8 as i( his rea*ing 'as interru8te*& JA#?E ta9es one loo9 at the bottle an* glasses an* s.iles ,yni,ally) I JA#?E" !nea9ing one& ehK Cut out the blu((& >i*) $ou're a rottener a,tor than ? a.) ED#+ND" HgrinsI $es& ? grabbe* one 'hile the going 'as goo*) JA#?E" H8uts a han* a((e,tionately on his shoul*erI That's better) @hy 9i* .eK @e're 8als& aren't 'eK ED#+ND" ? 'asn't sure it 'as you ,o.ing) JA#?E" ? .a*e the Ol* #an loo9 at his 'at,h) ? 'as hal('ay u8 the 'al9 'hen Cathleen burst into song) Our 'il* ?rish lar9J !he ought to be a train announ,er) ED#+ND" That's 'hat *ro-e .e to *rin9) @hy *on't you snea9 one 'hile you'-e got a ,han,eK JA#?E" ? 'as thin9ing o( that little thing) HHe goes Gui,9ly to the 'in*o' at right)I The Ol* #an 'as tal9ing to ol* Ca8tain Turner) $es& he's still at it) HHe ,o.es ba,9 an* ta9es a *rin9)I An* no' to ,o-er u8 (ro. his eagle eye) HHe .easures t'o *rin9s o( 'ater an* 8ours the. in the 'his9ey bottle an* sha9es it u8)I There) That (i:es it) HHe 8ours 'ater in the glass an* sets it on the table by ED#+ND) I An* here's the 'ater you'-e been

36

*rin9ing) ED#+ND" DineJ $ou *on't thin9 it 'ill (ool hi.& *o youK JA#?E" #aybe not& but he ,an't 8ro-e it) HOutting on his ,ollar an* tie)I ? ho8e he *oesn't (orget lun,h listening to hi.sel( tal9) ?'. hungry) HHe sits a,ross the table (ro. ED#+ND7irritably I That's 'hat ? hate about 'or9ing *o'n in (ront) He 8uts on an a,t (or e-ery *a.ne* (ool that ,o.es along) ED#+ND" Hgloo.ilyI $ou're in lu,9 to be hungry) The 'ay ? (eel ? *on't ,are i( ? e-er eat again) JA#?E" Hgi-es hi. a glan,e o( ,on,ernI Listen& >i*) $ou 9no' .e) ?'-e ne-er le,ture* you& but Do,tor Har*y 'as right 'hen he tol* you to ,ut out the re*eye) ED#+ND" Oh& ?'. going to a(ter he han*s .e the ba* ne's this a(ternoon) A (e' be(ore then 'on't .a9e any *i((eren,e) JA#?E" Hhesitates7then slo'lyI ?'. gla* you'-e got your .in* 8re8are* (or ba* ne's) ?t 'on't be su,h a Folt) HHe ,at,hes ED#+ND staring at hi.)I ? .ean& it's a ,in,h you're really si,9& an* it 'oul* be 'rong *o8e to 9i* yoursel() ED#+ND" H*isturbe*I ?'. not) ? 9no' ho' rotten ? (eel& an* the (e-er an* ,hills ? get at night are no Fo9e) ? thin9 Do,tor Har*y's last guess 'as right) ?t .ust be the *a.ne* .alaria ,o.e ba,9 on .e) JA#?E" #aybe& but *on't be too sure) ED#+ND" @hyK @hat *o you thin9 it isK JA#?E" Hell& ho' 'oul* ? 9no'K ?'. no Do,) Habru8tlyI @here's #a.aK ED#+ND" +8stairs) JA#?E" Hloo9s at hi. shar8lyI @hen *i* she go u8K ED#+ND" Oh& about the ti.e ? ,a.e *o'n to the he*ge& ? guess) !he sai* she 'as going to ta9e a na8) JA#?E" $O+ *i*n't tell .e7 ED#+ND" H*e(ensi-elyI @hy shoul* ?K @hat about itK !he 'as tire* out) !he *i*n't get .u,h slee8 last night) JA#?E" ? 9no' she *i*n't) HA 8ause) The brothers a-oi* loo9ing at ea,h other)I ED#+ND" That *a.ne* (oghorn 9e8t .e a'a9e& too) HAnother 8ause) I JA#?E" !he's been u8stairs alone all .orning& ehK $ou ha-en't seen herK ED#+ND" No) ?'-e been rea*ing here) ? 'ante* to gi-e her a ,han,e to slee8) JA#?E" ?s she ,o.ing *o'n to lun,hK

3N

ED#+ND" O( ,ourse) JA#?E" H*rylyI No o( ,ourse about it) !he .ight not 'ant any lun,h) Or she .ight start ha-ing .ost o( her .eals alone u8stairs) That's ha88ene*& hasn't itK ED#+ND" H'ith (rightene* resent.entI Cut it out& Ja.ieJ Can't you thin9 anything but7K H8ersuasi-elyI $ou're all 'rong to sus8e,t anything) Cathleen sa' her not long ago) #a.a *i*n't tell her she 'oul*n't be *o'n to lun,h) JA#?E" Then she 'asn't ta9ing a na8K ED#+ND" Not right then& but she 'as lying *o'n& Cathleen sai*) JA#?E" ?n the s8are roo.K ED#+ND" $es) Dor Oete's sa9e& 'hat o( itK JA#?E" Hbursts outI $ou *a.ne* (oolJ @hy *i* you lea-e her alone so longK @hy *i*n't you sti,9 aroun*K ED#+ND" ;e,ause she a,,use* .e7an* you an* Oa8a7o( s8ying on her all the ti.e an* not trusting her) !he .a*e .e (eel asha.e*) ? 9no' ho' rotten it .ust be (or her) An* she 8ro.ise* on her sa,re* 'or* o( honor7 JA#?E" H'ith a bitter 'earinessI $ou ought to 9no' that *oesn't .ean anything) ED#+ND" ?t *oes this ti.eJ JA#?E" That's 'hat 'e thought the other ti.es) HHe leans o-er the table to gi-e his brother's ar. an a((e,tionate gras8)I Listen& >i*& ? 9no' you thin9 ?'. a ,yni,al bastar*& but re.e.ber ?'-e seen a lot .ore o( this ga.e than you ha-e) $ou ne-er 9ne' 'hat 'as really 'rong until you 'ere in 8re8As,hool) Oa8a an* ? 9e8t it (ro. you) ;ut ? 'as 'ise ten years or .ore be(ore 'e ha* to tell you) ? 9no' the ga.e ba,9'ar*s an* ?'-e been thin9ing all .orning o( the 'ay she a,te* last night 'hen she thought 'e 'ere aslee8) ? ha-en't been able to thin9 o( anything else) An* no' you tell .e she got you to lea-e her alone u8stairs all .orning) ED#+ND" !he *i*n'tJ $ou're ,ra<yJ JA#?E" H8la,atinglyI All right& >i*) Don't start a battle 'ith .e) ? ho8e as .u,h as you *o ?'. ,ra<y) ?'-e been as ha88y as hell be,ause ?'* really begun to belie-e that this ti.e7HHe sto8s7loo9ing through the (ront 8arlor to'ar* the hall7lo'ering his -oi,e& hurrie*lyI !he's ,o.ing *o'nstairs) $ou 'in on that) ? guess ?'. a *a.ne* sus8i,ious louse) HThey gro' tense 'ith a ho8e(ul& (ear(ul e:8e,tan,y& JA#?E .uttersI Da.nJ ? 'ish ?'* grabbe* another *rin9) ED#+ND" #e& too)

3/

HHe ,oughs ner-ously an* this brings on a real (it o( ,oughing& JA#?E glan,es at hi. 'ith 'orrie* 8ity& #AR$ enters (ro. the (ront 8arlor) At (irst one noti,es no ,hange e:,e8t that she a88ears to be less ner-ous& to be .ore as she 'as 'hen 'e (irst sa' her a(ter brea9(ast& but then one be,o.es a'are that her eyes are brighter& an* there is a 8e,uliar *eta,h.ent in her -oi,e an* .anner& as i( she 'ere a little 'ith*ra'n (ro. her 'or*s an* a,tions)I #AR$" Hgoes 'orrie*ly to ED#+ND an* 8uts her ar. aroun* hi.I $ou .ustn't ,ough li9e that) ?t's ba* (or your throat) $ou *on't 'ant to get a sore throat on to8 o( your ,ol*) H!he 9isses hi.) He sto8s ,oughing an* gi-es her a Gui,9 a88rehensi-e glan,e& but i( his sus8i,ions are arouse* her ten*erness .a9es hi. renoun,e the. an* he belie-es 'hat he 'ants to belie-e (or the .o.ent) On the other han*& JA#?E 9no's a(ter one 8robing loo9 at her that his sus8i,ions are Fusti(ie*) His eyes (all to stare at the (loor& his (a,e sets in an e:8ression o( e.bittere*& *e(ensi-e ,yni,is.& #AR$ goes on& hal( sitting on the ar. o( ED#+ND' ! ,hair& her ar. aroun* hi.& so her (a,e is abo-e an* behin* his an* he ,annot loo9 into her eyes)I ;ut ? see. to be al'ays 8i,9ing on you& telling you *on't *o this an* *on't *o that) Dorgi-e .e& *ear) ?t's Fust that ? 'ant to ta9e ,are o( you) ED#+ND" ? 9no'& #a.a) Ho' about youK Do you (eel reste*K #AR$" $es& e-er so .u,h better) ?'-e been lying *o'n e-er sin,e you 'ent out) ?t's 'hat ? nee*e* a(ter su,h a restless night) ? *on't (eel ner-ous no') ED#+ND" That's (ine) HHe 8ats her han* on his shoul*er& JA#?E gi-es hi. a strange& al.ost ,onte.8tuous glan,e& 'on*ering i( his brother ,an really .ean this) ED#+ND *oes not noti,e but his .other *oes)I #AR$" Hin a (or,e* teasing toneI Eoo* hea-ens& ho' *o'n in the .outh you loo9& Ja.ie) @hat's the .atter no'K JA#?E" H'ithout loo9ing at herI Nothing) #AR$" Oh& ?'* (orgotten you'-e been 'or9ing on the (ront he*ge) That a,,ounts (or your sin9ing into the *u.8s& *oesn't itK JA#?E" ?( you 'ant to thin9 so& #a.a) #AR$" H9ee8ing her toneI @ell& that's the e((e,t it al'ays has& isn't itK @hat a big baby you areJ ?sn't he& E*.un*K ED#+ND" He's ,ertainly a (ool to ,are 'hat anyone thin9s)

32

#AR$" HstrangelyI $es& the only 'ay is to .a9e yoursel( not ,are) H!he ,at,hes JA#?E gi-ing her a bitter glan,e an* ,hanges the subFe,t)I @here is your (atherK ? hear* Cathleen ,all hi.) ED#+ND" Eabbing 'ith ol* Ca8tain Turner& Ja.ie says) He'll be late& as usual) H JA#?E gets u8 an* goes to the 'in*o's at right& gla* o( an e:,use to turn his ba,9)I #AR$" ?'-e tol* Cathleen ti.e an* again she .ust go 'here-er he is an* tell hi.) The i*ea o( s,rea.ing as i( this 'ere a ,hea8 boar*inghouseJ JA#?E" Hloo9ing out the 'in*o'I !he's *o'n there no') HsneeringlyI ?nterru8ting the (a.ous ;eauti(ul %oi,eJ !he shoul* ha-e .ore res8e,t) #AR$" Hshar8ly7letting her resent.ent to'ar* hi. ,o.e outI ?t's you 'ho shoul* ha-e .ore res8e,t) !to8 sneering at your (atherJ ? 'on't ha-e itJ $ou ought to be 8rou* you're his sonJ He .ay ha-e his (aults) @ho hasn'tK ;ut he's 'or9e* har* all his li(e) He .a*e his 'ay u8 (ro. ignoran,e an* 8o-erty to the to8 o( his 8ro(essionJ E-eryone else a*.ires hi. an* you shoul* be the last one to sneer7you& 'ho& than9s to hi.& ha-e ne-er ha* to 'or9 har* in your li(eJH!(#@g& JA#?E has turne* to stare at her 'ith a,,using antagonis.) Her eyes 'a-er guiltily an* she a**s in a tone 'hi,h begins to 8la,ateI Re.e.ber your (ather is getting ol*& Ja.ie) $ou really ought to sho' .ore ,onsi*eration) JA#?E" ? ought toK ED#+ND" HuneasilyI Oh& *ry u8& Ja.ieJ H JA#?E loo9s out the 'in*o' again)I An*& (or Oete's sa9e& #a.a& 'hy Fu.8 on Ja.ie all o( a su**enK #AR$" HbitterlyI ;e,ause he's al'ays sneering at so.eone else& al'ays loo9ing (or the 'orst 'ea9ness in e-eryone& Hthen 'ith a strange& abru8t ,hange to a *eta,he*& i.8ersonal toneI ;ut ? su88ose li(e has .a*e hi. li9e that& an* he ,an't hel8 it) None o( us ,an hel8 the things li(e has *one to us) They're *one be(ore you reali<e it& an* on,e they're *one they .a9e you *o other things until at last e-erything ,o.es bet'een you an* 'hat you'* li9e to be& an* you'-e lost your true sel( (ore-er) HED#+ND is .a*e a88rehensi-e by her strangeness) He tries to loo9 u8 in her eyes but she 9ee8s the. a-erte*& JA#?E turns to her7then loo9s Gui,9ly out o( the 'in*o' again)I JA#?E" H*ullyI ?'. hungry) ? 'ish the Ol* #an 'oul* get a .o-e on) ?t's a rotten tri,9 the 'ay he 9ee8s .eals 'aiting& an* then bee(s be,ause they're s8oile*) #AR$ H'ith a resent.ent that has a Guality o( being auto.ati, an* on the sur(a,e 'hile in'ar*ly she is in*i((erentI $es& it's -ery trying& Ja.ie ) $ou *on't 9no' ho' trying) $ou

01

*on't ha-e to 9ee8 house 'ith su..er ser-ants 'ho *on't ,are be,ause they 9no' it isn't a 8er.anent 8osition) The really goo* ser-ants are all 'ith 8eo8le 'ho ha-e ho.es an* not .erely su..er 8la,es) An* your (ather 'on't e-en 8ay the 'ages the best su..er hel8 as9) !o e-ery year ? ha-e stu8i*& la<y greenhorns to *eal 'ith) ;ut you'-e hear* .e say this a thousan* ti.es) !o has he& but it goes in one ear an* out the other) He thin9s .oney s8ent on a ho.e is .oney 'aste*) He's li-e* too .u,h in hotels) Ne-er the best hotels& o( ,ourse) !e,on*Arate hotels) He *oesn't un*erstan* a ho.e) He *oesn't (eel at ho.e in it) An* yet& he 'ants a ho.e) He's e-en 8rou* o( ha-ing this shabby 8la,e) He lo-es it here) H!he laughs7a ho8eless an* yet a.use* laugh)I ?t's really (unny& 'hen you ,o.e to thin9 o( it) He's a 8e,uliar .an) ED#+ND" Hagain atte.8ting uneasily to loo9 u8 in her eyesI @hat .a9es you ra.ble on li9e that& #a.aK #AR$" HGui,9ly ,asual78atting his ,hee9I @hy& nothing in 8arti,ular& *ear) ?t is (oolish) HAs she s8ea9s& CATHLEEN enters (ro. the ba,9 8arlor)I CATHLEEN" H-olublyI Lun,h is rea*y& #a'a.& ? 'ent *o'n to #ister Tyrone& li9e you or*ere*& an* he sai* he'* ,o.e right a'ay& but he 9e8t on tal9ing to that .an& telling hi. o( the ti.e 'hen7 #AR$" Hin*i((erentlyI All right& Cathleen) Tell ;ri*get ?'. sorry but she'll ha-e to 'ait a (e' .inutes until #ister Tyrone is here) HCATHLEEN .utters& M$es& #a'a.&M an* goes o(( through the ba,9 8arlor& gru.bling to hersel()I JA#?E" Da.n itJ @hy *on't you go ahea* 'ithout hi.K He tol* us to) #AR$" H'ith a re.ote& a.use* s.ileI He *oesn't .ean it) Don't you 9no' your (ather yetK He'* be so terribly hurt) ED#+ND" HFu.8s u87as i( he 'as gla* o( an e:,use to lea-eI ?'ll .a9e hi. get a .o-e on) HHe goes out on the si*e 8or,h) A .o.ent later he is hear* ,alling (ro. the 8or,h e:as8erate*ly)I HeyJ Oa8aJ Co.e onJ @e ,an't 'ait all *ayJ H#AR$ has risen (ro. the ar. o( the ,hair) Her han*s 8lay restlessly o-er the table to8) !he *oes not loo9 at JA#?E but she (eels the ,yni,ally a88raising glan,e he gi-es her (a,e an* han*s) I

01

#AR$" HtenselyI @hy *o you stare li9e thatK JA#?E" $ou 9no') HHe turns ba,9 to the 'in*o')I #AR$" ? *on't 9no') JA#?E" Oh& (or Eo*'s sa9e& *o you thin9 you ,an (ool .e& #a.aK ?'. not blin*) #AR$" Hloo9s *ire,tly at hi. no'& her (a,e set again in an e:8ression o( blan9& stubborn *enialI ? *on't 9no' 'hat you're tal9ing about) JA#?E" NoK Ta9e a loo9 at your eyes in the .irrorJ ED#+ND" H,o.ing in (ro. the 8or,hI ? got Oa8a .o-ing) He'll be here in a .inute& H'ith a glan,e (ro. one to the other& 'hi,h his .other a-oi*s7uneasilyI @hat ha88ene*K @hat's the .atter& #a.aK #AR$" H*isturbe* by his ,o.ing& gi-es 'ay to a (lurry o( guilty& ner-ous e:,ite.entI $our brother ought to be asha.e* o( hi.sel() He's been insinuating ? *on't 9no' 'hat) ED#+ND" Hturns on JA#?EI Eo* *a.n youJ HHe ta9es a threatening ste8 to'ar* hi.) JA#?E turns his ba,9 'ith a shrug an* loo9s out the 'in*o') I #AR$" Ht'ore u8set& grabs ED#+ND' ! ar.7e:,ite*lyI !to8 this at on,e& *o you hear .eK Ho' *are you use su,h language be(ore .eJ HAbru8tly her tone an* .anner ,hange to the strange *eta,h.ent she has sho'n be(ore)I ?t's 'rong to bla.e your brother) He ,an't hel8 being 'hat the 8ast has .a*e hi.) Any .ore then your (ather ,an) Or you) Or ?) ED#+ND" H(rightene*ly7'ith a *es8erate ho8ing against ho8eI He's a liarJ ?t's a lie& isn't it& #a.aK #AR$" H9ee8ing her eyes a-erte*I @hat is a lieK No' you're tal9ing in ri**les li9e Ja.ie) HThen her eyes .eet his stri,9en& a,,using loo9) !he sta..ersI E*.un*J Don'tJ H!he loo9s a'ay an* her .anner instantly regains the Guality o( strange *eta,h.ent7,al.lyI There's your (ather ,o.ing u8 the ste8s no') ? .ust tell ;ri*get) H!he goes through the ba,9 8arlor& ED#+ND .o-es slo'ly to his ,hair) He loo9s si,9 an* ho8eless)I JA#?E" H(ro. the 'in*o'& 'ithout loo9ing aroun*I @ellK ED#+ND" Hre(using to a*.it anything to his brother yet7'ea9ly *e(iantI @ell& 'hatK $ou're a liar) HJA#?E again shrugs his shoul*ers) The s,reen *oor on the (ront 8or,h is hear* ,losing& ED#+ND says *ullyI Here's Oa8a) ? ho8e he loosens u8 'ith the ol* bottle) HT$RONE ,o.es in through the (ront 8arlor) He is 8utting on his ,oat)I

03

T$RONE" !orry ?'. late) Ca8tain Turner sto88e* to tal9 an* on,e he starts gabbing you ,an't get a'ay (ro. hi.) JA#?E" H'ithout turning7*rylyI $ou .ean on,e he starts listening) HHis (ather regar*s hi. 'ith *isli9e) He ,o.es to the table 'ith a Gui,9 .easuring loo9 at the bottle o( 'his9ey) @ithout turning& JA#?E senses this)I ?t's all right) The le-el in the bottle hasn't ,hange*) T$RONE" ? 'asn't noti,ing that) HHe a**s ,austi,allyI As i( it 8ro-e* anything 'ith you aroun*) ?'. on to your tri,9s) ED#+ND" H*ullyI Di* ? hear you say& let's all ha-e a *rin9K T$RONE" H(ro'ns at hi.I Ja.ie is 'el,o.e a(ter his har* .orning's 'or9& but ? 'on't in-ite you) Do,tor Har*y7 ED#+ND" To hell 'ith Do,tor Har*yJ One isn't going to 9ill .e) ? (eel7all in& Oa8a) T$RONE" H'ith a 'orrie* loo9 at hi.78utting on a (a9e heartinessI Co.e along& then) ?t's be(ore a .eal an* ?'-e al'ays (oun* that goo* 'his9ey& ta9en in .o*eration as an a88eti<er& is the best o( toni,s) HED#+ND gets u8 as his (ather 8asses the bottle to hi.) He 8ours a big *rin9) T$RONE (ro'ns a*.onishingly)I ? sai*& in .o*eration) HHe 8ours his o'n *rin9 an* 8asses the bottle to JA#?E& gru.bling)I ?t'* be a 'aste o( breath .entioning .o*eration to you) H?gnoring the hint& JA#?E 8ours a big *rin9) His (ather s,o'ls7then& gi-ing it u8& resu.es his hearty air& raising his glass)I @ell& here's health an* ha88inessJ HED#+ND gi-es a bitter laugh)I ED#+ND" That's a Fo9eJ T$RONE" @hat isK ED#+ND" Nothing) Here's ho') HThey *rin9)I T$RONE" Hbe,o.ing a'are o( the at.os8hereI @hat's the .atter hereK There's gloo. in the air you ,oul* ,ut 'ith a 9ni(e& Hturns on JA#?E resent(ullyI $ou got the *rin9 you 'ere a(ter& *i*n't youK @hy are you 'earing that gloo.y loo9 on your .ugK JA#?E" Hshrugging his shoul*ersI $ou 'on't be singing a song yoursel( soon) ED#+ND" !hut u8& Ja.ie) T$RONE" Huneasy no'7,hanging the subFe,tI ? thought lun,h 'as rea*y) ?'. hungry as a hunter) @here is your .otherK #AR$" Hreturning through the ba,9 8arlor& ,allsI Here ? a.) H!he ,o.es in) !he is e:,ite* an* sel(A,ons,ious) As she tal9s& she glan,es e-ery'here e:,e8t at any o( their

00

(a,es)I ?'-e ha* to ,al. *o'n ;ri*get) !he's in a tantru. o-er your being late again& an* ? *on't bla.e her) ?( your lun,h is *rie* u8 (ro. 'aiting in the o-en& she sai* it ser-e* you right& you ,oul* li9e it or lea-e it (or all she ,are*& H'ith in,reasing e:,ite.entI Oh& ?'. so si,9 an* tire* o( 8reten*ing this is a ho.eJ $ou 'on't hel8 .eJ $ou 'on't 8ut yoursel( out the least bitJ $ou *on't 9no' ho' to a,t in a ho.eJ $ou *on't really 'ant oneJ $ou ne-er ha-e 'ante* one7ne-er sin,e the *ay 'e 'ere .arrie*J $ou shoul* ha-e re.aine* a ba,helor an* li-e* in se,on*Arate hotels an* entertaine* your (rien*s in barroo.sJ H!he a**s strangely& as i( she 'ere no' tal9ing alou* to hersel( rather than to T$RONE I Then nothing 'oul* e-er ha-e ha88ene*) HThey stare at her) T$RONE 9no's no') He su**enly loo9s a tire*& bitterly sa* ol* .an) ED#+ND glan,es at his (ather an* sees that he 9no's& but he still ,annot hel8 trying to 'arn his .other)I ED#+ND" #a.aJ !to8 tal9ing) @hy *on't 'e go in to lun,h) #AR$" H!tarts an* at on,e the Guality o( unnatural *eta,h.ent settles on her (a,e again) !he e-en s.iles 'ith an ironi,al a.use.ent to hersel()I $es& it is in,onsi*erate o( .e to *ig u8 the 8ast& 'hen ? 9no' your (ather an* Ja.ie .ust be hungry& H8utting her ar. aroun* ED#+ND! shoul*er7'ith a (on* soli,itu*e 'hi,h is at the sa.e ti.e re.oteI ? *o ho8e you ha-e an a88etite& *ear) $ou really .ust eat .ore HHer eyes be,o.e (i:e* on the 'his9ey glass on the table besi*e hi.7shar8lyI @hy is that glass thereK Di* you ta9e a *rin9K Oh& ho' ,an you be su,h a (oolK Don't you 9no' it's the 'orst thingK H!he turns on T$RONE) I $ou're to bla.e& Ja.es) Ho' ,oul* you let hi.K Do you 'ant to 9ill hi.K Don't you re.e.ber .y (atherK He 'oul*n't sto8 a(ter he 'as stri,9en) He sai* *o,tors 'ere (oolsJ He thought& li9e you& that 'his9ey is a goo* toni,J HA loo9 o( terror ,o.es into her eyes an* she sta..ersI ;ut& o( ,ourse& there's no ,o.8arison at all) ? *on't 9no' 'hy ?7Dorgi-e .e (or s,ol*ing you& Ja.es) One s.all *rin9 'on't hurt E*.un*) ?t .ight be goo* (or hi.& i( it gi-es hi. an a88etite) H!he 8ats ED#+ND'! ,hee9 8lay(ully& the strange *eta,h.ent again in her .anner) He Fer9s his hea* a'ay) !he see.s not to noti,e& hut she .o-es instin,ti-ely a'ay)I JA#?E" Hroughly& to hi*e his tense ner-esI Dor Eo*'s sa9e& let's eat) ?'-e been 'or9ing in the *a.ne* *irt un*er the he*ge all .orning) ?'-e earne* .y grub) HHe ,o.es aroun* in ba,9 o( his (ather& not loo9ing at his .other& an* grabs ED#+ND'! shoul*er)I Co.e on& >i*) Let's 8ut on the (ee* bag) H ED#+ND gets u8& 9ee8ing his eyes a-erte* (ro. his .other) They 8ass her& hea*ing (or the ba,9 8arlor)I

04

T$RONE" H*ullyI $es& you go in 'ith your .other& la*s) ?'ll Foin you in a se,on*) H;ut they 9ee8 on 'ithout 'aiting (or her) !he loo9s at their ba,9s 'ith a hel8less hurt an*& as they enter the ba,9 8arlor& starts to (ollo' the.) T$RONE'! eyes are on her& sa* an* ,on*e.ning) !he (eels the. an* turns shar8ly 'ithout .eeting his stare)I #AR$" @hy *o you loo9 at .e li9e thatK HHer han*s (lutter u8 to 8at her hair)I ?s it .y hair ,o.ing *o'nK ? 'as so 'orn out (ro. last night& ? thought ?'* better lie *o'n this .orning) ? *ro'se* o(( an* ha* a ni,e re(reshing na8) ;ut ?'. sure ? (i:e* .y hair again 'hen ? 'o9e u8) H(or,ing a laughI Although& as usual& ? ,oul*n't (in* .y glasses & Hshar8lyI Olease sto8 staringJ One 'oul* thin9 you 'ere a,,using .e7Hthen 8lea*inglyI Ja.esJ $ou *on't un*erstan*J T$RONE" H'ith *ull angerI ? un*erstan* that ?'-e been a Eo*A*a.ne* (ool to belie-e in youJ HHe 'al9s a'ay (ro. her to 8our hi.sel( a big *rin9)I #AR$" Hher (a,e again sets in stubborn *e(ian,eI ? *on't 9no' 'hat you .ean by Mbelie-ing in .e)M All ?'-e (elt 'as *istrust an* s8ying an* sus8i,ion) Hthen a,,usinglyI @hy are you ha-ing another *rin9K $ou ne-er ha-e .ore than one be(ore lun,h& HbitterlyI ? 9no' 'hat to e:8e,t) $ou 'ill be *run9 tonight) @ell& it 'on't be the (irst ti.e& 'ill it7or the thousan*thK Hagain she bursts out 8lea*inglyI Oh& Ja.es& 8leaseJ $ou *on't un*erstan*J ?'. 'orrie* about E*.un*J ?'. so a(rai* he7 T$RONE" ? *ont 'ant to listen to e:,uses& #ary) #AR$ Hstri,9enlyI E:,usesK $ou .ean7K Oh& you ,an't belie-e that o( .eJ $ou .ustn't belie-e that& Ja.esJ Hthen sli88ing a'ay into her strange *eta,h.ent7Guite ,asuallyI !hall 'e not go into lun,h *earK ? *on't 'ant anything but ? 9no' you're hungry) HHe 'al9s slo'ly to 'here she stan*s in the *oor'ay) He 'al9s li9e an ol* .an) As he rea,hes her she bursts out 8iteously)I Ja.esJ ? trie* so har*J ? trie* so har*J Olease belie-e7J T$RONE" H.o-e* in s8ite o( hi.sel(7hel8lesslyI ? su88ose you *i*& #ary) Hthen grie(A stri,9enlyI Dor the lo-e o( Eo*& 'hy ,oul*n't you ha-e the strength to 9ee8 onK #AR$" Hher (a,e setting into that stubborn *enial againI ? *on't 9no' 'hat you're tal9ing about) Ha-e the strength to 9ee8 on 'hatK T$RONE" Hho8elesslyI Ne-er .in*) ?t's no use no') HHe .o-es on an* she 9ee8s besi*e hi. as they *isa88ear in the ba,9 8arlor)I C+RTA?N

05

A,t 3 !CENE 3
!CENE 7 The sa.e& about a hal( hour later) The tray 'ith the bottle o( 'his9ey has been re.o-e* (ro. the table) The (a.ily are returning (ro. lun,h as the ,urtain rises& #AR$ is the (irst to enter (ro. the ba,9 8arlor) Her husban* (ollo's) He is not 'ith her as he 'as in the si.ilar entran,e a(ter brea9(ast at the o8ening o( A,t One) He a-oi*s tou,hing her or loo9ing at her) There is ,on*e.nation in his (a,e& .ingle* no' 'ith the beginning o( an ol* 'eary& hel8less resignation) JA#?E an* ED#+ND (ollo' their (ather) JA#?E! (a,e is har* 'ith *e(ensi-e ,yni,is.& ED#+ND tries to ,o8y this *e(ense but 'ithout su,,ess) He 8lainly sho's he is heartsi,9 as 'ell as 8hysi,ally ill) #AR$ is terribly ner-ous again& as i( the strain o( sitting through lun,h 'ith the. ha* been too .u,h (or her) $et at the sa.e ti.e& in ,ontrast to this& her e:8ression sho's .ore o( that strange aloo(ness 'hi,h see.s to stan* a8art (ro. her ner-es an* the an:ieties 'hi,h harry the.) !he is tal9ing as she enters7a strea. o( 'or*s that issues ,asually& in a routine o( (a.ily ,on-ersation& (ro. her .outh) !he a88ears in*i((erent to the (a,t that their thoughts are not on 'hat she is saying any .ore than her o'n are) As she tal9s& she ,o.es to the le(t o( the table an* stan*s& (a,ing (ront& one han* (u.bling 'ith the boso. o( her *ress& the other 8laying o-er the table to8) T$RONE lights a ,igar an* goes to the s,reen *oor& staring out) JA#?E (ills a 8i8e (ro. a Far on to8 o( the boo9,ase at rear) He lights it as he goes to loo9 out the 'in*o' at right) ED#+ND sits in a ,hair by the table& turne* hal( a'ay (ro. his .other so he *oes not ha-e to 'at,h her) #AR$" ?t's no use (in*ing (ault 'ith ;ri*get) !he *oesn't listen) ? ,an't threaten her& or she'* threaten she'* lea-e) An* she *oes *o her best at ti.es) ?t's too ba* they see. to be Fust the ti.es you're sure to be late& Ja.es) @ell& there's this ,onsolation" it's *i((i,ult to tell (ro. her ,oo9ing 'hether she's *oing her best or her 'orst) H!he gi-es a little laugh o( *eta,he* a.use.ent7in*i((erentlyI Ne-er .in*) The su..er 'ill soon be o-er& than9 goo*ness) $our season 'ill o8en again an* 'e ,an go ba,9 to se,on*Arate hotels an* trains) ? hate the.& too& but at least ? *on't e:8e,t the. to be li9e a ho.e& an* there's no house9ee8ing to 'orry about) ?t's unreasonable to e:8e,t ;ri*get or Cathleen to a,t as i(

06

this 'as a ho.e) They 9no' it isn't as 'ell as 'e 9no' it) ?t ne-er has been an* it ne-er 'ill be) T$RONE" Hbitterly 'ithout turning aroun*I No& it ne-er ,an be no') ;ut it 'as on,e& be(ore you7 #AR$" Hher (a,e instantly set in blan9 *enialI ;e(ore ? 'hatK HThere is *ea* silen,e) !he goes on 'ith a return o( her *eta,he* air)I No& no) @hate-er you .ean& it isn't true& *ear) ?t 'as ne-er a ho.e) $ou'-e al'ays 8re(erre* the Club or barroo.) An* (or .e it's al'ays been as lonely as a *irty roo. in a oneAnight stan* hotel) ?n a real ho.e one is ne-er lonely) $ou (orget ? 9no' (ro. e:8erien,e 'hat a ho.e is li9e) ? ga-e u8 one to .arry you7.y (ather's ho.e) HAt on,e& through an asso,iation o( i*eas she turns to ED#+ND) Her .anner be,o.es ten*erly soli,itous& but there is the strange Guality o( *eta,h.ent in it)I ?'. 'orrie* about you& E*.un*) $ou har*ly tou,he* a thing at lun,h) That's no 'ay to ta9e ,are o( yoursel() ?t's all right (or .e not to ha-e an a88etite) ?'-e been gro'ing too (at) ;ut you .ust eat) H,oa:ingly .aternalI Oro.ise .e you 'ill& *ear& (or .y sa9e) ED#+ND" H*ullyI $es& #a.a) #AR$" H8ats his ,hee9 as he tries not to shrin9 a'ayI That's a goo* boy) HThere is another 8ause o( *ea* silen,e) Then the tele8hone in the (ront hall rings an* all o( the. sti((en startle*ly)I T$RONE" HhastilyI ?'ll ans'er) #,Euire sai* he'* ,all .e) HHe goes out through the (ront 8arlor) I #AR$" Hin*i((erentlyI #,Euire) He .ust ha-e another 8ie,e o( 8ro8erty on his list that no one 'oul* thin9 o( buying e:,e8t your (ather) ?t *oesn't .atter any .ore& but it's al'ays see.e* to .e your (ather ,oul* a((or* to 9ee8 on buying 8ro8erty but ne-er to gi-e .e a ho.e) H!he sto8s to listen as T$RONE'! -oi,e is hear* (ro. the hall)I T$RONE" Hello& H'ith (or,e* heartinessI Oh& ho' are you& Do,torK HJA#?E turns (ro. the 'in*o'& #AR$'! (ingers 8lay .ore ra8i*ly on the table to8) T$RONE'! -oi,e& trying to ,on,eal& re-eals that he is hearing ba* ne's)I ? see7Hhurrie*lyI @ell& you'll e:8lain all about it 'hen you see hi. this a(ternoon) $es& he'll be in 'ithout (ail) Dour o',lo,9) ?'ll *ro8 in .ysel( an* ha-e a tal9 'ith you be(ore that) ? ha-e to go u8to'n on business& any'ay) Eoo*bye& Do,tor) ED#+ND" H*ullyI That *i*n't soun* li9e gla* ti*ings) HJA#?E gi-es hi. a 8itying glan,e7then loo9s out the 'in*o' again) #AR$'! (a,e is terri(ie* an* her han*s (lutter

0N

*istra,te*ly) T$RONE ,o.es in) The strain is ob-ious in his ,asualness as he a**resses ED#+ND)I T$RONE" ?t 'as Do,tor Har*y) He 'ants you to be sure an* see hi. at (our) ED#+ND" H*ullyI @hat *i* he sayK Not that ? gi-e a *a.n no') #AR$" Hbursts out e:,ite*lyI ? 'oul*n't belie-e hi. i( he s'ore on a sta,9 o( ;ibles) $ou .ustn't 8ay attention to a 'or* he says& E*.un*) T$RONE" Hshar8lyI #aryJ #AR$" H.ore e:,ite*lyI Oh& 'e all reali<e 'hy you li9e hi.& Ja.esJ ;e,ause he's ,hea8J ;ut 8lease *on't try to tell .eJ ? 9no' all about Do,tor Har*y) Hea-en 9no's ? ought to a(ter all these years) He's an ignorant (oolJ There shoul* be a la' to 9ee8 .en li9e hi. (ro. 8ra,ti,ing) He hasn't the slightest i*ea7@hen you're in agony an* hal( insane& he sits an* hol*s your han* an* *eli-ers ser.ons on 'ill 8o'erJ HHer (a,e is *ra'n in an e:8ression o( intense su((ering by the .e.ory) Dor the .o.ent& she loses all ,aution) @ith bitter hatre*I He *eliberately hu.iliates youJ He .a9es you beg an* 8lea*J He treats you li9e a ,ri.inalJ He un*erstan*s nothingJ An* yet it 'as e:a,tly the sa.e ty8e o( ,hea8 Gua,9 'ho (irst ga-e you the .e*i,ine7an* you ne-er 9ne' 'hat it 'as until too lateJ H8assionatelyI ? hate *o,torsJ They'll sell their soulsJ @hat's 'orse& they'll sell yours& an* you ne-er 9no' it till one *ay you (in* yoursel( in hellJ ED#+ND" #a.aJ Dor Eo*'s sa9e& sto8 tal9ing) T$RONE" Hsha9ilyI $es& #ary& it's no ti.e7 #AR$" Hsu**enly is o-er,o.e by guilty ,on(usion7sta..ersI ?7Dorgi-e .e& *ear) $ou're right) ?t's useless to be angry no') HThere is again a 8ause o( *ea* silen,e) @hen she s8ea9s again& her (a,e has ,leare* an* is ,al.& an* the Guality o( un,anny *eta,h.ent is in her -oi,e an* .anner)I ?'. going u8stairs (or a .o.ent& i( you'll e:,use .e) ? ha-e to (i: .y hair& Hshe a**s s.ilinglyI That is i( ? ,an (in* .y glasses) ?'ll be right *o'n) T$RONE" Has she starts through the *oor'ay7A8lea*ing an* rebu9ingI #aryJ #AR$" Hturns to stare at hi. ,al.lyI $es& *earK @hat is itK T$RONE" Hhel8lesslyI Nothing) #AR$" H'ith a strange *erisi-e s.ileI $ou're 'el,o.e to ,o.e u8 an* 'at,h .e i( you're so sus8i,ious) T$RONE" As i( that ,oul* *o any goo*J $ou'* only 8ost8one it) An* ?'. not your Failor) This isn't a 8rison)

0/

#AR$" No) ? 9no' you ,an't hel8 thin9ing it's a ho.e) H!he a**s Gui,9ly 'ith a *eta,he* ,ontritionI ?'. sorry& *ear) ? *on't .ean to be bitter) ?t's not your (ault) H!he turns an* *isa88ears through the ba,9 8arlor) The three in the roo. re.ain silent) ?t is as i( they 'ere 'aiting until she got u8stairs be(ore s8ea9ing)I JA#?E" H,yni,ally brutalI Another shot in the ar.J ED#+ND" HangrilyI Cut out that 9in* o( tal9J T$RONE" $esJ Hol* your (oul tongue an* your rotten ;roa*'ay loa(er's lingoJ Ha-e you no 8ity or *e,en,yK Hlosing his te.8erI $ou ought to be 9i,9e* out in the gutterJ ;ut i( ? *i* it& you 9no' *a.ne* 'ell 'ho'* 'ee8 an* 8lea* (or you& an* e:,use you an* ,o.8lain till ? let you ,o.e ba,9) JA#?E" Ha s8as. o( 8ain ,rosses his (a,eI Christ& *on't ? 9no' thatK No 8ityK ? ha-e all the 8ity in the 'orl* (or her) ? un*erstan* 'hat a har* ga.e to beat she's u8 against7'hi,h is .ore than you e-er ha-eJ #y lingo *i*n't .ean ? ha* no (eeling) ? 'as .erely 8utting bluntly 'hat 'e all 9no'& an* ha-e to li-e 'ith no'& again& HbitterlyI The ,ures are no *a.ne* goo* e:,e8t (or a 'hile) The truth is there is no ,ure an* 'e'-e been sa8s to ho8e7H,yni,allyI They ne-er ,o.e ba,9J ED#+ND" Hs,orn(ully 8aro*ying his brother's ,yni,is.I They ne-er ,o.e ba,9J E-erything is in the bagJ ?t's all a (ra.eAu8J @e're all (all guys an* su,9ers an* 'e ,an't beat the ga.eJ H*is*ain(ullyI Christ& i( ? (elt the 'ay you *o7J JA#?E" Hstung (or a .o.ent7then shrugging his shoul*ers& *rylyI ? thought you *i*) $our 8oetry isn't -ery ,heery) Nor the stu(( you rea* an* ,lai. to a*.ire) HHe in*i,ates the s.all boo9,ase at rear)I $our 8et 'ith the un8ronoun,eable na.e& (or e:a.8le) ED#+ND" Niet<s,he) $ou *on't 9no' 'hat you're tal9ing about) $ou ha-en't rea* hi.) JA#?E" Enough to 9no' it's a lot o( bun9J T$RONE" !hut u8& both o( youJ There's little ,hoi,e bet'een the 8hiloso8hy you learne* (ro. ;roa*'ay loa(ers& an* the one E*.un* got (ro. his boo9s) They're both rotten to the ,ore) $ou'-e both (loute* the (aith you 'ere born an* brought u8 in7the one true (aith o( the Catholi, Chur,h7an* your *enial has brought nothing but sel(A*estru,tionJ HHis t'o sons stare at hi. ,onte.8tuously) They (orget their Guarrel an* are as one against hi. on this issue)I ED#+ND" That's the bun9& Oa8aJ JA#?E" @e *on't 8reten*& at any rate& H,austi,allyI ? *on't noti,e you'-e 'orn any holes in the 9nees o( your 8ants going to #ass)

02

T$RONE" ?t's true ?'. a ba* Catholi, in the obser-an,e& Eo* (orgi-e .e) ;ut ? belie-eJ HangrilyI An* you're a liarJ ? .ay not go to ,hur,h but e-ery night an* .orning o( .y li(e ? get on .y 9nees an* 8rayJ ED#+ND" HbitinglyI Di* you 8ray (or #a.aK T$RONE" ? *i*) ?'-e 8raye* to Eo* these .any years (or her) ED#+ND" Then Niet<s,he .ust be right) HHe Guotes (ro. Thus !8a9e =arathustra)I MEo* is *ea*" o( His 8ity (or .an hath Eo* *ie*)M T$RONE" Hignores thisI ?( your .other ha* 8raye*& too7!he hasn't *enie* her (aith& but she's (orgotten it& until no' there's no strength o( the s8irit le(t in her to (ight against her ,urse& Hthen *ully resigne*I ;ut 'hat's the goo* o( tal9K @e'-e li-e* 'ith this be(ore an* no' 'e .ust again) There's no hel8 (or it) HbitterlyI Only ? 'ish she ha*n't le* .e to ho8e this ti.e) ;y Eo*& ? ne-er 'ill againJ ED#+ND" That's a rotten thing to say& Oa8aJ H*e(iantlyI @ell& ?'ll ho8eJ !he's Fust starte*) ?t ,an't ha-e got a hol* on her yet) !he ,an still sto8) ?'. going to tal9 to her) JA#?E" Hshrugs his shoul*ersI $ou ,an't tal9 to her no') !he'll listen but she 'on't listen) !he'll be here but she 'on't be here) $ou 9no' the 'ay she gets) T$RONE" $es& that's the 'ay the 8oison a,ts on her al'ays) E-ery *ay (ro. no' on& there'll be the sa.e *ri(ting a'ay (ro. us until by the en* o( ea,h night7 ED#+ND" H.iserablyI Cut it out& Oa8aJ HHe Fu.8s u8 (ro. his ,hair)I ?'. going to get *resse*& Hbitterly& as he goesI ?'ll .a9e so .u,h noise she ,an't sus8e,t ?'-e ,o.e to s8y on her) HHe *isa88ears through the (ront 8arlor an* ,an be hear* sta.8ing noisily u8stairs)I JA#?E" Ha(ter a 8auseI @hat *i* Do, Har*y say about the >i*K T$RONE" H*ullyI ?t's 'hat you thought) He's got ,onsu.8tion) JA#?E" Eo* *a.n itJ T$RONE" There is no 8ossible *oubt& he sai*) JA#?E" He'll ha-e to go to a sanatoriu.) T$RONE" $es& an* the sooner the better& Har*y sai*& (or hi. an* e-eryone aroun* hi.) He ,lai.s that in si: .onths to a year E*.un* 'ill be ,ure*& i( he obeys or*ers) HHe sighs7gloo.ily an* resent(ullyI ? ne-er thought a ,hil* o( .ine7?t *oesn't ,o.e (ro. .y si*e o( the (a.ily) There 'asn't one o( us that *i*n't ha-e lungs as strong as an o:) JA#?E" @ho gi-es a *a.n about that 8art o( itJ @here *oes Har*y 'ant to sen* hi.K T$RONE" That's 'hat ?'. to see hi. about)

41

JA#?E" @ell& (or Eo*'s sa9e& 8i,9 out a goo* 8la,e an* not so.e ,hea8 *u.8J T$RONE" HstungI ?'ll sen* hi. 'here-er Har*y thin9s bestJ JA#?E" @ell& *on't gi-e Har*y your ol* o-erAtheAhillsAtoAtheA8oorhouse song about ta:es an* .ortgages) T$RONE" ?'. no .illionaire 'ho ,an thro' .oney a'ayJ @hy shoul*n't ? tell Har*y the truthK JA#?E" ;e,ause he'll thin9 you 'ant hi. to 8i,9 a ,hea8 *u.8& an* be,ause he'll 9no' it isn't the truth7es8e,ially i( he hears a(ter'ar*s you'-e seen #,Euire an* let that (lannelA.outh& gol*Abri,9 .er,hant sting you 'ith another 8ie,e o( bu. 8ro8ertyJ T$RONE" >ee8 your nose out o( .y businessJ JA#?E" This is E*.un*'s business) @hat ?'. a(rai* o( is& 'ith your ?rish bog trotter i*ea that ,onsu.8tion is (atal& you'll (igure it 'oul* be a 'aste o( .oney to s8en* any .ore than you ,an hel8) T$RONE" $ou liarJ JA#?E" All right) Oro-e ?'. a liar) That's 'hat ? 'ant) That's 'hy ? brought it u8) T$RONE" Hhis rage still s.ol*eringI ? ha-e e-ery ho8e E*.un* 'ill be ,ure*) An* 9ee8 your *irty tongue o(( ?relan*J $ou're a (ine one to sneer& 'ith the .a8 o( it on your (a,eJ JA#?E" Not a(ter ? 'ash .y (a,e) HThen be(ore his (ather ,an rea,t to this insult to the Ol* !o* he a**s *ryly& shrugging his shoul*ersI @ell& ?'-e sai* all ? ha-e to say) ?t's u8 to you) Habru8tlyI @hat *o you 'ant .e to *o this a(ternoon& no' you're going u8to'nK ?'-e *one all ? ,an *o on the he*ge until you ,ut .ore o( it) $ou *on't 'ant .e to go ahea* 'ith your ,li88ing& ? 9no' that) T$RONE" No) $ou'* get it ,roo9e*& as you get e-erything else) JA#?E" Then ?'* better go u8to'n 'ith E*.un*) The ba* ne's ,o.ing on to8 o( 'hat's ha88ene* to #a.a .ay hit hi. har*) T$RONE" H(orgetting his GuarrelI $es& go 'ith hi.& Ja.ie) >ee8 u8 his s8irits& i( you ,an) HHe a**s ,austi,allyI ?( you ,an 'ithout .a9ing it an e:,use to get *run9J JA#?E" @hat 'oul* ? use (or .oneyK The last ? hear* they 'ere still selling boo<e& not gi-ing it a'ay) HHe starts (or the (rontA8arlor *oor'ay)I ?'ll get *resse*) HHe sto8s in the *oor'ay as he sees his .other a88roa,hing (ro. the hall& an* .o-es asi*e to let her ,o.e in) Her eyes loo9 brighter& an* her .anner is .ore *eta,he*) This ,hange be,o.es .ore .ar9e* as the s,ene goes on)I #AR$" H-aguelyI $ou ha-en't seen .y glasses any'here& ha-e you& Ja.ieK H!he *oesn't

41

loo9 at hi.) He glan,es a'ay& ignoring her Guestion but she *oesn't see. to e:8e,t an ans'er) !he ,o.es (or'ar*& a**ressing her husban* 'ithout loo9ing at hi.)I $ou ha-en't seen the.& ha-e you& Ja.esK H;ehin* her JA#?E *isa88ears through the (ront 8arlor)I T$RONE" Hturns to loo9 out the s,reen *oorI No& #ary) #AR$" @hat's the .atter 'ith Ja.ieK Ha-e you been nagging at hi. againK $ou shoul*n't treat hi. 'ith su,h ,onte.8t all the ti.e) He's not to bla.e) ?( he'* been brought u8 in a real ho.e& ?'. sure he 'oul* ha-e been *i((erent) H!he ,o.es to the 'in*o's at right7lightlyI $ou're not .u,h o( a 'eather 8ro8het& *ear) !ee ho' ha<y it's getting) ? ,an har*ly see the other shore) T$RONE" Htrying to s8ea9 naturallyI $es& ? s8o9e too soon) @e're in (or another night o( (og& ?'. a(rai*) #AR$" Oh& 'ell& ? 'on't .in* it tonight) T$RONE" No& ? *on't i.agine you 'ill& #ary) #AR$" H(lashes a glan,e at hi.7a(ter a 8auseI ? *on't see Ja.ie going *o'n to the he*ge) @here *i* he goK T$RONE" He's going 'ith E*.un* to the Do,tor's) He 'ent u8 to ,hange his ,lothes& Hthen& gla* o( an e:,use to lea-e herI ?'* better *o the sa.e or ?'ll be late (or .y a88oint.ent at the Club) HHe .a9es a .o-e to'ar* the (rontA8arlor *oor'ay& but 'ith a s'i(t i.8ulsi-e .o-e.ent she rea,hes out an* ,las8s his ar.)I #AR$" Ha note o( 8lea*ing in her -oi,eI Don't go yet& *ear) ? *on't 'ant to be alone& HhastilyI ? .ean& you ha-e 8lenty o( ti.e) $ou 9no' you boast you ,an *ress in oneAtenth the ti.e it ta9es the boys& H-aguelyI There is so.ething ? 'ante* to say) @hat is itK ?'-e (orgotten) ?'. gla* Ja.ie is going u8to'n) $ou *i*n't gi-e hi. any .oney& ? ho8e) T$RONE" ? *i* not) #AR$" He'* only s8en* it on *rin9 an* you 9no' 'hat a -ile& 8oisonous tongue he has 'hen he's *run9) Not that ? 'oul* .in* anything he sai* tonight& but he al'ays .anages to *ri-e you into a rage& es8e,ially i( you're *run9& too& as you 'ill be) T$RONE" Hresent(ullyI ? 'on't) ? ne-er get *run9) #AR$" Hteasing in*i((erentlyI Oh& ?'. sure you'll hol* it 'ell) $ou al'ays ha-e) ?t's har* (or a stranger to tell& but a(ter thirtyA(i-e years o( .arriage7 T$RONE" ?'-e ne-er .isse* a 8er(or.an,e in .y li(e) That's the 8roo(J Hthen bitterlyI ?( ? *i* get *run9 it is not you 'ho shoul* bla.e .e) No .an has e-er ha* a better reason) #AR$" ReasonK @hat reasonK $ou al'ays *rin9 too .u,h 'hen you go to the Club&

43

*on't youK Oarti,ularly 'hen you .eet #,Euire) He sees to that) Don't thin9 ?'. (in*ing (ault& *ear) $ou .ust *o as you 8lease) ? 'on't .in*) T$RONE" ? 9no' you 'on't) HHe turns to'ar* the (ront 8arlor& an:ious to es,a8e)I ?'-e got to get *resse*) #AR$" Hagain she rea,hes out an* gras8s his ar.78lea*inglyI No& 8lease 'ait a little 'hile& *ear) At least& until one o( the boys ,o.es *o'n) $ou 'ill all be lea-ing .e so soon) T$RONE" H'ith bitter sa*nessI ?t's you 'ho are lea-ing us& #ary) #AR$" ?K That's a silly thing to say& Ja.es) Ho' ,oul* ? lea-eK There is no'here ? ,oul* go) @ho 'oul* ? go to seeK ? ha-e no (rien*s) T$RONE" ?t's your o'n (ault7HHe sto8s an* sighs hel8lessly78ersuasi-elyI There's surely one thing you ,an *o this a(ternoon that 'ill be goo* (or you& #ary) Ta9e a *ri-e in the auto.obile) Eet a'ay (ro. the house) Eet a little sun an* (resh air) HinFure*lyI ? bought the auto.obile (or you) $ou 9no' ? *on't li9e the *a.ne* things) ?'* rather 'al9 any *ay& or ta9e a trolley& H'ith gro'ing resent.entI ? ha* it here 'aiting (or you 'hen you ,a.e ba,9 (ro. the sanatoriu.) ? ho8e* it 'oul* gi-e you 8leasure an* *istra,t your .in*) $ou use* to ri*e in it e-ery *ay& but you'-e har*ly use* it at all lately) ? 8ai* a lot o( .oney ? ,oul*n't a((or*& an* there's the ,hau((eur ? ha-e to boar* an* lo*ge an* 8ay high 'ages 'hether he *ri-es you or not) HbitterlyI @asteJ The sa.e ol* 'aste that 'ill lan* .e in the 8oorhouse in .y ol* ageJ @hat goo* *i* it *o youK ? .ight as 'ell ha-e thro'n the .oney out the 'in*o') #AR$" H'ith *eta,he* ,al.I $es& it 'as a 'aste o( .oney& Ja.es) $ou shoul*n't ha-e bought a se,on*han* auto.obile) $ou 'ere s'in*le* again as you al'ays are& be,ause you insist on se,on*han* bargains in e-erything) T$RONE" ?t's one o( the best .a9esJ E-eryone says it's better than any o( the ne' onesJ #AR$" Hignoring thisI ?t 'as another 'aste to hire !.ythe& 'ho 'as only a hel8er in a garage an* ha* ne-er been a ,hau((eur) Oh& ? reali<e his 'ages are less than a real ,hau((eur's& but he .ore than .a9es u8 (or that& ?'. sure& by the gra(t he gets (ro. the garage on re8air bills) !o.ething is al'ays 'rong) !.ythe sees to that& ?'. a(rai*) T$RONE" ? *on't belie-e itJ He .ay not be a (an,y .illionaire's (lun9y but he's honestJ $ou're as ba* as Ja.ie& sus8e,ting e-eryoneJ #AR$" $ou .ustn't be o((en*e*& *ear) ? 'asn't o((en*e* 'hen you ga-e .e the auto.obile) ? 9ne' you *i*n't .ean to hu.iliate .e) ? 9ne' that 'as the 'ay you ha* to

40

*o e-erything) ? 'as grate(ul an* tou,he*) ? 9ne' buying the ,ar 'as a har* thing (or you to *o& an* it 8ro-e* ho' .u,h you lo-e* .e& in your 'ay& es8e,ially 'hen you ,oul*n't really belie-e it 'oul* *o .e any goo*) T$RONE" #aryJ HHe su**enly hugs her to hi.7bro9enlyI Dear #aryJ Dor the lo-e o( Eo*& (or .y sa9e an* the boys' sa9e an* your o'n& 'on't you sto8 no'K #AR$" Hsta..ers in guilty ,on(usion (or a se,on*I ?7Ja.esJ OleaseJ HHer strange& stubborn *e(ense ,o.es ba,9 instantly)I !to8 'hatK @hat are you tal9ing aboutK HHe lets his ar. (all to his si*e bro9enly) !he i.8ulsi-ely 8uts her ar. aroun* hi.)I Ja.esJ @e'-e lo-e* ea,h otherJ @e al'ays 'illJ Let's re.e.ber only that& an* not try to un*erstan* 'hat 'e ,annot un*erstan*& or hel8 things that ,annot be hel8e*7the things li(e has *one to us 'e ,annot e:,use or e:8lain) T$RONE" Has i( he ha*n't hear*7bitterlyI $ou 'on't e-en tryK #AR$" Hher ar.s *ro8 ho8elessly an* she turns a'ay7'ith *eta,h.entI Try to go (or a *ri-e this a(ternoon& you .eanK @hy& yes& i( you 'ish .e to& although it .a9es .e (eel lonelier than i( ? staye* here) There is no one ? ,an in-ite to *ri-e 'ith .e& an* ? ne-er 9no' 'here to tell !.ythe to go) ?( there 'as a (rien*'s house 'here ? ,oul* *ro8 in an* laugh an* gossi8 a'hile) ;ut& o( ,ourse& there isn't) There ne-er has been& Hher .anner be,o.ing .ore an* .ore re.oteI At the Con-ent ? ha* so .any (rien*s) Eirls 'hose (a.ilies li-e* in lo-ely ho.es) ? use* to -isit the. an* they'* -isit .e in .y (ather's ho.e) ;ut& naturally& a(ter ? .arrie* an a,tor7you 9no' ho' a,tors 'ere ,onsi*ere* in those *ays7a lot o( the. ga-e .e the ,ol* shoul*er) An* then& right a(ter 'e 'ere .arrie*& there 'as the s,an*al o( that 'o.an 'ho ha* been your .istress& suing you) Dro. then on& all .y ol* (rien*s either 8itie* .e or ,ut .e *ea*) ? hate* the ones 'ho ,ut .e .u,h less than the 8itiers) T$RONE" H'ith guilty resent.entI Dor Eo*'s sa9e& *on't *ig u8 'hat's long (orgotten) ?( you're that (ar gone in the 8ast alrea*y& 'hen it's only the beginning o( the a(ternoon& 'hat 'ill you be tonightK #AR$" Hstares at hi. *e(iantly no'I Co.e to thin9 o( it& ? *o ha-e to *ri-e u8to'n) There's so.ething ? .ust get at the *rugstore) T$RONE" Hbitterly s,orn(ulI Lea-e it to you to ha-e so.e o( the stu(( hi**en& an* 8res,ri8tions (or .oreJ ? ho8e you'll lay in a goo* sto,9 ahea* so 'e'll ne-er ha-e another night li9e the one 'hen you s,rea.e* (or it an* ran out o( the house in your night*ress hal( ,ra<y& to try an* thro' yoursel( o(( the *o,9J

44

#AR$" Htries to ignore thisI ? ha-e to get tooth 8o'*er an* toilet soa8 an* ,ol* ,rea.7H!he brea9s *o'n 8itiably)I Ja.esJ $ou .ustn't re.e.berJ $ou .ustn't hu.iliate .e soJ T$RONE" Hasha.e*I ?'. sorry) Dorgi-e .e& #aryJ #AR$" H*e(ensi-ely *eta,he* againI ?t *oesn't .atter) Nothing li9e that e-er ha88ene*) $ou .ust ha-e *rea.e* it) HHe stares at her ho8elessly) Her -oi,e see.s to *ri(t (arther an* (arther a'ay)I ? 'as so healthy be(ore E*.un* 'as born) $ou re.e.ber& Ja.es) There 'asn't a ner-e in .y bo*y) E-en tra-eling 'ith you season a(ter season& 'ith 'ee9 a(ter 'ee9 o( oneAnight stan*s& in trains 'ithout Oull.ans& in *irty roo.s o( (ilthy hotels& eating ba* (oo*& bearing ,hil*ren in hotel roo.s& ? still 9e8t healthy) ;ut bearing E*.un* 'as the last stra') ? 'as so si,9 a(ter'ar*s& an* that ignorant Gua,9 o( a ,hea8 hotel *o,tor7All he 9ne' 'as ? 'as in 8ain) ?t 'as easy (or hi. to sto8 the 8ain) T$RONE" #aryJ Dor Eo*'s sa9e& (orget the 8astJ #AR$" H'ith strange obFe,ti-e ,al.I @hyK Ho' ,an ?K The 8ast is the 8resent& isn't itK ?t's the (uture& too) @e all try to lie out o( that but li(e 'on't let us) Hgoing onI ? bla.e only .ysel() ? s'ore a(ter Eugene *ie* ? 'oul* ne-er ha-e another baby) ? 'as to bla.e (or his *eath) ?( ? ha*n't le(t hi. 'ith .y .other to Foin you on the roa*& be,ause you 'rote telling .e you .isse* .e an* 'ere so lonely& Ja.ie 'oul* ne-er ha-e been allo'e*& 'hen he still ha* .easles& to go in the baby's roo.& Hher (a,e har*eningI ?'-e al'ays belie-e* Ja.ie *i* it on 8ur8ose) He 'as Fealous o( the baby) He hate* hi.) Has T$RONE starts to 8rotestI Oh& ? 9no' Ja.ie 'as only se-en& but he 'as ne-er stu8i*) He'* been 'arne* it .ight 9ill the baby) He 9ne') ?'-e ne-er been able to (orgi-e hi. (or that) T$RONE" H'ith bitter sa*nessI Are you ba,9 'ith Eugene no'K Can't you let our *ea* baby rest in 8ea,eK #AR$" Has i( she ha*n't hear* hi.I ?t 'as .y (ault) ? shoul* ha-e insiste* on staying 'ith Eugene an* not ha-e let you 8ersua*e .e to Foin you& Fust be,ause ? lo-e* you) Abo-e all& ? shoul*n't ha-e let you insist ? ha-e another baby to ta9e Eugene's 8la,e& be,ause you thought that 'oul* .a9e .e (orget his *eath) ? 9ne' (ro. e:8erien,e by then that ,hil*ren shoul* ha-e ho.es to be born in& i( they are to be goo* ,hil*ren& an* 'o.en nee* ho.es& i( they are to be goo* .others) ? 'as a(rai* all the ti.e ? ,arrie* E*.un*) ? 9ne' so.ething terrible 'oul* ha88en) ? 9ne' ?'* 8ro-e* by the 'ay ?'* le(t Eugene that ? 'asn't 'orthy to ha-e another baby& an* that Eo* 'oul* 8unish .e i( ? *i*)

45

? ne-er shoul* ha-e borne E*.un*) T$RONE" H'ith an uneasy glan,e through the (ront 8arlorI #aryJ ;e ,are(ul 'ith your tal9) ?( he hear* you he .ight thin9 you ne-er 'ante* hi.) He's (eeling ba* enough alrea*y 'ithout7 #AR$" H-iolentlyI ?t's a lieJ ? *i* 'ant hi.J #ore than anything in the 'orl*J $ou *on't un*erstan*J ? .eant& (or his sa9e) He has ne-er been ha88y) He ne-er 'ill be) Nor healthy) He 'as born ner-ous an* too sensiti-e& an* that's .y (ault) An* no'& e-er sin,e he's been so si,9 ?'-e 9e8t re.e.bering Eugene an* .y (ather an* ?'-e been so (rightene* an* guilty7Hthen& ,at,hing hersel(& 'ith an instant ,hange to stubborn *enialI Oh& ? 9no' it's (oolish to i.agine *rea*(ul things 'hen there's no reason (or it) A(ter all& e-eryone has ,ol*s an* gets o-er the.) HT$RONE stares at her an* sighs hel8lessly) He turns a'ay to'ar* the (ront 8arlor an* sees ED#+ND ,o.ing *o'n the stairs in the hall)I T$RONE" Hshar8ly& in a lo' -oi,eI Here's E*.un*) Dor Eo*'s sa9e try an* be yoursel(7at least until he goesJ $ou ,an *o that .u,h (or hi.J HHe 'aits& (or,ing his (a,e into a 8leasantly 8aternal e:8ression) !he 'aits (rightene*ly& sei<e* again by a ner-ous 8ani,& her han*s (luttering o-er the boso. o( her *ress& u8 to her throat an* hair& 'ith a *istra,te* ai.lessness) Then& as ED#+ND a88roa,hes the *oor'ay& she ,annot (a,e hi.) !he goes s'i(tly a'ay to the 'in*o's at le(t an* stares out 'ith her ba,9 to the (ront 8arlor& ED#+ND enters) He has ,hange* to a rea*y.a*e blue serge suit& high sti(( ,ollar an* tie& bla,9 shoes) @ith an a,tor's heartinessI @ellJ $ou loo9 s8i, an* s8an) ?'. on .y 'ay u8 to ,hange& too) HHe starts to 8ass hi.)I ED#+ND" H*rylyI @ait a .inute& Oa8a) ? hate to bring u8 *isagreeable to8i,s& but there's the .atter o( ,ar(are) ?'. bro9e) T$RONE" Hstarts auto.ati,ally on a ,usto.ary le,tureI $ou'll al'ays be bro9e until you learn the -alue7H,he,9s hi.sel( guiltily& loo9ing at his son's si,9 (a,e 'ith 'orrie* 8ityI ;ut you'-e been learning& la*) $ou 'or9e* har* be(ore you too9 ill) $ou'-e *one s8len*i*ly) ?'. 8rou* o( you) HHe 8ulls out a s.all roll o( bills (ro. his 8ants 8o,9et an* ,are(ully sele,ts one) ED#+ND ta9es it) He glan,es at it an* his (a,e e:8resses astonish.ent) His (ather again rea,ts ,usto.arily7sar,asti,allyI Than9 you) HHe GuotesI MHo' shar8er than a ser8ent's tooth it is 7M ED#+ND" MTo ha-e a than9less ,hil*)M2 ? 9no') Ei-e .e a ,han,e& Oa8a) ?'. 9no,9e*

!ha9es8eares >ing Lear

46

s8ee,hless) This isn't a *ollar) ?t's a ten s8ot) T$RONE" He.barrasse* by his generosityI Out it in your 8o,9et) $ou'll 8robably .eet so.e o( your (rien*s u8to'n an* you ,an't hol* your en* u8 an* be so,iable 'ith nothing in your Feans) ED#+ND" $ou .eant itK Eosh& than9 you& Oa8a) HHe is genuinely 8lease* an* grate(ul (or a .o.ent7then he stares at his (ather's (a,e 'ith uneasy sus8i,ion)I ;ut 'hy all o( a su**en7K H,yni,allyI Di* Do, Har*y tell you ? 'as going to *ieK HThen he sees his (ather is bitterly hurt)I NoJ That's a rotten ,ra,9) ? 'as only 9i**ing& Oa8a) HHe 8uts an ar. aroun* his (ather i.8ulsi-ely an* gi-es hi. an a((e,tionate hug)I ?'. -ery grate(ul) Honest& Oa8a) T$RONE" Htou,he*& returns his hugI $ou're 'el,o.e& la*) #AR$" Hsu**enly turns to the. in a ,on(use* 8ani, o( (rightene* angerI ? 'on't ha-e itJ H!he sta.8s her (oot)I Do you hear& E*.un*J !u,h .orbi* nonsenseJ !aying you're going to *ieJ ?t's the boo9s you rea*J Nothing but sa*ness an* *eathJ $our (ather shoul*n't allo' you to ha-e the.) An* so.e o( the 8oe.s you'-e 'ritten yoursel( are e-en 'orseJ $ou'* thin9 you *i*n't 'ant to li-eJ A boy o( your age 'ith e-erything be(ore hi.J ?t's Fust a 8ose you get out o( boo9sJ $ou're not really si,9 at allJ T$RONE" #aryJ Hol* your tongueJ #AR$" Hinstantly ,hanging to a *eta,he* toneI ;ut& Ja.es& it's absur* o( E*.un* to be so gloo.y an* .a9e su,h a great toA*o about nothing) Hturning to ED#+ND but a-oi*ing his eyes7teasingly a((e,tionateI Ne-er .in*& *ear) ?'. on to you) H!he ,o.es to hi.)I $ou 'ant to be 8ette* an* s8oile* an* .a*e a (uss o-er& isn't that itK $ou're still su,h a baby) H!he 8uts her ar. aroun* hi. an* hugs hi.) He re.ains rigi* an* unyiel*ing) Her -oi,e begins to tre.ble)I ;ut 8lease *on't ,arry it too (ar& *ear) Don't say horrible things) ? 9no' it's (oolish to ta9e the. seriously but ? ,an't hel8 it) $ou'-e got .e7so (rightene*) H!he brea9s an* hi*es her (a,e on his shoul*er& sobbing) ED#+ND is .o-e* in s8ite o( hi.sel() He 8ats her shoul*er 'ith an a'9'ar* ten*erness)I ED#+ND" Don't& .other) HHis eyes .eet his (ather's)I T$RONE" Hhus9ily7,lut,hing at ho8eless ho8eI #aybe i( you as9e* your .other no' 'hat you sai* you 'ere going to7HHe (u.bles 'ith his 'at,h)I ;y Eo*& loo9 at the ti.eJ ?'ll ha-e to sha9e a leg) HHe hurries a'ay through the (ront 8arlor& #AR$ li(ts her hea*) Her .anner is again one o( *eta,he* .otherly soli,itu*e) !he see.s to ha-e

4N

(orgotten the tears 'hi,h are still in her eyes)I #AR$" Ho' *o you (eel& *earK H!he (eels his (orehea*)I $our hea* is a little hot& but that's Fust (ro. going out in the sun) $ou loo9 e-er so .u,h better than you *i* this .orning& Hta9ing his han*I Co.e an* sit *o'n) $ou .ustn't stan* on your (eet so .u,h) $ou .ust learn to husban* your strength) H!he gets hi. to sit an* she sits si*e'ays on the ar. o( his ,hair& an ar. aroun* his shoul*er& so he ,annot .eet her eyes)I ED#+ND" Hstarts to blurt out the a88eal he no' (eels is Guite ho8elessI Listen& #a.a7 #AR$" Hinterru8ting Gui,9lyI No'& no'J Don't tal9) Lean ba,9 an* rest) H8ersuasi-elyI $ou 9no'& ? thin9 it 'oul* be .u,h better (or you i( you staye* ho.e this a(ternoon an* let .e ta9e ,are o( you) ?t's su,h a tiring tri8 u8to'n in the *irty ol* trolley on a hot *ay li9e this) ?'. sure you'* be .u,h better o(( here 'ith .e) ED#+ND" H*ullyI $ou (orget ? ha-e an a88oint.ent 'ith Har*y& Htrying again to get his a88eal starte*I Listen& #a.a7 #AR$" HGui,9lyI $ou ,an tele8hone an* say you *on't (eel 'ell enough& He:,ite*lyI ?t's si.8ly a 'aste o( ti.e an* .oney seeing hi.) He'll only tell you so.e lie) He'll 8reten* he's (oun* so.ething serious the .atter be,ause that's his brea* an* butter) H!he gi-es a har* sneering little laugh)I The ol* i*iotJ All he 9no's about .e*i,ine is to loo9 sole.n an* 8rea,h 'ill 8o'erJ ED#+ND" Htrying to ,at,h her eyesI #a.aJ Olease listenJ ? 'ant to as9 you so.ethingJ $ou7$ou're only Fust starte*) $ou ,an still sto8) $ou'-e got the 'ill 8o'erJ @e'll all hel8 you) ?'ll *o anythingJ @on't you& #a.aK #AR$" Hsta..ers 8lea*inglyI Olease *on't7tal9 about things you *on't un*erstan*J ED#+ND" H*ullyI All right& ? gi-e u8) ? 9ne' it 'as no use) #AR$" Hin blan9 *enial no'I Any'ay& ? *on't 9no' 'hat you're re(erring to) ;ut ? *o 9no' you shoul* be the last one7Right a(ter ? returne* (ro. the sanatoriu.& you began to be ill) The *o,tor there ha* 'arne* .e ? .ust ha-e 8ea,e at ho.e 'ith nothing to u8set .e& an* all ?'-e *one is 'orry about you) Hthen *istra,te*lyI ;ut that's no e:,useJ ?'. only trying to e:8lain) ?t's not an e:,useJ H!he hugs hi. to her7 8lea*inglyI Oro.ise .e& *ear& you 'on't belie-e ? .a*e you an e:,use) ED#+ND" HbitterlyI @hat else ,an ? belie-eK #AR$" Hslo'ly ta9es her ar. a'ay7her .anner re.ote an* obFe,ti-e againI $es& ? su88ose you ,an't hel8 sus8e,ting that)

4/

ED#+ND" Hasha.e* but still hitterI @hat *o you e:8e,tK #AR$" Nothing& ? *on't bla.e you) Ho' ,oul* you belie-e .e7'hen ? ,an't belie-e .ysel(K ?'-e be,o.e su,h a liar) ? ne-er lie* about anything on,e u8on a ti.e) No' ? ha-e to lie& es8e,ially to .ysel() ;ut ho' ,an you un*erstan*& 'hen ? *on't .ysel() ?'-e ne-er un*erstoo* anything about it& e:,e8t that one *ay long ago ? (oun* ? ,oul* no longer ,all .y soul .y o'n) H!he 8auses7then lo'ering her -oi,e to a strange tone o( 'his8ere* ,on(i*en,eI ;ut so.e *ay& *ear& ? 'ill (in* it again7so.e *ay 'hen you're all 'ell& an* ? see you healthy an* ha88y an* su,,ess(ul& an* ? *on't ha-e to (eel guilty any .ore7so.e *ay 'hen the ;lesse* %irgin #ary (orgi-es .e an* gi-es .e ba,9 the (aith in Her lo-e an* 8ity ? use* to ha-e in .y ,on-ent *ays& an* ? ,an 8ray to Her again7'hen !he sees no one in the 'orl* ,an belie-e in .e e-en (or a .o.ent any .ore& then !he 'ill belie-e in .e& an* 'ith Her hel8 it 'ill be so easy) ? 'ill hear .ysel( s,rea. 'ith agony& an* at the sa.e ti.e ? 'ill laugh be,ause ? 'ill be so sure o( .ysel(& Hthen as ED#+ND re.ains ho8elessly silent& she a**s sa*lyI O( ,ourse& you ,an't belie-e that& either) H!he rises (ro. the ar. o( his ,hair an* goes to stare out the 'in*o's at right 'ith her ba,9 to hi.7,asuallyI No' ? thin9 o( it& you .ight as 'ell go u8to'n) ? (orgot ?'. ta9ing a *ri-e) ? ha-e to go to the *rugstore) $ou 'oul* har*ly 'ant to go there 'ith .e) $ou'* be so asha.e*) ED#+ND" Hbro9enlyI #a.aJ Don'tJ #AR$" ? su88ose you'll *i-i*e that ten *ollars your (ather ga-e you 'ith Ja.ie) $ou al'ays *i-i*e 'ith ea,h other& *on't youK Li9e goo* s8orts) @ell& ? 9no' 'hat he'll *o 'ith his share) Eet *run9 so.e8la,e 'here he ,an be 'ith the only 9in* o( 'o.an he un*erstan*s or li9es) H!he turns to hi.& 8lea*ing (rightene*lyI E*.un*J Oro.ise .e you 'on't *rin9J ?t's so *angerousJ $ou 9no' Do,tor Har*y tol* you7 ED#+ND" HbitterlyI ? thought he 'as an ol* i*iot) Any'ay& by tonight& 'hat 'ill you ,areK #AR$" H8iti(ullyI E*.un*J HJA#?E'! -oi,e is hear* (ro. the (ront hall& MCo.e on& >i*& let's beat it)M #AR$'! .anner at on,e be,o.es *eta,he* again)I Eo on& E*.un*) Ja.ie's 'aiting) H!he goes to the (rontA8arlor *oor'ay)I There ,o.es your (ather *o'nstairs& too) H T$RONE! -oi,e ,alls& MCo.e on& E*.un*)MI ED#+ND" HFu.8ing u8 (ro. his ,hairI ?'. ,o.ing)

42

HHe sto8s besi*e her7'ithout loo9ing at her)I Eoo*bye& #a.a) #AR$" H9isses hi. 'ith *eta,he* a((e,tionI Eoo*bye& *ear) ?( you're ,o.ing ho.e (or *inner& try not to be late) An* tell your (ather) $ou 9no' 'hat ;ri*get is) HHe turns an* hurries a'ay) T$RONE ,alls (ro. the hall& MEoo*bye& #ary&M an* then JA#?E& MEoo*bye& #a.a)M !he ,alls ba,9I Eoo*bye) HThe (ront s,reen *oor is hear* ,losing a(ter the.) !he ,o.es an* stan*s by the table& one han* *ru..ing on it& the other guttering u8 to 8at her hair) !he stares about the roo. 'ith (rightene*& (orsa9en eyes an* 'his8ers to hersel()I ?t's so lonely here) HThen her (a,e har*ens into bitter sel(A,onte.8t)I $ou're lying to yoursel( again) $ou 'ante* to get ri* o( the.) Their ,onte.8t an* *isgust aren't 8leasant ,o.8any) $ou're gla* they're gone) H!he gi-es a little *es8airing laugh)I Then #other o( Eo*& 'hy *o ? (eel so lonelyK C+RTA?N

A,t 0
!CENE7The sa.e) ?t is aroun* hal( 8ast si: in the e-ening) Dus9 is gathering in the li-ing roo.& an early *us9 *ue to the (og 'hi,h has rolle* in (ro. the !oun* an* is li9e a 'hite ,urtain *ra'n *o'n outsi*e the 'in*o's) Dro. a lighthouse beyon* the harbor's .outh& a (oghorn is hear* at regular inter-als& .oaning li9e a .ourn(ul 'hale in labor& an* (ro. the harbor itsel(& inter.ittently& ,o.es the 'arning ringing o( bells on ya,hts at an,hor) The tray 'ith the bottle o( 'his9ey& glasses& an* 8it,her o( i,e 'ater is on the table& as it 'as in the 8reAlun,heon s,ene o( the 8re-ious a,t) #AR$ an* the se,on* girl& CATHLEEN& are *is,o-ere*) The latter is stan*ing at le(t o( table) !he hol*s an e.8ty 'his9ey glass in her han* as i( she'* (orgotten she ha* it) !he sho's the e((e,ts o( *rin9) Her stu8i*& goo*Ahu.ore* (a,e 'ears a 8lease* an* (lattere* si.8er) #AR$ is 8aler than be(ore an* her eyes shine 'ith unnatural brillian,e) The strange *eta,h.ent in her .anner has intensi(ie*) !he has hi**en *ee8er 'ithin hersel( an* (oun* re(uge an* release in a *rea. 'here 8resent reality is but an a88earan,e to be a,,e8te* an* *is.isse* un(eelingly7e-en 'ith a har* ,yni,is.7 or entirely ignore*) There is at ti.es an un,anny gay& (ree youth(ulness in her .anner& as i( in s8irit she 'ere release* to be,o.e again& si.8ly an* 'ithout sel(A,ons,iousness& the nai-e& ha88y&

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,hattering s,hoolgirl o( her ,on-ent *ays) !he 'ears the *ress into 'hi,h she ha* ,hange* (or her *ri-e to to'n& a si.8le& (airly e:8ensi-e a((air& 'hi,h 'oul* be e:tre.ely be,o.ing i( it 'ere not (or the ,areless& al.ost sio-en=y 'ay she 'ears it) Her hair is no longer (asti*iously in 8la,e) ?t has a slightly *ishe-ele*& lo8si*e* loo9) !he tal9s to CATHLEEN 'ith a ,on(i*ing (a.iliarity& as i( the se,on* gi@ 'ere an ol*& inti.ate (rien*) As the ,urtain rises& she is stan*ing by the s,reen *oor Joo(eing out) A .oan o( the (oghorn is hear*) #AR$" Ha.use*7gi@ish=yI That (oghornJ ?sn't it a'(ul& CathleenK CATHLEEN" Htal9s .ore (a.iliarly than usual but ne-er 'ith intentional i.8ertinen,e be,ause she sin,erely li9es her .istressI ?t is in*ee*& #a'a.) ?t's li9e a banshee) #AR$" HEoes on as i( she ha*n't hear*) ?n nearly all the (ollo'ing *ialogue there is the (eeling that she has CATHLEEN 'ith her .erely as an e:,use to 9ee8 tal9ing)I ? *on't .in* it tonight) Last night it *ro-e .e ,ra<y) ? lay a'a9e 'orrying until ? ,oul*n't stan* it any .ore) CATHLEEN" ;a* ,ess to it)1 ? 'as s,are* out o( .y 'its ri*ing ba,9 (ro. to'n) ? thought that ugly .on9ey& !.ythe& 'oul* *ri-e us in a *it,h or ?& ;a* lu,9 lo it B?rishC) against a tree) $ou ,oul*n't see your han* in (ront o( you) ?'. gla* you ha* .e sit in ba,9 'ith you& #a'a.) ?( ?'* been in (ront 'ith that .on9ey7He ,an't 9ee8 his *irty han*s to hi.sel() Ei-e hi. hal( a ,han,e an* he's 8in,hing .e on the leg or youA9no'A 'here7as9ing your 8ar*on& #a'a.& but it's true) #AR$" H*rea.ilyI ?t 'asn't the (og ? .in*e*& Cathleen& ? really lo-e (og) CATHLEEN" They say it's goo* (or the ,o.8le:ion) #AR$" ?t hi*es you (ro. the 'orl* an* the 'orl* (ro. you) $ou (eel that e-erything has ,hange*& an* nothing is 'hat it see.e* to be) No one ,an (in* or tou,h you any .ore) CATHLEEN" ? 'oul*n't ,are so .u,h i( !.ythe 'as a (ine& han*so.e .an li9e so.e ,hau((eurs ?'-e seen7? .ean& i( it 'as all in (un& (or ?'. a *e,ent girl) ;ut (or a shri-ele* runt li9e !.ythe7J ?'-e tol* hi.& you .ust thin9 ?'. har* u8 that ?'* noti,e a .on9ey li9e you) ?'-e 'arne* hi.& one *ay ?'ll gi-e a ,lout that'll 9no,9 hi. into ne:t 'ee9) An* so ? 'illJ #AR$" ?t's the (oghorn ? hate) ?t 'on't let you alone) ?t 9ee8s re.in*ing you& an* 'arning you& an* ,alling you ba,9) H!ite s.iles strangely)I ;ut it ,an't tonight) ?t's Fu st an ugly soun*) ?t *oesn't re.in* .e o( anything) H!he gi-es a teasing& girlish laugh)I E:,e8t& 8erha8s& #r) Tyrone's snores) ?'-e al'ays ha* su,h (un teasing hi. about it) He

51

has snore* e-er sin,e ? ,an re.e.ber& es8e,ially 'hen he's ha* too .u,h to *rin9& an* yet he's li9e a ,hil*& he hates to a*.it it) H!ite laughs& ,o.ing to the table)I @ell& ? su88ose ? snore at ti.es& too& an* ? *on't li9e to a*.it it) !o ? ha-e no right to .a9e (un o( hi.& ha-e ?K H!ire sits on the ro,9er at right o( table)I CATHLEEN" Ah& sure& e-erybo*y healthy snores) ?t's a sign o( sanity& they say) Hthen& 'orrie*lyI @hat ti.e is it& #a'a.K ? ought to go ba,9 in the 9it,hen) The *a.8 is in ;ri*get's rheu.atis. an* she's li9e a raging *e-il) !he'll bite .y hea* o(() H!he 8uts rier glass on the table an* .a9es a .o-e.ent to'ar* the ba,9 8arlor)I #AR$" H'ith a (lash o( a88rehensionI No& *on't go& Cathleen) ? *on't 'ant to be alone& yet) CATHLEEN" $ou 'on't be (or long) The #aster an* the boys 'ill be ho.e soon) #AR$" ? *oubt i( they'll ,o.e ba,9 (or *inner) They ha-e too goo* an e:,use to re.ain in the barroo.s 'here they (eel at ho.e) HCATHLEEN stares at her& stu8i*ly 8u<<le*& #AR$ goes on s.ilinglyI Don't 'orry about ;ri*get) ?'ll tell her ? 9e8t you 'ith .e& an* you ,an ta9e a big *rin9 o( 'his9ey to her 'hen you go) !he 'on't .in* then) CATHLEEN" Hgrins7at her ease againI No& #a'a.) That's the one thing ,an .a9e her ,heer(ul) !he lo-es her *ro8) #AR$" Ha-e another *rin9 yoursel(& i( you 'ish& Cathleen) CATHLEEN" ? *on't 9no' i( ?'* better& #a'a.) ? ,an (eel 'hat ?'-e ha* alrea*y& Hrea,hing (or the bottleI @ell& .aybe one .ore 'on't har.) H!he 8ours a *rin9)I Here's your goo* health& #a'a.) H!he *rin9s 'ithout bothering about a ,haser)I #AR$" H*rea.ilyI ? really *i* ha-e goo* health on,e& Cathleen) ;ut that 'as long ago) CATHLEEN" H'orrie* againI The #aster's sure to noti,e 'hat's gone (ro. the bottle) He has the eye o( a ha'9 (or that) #AR$" Ha.use*lyI Oh& 'e'll 8lay Ja.ie's tri,9 on hi.) Just .easure a (e' *rin9s o( 'ater an* 8our the. in) CATHLEEN" H*oes this7'ith a si#y g t g g 9 I Eo* sa-e .e& it'll be hal( 'ater) He'll 9no' by the taste) #AR$" Hin*i((erentlyI No& by the ti.e he ,o.es ho.e he'll be too *run9 to tell the *i((eren,e) He has su,h a goo* e:,use& he belie-es& to *ro'n his sorro's) CATHLEEN" H8hiloso8hi,allyI @ell& it's a goo* .an's (ailing) ? 'oul*n't gi-e a trauneen11 (or a teetotaler) They'-e no high s8irits& Hthen& stu8i*ly 8u<<le*I Eoo* e:,useK

53

$ou .ean #aster E*.un*& #a'a.K ? ,an tell the #aster is 'orrie* about hi.) #AR$" Hsti((ens *e(ensi-ely7but in a strange 'ay the rea,tion has a .e,hani,al Guality& as i( it *i* not 8enetrate to real e.otionI Don't be silly& Cathleen) @hy shoul* he beK A tou,h o( gri88e is nothing) An* #r) Tyrone ne-er is 'orrie* about anything& e:,e8t .oney an* 8ro8erty an* the (ear he'll en* his *ays in 8o-erty) ? .ean& *ee8ly 'orrie*) ;e,ause he ,annot really un*erstan* anything else) H!he gi-es a little laugh o( *eta,he*& a((e,tionate a.use.ent)I #y husban* is a -ery 8e,uliar .an& Cathleen) CATHLEEN" H-aguely resent(ulI @ell& he's a (ine& han*so.e& 9in* gentle.an Fust the sa.e& #a'a.) Ne-er .in* his 'ea9ness) #AR$" Oh& ? *on't .in*) ?'-e lo-e* hi. *early (or thirtyAsi: years) That 8ro-es ? 9no' he's lo-able at heart an* ,an't hel8 being 'hat he is& *oesn't itK CATHLEEN" Hha<ily reassure*I That's right) #a'a.) Lo-e hi. *early& (or any (ool ,an see he 'orshi8s the groun* you 'al9 on) H(ighting the e((e,t o( her last *rin9 an* trying to be soherly ,on-ersationalI !8ea9ing o( a,ting& #a'a.& ho' is it you ne-er 'ent on the stageK #AR$" Hresent(ullyI ?K @hat 8ut that absur* notion in your hea*K ? 'as brought u8 in a res8e,table ho.e an* e*u,ate* in the best ,on-ent in the #i**le @est) ;e(ore ? .et #r) Tyrone ? har*ly 9ne' there 'as su,h a thing as a theater) ? 'as a -ery 8ious girl) ? e-en *rea.e* o( be,o.ing a nun) ?'-e ne-er ha* the slightest *esire to be an a,tress) CATHLEEN" HbluntlyI @ell& ? ,an't i.agine you a holy nun& #a'a.) !ure& you ne-er *ar9en the *oor o( a ,hur,h& Eo* (orgi-e you) #AR$" Hignores thisI ?'-e ne-er (elt at ho.e in the theater) E-en though #r) Tyrone has .a*e .e go 'ith hi. on all his tours& ?'-e ha* little to *o 'ith the 8eo8le in his ,o.8any& or 'ith anyone on the stage ) Not that ? ha-e anything against the.) They ha-e al'ays been 9in* to .e& an* ? to the.) ;ut ?'-e ne-er (elt at ho.e 'ith the.) Their li(e is not .y li(e) ?t has al'ays stoo* bet'een .e an*7H!he gets u87abru8tlyI ;ut let's not tal9 o( ol* things that ,oul*n't be hel8e*) H!he goes to the 8or,h *oor an* stares out)I Ho' thi,9 the (og is) ? ,an't see the roa*) All the 8eo8le in the 'orl* ,oul* 8ass by an* ? 'oul* ne-er 9no') ? 'ish it 'as al'ays that 'ay) ?t's getting *ar9 alrea*y) ?t 'ill soon be night& than9 goo*ness) H!he turns ba,97-aguelyI ?t 'as 9in* o( you to 9ee8 .e ,o.8any this a(ternoon& Cathleen) ? 'oul* ha-e been lonely *ri-ing u8to'n alone) CATHLEEN" !ure& 'oul*n't ? rather ri*e in a (ine auto.obile than stay here an* listen to ;ri*get's lies about her relationsK ?t 'as li9e a -a,ation& #a'a.) H!he 8auses7then

50

stu8i*lyI There 'as only one thing ? *i*n't li9e) #AR$" H-aguelyI @hat 'as that& CathleenK CATHLEEN" The 'ay the .an in the *rugstore a,te* 'hen ? too9 in the 8res,ri8tion (or you) Hin*ignantlyI The i.8i*en,e11 o( hi.J #AR$" H'ith stubborn blan9nessI @hat are you tal9ing aboutK @hat *rugstoreK @hat 8res,ri8tionK Hthen hastily& as CATHLEEN stares in stu8i* a.a<e.entI Oh& o( ,ourse& ?'* (orgotten) The .e*i,ine (or the rheu.atis. in .y han*s) @hat *i* the .an sayK Hthen 'ith in*i((eren,eI Not that it .atters& as long as he (ille* the 8res,ri8tion) CATHLEEN" ?t .attere* to .e& thenJ ?'. not use* to being treate* li9e a thie() He ga-e .e a long loo9 an* says insultingly& M@here *i* you get hol* o( thisKM an* ? says& M?t's none o( your *a.ne* business& but i( you .ust 9no'& it's (or the la*y ? 'or9 (or& #rs) Tyrone& 'ho's sitting out in the auto.obile)M That shut hi. u8 Gui,9) He ga-e a loo9 out at you an* sai*& MOh&M an* 'ent to get the .e*i,ine) #AR$" H-aguelyI $es& he 9no's .e) H!he sits in the ar.,hair at right rear o( table) !he a**s in a ,al.& *eta,he* -oi,eI ?t's a s8e,ial 9in* o( .e*i,ine) ? ha-e to ta9e it be,ause there is no other that ,an sto8 the 8ain7all the 8ain7? .ean& in .y han*s) H!he raises her han*s an* regar*s the. 'ith .elan,holy sy.8athy) There is no tre.or in the. no')I Ooor han*sJ $ou'* ne-er belie-e it& but they 'ere on,e one o( .y goo* 8oints& along 'ith .y hair an* eyes& an* ? ha* a (ine (igure& too) HHer tone has be,o.e .ore an* .ore (arA o(( an* *rea.y)I They 'ere a .usi,ian's han*s) ? use* to lo-e the 8iano) ? 'or9e* so har* at .y .usi, in the Con-ent7i( you ,an ,all it 'or9 'hen you *o so.ething you lo-e) #other Eli<abeth an* .y .usi, tea,her both sai* ? ha* .ore talent than any stu*ent they re.e.bere*) #y (ather 8ai* (or s8e,ial lessons) He s8oile* .e) He 'oul* *o anything ? as9e*) He 'oul* ha-e sent .e to Euro8e to stu*y a(ter ? gra*uate* (ro. the Con-ent) ? .ight ha-e gone7i( ? ha*n't (allen in lo-e 'ith #r) Tyrone) Or ? .ight ha-e be,o.e a nun) ? ha* t'o *rea.s) To be a nun& that 'as the .ore beauti(ul one) To be,o.e a ,on,ert 8ianist& that 'as the other) H!he 8auses& regar*ing her han*s (i:e*ly& CATHLEEN blin9s her eyes to (ight o(( *ro'siness an* a ti8sy (eeling)I ? ha-en't tou,he* a 8iano in so .any years) ? ,oul*n't 8lay 'ith su,h ,ri88le* (ingers& e-en i( ? 'ante* to) Dor a ti.e a(ter .y .arriage ? trie* to 9ee8 u8 .y .usi,) ;ut it 'as ho8eless) OneAnight stan*s& ,hea8 hotels& *irty trains& lea-ing ,hil*ren& ne-er ha-ing a ho.e7H !he stares at her han*s 'ith (as,inate* *isgust)I !ee& Cathleen& ho' ugly they

11

?.8u*en,e

54

areJ !o .ai.e* an* ,ri88le*J $ou 'oul* thin9 they'* been through so.e horrible a,,i*entJ H!he gi-es a strange little laugh)I !o they ha-e& ,o.e to thin9 o( it) H!he su**enly thrusts her han*s behin* her ba,9)I ? 'on't loo9 at the.) They're 'orse than the (oghorn (or re.in*ing .e7H then 'ith *e(iant sel(Aassuran,eI ;ut e-en they ,an't tou,h .e no') H!he brings her han*s (ro. behin* her ba,9 an* *eliberately stares at the.7,al.lyI They're (ar a'ay) ? see the.& but the 8ain has gone) CATHLEEN" Hstu8i*ly 8u<<le*I $ou'-e ta9en so.e o( the .e*i,ineK ?t .a*e you a,t (unny& #a'a.) ?( ? *i*n't 9no' better& ?'* thin9 you'* a *ro8 ta9en) #AR$" H*rea.ilyI ?t 9ills the 8ain) $ou go ba,9 until at last you are beyon* its rea,h) Only the 8ast 'hen you 'ere ha88y is real) H!he 8auses7then as i( her 'or*s ha* been an e-o,ation 'hi,h ,alle* ba,9 ha88iness she ,hanges in her 'hole .anner an* (a,ial e:8ression) !he loo9s younger) There is a Guality o( an inno,ent ,on-ent girl about her& an* she s.iles shyly)I ?( you thin9 #r) Tyrone is han*so.e no'& Cathleen& you shoul* ha-e seen hi. 'hen ? (irst .et hi.) He ha* the re8utation o( being one o( the best loo9ing .en in the ,ountry) The girls in the Con-ent 'ho ha* seen hi. a,t& or seen his 8hotogra8hs& use* to ra-e about hi.) He 'as a great .atinee i*ol then& you 9no') @o.en use* to 'ait at the stage *oor Fust to see hi. ,o.e out) $ou ,an i.agine ho' e:,ite* ? 'as 'hen .y (ather 'rote .e he an* Ja.es Tyrone ha* be,o.e (rien*s& an* that ? 'as to .eet hi. 'hen ? ,a.e ho.e (or Easter -a,ation) ? sho'e* the letter to all the girls& an* ho' en-ious they 'ereJ #y (ather too9 .e to see hi. a,t (irst) ?t 'as a 8lay about the Dren,h Re-olution an* the lea*ing 8art 'as a noble.an) ? ,oul*n't ta9e .y eyes o(( hi.) ? 'e8t 'hen he 'as thro'n in 8rison7an* then 'as so .a* at .ysel( be,ause ? 'as a(rai* .y eyes an* nose 'oul* be re*) #y (ather ha* sai* 'e'* go ba,9stage to his *ressing roo. right a(ter the 8lay& an* so 'e *i*) H!he gi-es a little e:,ite*& shy laugh)I ? 'as so bash(ul all ? ,oul* *o 'as sta..er an* blush li9e a little (ool) ;ut he *i*n't see. to thin9 ? 'as a (ool) ? 9no' he li9e* .e the (irst .o.ent 'e 'ere intro*u,e*) H,oGuettishlyI ? guess .y eyes an* nose ,oul*n't ha-e been re*& a(ter all) ? 'as really -ery 8retty then& Cathleen) An* he 'as han*so.er than .y 'il*est *rea.& in his .a9eAu8 an* his noble.an's ,ostu.e that 'as so be,o.ing to hi.) He 'as *i((erent (ro. all or*inary .en& li9e so.eone (ro. another 'orl*) At the sa.e ti.e he 'as si.8le& an* 9in*& an* unassu.ing& not a bit stu,9Au8 or -ain) ? (ell in lo-e right then) !o *i* he& he tol* .e a(ter'ar*s) ? (orgot all about be,o.ing a nun or a ,on,ert 8ianist) All ? 'ante* 'as to be his 'i(e) H!he 8auses& staring be(ore her 'ith unnaturally hrtght&

55

*rea.y eyes& an* a ra8t& ten*er& girlish s.ile)I ThirtyAsi: years ago& but ? ,an see it as ,learly as i( it 'ere tonightJ @e'-e lo-e* ea,h other e-er sin,e) An* in all those thirtyAsi: years& there has ne-er been a breath o( s,an*al about hi.) ? .ean& 'ith any other 'o.an) Ne-er sin,e he .et .e) That has .a*e .e -ery ha88y& Cathleen) ?t has .a*e .e (orgi-e so .any other things) CATHLEEN" H(ighting ti8sy *ro'siness7senti.entallyI He's a (ine gentle.an an* you're a lu,9y 'o.an& Hthen& (i*getingI Can ? ta9e the *rin9 to ;ri*get& #a'a.K ?t .ust be near *innerti.e an* ? ought to be in the 9it,hen hel8ing her) ?( she *on't get so.ething to Guiet her te.8er& she'll be a(ter .e 'ith the ,lea-er) #AR$" H'ith a -ague e:as8eration at being (,ro'ght ba,9 (ro. her *rea.I $es& yes& go) ? *on't nee* you no') CATHLEEN" H'ith relie(I Than9 you& #a'a.) H!he 8ours out a big *rin9 an* starts (or the ba,9 8arlor 'ith it)I $ou 'on't be alone long) The #aster an* the boys7 #AR$" Hi.8atientlyI No& no& they 'on't ,o.e) Tell ;ri*get ? 'on't 'ait) $ou ,an ser-e *inner 8ro.8tly at hal( 8ast si:) ?'. not hungry but ?'ll sit at the table an* 'e'll get it o-er 'ith) CATHLEEN" $O+ ought to eat so.ething& #a'a.) ?t's a Gueer .e*i,ine i( it ta9es a'ay your a88etite) #AR$" Hhas begun to *ri(t into *rea.s again rea,ts .e,hani,allyI @hat .e*i,ineK ? *on't 9no' 'hat you .ean& Hin *is.issalI $ou better ta9e the *rin9 to ;ri*get) CATHLEEN" $es& #a'a.) H!he *isa88ears through the ba,9 8arlor& #AR$ 'aits until she hears the 8antry *oor ,lose behin* her) Then she settles ba,9 in rela:e* *rea.iness& staring (i:e*ly at nothing) Her ar.s rest li.8ly along the ar.s o( the ,hair& her han*s 'ith long& 'ar8e*& s'ollenA9nu,9le*& sensiti-e (ingers *roo8ing in ,o.8lete ,al.) ?t is gro'ing *ar9 in the roo.) There is a 8ause o( *ea* Guiet) Then (ro. the 'orl* outsi*e ,o.es the .elan,holy .oan o( the (oghorn& (ollo'e* by a ,horus o( bells& .u((le* by the (og& (ro. the an,hore* ,ra(t in the harbor& #AR$'! (a,e gi-es no sign she has hear*& but her han*s Fer9 an* the (ingers auto.ati,ally 8lay (or a .o.ent on the air) !he (ro'ns an* sha9es her hea* .e,hani,ally as i( a (ly ha* 'al9e* a,ross her .in*) !he su**enly loses all the girlish Guality an* is an aging& ,yni,ally sa*& e.bittere* 'o.an)I #AR$" HbitterlyI $ou're a senti.ental (ool) @hat is so 'on*er(ul about that (irst .eeting bet'een a silly ro.anti, s,hoolgirl an* a .atinee i*olS $ou 'ere .u,h ha88ier be(ore you 9ne' he e:iste*& in the Con-ent 'hen you use* to 8ray to the ;lesse* %irgin&

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HlonginglyI ?( ? ,oul* only (un* the (aith ? lost& so ? ,oul* 8ray againJ H!he 8auses7then begins to re,ite the Hail #ary in a(lat& e.8ty tone)I MHail& #ary& (ull o( gra,eJ The Lor* is 'ith TheeL blesse* art Thou a.ong 'o.en)M HsneeringlyI $ou e:8e,t the ;lesse* %irgin to be (oole* by a lying *o8e (ien* re,iting 'or*sJ $ou ,an't hi*e (ro. herJ H!he s8rings to her (eet) Her han*s (ly u8 to 8at her hair *istra,te*ly)I ? .ust go u8stairs) ? ha-en't ta9en enough) @hen you start again you ne-er 9no' e:a,tly ho' .u,h you nee*) H!he goes to'ar* the (ront 8arlor7then sto8s in the *oor'ay as she hears the soun* o( -oi,es (ro. the (ront 8ath) !he starts guiltily)I That .ust be the.7H !he hurries ba,9 to sit *o'n) Her (a,e sets in stubborn *e(ensi-eness7resent(ullyI @hy are they ,o.ing ba,9K They *on't 'ant to) An* ?'* .u,h rather be alone) H!u**enly her 'hole .anner ,hanges) !he be,o.es 8atheti,ally relie-e* an* eager)I Oh& ?'. so gla* they'-e ,o.eJ ?'-e been so horribly lonelyJ HThe (ront *oor is hear* ,losing an* T$RONE ,alls uneasily (ro. the hall)I T$RONE" Are you there& #aryK HThe light in the hall is turne* on an* shines through the (ront 8arlor to (all on #AR$) I #AR$" Hrises (ro. her ,hair& her (a,e lighting u8 lo-ingly7'ith e:,ite* eagernessI ?'. here& *ear) ?n the li-ing roo.) ?'-e been 'aiting (or you) HT$RONE ,o.es in through the (ront 8arlor& ED#+ND is behin* hi.) T$RONE has ha* a lot to *rin9 but beyon* a slightly gla<e* loo9 in his eyes an* a tra,e o( blur in his s8ee,h& he *oes not sho' it) ED#+ND has also ha* .ore than a (e' *rin9s 'ithout .u,h a88arent e((e,t& e:,e8t that his sun9en ,hee9s are (lushe* an* his eyes loo9 bright an* (e-erish) They sto8 in the *oor'ay to stare a88raisingly at her) @hat they see (ul(ills their 'orst e:8e,tations) ;ut (or the .o.ent #AR$ is un,ons,ious o( their ,on*e.ning eyes) !he 9isses her husban* an* then ED#+ND) Her .anner is unnaturally e((usi-e) They sub.it s9ri'9ingly) !he tal9s e:,ite*ly)I ?'. so ha88y you'-e ,o.e) ? ha* gi-en u8 ho8e) ? 'as a(rai* you 'oul*n't ,o.e ho.e) ?t's su,h a *is.al& (oggy e-ening) ?t .ust be .u,h .ore ,heer(ul in the barroo.s u8to'n& 'here there are 8eo8le you ,an tal9 an* Fo9e 'ith) No& *on't *eny it) ? 9no' ho' you (eel) ? *on't bla.e you a bit) ?'. all the .ore grate(ul to you (or ,o.ing ho.e) ? 'as sitting here so lonely an* blue) Co.e an* sit *o'n) H!he sits at le(t rear o( table& ED#+ND at le(t o( table& an* T$RONE in the ro,9er at right o( it)I

5N

Dinner 'on't be rea*y (or a .inute) $ou're a,tually a little early) @ill 'on*ers ne-er ,ease) Here's the 'his9ey& *ear) !hall ? 8our a *rin9 (or youK H@ithout 'aiting (or a reA 8ly she *oes so)I An* you& E*.un*K ? *on't 'ant to en,ourage you& but one be(ore *inner& as an a88eti<er& ,an't *o any har.) H!he 8ours a *rin9 (or hi.) They .a9e no .o-e to ta9e the *rin9s) !he tal9s on as i( una'are o( their silen,e)I @here's Ja.ieK ;ut& o( ,ourse& he'll ne-er ,o.e ho.e so long as he has the 8ri,e o( a *rin9 le(t) H!he rea,hes out an* ,las8s her husban*'s han*7 sa*lyI ?'. a(rai* Ja.ie has been lost to us (or a long ti.e& *ear) HHer (a,e har*ens)I ;ut 'e .ustn't allo' hi. to *rag E*.un* *o'n 'ith hi.& as he'* li9e to *o) He's Fealous be,ause E*.un* has al'ays been the baby7 Fust as he use* to be o( Eugene) He'll ne-er be ,ontent until he .a9es E*.un* as ho8eless a (ailure as he is) ED#+ND" H.iserablyI !to8 tal9ing& #a.a) T$RONE" H*ullyI $es& #ary& the less you say no'7H then to E*.un*& a bit ti8silyI All the sa.e there's truth in your .other's 'arning) ;e'are o( that brother o( yours& or he'll 8oison li(e (or you 'ith his *a.ne* sneering ser8ent's tongueJ ED#+ND" Has be(oreI Oh& ,ut it out& Oa8a) #AR$" Hgoes on as i( nothing ha* been sai*I ?t's har* to belie-e& seeing Ja.ie as he is no'& that he 'as e-er .y baby) Do you re.e.ber 'hat a healthy& ha88y baby he 'as& Ja.esK The oneAnight stan*s an* (ilthy trains an* ,hea8 hotels an* ba* (oo* ne-er .a*e hi. ,ross or si,9) He 'as al'ays s.iling or laughing) He har*ly e-er ,rie*) Eugene 'as the sa.e& too& ha88y an* healthy& *uring the t'o years he li-e* be(ore ? let hi. *ie through .y negle,t) T$RONE" Oh& (or the lo-e o( Eo*J ?'. a (ool (or ,o.ing ho.eJ ED#+ND" Oa8aJ !hut u8J #AR$" Hs.iles 'ith *eta,he* ten*erness at ED#+NDI ?t 'as E*.un* 'ho 'as the ,ross8at,h 'hen he 'as little& al'ays getting u8set an* (rightene* about nothing at all) H!he 8ats his han*7teasinglyI E-eryone use* to say& *ear& you'* ,ry at the *ro8 o( a hat) ED#+ND" H,annot ,ontrol his hitte.essI #aybe ? guesse* there 'as a goo* reason not to laugh) T$RONE" Hre8ro-ing an* 8ityingI No'& no'& la*) $ou 9no' better than to 8ay attention7 #AR$" Has i( she ha*n't hear*7sa*ly againI @ho 'oul* ha-e thought Ja.ie 'oul*

5/

gro' u8 to *isgra,e us) $ou re.e.ber& Ja.es& (or years a(ter he 'ent to boar*ing s,hool& 'e re,ei-e* su,h glo'ing re8orts) E-eryone li9e* hi.) All his tea,hers tol* us 'hat a (ine brain he ha*& an* ho' easily he learne* his lessons) E-en a(ter he began to *rin9 an* they ha* to e:8el hi.& they 'rote us ho' sorry they 'ere& be,ause he 'as so li9able an* su,h a brilliant stu*ent) They 8re*i,te* a 'on*er(ul (uture (or hi. i( he 'oul* only learn to ta9e li(e seriously) H!he 8auses7then a**s 'ith a strange& sa* *eta,h.entI ?t's su,h a 8ity) Ooor Ja.ieJ ?t's har* to un*erstan*7H Abru8tly a ,hange ,o.es o-er her) Her (a,e har*ens an* she stares at her husban* 'ith a,,using hostility)I No& it isn't at all) $ou brought hi. u8 to be a boo<er) !in,e he (irst o8ene* his eyes& he's seen you *rin9ing) Al'ays a bottle on the bureau in the ,hea8 hotel roo.sJ An* i( he ha* a night.are 'hen he 'as little& or a sto.a,hAa,he& your re.e*y 'as to gi-e hi. a teas8oon(ul o( 'his9ey to Guiet hi.) T$RONE" HstungI !o ?'. to bla.e be,ause that la<y hul9 has .a*e a *run9en loa(er o( hi.sel(K ?s that 'hat ? ,a.e ho.e to listen toK ? .ight ha-e 9no'nJ @hen you ha-e the 8oison in you& you 'ant to bla.e e-eryone but yoursel(J ED#+ND" Oa8aJ $ou tol* .e not to 8ay attention& Hthen& resent(ullyI Any'ay it's true) $ou *i* the sa.e thing 'ith .e) ? ,an re.e.ber that teas8oon(ul o( boo<e e-ery ti.e ? 'o9e u8 'ith a night.are) #AR$" Hin a *eta,he* re.inis,ent toneI $es& you 'ere ,ontinually ha-ing night.ares as a ,hil*) $ou 'ere born a(rai*) ;e,ause ? 'as so a(rai* to bring you into the 'orl*) H!he 8auses7then goes on 'ith the sa.e *eta,h.entI Olease *on't thin9 ? bla.e your (ather& E*.un*) He *i*n't 9no' any better) He ne-er 'ent to s,hool a(ter he 'as ten) His 8eo8le 'ere the .ost ignorant 9in* o( 8o-ertyAstri,9en ?rish) ?'. sure they honestly belie-e* 'his9ey is the healthiest .e*i,ine (or a ,hil* 'ho is si,9 or (rightene*) HT$RONE is about to burst out in angry *e(ense o( his (a.ily but ED#+ND inter-enes) I ED#+ND" Hshar8lyI Oa8al H,hanging the subFe,tI Are 'e going to ha-e this *rin9& or aren't 'eK T$RONE" H,ontrolling hi.sel(7*ullyI $ou're right) ?'. a (ool to ta9e noti,e) HHe 8i,9s u8 his glass listlessly)I Drin9 hearty& la*) H ED#+ND *rin9s but T$RONE re.ains staring at the glass in his han*) ED#+ND at on,e reali<es ho' .u,h the 'his9ey has been 'atere*) He (ro'ns& glan,ing (ro. the bottle to his .other7starts to say so.ething but sto8s)I

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#AR$" Hin a ,hange* tone7re8entantlyI ?'. sorry i( ? soun*e* bitter& Ja.es) ?'. not) ?t's all so (ar a'ay) ;ut ? *i* (eel a little hurt 'hen you 'ishe* you ha*n't ,o.e ho.e) ? 'as so relie-e* an* ha88y 'hen you ,a.e& an* grate(ul to you) ?t's -ery *reary an* sa* to be here alone in the (og 'ith night (alling) T$RONE" H.o-e*I ?'. gla* ? ,a.e& #ary& 'hen you a,t li9e your real sel() #AR$" ? 'as so loneso.e ? 9e8t Cathleen 'ith .e Fust to ha-e so.eone to tal9 to) HHer .anner an* Guality *ri(t ba,9 to the shy ,on-ent girl again)I Do you 9no' 'hat ? 'as telling her& *earK About the night .y (ather too9 .e to your *ressing roo. an* ? (irst (ell in lo-e 'ith you) Do you re.e.berK T$RONE" H*ee8ly .o-e*7his -oi,e hus9yI Can you thin9 ?'* e-er (orget& #aryK H E D # + N D loo9s a'ay (ro. the.& sa* an* e.barrasse*)I #AR$" Hten*erlyI No) ? 9no' you still lo-e .e& Ja.es& in s8ite o( e-erything) TT$RONE" HHis (a,e 'or9s an* he blin9s ba,9 tears7'ith Guiet intensityI $esJ As Eo* is .y Fu*geJ Al'ays an* (ore-er& #aryJ #AR$" An* ? lo-e you& *ear& in s8ite o( e-erything) HThere is a 8ause in 'hi,h ED#+ND .o-es e.barrasse*ly) The strange *eta,h.ent ,o.es o-er her .anner again as i( she 'ere s8ea9ing i.8ersonally o( 8eo8le seen (ro. a *istan,e)I ;ut ? .ust ,on(ess& Ja.es& although ? ,oul*n't hel8 lo-ing you& ? 'oul* ne-er ha-e .arrie* you i( ?'* 9no'n you *ran9 so .u,h) ? re.e.ber the (irst night your barroo. (rien*s ha* to hel8 you u8 to the *oor o( our hotel roo.& an* 9no,9e* an* then ran a'ay be(ore ? ,a.e to the *oor) @e 'ere still on our honey.oon& *o you re.e.berK T$RONE" H'ith guilty -ehe.en,eI ? *on't re.e.berJ ?t 'asn't on our honey.oonJ An* ? ne-er in .y li(e ha* to be hel8e* to be*& or .isse* a 8er(or.an,eJ #AR$" Has though he ha*n't s8o9enI ? ha* 'aite* in that ugly hotel roo. hour a(ter hour) ? 9e8t .a9ing e:,uses (or you) ? tol* .ysel( it .ust be so.e business ,onne,te* 'ith the theater) ? 9ne' so little about the theater) Then ? be,a.e terri(ie*) ? i.agine* all sorts o( horrible a,,i*ents) ? got on .y 9nees an* 8raye* that nothing ha* ha88ene* to you7 an* then they brought you u8 an* le(t you outsi*e the *oor) H!he gi-es a little& sa* sigh)I ? *i*n't 9no' ho' o(ten that 'as to ha88en in the years to ,o.e& ho' .any ti.es ? 'as to 'ait in ugly hotel roo.s) ? be,a.e Guite use* to it) ED#+ND" Hbursts out 'ith a loo9 o( a,,using hate at his (atherI ChristJ No 'on*er7J HHe ,ontrols hi.sel(7gru((lyI @hen is *inner) #a.aK ?t .ust be ti.e)

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T$RONE" Ho-er'hel.e* by sha.e 'hi,h he tries to hi*e& (u.bles 'ith his 'at,hI $es) ?t .ust be) Let's see) HHe stares at his 'at,h 'ithout seeing it78lea*inglyI #aryJ Can't you (orget7K #AR$" H'ith *eta,he* 8ityI No& *ear) ;ut ? (orgi-e) ? al'ays (orgi-e you) !o *on't loo9 so guilty) ?'. sorry ? re.e.bere* out lou*) ? *on't 'ant to be sa*& or to .a9e you sa*) ? 'ant to re.e.ber only the ha88y 8art o( the 8ast) HHer .anner *ri(ts ba,9 to the shy& gay ,on-ent girl)I Do you re.e.ber our 'e**ing& *earK ?'. sure you'-e ,o.8letely (orgotten 'hat .y 'e**ing go'n loo9e* li9e) #en *on't noti,e su,h things) They *on't thin9 they're i.8ortant) ;ut it 'as i.8ortant to .e& ? ,an tell youJ Ho' ? (usse* an* 'orrie*J ? 'as so e:,ite* an* ha88yJ #y (ather tol* .e to buy anything ? 'ante* an* ne-er .in* 'hat it ,ost) The best is none too goo*& he sai*) ?'. a(rai* he s8oile* .e *rea*(ully) #y .other *i*n't) !he 'as -ery 8ious an* stri,t) ? thin9 she 'as a little Fealous) !he *i*n't a88ro-e o( .y .arrying7es8e,ially an a,tor) ? thin9 she ho8e* ? 'oul* be,o.e a nun) !he use* to s,ol* .y (ather) !he'* gru.ble& M$ou ne-er tell .e& ne-er .in* 'hat it ,osts& 'hen ? buy anythingJ $ou'-e s8oile* that girl so& ? 8ity her husban* i( she e-er .arries) !he'll e:8e,t hi. to gi-e her the .oon) !he'll ne-er .a9e a goo* 'i(e)M H!he laughs a((e,tionately)I Ooor .otherJ H!he s.iles at T$RONE 'ith a strange& in,ongruous ,oGuetry)I ;ut she 'as .ista9en& 'asn't she& Ja.esK ? ha-en't been su,h a ba* 'i(e& ha-e ?K T$RONE" Hhus9ily& trying to (or,e a s.ileI ?'. not ,o.8laining& #ary) #AR$" Ha sha*o' o( -ague guilt ,rosses her (a,eI At least& ?'-e lo-e* you*early& an* *one the best ? ,oul*7un*er the ,ir,u.stan,es) HThe sha*o' -anishes an* her shy& girlish e:8ression returns)I That 'e**ing go'n 'as nearly the *eath o( .e an* the *ress.a9er& tooJ H!he laughs)I ? 'as so 8arti,ular) ?t 'as ne-er Guite goo* enough) At last she sai* she re(use* to tou,h it any .ore or she .ight s8oil it& an* ? .a*e her lea-e so ? ,oul* be alone to e:a.ine .ysel( in the .irror) ? 'as so 8lease* an* -ain) ? thought to .ysel(& ME-en i( your nose an* .outh an* ears are a tri(le too large& your eyes an* hair an* (igure& an* your han*s& .a9e u8 (or it) $ou're Fust as 8retty as any a,tress he's e-er .et& an* you *on't ha-e to use 8aint)M H!he 8auses& 'rin9ling her bro' in an e((ort o( .e.ory)I @here is .y 'e**ing go'n no'& ? 'on*erK ? 9e8t it 'ra88e* u8 in tissue 8a8er in .y trun9) ? use* to ho8e ? 'oul* ha-e a *aughter an* 'hen it ,a.e ti.e (or her to .arry7!he ,oul*n't ha-e bought a lo-elier go'n& an* ? 9ne'& Ja.es& you'* ne-er tell her& ne-er .in* the ,ost) $ou'* 'ant her to 8i,9 u8

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so.ething at a bargain) ?t 'as .a*e o( so(t& shi..ering satin& tri..e* 'ith 'on*er(ul ol* *u,hesse la,e& in tiny ru((les aroun* the ne,9 an* slee-es& an* 'or9e* in 'ith the (ol*s that 'ere *ra8e* roun* in a bustle e((e,t at the ba,9) The basGue13 'as bone* an* -ery tight) ? re.e.ber ? hel* .y breath 'hen it 'as (itte*& so .y 'aist 'oul* be as s.all as 8ossible) #y (ather e-en let .e ha-e *u,hesse la,e on .y 'hite satin sli88ers& an* la,e 'ith orange blosso.s in .y -eil) Oh& ho' ? lo-e* that go'nJ ?t 'as so beauti(ulJ @here is it no'& ? 'on*erK ? use* to ta9e it out (ro. ti.e to ti.e 'hen ? 'as lonely& but it al'ays .a*e .e ,ry& so (inally a long 'hile ago7H !he 'rin9les her (orehea* again)I ? 'on*er 'here ? hi* itK Orobably in one o( the ol* trun9s in the atti,) !o.e *ay ?'ll ha-e to loo9) H!he sto8s& staring be(ore her) T$RONE sighs& sha9ing his hea* ho8elessly& an* atte.8ts to ,at,h his son's eye& loo9ing (or sy.8athy& but ED#+ND is staring at the (loor)I T$RONE H(or,es a ,asual toneI ?sn't it *inner ti.e& *earK H'ith a (eeble atte.8t at teasingI $ou're (ore-er s,ol*ing .e (or being late& but no' ?'. on ti.e (or on,e& it's *inner that's late) H!he *oesn't a88ear to hear hi.) He a**s& still 8leasantlyI @ell& i( ? ,an't eat yet& ? ,an *rin9) ?'* (orgotten ? ha* this) HHe *rin9s his *rin9& ED#+ND 'at,hes hi.) T$RONE s,o'ls an* loo9s at his 'i(e 'ith shar8 sus8i,ion7roughlyI @ho's been ta.8ering 'ith .y 'his9eyK The *a.ne* stu(( is hal( 'aterJ Ja.ie's been a'ay an* he 'oul*n't o-er*o his tri,9 li9e this& any'ay) Any (ool ,oul* tell7#ary& ans'er .eJ H'ith angry *isgustI ? ho8e to Eo* you ha-en't ta9en to *rin9 on to8 o(7 ED#+ND" !hut u8& Oa8aJ Hto his .other& 'ithout loo9ing at herI $ou treate* Cathleen an* ;ri*get& isn't that it& #a.aK #AR$" H'ith in*i((erent ,asualnessI $es& o( ,ourse) They 'or9 har* (or 8oor 'ages) An* ?'. the house9ee8er& ? ha-e to 9ee8 the. (ro. lea-ing) ;esi*es& ? 'ante* to treat Cathleen be,ause ? ha* her *ri-e u8to'n 'ith .e& an* sent her to get .y 8res,ri8tion (ille*) ED#+ND" Dor Eo*'s sa9e& #a.aJ $ou ,an't trust herJ Do you 'ant e-eryone on earth to 9no'K #AR$" Hher (a,e har*ening stubbornlyI >no' 'hatK That ? su((er (ro. rheu.atis. in .y han*s an* ha-e to ta9e .e*i,ine to 9ill the 8ainK @hy shoul* ? be asha.e* o( thatK Hturns on ED#+ND 'ith a har*& a,,using antagonis.7al.ost a re-enge(ul en.ityI ? ne-er 9ne' 'hat rheu.atis. 'as be(ore you 'ere bornJ As9 your (atherJ HED#+ND

13

TightA(itting bo*i,e

63

loo9s a'ay& shrin9ing into hi.sel(I T$RONE" Don't .in* her& la*) ?t *oesn't .ean anything) @hen she gets to the stage 'here she gi-es the ol* ,ra<y e:,use about her han*s she's gone (ar a'ay (ro. us) #AR$" Hturns on hi.7'ith a strangely triu.8hant& taunting s.ileI ?'. gla* you reali<e that& Ja.esJ No' 8erha8s you'll gi-e u8 trying to re.in* .e& you an* E*.un*J Habru8tly& in a *eta,he*& .atterAo(A(a,t toneI @hy *on't you light the light& Ja.esK ?t's getting *ar9) ? 9no' you hate to& but E*.un* has 8ro-e* to you that one bulb burning *oesn't ,ost .u,h) There's no s e n s e letting your (ear o( the 8oorhouse .a9e you too stingy) T$RONE" Hrea,ts .e,hani,allyI ? ne-er ,lai.e* one bulb ,ost .u,hJ ?t's ha-ing the. on& one here an* one there& that .a9es the Ele,tri, Light Co.8any ri,h) HHe gets u8 an* turns on the rea*ing la.87roughlyI ;ut ?'. a (ool to tal9 reason to you) Hto ED#+NDI ?'ll get a (resh bottle o( 'his9ey& la*& an* 'e'll ha-e a real *rin9) HHe goes through the ba,9 8arlor)I #AR$" H'ith *eta,he* a.use.entI He'll snea9 aroun* to the outsi*e ,ellar *oor so the ser-ants 'on't see hi.) He's really asha.e* o( 9ee8ing his 'his9ey 8a*lo,9e* in the ,ellar) $our (ather is a strange .an& E*.un*) ?t too9 .any years be(ore ? un*erstoo* hi.) $ou .ust try to un*erstan* an* (orgi-e hi.& too& an* not (eel ,onte.8t be,ause he's ,loseA(iste*) His (ather *eserte* his .other an* their si: ,hil*ren a year or so a(ter they ,a.e to A.eri,a) He tol* the. he ha* a 8re.onition he 'oul* *ie soon& an* he 'as ho.esi,9 (or ?relan*& an* 'ante* to go ba,9 there to *ie) !o he 'ent an* he *i* *ie) He .ust ha-e been a 8e,uliar .an& too) $our (ather ha* to go to 'or9 in a .a,hine sho8 'hen he 'as only ten years ol*) ED#+ND" H8rotests *ullyI Oh& (or Oete's sa9e& #a.a) ?'-e hear* Oa8a tell that .a,hine sho8 story ten thousan* ti.es) #AR$" $es& *ear& you'-e ha* to listen& but ? *on't thin9 you'-e e-er trie* to un*erstan*) ED#+ND" Hignoring this7.iserablyI Listen& #a.aJ $ou're not so (ar gone yet you'-e (orgotten e-erything) $ou ha-en't as9e* .e 'hat ? (oun* out this a(ternoon) Don't you ,are a *a.nK #AR$" Hsha9enlyI Don't say thatJ $ou hurt .e& *earJ ED#+ND" @hat ?'-e got is serious& #a.a) Do, Har*y 9no's (or sure no') #AR$" Hsti((ens into s,orn(i*& *e(ensi-e stubbornnessI That lying ol* Gua,9J ? 'arne* you he'* in-ent7J

60

ED#+ND" H.iserably *ogge*I He ,alle* in a s8e,ialist to e:a.ine .e& so he'* be absolutely sure) #AR$" Hignoring thisI Don't tell .e about Har*yJ ?( you hear* 'hat the *o,tor at the sanatoriu.& 'ho really 9no's so.ething& sai* about ho' he'* treate* .eJ He sai* he ought to be lo,9e* u8J He sai* it 'as a 'on*er ? ha*n't gone .a*J ? tol* hi. ? ha* on,e& that ti.e ? ran *o'n in .y night*ress to thro' .ysel( o(( the *o,9) $ou re.e.ber that& *on't youK An* yet you 'ant .e to 8ay attention to 'hat Do,tor Har*y says) Oh& noJ ED#+ND" HbitterlyI ? re.e.ber& all right) ?t 'as right a(ter that Oa8a an* Ja.ie *e,i*e* they ,oul*n't hi*e it (ro. .e any .ore) Ja.ie tol* .e) ? ,alle* hi. a liarJ ? trie* to 8un,h hi. in the nose) ;ut ? 9ne' he 'asn't lying) HHis -oi,e tre.bles& his eyes begin to (ill 'ith tears I Eo*& it .a*e e-erything in li(e see. rottenJ #AR$ H8itiablyI Oh& *on't) #y babyJ $ou hurt .e so *rea*(ullyJ ED#+ND" H*itllyI ?'. sorry& #a.a) ?t 'as you 'ho brought it u8) Hthen 'ith a bitter& stubborn 8ersisten,eI Listen& #a.a) ?'. going to tell you 'hether you 'ant to hear or not) ?'-e got to go to a sanatoriu.) #AR$" H*a<e*ly& as i( this 'as so.ething that ha* ne-er o,,urre* to herI Eo a'ayK H-iolentlyI NoJ ? 'on't ha-e itJ Ho' *are Do,tor Har*y a*-ise su,h a thing 'ithout ,onsulting .eJ Ho' *are your (ather allo' hi.J @hat right has heK $ou are .y babyJ Let hi. atten* to Ja.ieJ H.ore an* .ore e:,ite* an* bitterI ? 9no' 'hy he 'ants you sent to a sanatoriu.) To ta9e you (ro. .eJ He's al'ays trie* to *o that) He's been Fealous o( e-ery one o( .y babiesJ He 9e8t (in*ing 'ays to .a9e .e lea-e the.) That's 'hat ,ause* Eugene's *eath) He's been Fealous o( you .ost o( all) He 9ne' ? lo-e* you .ost be,ause7 ED#+ND" H.iserablyI Oh& sto8 tal9ing ,ra<y& ,an't you& #a.aJ !to8 trying to bla.e hi.) An* 'hy are you so against .y going a'ay no'K ?'-e been a'ay a lot& an* ?'-e ne-er noti,e* it bro9e your heartJ #AR$" HbitterlyI ?'. a(rai* you're not -ery sensiti-e& a(ter all) Hsa*lyI $ou .ight ha-e guesse*& *ear& that a(ter ? 9ne' you 9ne'7about .e7? ha* to be gla* 'hene-er you 'ere 'here you ,oul*n't see .e) ED#+ND" Hbro9enlyI #a.aJ Don'tJ HHe rea,hes out blin*ly an* ta9es her han*7but he *ro8s it i..e*iately& o-er,o.e by bitterness again)I All this tal9 about lo-ing .e7an* you 'on't e-en listen 'hen ? try to tell you ho' si,97 #AR$" H'ith an abru8t trans(or.ation into a *eta,he* bullying .otherlinessI No'&

64

no') That's enoughJ ? *on't ,are to hear be,ause ? 9no' it's nothing but Har*y's ignorant lies) HHe shrin9s ba,9 into hi.sel() !he 9ee8s on in a (or,e*& teasing tone but 'ith an in,reasing un*er,urrent o( resent.ent)I $ou're so li9e your (ather& *ear) $ou lo-e to .a9e a s,ene out o( nothing so you ,an be *ra.ati, an* tragi,& H'ith a belittling laughI ?( ? ga-e you the slightest en,ourage.ent& you'* tell .e ne:t you 'ere going to *ie7 ED#+ND" Oeo8le *o *ie o( it) $our o'n (ather7 #AR$" Hshar8lyI @hy *o you .ention hi.K There's no ,o.8arison at all 'ith you) He ha* ,onsu.8tion& HangrilyI ? hate you 'hen you be,o.e gloo.y an* .orbi*J ? (orbi* you to re.in* .e o( .y (ather's *eath& *o you hear .eK ED#+ND" Hhis (a,e har*7gri.lyI $es& ? hear you& #a.a) ? 'ish to Eo* ? *i*n'tJ HHe gets u8(ront his ,hair an* stan*s staring ,on*e.ningly at her7 bitterlyI ?t's 8retty har* to ta9e at ti.es& ha-ing a *o8e (ien* (or a .otherJ H!he 'in,es7all li(e see.ing to *rain (ro. her (a,e& lea-ing it 'ith the a88earan,e o( a 8laster ,ast) ?nstantly ED#+ND 'ishes he ,oul* ta9e ba,9 'hat he has sai*) He sta..ers .iserably)I Dorgi-e .e& #a.a) ? 'as angry) $ou hurt .e) HThere is a 8ause in 'hi,h the (oghorn an* the shi8s' hells are hear*)I #AR$" Hgoes slo'ly to the 'in*o's at right li9e an auto.aton7loo9ing out& a blan9& (arAo(( Guality in her -oi,eI Just listen to that a'(ul (oghorn) An* the bells) @hy is it (og .a9es e-erything soun* so sa* an* lost& ? 'on*erK ED#+ND" Hbro9enlyI ?7? ,an't stay here) ? *on't 'ant any *inner) HHe hurries a'ay through the (ront 8arlor) !he 9ee8s staring out the 'in*o' until she hears the (ront *oor ,lose behin* hi.) Then she ,o.es ba,9 an* sits in her ,hair& the sa.e blan9 loo9 on her (a,e)I #AR$" H-aguelyI ? .ust go u8stairs) ? ha-en't ta9en enough) H!he 8auses7 then longinglyI ? ho8e& so.eti.e& 'ithout .eaning it& ? 'ill ta9e an o-er*ose) ? ne-er ,oul* *o it *eliberately) The ;lesse* %irgin 'oul* ne-er (orgi-e .e& then) H!he hears T$RONE returning an* turns as he ,o.es in& through the ba,9 8arlor& 'ith a bottle o( 'his9ey he has Fust un,or9e*) He is (u.ing)I T$RONE" H'rath(ullyI The 8a*lo,9 is all s,rat,he*) That *run9en loa(er has trie* to 8i,9 the lo,9 'ith a 8ie,e o( 'ire& the 'ay he's *one be(ore& H'ith satis(a,tion& as i( this 'as a 8er8etual battle o( 'its 'ith his el*er sonI ;ut ?'-e (oole* hi. this ti.e) ?t's a s8e,ial

65

8a*lo,9 a 8ro(essional burglar ,oul*n't 8i,9) HHe 8uts the bottle on the tray an* su**enly is a'are o( ED#+ND'! absen,e)I @here's E*.un*K #AR$" H'ith a -ague (arAa'ay airI He 'ent out) Oerha8s he's going u8to'n again to (in* Ja.ie) He still has so.e .oney le(t& ? su88ose& an* it's burning a hole in his 8o,9et) He sai* he *i*n't 'ant any *inner) He *oesn't see. to ha-e any a88etite these *ays& Hthen stubbornlyI ;ut it's Fust a su..er ,ol*) HT$RONE stares at her an* sha9es his hea* hel8lessly an* 8ours hi.sel( a big *rin9 an* *rin9s it) !u**enly it is too .u,h (or her an* she brea9s out an* sobs)I Oh& Ja.es& ?'. so (rightene*J H!he gets u8 an* thro's her ar.s aroun* hi. an* hi*es her (a,e on his shoul*er7sobbinglyI ? 9no' he's going to *ieJ T$RONE" Don't say thatJ ?t's not trueJ They 8ro.ise* .e in si: .onths he'* be ,ure*) #AR$" $ou *on't belie-e thatJ ? ,an tell 'hen you're a,tingJ An* it 'ill be .y (ault) ? shoul* ne-er ha-e borne hi.) ?t 'oul* ha-e been better (or his sa9e) ? ,oul* ne-er hurt hi. then) He 'oul*n't ha-e ha* to 9no' his .other 'as a *o8e (ien*7an* hate herJ T$RONE" Hhis -oi,e Gui-eringI Hush& #ary& (or the lo-e o( Eo*J He lo-es you) He 9no's it 'as a ,urse 8ut on you 'ithout your 9no'ing or 'illing it) He's 8rou* you're his .otherJ Habru8tly as he hears the 8antry *oor o8eningI Hush& no'J Here ,o.es Cathleen) $ou *on't 'ant her to see you ,rying) H!he turns Gui,9ly a'ay (ro. hi. to the 'in*o's at right& hastily 'i8ing her eyes) A .o.ent later CATHLEEN a88ears in the ba,9A8arlor *oor'ay) !he is un,ertain in her 'al9 an* grinning 'oo<ily)I CATHLEEN" Hstarts guiltily 'hen she sees T$RONE7'ith *ignityI Dinner is ser-e*& !ir) Hraising her -oi,e unne,essarilyI Dinner is ser-e*& #a'a.) H!he (orgets her *ignity an* a**resses T$RONE 'ith goo*Anature* (a.iliarityI !o you're here& are youK @ell& 'ell) @on't ;ri*get be in a rageJ ? tol* her the #a*a.e sai* you 'oul*n't be ho.e& Hthen rea*ing a,,usation in his eyeI Don't be loo9ing at .e that 'ay) ?( ?'-e a *ro8 ta9en& ? *i*n't steal it) ? 'as in-ite*) H!he turns 'ith hu((y *ignity an* *isa88ears through the ba,9 8arlor)I T$RONE" Hsighs7then su..oning his a,tor's heartinessI Co.e along& *ear) Let's ha-e our *inner) ?'. hungry as a hunter) #AR$" H,o.es to hi.7her (a,e is ,o.8ose* in 8laster again an* her tone is re.oteI ?'. a(rai* you'll ha-e to e:,use .e& Ja.es) ? ,oul*n't 8ossibly eat anything) #y han*s 8ain .e *rea*(ully) ? thin9 the best thing (or .e is to go to be* an* rest) Eoo* night *ear) H!he 9isses hi. .e,hani,ally an* turns to'ar* the (ront 8arlor)I

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T$RONE" HharshlyI +8 to ta9e .ore o( that Eo*A*a.ne* 8oison& is that itK $ou'll be li9e a .a* ghost be(ore the night's o-erJ #AR$" Hstarts to 'al9 a'ay7blan9lyI ? *on't 9no' 'hat you're tal9ing about& Ja.es) $ou say su,h .ean& bitter things 'hen you'-e *run9 too .u,h) $ou're as ba* as Ja.ie or E*.un*) H!he .o-es o(( through the (ront 8arlor) He stan*s a se,on* as i( not 9no'ing 'hat to *o) He is a sa*& be'il*ere*& bro9en ol* .an) He 'al9s 'earily o(( through the ba,9 8arlor to'ar* the *ining roo.)I C+RTA?N

A,t 4
!CENE7 The sa.e) ?t is aroun* .i*night) The la.8 in the (ront hall has been turne* out& so that no' no light shines through the (ront 8arlor) ?n the li-ing roo. only the rea*ing la.8 on the table is lighte*) Outsi*e the 'in*o's the 'all o( (og a88ears *enser than e-er) As the ,urtain rises& the (oghorn is hear*& (ollo'e* by the shi8s' bells (ro. the harbor) T$RONE is seate* at the table) He 'ears his 8in,eAne<10 an* is 8laying solitaire) He has ta9en o(( his ,oat an* has on an ol* bro'n *ressing go'n) The 'his9ey bottle on the tray is threeAGuarters e.8ty) There is a(resh(i*l bottle on the table& 'hi,h he has brought (ro. the ,ellar so there 'ill be an a.8le reser-e on han*) He is *run9 an* sho's it by the o'lish& *eliberate .anner in 'hi,h he 8eers at ea,h ,ar* to .a9e ,ertain o( its i*entity& an* then 8lays it as i( he 'asn't ,ertain o( his ai.) His eyes ha-e a .iste*& oily loo9 an* his .outh is sla,9) ;ut *es8ite all the 'his9ey in hi.& he has not es,a8e*& an* he loo9s as he a88eare* at the ,lose o( the 8re,e*ing a,t& a sa*& *e(eate* ol* .an& 8ossesse* by ho8eless resignation) As the ,urtain rises& he (inishes a ga.e an* s'ee8s the ,ar*s together) He shu((les the. ,lu.sily& *ro88ing a ,ou8le on the (loor) He retrie-es the. 'ith *i((i,ulty& an* starts to shu((le again& 'hen he hears so.eone entering the (ront *oor) He 8eers o-er his 8in,eAne< through the (ront 8arlor) T$RONE" Hhis -oi,e thi,9I @ho's thatK ?s it you& E*.un*K H ED#+ND'! -oi,e ans'ers ,urtly& M$es)M Then he e-i*ently ,olli*es 'ith so.ething in the *ar9 hall an* ,an be hear* ,ursing) A .o.ent later the hall la.8 is turne* on)
Eyeglasses ,li88e* to the nose

10

6N

T$RONE (ro'ns an* ,alls)I Turn that light out be(ore you ,o.e in) H;ut ED#+ND *oesn't) He ,o.es in through the (ront 8arlor) He is *run9 no'& too& but li9e his (ather he ,arries it 'ell& an* gi-es little 8hysi,al sign o( it e:,e8t in his eyes an* a ,hi8AonAtheA shoul*er aggressi-eness in his .anner) T$RONE s8ea9s& at (irst 'ith a 'ar.& relie-e* 'el,o.e)I ?'. gla* you'-e ,o.e& la*) ?'-e been *a.ne* lonely& Hthen resent(ullyI $ou're a (ine one to run a'ay an* lea-e .e to sit alone here all night 'hen you 9no'7H'ith shar8 irritationI ? tol* you to turn out that lightJ @e're not gi-ing a ball) There's no reason to ha-e the house abla<e 'ith ele,tri,ity at this ti.e o( night& burning u8 .oneyJ ED#+ND" HangrilyI Abla<e 'ith ele,tri,ityJ One bulbJ Hell& e-eryone 9ee8s a light on in the (ront hall until they go to be*) HHe rubs his 9nee)I ? *a.ne* near buste* .y 9nee on the hat stan*) T$RONE" The light (ro. here sho's in the hall) $ou ,oul* see your 'ay 'ell enough i( you 'ere sober) ED#+ND" ?( P 'as soberK ? li9e thatJ T$RONE" ? *on't gi-e a *a.n 'hat other 8eo8le *o) ?( they 'ant to be 'aste(ul (ools& (or the sa9e o( sho'& let the. beJ ED#+ND" One bulbJ Christ& *on't be su,h a ,hea8 s9ateJ ?'-e 8ro-e* by (igures i( you le(t the light bulb on all night it 'oul*n't be as .u,h as one *rin9J T$RONE" To hell 'ith your (iguresJ The 8roo( is in the bills ? ha-e to 8ayJ ED#+ND" Hsits *o'n o88osite his (ather7,onte.8tuouslyI $es& (a,ts *on't .ean a thing& *o theyK @hat you 'ant to belie-e& that's the only truthJ H*erisi-elyI !ha9es8eare 'as an ?rish Catholi,& (or e:a.8le) T$RONE" HstubbornlyI !o he 'as) The 8roo( is in his 8lays) ED#+ND" @ell he 'asn't& an* there's no 8roo( o( it in his 8lays& e:,e8t to youJ HFeeringlyI The Du9e o( @ellington& there 'as another goo* ?rish Catholi,J T$RONE" ? ne-er sai* he 'as a goo* one) He 'as a renega*e but a Catholi, Fust the sa.e) ED#+ND" @ell& he 'asn't) $ou F u s t 'ant to belie-e no one but an ?rish Catholi, general ,oul* beat Na8oleon) T$RONE" ?'. not going to argue 'ith you) ? as9e* you to turn out that light in the hall) ED#+ND" ? hear* you& an* as (ar as ?'. ,on,erne* it stays on) T$RONE" None o( your *a.ne* insolen,eJ Are you going to obey .e or notK

6/

ED#+ND" NotJ ?( you 'ant to be a ,ra<y .iser 8ut it out yoursel(J T$RONE" H'ith threatening angerI Listen to .eJ ?'-e 8ut u8 'ith a lot (ro. you be,ause (ro. the .a* things you'-e *one at ti.es ?'-e thought you 'eren't Guite right in your hea*) ?'-e e:,use* you an* ne-er li(te* .y han* to you) ;ut there's a stra' that brea9s the ,a.el's ba,9) $ou'll obey .e an* 8ut out that light or& big as you are& ?'ll gi-e you a thrashing that'll tea,h you7J H!u**enly he re.e.bers ED#+ND'! illness an* instantly be,o.es guilty an* sha.e(a,e*)I Dorgi-e .e& la*) ? (orgot7$ou shoul*n't goa* .e into losing .y te.8er) ED#+ND" Hasha.e* hi.sel( no'I Dorget it& Oa8a) ? a8ologi<e& too) ? ha* no right being nasty about nothing) ? a. a bit souse*& ? guess) ?'ll 8ut out the *a.ne* light) HHe starts to get u8)I T$RONE" No& stay 'here you are) Let it burn) HHe stan*s u8 abru8tly7an* a bit *run9enly7an* begins turning on the three hulhs in the ,han*elier& 'ith a ,hil*ish& bitterly *ra.ati, sel(8ity)I @e'll ha-e the. all onJ Let the. burnJ T o hell 'ith the.J The 8oorhouse is the en* o( the roa*& an* it .ight as 'ell be sooner as laterJ HHe (inishes turning on the lights)I ED#+ND" Hhas 'at,he* this 8ro,ee*ing 'ith an a'a9ene* sense o( hu.or7 no' he grins& teasing a((e,tionatelyI That's a gran* ,urtain) HHe laughs) I $ou're a 'on*er& Oa8a) T$RONE" Hsits *o'n shee8ishly7gru.bles 8atheti,allyI That's right& laugh at the ol* (oolJ The 8oor ol* ha.J ;ut the (inal ,urtain 'ill be in the 8oorhouse F u s t the sa.e& an* that's not ,o.e*yJ HThen as ED#+ND is still grinning& he ,hanges the subFe,t)I @ell& 'ell& let's not argue) $ou'-e got brains in that hea* o( yours& though you *o your best to *eny the.) $ou'll li-e to learn the -alue o( a *ollar) $ou're not li9e your *a.ne* tra.8 o( a brother) ?'-e gi-en u8 ho8e he'll e-er get sense) @here is he& by the 'ayK ED#+ND" Ho' 'oul* ? 9no'K T$RONE" ? thought you'* gone ba,9 u8to'n to .eet hi.) ED#+ND" No) ? 'al9e* out to the bea,h) ? ha-en't seen hi. sin,e this a(ternoon) T$RONE" @ell& i( you s8lit the .oney ? ga-e you 'ith hi.& li9e a (ool7 ED#+ND" !ure ? *i*) He's al'ays sta9e* .e 'hen he ha* anything) T$RONE" Then it *oesn't ta9e a soothsayer to tell he's 8robably in the 'horehouse) ED#+ND" @hat o( it i( he isK @hy notK T$RONE" H,onte.8tuouslyI @hy not& in*ee*) ?t's the (it 8la,e (or hi.) ?( he's e-er ha* a lo(tier *rea. than 'hores an* 'his9ey& he's ne-er sho'n it)

62

ED#+ND" Oh& (or Oete's sa9e& Oa8aJ ?( you're going to start that stu((& ?'ll beat it) HHe starts to get u8)I T$RONE" H8la,atinglyI All right& all right& ?'ll sto8) Eo* 9no's& ? *on't li9e the subFe,t either) @ill you F o in .e in a *rin9K ED#+ND" AhJ No' you're tal9ingJ T$RONE" H8asses the bottle to hi.7.e,hani,allyI ?'. 'rong to treat you) $ou'-e ha* enough alrea*y) ED#+ND" H8ouring a big *rin97a bit *run9enlyI Enough is not as goo* as a (east) HHe han*s ba,9 the bottle)I T$RONE" ?t's too .u,h in your ,on*ition) ED#+ND" Dorget .y ,on*itionJ HHe raises his glass)I Here's ho') T$RONE" Drin9 hearty) HThey *rin9)I ?( you 'al9e* all the 'ay to the bea,h you .ust be *a.8 an* ,hille*) ED#+ND" Oh& ? *ro88e* in at the ?nn on the 'ay out an* ba,9) TRONE" ?t's not a night ?'* 8i,9 (or a long 'al9) ED#+ND" ? lo-e* the (og) ?t 'as 'hat ? nee*e*) HHe soun*s .ore ti8sy an* loo9s it)I T$RONE" $ou shoul* ha-e .ore sense than to ris97 ED#+ND" To hell 'ith senseJ @e're all ,ra<y) @hat *o 'e 'ant 'ith senseK HHe Guotes (ro. Do'son14 sar*oni,ally)I 2) !ha9es8eare's The Te.8est 4)1)1 5675/) 1) Charles ;au*elaire B1/31A1/6NC& Dren,h 8oet) Arthur !y.ons B1/65A1245C& English 8oet an* literary ,riti,) MThey are not long& the 'ee8ing an* the laughter& Lo-e an* *esire an* hate" ? thin9 they ha-e no 8ortion in us a(ter @e 8ass the gate) They are not long& the *ays o( 'ine an* roses" Out o( a .isty *rea. Our 8ath e.erges (or a 'hile& then ,loses @ithin a *rea.)M Hstaring be(ore hi.I The (og 'as 'here ? 'ante* to be) Hal('ay *o'n the 8ath you ,an't

14

Ernest Do'son B1/6NA1211C& English 8oet)

N1

see this house) $ou'* ne-er 9no' it 'as here) Or any o( the other 8la,es *o'n the a-enue) ? ,oul*n't see but a (e' (eet ahea*) ? *i*n't .eet a soul) E-erything loo9e* an* soun*e* unreal) Nothing 'as 'hat it is) That's 'hat ? 'ante*7to be alone 'ith .ysel( in another 'orl* 'here truth is untrue an* li(e ,an hi*e (ro. itsel() Out beyon* the harbor& 'here the roa* runs along the bea,h& ? e-en lost the (eeling o( being on lan*) The (og an* the sea see.e* 8art o( ea,h other) ?t 'as li9e 'al9ing on the botto. o( the sea) As i( ? ha* *ro'ne* long ago) As i( ? 'as a ghost belonging to the (og& an* the (og 'as the ghost o( the sea) ?t (elt *a.ne* 8ea,e(ul to be nothing .ore than a ghost 'ithin a ghost) HHe sees his (ather staring at hi. 'ith .ingle* 'orry an* irritate* *isa88ro-al) He grins .o,9ingly)I Don't loo9 at .e as i( ?'* gone nutty) ?'. tal9ing sense) @ho 'ants to see li(e as it is& i( they ,an hel8 itK ?t's the three Eorgons15 in one) $ou loo9 in their (a,es an* turn to stone) Or it's Oan)16 $ou see hi. an* you *ie7that is& insi*e you7an* ha-e to go on li-ing as a ghost) T$RONE" Hi.8resse* an* at the sa.e ti.e re-olte*I $ou ha-e a 8oet in you but it's a *a.ne* .orbi* oneJ H(or,ing a s.ileI De-il ta9e your 8essi.is.) ? (eel lo'As8irite* enough) HHe sighs)I @hy ,an't you re.e.ber your !ha9es8eare an* (orget the thir*A raters) $ou'll (in* 'hat you're trying to say in hi.7as you'll (in* e-erything else 'orth saying) HHe Guotes& using his (ine -oi,eI M@e are su,h stu(( as *rea.s are .a*e on& an* our little li(e is roun*e* 'ith a slee8)M1N ED#+ND" Hironi,allyI DineJ That's beauti(ul) ;ut ? 'asn't trying to say that) @e are su,h stu(( as .anure is .a*e on& so let's *rin9 u8 an* (orget it) That's .ore .y i*ea) T$RONE" H*isguste*lyI A,hJ >ee8 su,h senti.ents to yoursel() ? shoul*n't ha-e gi-en you that *rin9) ED#+ND" ?t *i* 8a,9 a 'allo8& all right) On you& too) HHe grins 'ith a((e,tionate teasing)I E-en i( you'-e ne-er .isse* a 8er(or.an,eJ Haggressi-elyI @ell& 'hat's 'rong 'ith being *run9K ?t's 'hat 'e're a(ter& isn't itK Let's not 9i* ea,h other& Oa8a) Not tonight) @e 9no' 'hat 'e're trying to (orget& Hhurrie*lyI ;ut let's not tal9 about it) ?t's no use no') T$RONE" H*i*lyI No) All 'e ,an *o is try to be resigne*7again) ED#+ND" Or be so *run9 you ,an (orget) HHe re,ites& an* re,ites 'ell& 'ith bitter& ironi,al 8assion& the !y.ons' translation o( ;au*elaire's' 8rose 8oe.)I M;e al'ays
?n Eree9 .ythology& three .onstrous sisters so ugly that the sight o( the. turne* one to stone) Eree9 go* o( 'oo*s& (iel*s& an* (lo,9s& hal( .an an* hal( goat& asso,iate* 'ith 'il*ness) 1N !ha9es8eares The Te.8est
15 16

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*run9en) Nothing else .atters" that is the only Guestion) ?( you 'oul* not (eel the horrible bur*en o( Ti.e 'eighing on your shoul*ers an* ,rushing you to the earth& be *run9en ,ontinually) Drun9en 'ith 'hatK @ith 'ine& 'ith 8oetry& or 'ith -irtue& as you 'ill) ;ut be *run9en) An* i( so.eti.es& on the stairs o( a 8ala,e& or on the green si*e o( a *it,h& or in the *reary solitu*e o( your o'n roo.& you shoul* a'a9en an* the *run9enness be hal( or 'holly sli88e* a'ay (ro. you& as9 o( the 'in*& or o( the 'a-e& or o( the star& or o( the bir*& or o( the ,lo,9& o( 'hate-er (lies& or sighs& or ro,9s& or sings& or s8ea9s& as9 'hat hour it isL an* the 'in*& 'a-e& star& bir*& ,lo,9& 'ill ans'er you" '?t is the hour to be *run9enJ ;e *run9en& i( you 'oul* not be .artyre* sla-es o( Ti.eL be *run9en ,ontinuallyJ @ith 'ine& 'ith 8oetry& or 'ith -irtue& as you 'ill)' M HHe grins at his (ather 8ro-o,ati-ely)I T$RONE" Hthi,9ly hu.orousI ? 'oul*n't 'orry about the -irtue 8art o( it& i( ? 'ere you) Hthen *isguste*lyI OahJ ?t's .orbi* nonsenseJ @hat little truth is in it you'll (in* nobly sai* in !ha9es8eare& Hthen a88re,iati-elyI ;ut you re,ite* it 'ell& la*) @ho 'rote itK ED#+ND" ;au*elaire) T$RONE" Ne-er hear* o( hi.) ED#+ND" Hgrins 8ro-o,ati-elyI He also 'rote a 8 o e. about J a . i e an* the Ereat @hite @ay) T$RONE" That loa(erJ ? ho8e to Eo* he .isses the last ,ar an* has to stay u8to'nJ ED#+ND" Hgoes on& ignoring thisI Although he 'as Dren,h an* ne-er sa' ;roa*'ay an* *ie* be(ore J a . i e 'as born) He 9ne' hi. an* Little Ol* Ne' $or9 Fust the sa.e) HHe re,ites the !y.ons' translation o( ;au*elaire's ME8ilogue)MI M@ith heart at rest ? ,li.be* the ,ita*el's !tee8 height& an* sa' the ,ity as (ro. a to'er& Hos8ital& brothel& 8rison& an* su,h hells& @here e-il ,o.es u8 so(tly li9e a (lo'er) Thou 9no'est& O !atan& 8atron o( .y 8ain& Not (or -ain tears ? 'ent u8 at that hourL ;ut li9e an ol* sa* (aith(ul le,her& (ain To *rin9 *elight o( that enor.ous trull @hose hellish beauty .a9es .e young again) @hether thou slee8& 'ith hea-y -a8ours (ull& !o**en 'ith *ay& or& ne' a88arelle*& stan*

N3

?n gol*Ala,e* -eils o( e-ening beauti(ul& ? lo-e thee& in(a.ous ,ityJ Harlots an* Hunte* ha-e 8leasures o( their o'n to gi-e& The -ulgar her* ,an ne-er un*erstan*)M T$RONE" H'ith irritable *isgustI #orbi* (ilthJ @here the hell *o you get your taste in literatureK Dilth an* *es8air an* 8essi.is.J Another atheist& ? su88ose) @hen you *eny Eo*& you *eny ho8e) That's the trouble 'ith you) ?( you'* get *o'n on your 9nees7 ED#+ND" Has i( he ha*n't hear*7sar*oni,allyI ?t's a goo* li9eness o( Ja.ie & *on't you thin9& hunte* by hi.sel( an* 'his9ey& hi*ing in a ;roa*'ay hotel roo. 'ith so.e (at tart7he li9es the. (at7re,iting Do'son's Cynara to her) HHe re,ites *erisi-ely& hut 'ith *ee8 (eelingI MAll night u8on .ine heart ? (elt her 'ar. heart beat& NightAlong 'ithin .ine ar.s in lo-e an* slee8 she layL !urely the 9isses o( her bought re* .outh 'ere s'eetL ;ut ? 'as *esolate an* si,9 o( an ol* 8assion& @hen ? a'o9e an* (oun* the *a'n 'as gray" ? ha-e been (aith(ul to thee& CynaraJ in .y (ashion)M HFeeringlyI An* the 8oor (at burlesGue Gueen *oesn't get a 'or* o( it& but sus8e,ts she's being insulte*J An* Ja.ie ne-er lo-e* any Cynara& an* 'as ne-er (aith(ul to a 'o.an in his li(e& e-en in his (ashionJ ;ut he lies there& 9i**ing hi.sel( he is su8erior an* enFoys 8leasures Mthe -ulgar her* ,an ne-er un*erstan*MJ HHe laughs)I ?t's nuts7,o.8letely nutsJ T$RONE" H-aguely7his -oi,e thi,9I ?t's .a*ness& yes) ?( you'* get on your 9nees an* 8ray) @hen you *eny Eo*& you *eny sanity) ED#+ND" Hignoring thisI ;ut 'ho a. ? to (eel su8eriorK ?'-e *one the sa.e *a.ne* thing) An* it's no .ore ,ra<y than Do'son hi.sel(& ins8ire* by an absinthe hango-er& 'riting it to a *u.b bar.ai*& 'ho thought he 'as a 8oor ,ra<y souse& an* ga-e hi. the gate to .arry a 'aiterJ HHe laughs7 then soberly& 'ith genuine sy.8athyI Ooor Do'son) ;oo<e an* ,onsu.8tion got hi.) HHe starts an* (or a se,on* loo9s .iserable an* (rightene*) Then 'ith *e(ensi-e ironyI Oerha8s it 'oul* be ta,t(ul o( .e to ,hange the subFe,t) T$RONE" Hthi,9lyI @here you get your taste in authors7That *a.ne* library o( yoursJ HHe in*i,ates the s.all boo9,ase at rear)I %oltaire& Rousseau& !,ho8enhauer& Niet<s,he&

N0

?bsenJ Atheists& (ools& an* .a*.enJ An* your 8oetsJ This Do'son& an* this ;au*elaire& an* !'inburne an* Os,ar @il*e& an* @hit.an an* OoeJ @horeA.ongers an* *egeneratesJ OahJ @hen ?'-e three goo* sets o( !ha9es8eare there Hhe no*s at the large boo9,aseI you ,oul* rea*) ED#+ND" H8ro-o,ati-elyI They say he 'as a souse& too) T$RONE" They lieJ ? *on't *oubt he li9e* his glass7it's a goo* .an's (ailing7 but he 9ne' ho' to *rin9 so it *i*n't 8oison his brain 'ith .orbi*ness an* (ilth) Don't ,o.8are hi. 'ith the 8a,9 you'-e got in there) HHe in*i,ates the s.all boo9,ase again)I $our *irty =olaJ An* your Dante Eabriel Rossetti 'ho 'as a *o8e (ien*J HHe starts an* loo9s guilty)I ED#+ND" H'ith *e(ensi-e *rynessI Oerha8s it 'oul* be 'ise to ,hange the subFe,t& Ha 8auseI $ou ,an't a,,use .e o( not 9no'ing !ha9es8eare) Di*n't ? 'in (i-e *ollars (ro. you on,e 'hen you bet .e ? ,oul*n't learn a lea*ing 8art o( his in a 'ee9& as you use* to *o in sto,9 in the ol* *ays) ? learne* #a,beth an* re,ite* it letter 8er(e,t& 'ith you gi-ing .e the ,ues) T$RONE" Ha88ro-inglyI That's true) !o you *i*) HHe s.iles teasingly an* sighs)I ?t 'as a terrible or*eal& ? re.e.ber& hearing you .ur*er the lines) ? 9e8t 'ishing ?'* 8ai* o-er the bet 'ithout .a9ing you 8ro-e it) HHe ,hu,9les an* ED#+ND grins) Then he starts as he hears a soun* (ro. u8stairs7'ith *rea* Di* you hearK !he's .o-ing aroun*) ? 'as ho8ing she'* gone to slee8) ED#+ND" Dorget itJ Ho' about another *rin9K HHe rea,hes out an* gets the bottle& 8ours a *rin9 an* han*s it ba,9) Then 'ith a straine* ,asualness& as his (ather 8ours a *rin9I @hen *i* #a.a go to be*K T$RONE" Right a(ter you le(t) !he 'oul*n't eat any *inner) @hat .a*e you run a'ayK ED#+ND" Nothing) HAbru8tly raising his glass)I @ell& here's ho') T$RONE" H.e,hani,allyI Drin9 hearty& la*) HThey *rin9) T$RONE again listens to soun*s u8stairs7'ith *rea*I !he's .o-ing aroun* a lot) ? ho8e to Eo* she *oesn't ,o.e *o'n) ED#+ND" H*ullyI $es) !he'll be nothing but a ghost haunting the 8ast by this ti.e) HHe 8auses7then .iserablyI ;a,9 be(ore ? 'as born7 T$RONE" Doesn't she *o the sa.e 'ith .eK ;a,9 be(ore she e-er 9ne' .e) $ou'* thin9 the only ha88y *ays she's e-er 9no'n 'ere in her (ather's ho.e& or at the Con-ent& 8raying an* 8laying the 8iano& HFealous resent.ent in his bitternessI As ?'-e tol* you

N4

be(ore& you .ust ta9e her .e.ories 'ith a grain o( salt) Her 'on*er(ul ho.e 'as or*inary enough) Her (ather 'asn't the great& generous& noble ?rish gentle.an she .a9es out) He 'as a ni,e enough .an& goo* ,o.8any an* a goo* tal9er) ? li9e* hi. an* he li9e* .e) He 'as 8ros8erous enough& too& in his 'holesale gro,ery business& an able .an) ;ut he ha* his 'ea9ness) !he ,on*e.ns .y *rin9ing but she (orgets his) ?t's true he ne-er tou,he* a *ro8 till he 'as (orty& but a(ter that he .a*e u8 (or lost ti.e) He be,a.e a stea*y ,ha.8agne *rin9er& the 'orst 9in*) That 'as his gran* 8ose& to *rin9 only ,ha.8agne) @ell& it (inishe* hi. Gui,97that an* the ,onsu.8tion7 HHe sto8s 'ith a guilty glan,e at his son) I ED#+ND" Hsar*oni,allyI @e *on't see. able to a-oi* un8leasant to8i,s& *o 'eK T$RONE" Hsighs sa*lyI No) Hthen 'ith a 8atheti, atte.8t at heartinessI @hat *o you say to a ga.e or t'o o( Casino& la*K ED#+ND" All right) T$RONE" Hshu((ling the ,ar*s ,lu.silyI @e ,an't lo,9 u8 an* go to be* till Ja.ie ,o.es on the last trolley7'hi,h ? ho8e he 'on't7an* ? *on't 'ant to go u8stairs& any'ay& till she's aslee8) ED#+ND" Neither *o ?) T$RONE" H9ee8s shu((ling the ,ar*s (u.blingly& (orgetting to *eal the.I As ? 'as saying& you .ust ta9e her tales o( the 8ast 'ith a grain o( salt) The 8iano 8laying an* her *rea. o( be,o.ing a ,on,ert 8ianist) That 'as 8ut in her hea* by the nuns (lattering her) !he 'as their 8et) They lo-e* her (or being so *e-out) They're inno,ent 'o.en& any'ay& 'hen it ,o.es to the 'orl*) They *on't 9no' that not one in a .illion 'ho sho's 8ro.ise e-er rises to ,on,ert 8laying) Not that your .other *i*n't 8lay 'ell (or a s,hoolgirl& but that's no reason to ta9e it (or grante* she ,oul* ha-e7 ED#+ND" Hshar8lyI @hy *on't you *eal& i( 'e're going to 8lay) T$RONE" EhK ? a.) H*ealing 'ith -ery un,ertain Fu*g.ent o( *istan,eI An* the i*ea she .ight ha-e be,o.e a nun) That's the 'orst) $our .other 'as one o( the .ost beauti(ul girls you ,oul* e-er see) !he 9ne' it& too) !he 'as a bit o( a rogue an* a ,oGuette& Eo* bless her& behin* all her shyness an* blushes) !he 'as ne-er .a*e to renoun,e the 'orl*) !he 'as bursting 'ith health an* high s8irits an* the lo-e o( lo-ing) ED#+ND" Dor Eo*'s sa9e& Oa8aJ @hy *on't you 8i,9 u8 your han*K T$RONE" H8i,9s it u87*ullyI $es& let's see 'hat ? ha-e here) HThey both stare at their ,ar*s unseeingly) Then they both start) T$RONE 'his8ersI ListenJ

N5

ED#+ND" !he's ,o.ing *o'nstairs) T$RONE" Hhurrie*lyI @e'll 8lay our ga.e) Oreten* not to noti,e an* she'll soon go u8 again) ED#+ND" Hstaring through the (ront 8arlor7'ith relie(I ? *on't see her) !he .ust ha-e starte* *o'n an* then turne* ba,9) T$RONE" Than9 Eo*) ED#+ND" $es) ?t's 8retty horrible to see her the 'ay she .ust be no') H'ith bitter .iseryI The har*est thing to ta9e is the blan9 'all she buil*s aroun* her) Or it's .ore li9e a ban9 o( (og in 'hi,h she hi*es an* loses hersel() Deliberately& that's the hell o( itJ $ou 9no' so.ething in her *oes it *eliberately7to get beyon* our rea,h& to be ri* o( us& to (orget 'e're ali-eJ ?t's as i(& in s8ite o( lo-ing us& she hate* usJ T$RONE" Hre.onstrates gentlyI No'& no'& la*) ?t's not her) ?t's the *a.ne* 8oison) ED#+ND" HbitterlyI !he ta9es it to get that e((e,t) At least& ? 9no' she *i* this ti.eJ Habru8tlyI #y 8lay& isn't itK Here) HHe 8lays a ,ar*)I T$RONE" H8lays .e,hani,ally7gently re8roa,h(ulI !he's been terribly (rightene* about your illness& (or all her 8reten*ing) Don't be too har* on her& la*) Re.e.ber she's not res8onsible) On,e that ,urse* 8oison gets a hol* on anyone7 ED#+ND" Hhis (a,e gro's har* an* he stares at his (ather 'ith bitter a,,usationI ?t ne-er shoul* ha-e gotten a hol* on herJ ? 9no' *a.ne* 'ell she's not to bla.eJ An* ? 9no' 'ho isJ $ou areJ $our *a.ne* stinginessJ ?( you'* s8ent .oney (or a *e,ent *o,tor 'hen she 'as so si,9 a(ter ? 'as born& she'* ne-er ha-e 9no'n .or8hine e:iste*J ?nstea* you 8ut her in the han*s o( a hotel Gua,9 'ho 'oul*n't a*.it his ignoran,e an* too9 the easiest 'ay out& not gi-ing a *a.n 'hat ha88ene* to her a(ter'ar*sJ All be,ause his (ee 'as ,hea8J Another one o( your bargainsJ T$RONE" Hstung7angrilyI ;e GuietJ Ho' *are you tal9 o( so.ething you 9no' nothing aboutJ Htrying to ,ontrol his te.8erI $ou .ust try to see .y si*e o( it& too& la*) Ho' 'as ? to 9no' he 'as that 9in* o( a *o,torK He ha* a goo* re8utation7 ED#+ND" A.ong the souses in the hotel bar& ? su88oseJ T$RONE" That's a lieJ ? as9e* the hotel 8ro8rietor to re,o..en* the best7 ED#+ND" $esJ At the sa.e ti.e ,rying 8oorhouse an* .a9ing it 8lain you 'ante* a ,hea8 oneJ ? 9no' your syste.J ;y Eo*& ? ought to a(ter this a(ternoonJ T$RONE" Hguiltily *e(ensi-eI @hat about this a(ternoonK ED#+ND" Ne-er .in* no') @e're tal9ing about #a.aJ ?'. saying no .atter ho' you

N6

e:,use yoursel( you 9no' *a.ne* 'ell your stinginess is to bla.e7 T$RONE" An* ? say you're a liarJ !hut your .outh right no'& or7 ED#+ND" Hignoring thisI A(ter you (oun* out she'* been .a*e a .or8hine a**i,t& 'hy *i*n't you sen* her to a ,ure then& at the start& 'hile she still ha* a ,han,eK No& that 'oul* ha-e .eant s8en*ing so.e .oneyJ ?'ll bet you tol* her all she ha* to *o 'as use a little 'ill 8o'erJ That's 'hat you still belie-e in your heart& in s8ite o( 'hat *o,tors& 'ho really 9no' so.ething about it& ha-e tol* youJ T$RONE" $ou lie againJ ? 9no' better than that no'J ;ut ho' 'as ? to 9no' thenK @hat *i* ? 9no' o( .or8hineK ?t 'as years be(ore ? *is,o-ere* 'hat 'as 'rong) ? thought she'* ne-er got o-er her si,9ness& that's all) @hy *i*n't ? sen* her to a ,ure& you sayK HbitterlyI Ha-en't ?K ?'-e s8ent thousan*s u8on thousan*s in ,uresJ A 'aste) @hat goo* ha-e they *one herK !he al'ays starte* again) ED#+ND" ;e,ause you'-e ne-er gi-en her anything that 'oul* hel8 her 'ant to stay o(( itJ No ho.e e:,e8t this su..er *u.8 in a 8la,e she hates an* you'-e re(use* e-en to s8en* .oney to .a9e this loo9 *e,ent& 'hile you 9ee8 buying .ore 8ro8erty& an* 8laying su,9er (or e-ery ,on .an 'ith a gol* .ine& or a sil-er .ine& or any 9in* o( getA ri,hAGui,9 s'in*leJ $ou'-e *ragge* her aroun* on the roa*& season a(ter season& on oneA night stan*s& 'ith no one she ,oul* tal9 to& 'aiting night a(ter night in *irty hotel roo.s (or you to ,o.e ba,9 'ith a bun on a(ter the bars ,lose*J Christ& is it any 'on*er she *i*n't 'ant to be ,ure*) Jesus& 'hen ? thin9 o( it ? hate your gutsJ T$RONE" Hstri,9enlyI E*.un*J Hthen in a rageI Ho' *are you tal9 to your (ather li9e that& you insolent young ,ubJ A(ter all ?'-e *one (or you) ED#+ND" @e'll ,o.e to that& 'hat you're *oing (or .eJ T$RONE" Hloo9ing guilty again7ignores thisI @ill you sto8 re8eating your .other's ,ra<y a,,usations& 'hi,h she ne-er .a9es unless it's the 8oison tal9ingK ? ne-er *ragge* her on the roa* against her 'ill) Naturally& ? 'ante* her 'ith .e) ? lo-e* her) An* she ,a.e be,ause she lo-e* .e an* 'ante* to be 'ith .e) That's the truth& no .atter 'hat she says 'hen she's not hersel() An* she nee*n't ha-e been lonely) There 'as al'ays the .e.bers o( .y ,o.8any to tal9 to& i( she'* 'ante*) !he ha* her ,hil*ren& too& an* ? insiste*& in s8ite o( the e:8ense& on ha-ing a nurse to tra-el 'ith her) ED#+ND" HbitterlyI $es& your one generosity& an* that be,ause you 'ere Fealous o( her 8aying too .u,h attention to us& an* 'ante* us out o( your 'ayJ ?t 'as another .ista9e& tooJ ?( she'* ha* to ta9e ,are o( .e all by hersel(& an* ha* that to o,,u8y her .in*& .aybe

NN

she'* ha-e been able7 T$RONE" Hgoa*e* into -in*i,ti-enessI Or (or that .atter& i( you insist in Fu*ging things by 'hat she says 'hen she's not in her right .in*& i( you ha*n't been born she'* ne-er7HHe sto8s asha.e*)I ED#+ND" Hsu**enly s8ent an* .iserableI !ure) ? 9no' that's 'hat she (eels& Oa8a) T$RONE" H8rotests 8enitentlyI !he *oesn'tJ !he lo-es you as *early as e-er .other lo-e* a sonJ ? only sai* that be,ause you 8ut .e in su,h a Eo**a.ne* rage& ra9ing u8 the 8ast& an* saying you hate .e7 ED#+ND" H*ullyI ? *i*n't .ean it& Oa8a) HHe su**enly s.iles79i**ing a bit *run9enlyI ?'. li9e #a.a& ? ,an't hel8 li9ing you& in s8ite o( e-erything) T$RONE" Hgrins a bit *run9enly in returnI ? .ight say the sa.e o( you) $ou're no great sha9es as a son) ?t's a ,ase o( MA 8oor thing but .ine o'n)M1/ HThey both ,hu,9le 'ith real& i( al,oholi,& a((e,tion) T$RONE ,hanges the subFe,t) I @hat's ha88ene* to our ga.eK @hose 8lay is itK ED#+ND" $ours& ? guess) HT$RONE (lays a ,ar* 'hi,h ED#+ND ta9es an* the ga.e gets (orgotten again) I T$RONE" $ou .ustn't let yoursel( be too *o'nhearte*& la*& by the ba* ne's you ha* to*ay) ;oth the *o,tors 8ro.ise* .e& i( you obey or*ers at this 8la,e you're going& you'll be ,ure* in si: .onths& or a year at .ost) ED#+ND" Hhis (a,e har* againI Don't 9i* .e) $ou *on't belie-e that) T$RONE" Htoo -ehe.entlyI O( ,ourse ? belie-e itJ @hy shoul*n't ? belie-e it 'hen both Har*y an* the s8e,ialist7K ED#+ND" $ou thin9 ?'. going to *ie) T$RONE" That's a lieJ $ou're ,ra<yJ ED#+ND" H.ore bitterlyI !o 'hy 'aste .oneyK That's 'hy you're sen*ing .e to a state (ar.7 T$RONE" Hin guilty ,on(usionI @hat state (ar.K ?t's the Hillto'n !anatoriu.& that's all ? 9no'& an* both *o,tors sai* it 'as the best 8la,e (or you) ED#+ND" Hs,athinglyI Dor the .oneyJ That is& (or nothing& or 8ra,ti,ally nothing) Don't lie& Oa8aJ $ou 9no' *a.ne* 'ell Hillto'n !anatoriu. is a state institutionJ J a . i e sus8e,te* you'* ,ry 8oorhouse to Har*y an* he 'or.e* the truth out o( hi.) T$RONE" H(uriouslyI That *run9en loa(erJ ?'ll 9i,9 hi. out in the gutterJ He's 8oisone*

1/

!ha9es8eares As $ou Li9e ?t

N/

your .in* against .e e-er sin,e you 'ere ol* enough to listenJ ED#+ND" $ou ,an't *eny it's the truth about the state (ar.& ,an youK T$RONE" ?t's not true the 'ay you loo9 at itJ @hat i( it is run by the stateK That's nothing against it) The state has the .oney to .a9e a better 8la,e than any 8ri-ate sanatoriu.) An* 'hy shoul*n't ? ta9e a*-antage o( itK ?t's .y right7an* yours) @e're resi*ents) ?'. a 8ro8erty o'ner) ? hel8 to su88ort it) ?'. ta:e* to *eath7 ED#+ND" H'ith bitter ironyI $es& on 8ro8erty -alue* at a Guarter o( a .illion) T$RONE" LiesJ ?t's all .ortgage*J ED#+ND" Har*y an* the s8e,ialist 9no' 'hat you're 'orth) ? 'on*er 'hat they thought o( you 'hen they hear* you .oaning 8oorhouse an* sho'ing you 'ante* to 'ish .e on ,harityJ T$RONE" ?t's a lieJ All ? tol* the. 'as ? ,oul*n't a((or* any .illionaire's sanatoriu. be,ause ? 'as lan* 8oor) That's the truthJ ED#+ND" An* then you 'ent to the Club to .eet #,Euire an* let hi. sti,9 you 'ith another bu. 8ie,e o( 8ro8ertyJ Has T$RONE starts to *enyI Don't lie about itJ @e .et #,Euire in the hotel bar a(ter he le(t you) Ja.ie 9i**e* hi. about hoo9ing you& an* he 'in9e* an* laughe*J T$RONE" Hlying (eeblyI He's a liar i( he sai*7 ED#+ND" Don't lie about itJ H'ith gathering intensityI Eo*& Oa8a& e-er sin,e ? 'ent to sea an* 'as on .y o'n& an* (oun* out 'hat har* 'or9 (or little 8ay 'as& an* 'hat it (elt li9e to be bro9e& an* star-e& an* ,a.8 on 8ar9 ben,hes be,ause ? ha* no 8la,e to slee8& ?'-e trie* to be (air to you be,ause ? 9ne' 'hat you'* been u8 against as a 9i*) ?'-e trie* to .a9e allo'an,es) Christ& you ha-e to .a9e allo'an,es in this *a.ne* (a.ily or go nutsJ ? ha-e trie* to .a9e allo'an,es (or .ysel( 'hen ? re.e.ber all the rotten stu(( ?'-e 8ulle*J ?'-e trie* to (eel li9e #a.a that you ,an't hel8 being 'hat you are 'here .oney is ,on,erne*) ;ut Eo* Al.ighty& this last stunt o( yours is too .u,hJ ?t .a9es .e 'ant to 8u9eJ Not be,ause o( the rotten 'ay you're treating .e) To hell 'ith thatJ ?'-e treate* you rottenly& in .y 'ay& .ore than on,e) ;ut to thin9 'hen it's a Guestion o( your son ha-ing ,onsu.8tion& you ,an sho' yoursel( u8 be(ore the 'hole to'n as su,h a stin9ing ol* tight'a*J Don't you 9no' Har*y 'ill tal9 an* the 'hole *a.ne* to'n 'ill 9no'J Jesus& Oa8a& ha-en't you any 8ri*e or sha.eK Hbursting 'ith rageI An* *on't thin9 ?'ll let you get a'ay 'ith itJ ? 'on't go to any *a.ne* state (ar. Fust to sa-e you a (e' lousy *ollars to buy .ore bu. 8ro8erty 'ithJ $ou stin9ing ol* .iser7J HHe ,ho9es hus9ily& his -oi,e

N2

tre.bling 'ith rage& an* then is sha9en by a (it o( ,oughing)I T$RONE" Hhas shrun9 ba,9 in his ,hair un*er this atta,9& his guilty ,ontrition greater than his anger7he sta..ersI ;e GuietJ Don't say that to .eJ $ou're *run9J ? 'on't .in* you) !to8 ,oughing& la*) $ou'-e got yoursel( 'or9e* u8 o-er nothing) @ho sai* you ha* to go to this Hillto'n 8la,eK $ou ,an go any'here you li9e) ? *on't gi-e a *a.n 'hat it ,osts) All ? ,are about is to ha-e you get 'ell) Don't ,all .e a stin9ing .iser& Fust be,ause ? *on't 'ant *o,tors to thin9 ?'. a .illionaire they , an s'in*le) H ED#+ND has sto88e* ,oughing) He loo9s si,9 an* 'ea9) His (ather stares at hi. (rightene*ly)I $ou loo9 'ea9& la*) $ou'* better ta9e a bra,er) ED#+ND" Hgrabs the bottle an* 8ours his glass bri.(ull7'ea9lyI Than9s) HHe gul8s *o'n the 'his9ey) I T$RONE" H8ours hi.sel( a big *rin9& 'hi,h e.8ties the bottle& an* *rin9s itL his hea* bo's an* he stares *ully at the ,ar*s on the table7 -aguelyI @hose 8lay is itK HHe goes on *ully& 'ithout resent.ent)I A stin9ing ol* .iser) @ell& .aybe you're right) #aybe ? ,an't hel8 being& although all .y li(e sin,e ? ha* anything ?'-e thro'n .oney o-er the bar to buy *rin9s (or e-eryone in the house& or loane* .oney to s8onges ? 9ne' 'oul* ne-er 8ay it ba,97H'ith a looseA.outhe* sneer o( sel(,onte.8tI ;ut& o( ,ourse& that 'as in barroo.s& 'hen ? 'as (ull o( 'his9ey) ? ,an't (eel that 'ay about it 'hen ?'. sober in .y ho.e) ?t 'as at ho.e ? (irst learne* the -alue o( a *ollar an* the (ear o( the 8oorhouse) ?'-e ne-er been able to belie-e in .y lu,9 sin,e) ?'-e al'ays (eare* it 'oul* ,hange an* e-erything ? ha* 'oul* be ta9en a'ay) ;ut still& the .ore 8ro8erty you o'n& the sa(er you thin9 you are) That .ay not be logi,al& but it's the 'ay ? ha-e to (eel) ;an9s (ail& an* your .oney's gone& but you thin9 you ,an 9ee8 lan* beneath your (eet) HAbru8tly his tone be,o.es s,orn(ully su8erior)I $ou sai* you reali<e* 'hat ?'* been u8 against as a boy) The hell you *oJ Ho' ,oul* youK $ou'-e ha* e-erything7 nurses& s,hools& ,ollege& though you *i*n't stay there) $ou'-e ha* (oo*& ,lothing) Oh& ? 9no' you ha* a (ling o( har* 'or9 'ith your ba,9 an* han*s& a bit o( being ho.eless an* 8enniless in a (oreign lan*& an* ? res8e,t you (or it) ;ut it 'as a ga.e o( ro.an,e an* a*-enture to you) ?t 'as 8lay) ED#+ND" H*ully sar,asti,I $es& 8arti,ularly the ti.e ? trie* to ,o..it sui,i*e at Ji..ie the Oriest's& an* al.ost *i*) T$RONE" $ou 'eren't in your right .in*) No son o( .ine 'oul* e-er7$ou 'ere

/1

*run9) ED#+ND" ? 'as stone ,ol* sober) That 'as the trouble) ?'* sto88e* to thin9 too long) T$RONE" H'ith *run9en 8ee-ishnessI Don't start your *a.ne* atheist .orbi*ness againJ ? *on't ,are to listen) ? 'as trying to .a9e 8lain to you7 Hs,orn(ullyI @hat *o you 9no' o( the -alue o( a *ollarK @hen ? 'as ten .y (ather *eserte* .y .other an* 'ent ba,9 to ?relan* to *ie) @hi,h he *i* soon enough& an* *eser-e* to& an* ? ho8e he's roasting in hell) He .istoo9 rat 8oison (or (lour& or sugar& or so.ething) There 'as gossi8 it 'asn't by .ista9e but that's a lie) No one in .y (a.ily e-er7 ED#+ND" #y bet is& it 'asn't by .ista9e) T$RONE" #ore .orbi*nessJ $our brother 8ut that in your hea*) The 'orst he ,an sus8e,t is the only truth (or hi.) ;ut ne-er .in*) #y .other 'as le(t& a stranger in a strange lan*& 'ith (our s.all ,hil*ren& .e an* a sister a little ol*er an* t'o younger than .e) #y t'o ol*er brothers ha* .o-e* to other 8arts) They ,oul*n't hel8) They 'ere har* 8ut to it to 9ee8 the.sel-es ali-e) There 'as no *a.ne* ro.an,e in our 8o-erty) T'i,e 'e 'ere e-i,te* (ro. the .iserable ho-el 'e ,alle* ho.e& 'ith .y .other's (e' sti,9s o( (urniture thro'n out in the street& an* .y .other an* sisters ,rying) ? ,rie*& too& though ? trie* har* not to& be,ause ? 'as the .an o( the (a.ily) At ten years ol*J There 'as no .ore s,hool (or .e) ? 'or9e* t'el-e hours a *ay in a .a,hine sho8& learning to .a9e (iles) A *irty barn o( a 8la,e 'here rain *ri88e* through the roo(& 'here you roaste* in su..er& an* there 'as no sto-e in 'inter& an* your han*s got nu.b 'ith ,ol*& 'here the only light ,a.e through t'o s.all (ilthy 'in*o's& so on grey *ays ?'* ha-e to sit bent o-er 'ith .y eyes al.ost tou,hing the (iles in or*er to seeJ $ou tal9 o( 'or9J An* 'hat *o you thin9 ? got (or itK Di(ty ,ents a 'ee9J ?t's the truthJ Di(ty ,ents a 'ee9J An* .y 8oor .other 'ashe* an* s,rubbe* (or the $an9s by the *ay& an* .y ol*er sister se'e*& an* .y t'o younger staye* at ho.e to 9ee8 the house) @e ne-er ha* ,lothes enough to 'ear& nor enough (oo* to eat) @ell ? re.e.ber one Than9sgi-ing& or .aybe it 'as Christ.as& 'hen so.e $an9 in 'hose house .other ha* been s,rubbing ga-e her a *ollar e:tra (or a 8resent& an* on the 'ay ho.e she s8ent it all on (oo*) ? , an re.e.ber her hugging an* 9issing us an* saying 'ith tears o( Foy running *o'n her tire* (a,e" MElory be to Eo*& (or on,e in our li-es 'e'll ha-e enough (or ea,h o( usJ M HHe 'i8es tears (ro. his eyes)I A (ine& bra-e& s'eet 'o.an) There ne-er 'as a bra-er or (iner) ED#+ND" H.o-e*I $es& she .ust ha-e been) T$RONE" Her one (ear 'as she'* get ol* an* si,9 an* ha-e to *ie in the 8oorhouse) HHe

/1

8auses7then a**s 'ith gri. hu.orI ?t 'as in those *ays ? learne* to be a .iser) A *ollar 'as 'orth so .u,h then) An* on,e you'-e learne* a lesson& it's har* to unlearn it) $ou ha-e to loo9 bargains) ?( ? too9 this state (ar. sanatoriu. (or a goo* bargain& you'll ha-e to (orgi-e .e) T h e *o,tors *i* tell .e it's a goo* 8la,e) $ou .ust belie-e that& E*.un*) An* ? s'ear ? ne-er .eant you to go there i( you *i*n't 'ant to) H-ehe.entlyI $ou , an ,hoose any 8la,e you li9eJ Ne-er .in* 'hat it ,ostsJ Any 8la,e ? ,an a((or*) Any 8la,e you li9e7 'ithin reason) HAt this Guali(i,ation& a grin t'it,hes ED#+ND'! li8s) His resent.ent has gone) His (ather goes on 'ith an elaborately o((han*& ,asual air)I There 'as another sanatoriu. the s8e,ialist re,o..en*e*) He sai* it ha* a re,or* as goo* as any 8la,e in the ,ountry) ?t's en*o'e* by a grou8 o( .illionaire (a,tory o'ners& (or the bene(it o( their 'or9ers 8rin,i8ally& but you're eligible to go there be,ause you're a resi*ent) There's su,h a 8ile o( .oney behin* it& they *on't ha-e to ,harge .u,h) ?t's only se-en *ollars a 'ee9 but you get ten ti.es that -alue& HhastilyI ? *on't 'ant to 8ersua*e you to anything& un*erstan*) ?'. si.8ly re8eating 'hat ? 'as tol*) ED#+ND" H,on,ealing his s.ile7,asuallyI Oh& ? 9no' that) ?t soun*s li9e a goo* bargain to .e) ?'* li9e to go there) !o that settles that) HAbru8tly he is .iserably *es8erate again7*ullyI ?t *oesn't .atter a *a.n no'& any'ay) Let's (orget itJ H,hanging the subFe,tI Ho' about our ga.eK @hose 8lay is itK T$RONE" H.e,hani,allyI ? *on't 9no') #ine& ? guess) No& it's yours) H ED#+ND 8lays a ,ar*) His (ather ta9es it) Then about to 8lay (ro. his han*& he again (orgets the ga.e)I $es& .aybe li(e o-er*i* the lesson (or .e& an* .a*e a *ollar 'orth too .u,h& an* the ti.e ,a.e 'hen that .ista9e ruine* .y ,areer as a (ine a,tor& Hsa*lyI ?'-e ne-er a*.itte* this to anyone be(ore& la*& but tonight ?'. so heartsi,9 ? (eel at the en* o( e-erything& an* 'hat's the use o( (a9e 8ri*e an* 8retense) That Eo*A*a.ne* 8lay ? bought (or a song an* .a*e su,h a great su,,ess in7a great .oney su,,ess7it ruine* .e 'ith its 8ro.ise o( an easy (ortune) ? *i*n't 'ant to *o anything else& an* by the ti.e ? 'o9e u8 to the (a,t ?'* be,o.e a sla-e to the *a.ne* thing an* *i* try other 8lays& it 'as too late) They ha* i*enti(ie* .e 'ith that one 8art& an* *i*n't 'ant .e in anything else) They 'ere right& too) ?'* lost the great talent ? on,e ha* through years o( easy re8etition& ne-er learning a ne' 8art& ne-er really 'or9ing har*) ThirtyA(i-e to (orty thousan* *ollars net 8ro(it a season li9e sna88ing your (ingersJ ?t 'as too great a te.8tation) $et be(ore ? bought the *a.ne* thing ? 'as ,onsi*ere* one o( the three or (our young a,tors 'ith the greatest

/3

artisti, 8ro.ise in A.eri,a) ?'* 'or9e* li9e hell) ?'* le(t a goo* Fob as a .a,hinist to ta9e su8ers'12 8arts be,ause ? lo-e* the theater) ? 'as 'il* 'ith a.bition) ? rea* all the 8lays e-er 'ritten) ? stu*ie* !ha9es8eare as you'* stu*y the ;ible) ? e*u,ate* .ysel() ? got ri* o( an ?rish brogue you ,oul* ,ut 'ith a 9ni(e) ? lo-e* !ha9es8eare) ? 'oul* ha-e a,te* in any o( his 8lays (or nothing& (or the Foy o( being ali-e in his great 8oetry) An* ? a,te* 'ell in hi.) ? (elt ins8ire* by hi.) ? ,oul* ha-e been a great !ha9es8earean a,tor& i( ?'* 9e8t on) ? 9no' thatJ ?n 1/N4 'hen E*'in ;ooth31 ,a.e to the theater in Chi,ago 'here ? 'as lea*ing .an& ? 8laye* Cassius to his ;rutus one night& ;rutus to his Cassius the ne:t& Othello to his ?ago& an* so on) The (irst night ? 8laye* Othello& he sai* to our .anager) MThat young .an is 8laying Othello better than ? e-er *i*J M H8rou*lyI That (ro. ;ooth& the greatest a,tor o( his *ay or any otherJ An* it 'as trueJ An* ? 'as only t'entyAse-en years ol*J As ? loo9 ba,9 on it no'& that night 'as the high s8ot in .y ,areer) ? ha* li(e 'here ? 'ante* itJ An* (or a ti.e a(ter that ? 9e8t on u8'ar* 'ith a.bition high) #arrie* your .other) As9 her 'hat ? 'as li9e in those *ays) Her lo-e 'as an a**e* in,enti-e to a.bition) ;ut a (e' years later .y goo* ba* lu,9 .a*e .e (in* the big .oneyA.a9er) ?t 'asn't that in .y eyes at (irst) ?t 'as a great ro.anti, 8art ? 9ne' ? ,oul* 8lay better than anyone) ;ut it 'as a great bo: o((i,e su,,ess (ro. the start7an* then li(e ha* .e 'here it 'ante* .e7at (ro. thirtyA(i-e to (orty thousan* net 8ro(it a seasonJ A (ortune in those *ays7or e-en in these& HbitterlyI @hat the hell 'as it ? 'ante* to buy& ? 'on*er& that 'as 'orth7@ell& no .atter) ?t's a late *ay (or regrets) HHe glan,es -aguely at his ,ar*s)I #y 8lay& isn't itK ED#+ND" H.e'e*& stares at his (ather 'ith un*erstan*ing7slo'lyI ?'. gla* you'-e tol* .e this& Oa8a) ? 9no' you a lot better no') T$RONE" H'ith a loose& t'iste* s.ileI #aybe ? shoul*n't ha-e tol* you) #aybe you'll only (eel .ore ,onte.8t (or .e) An* it's a 8oor 'ay to ,on-in,e you o( the -alue o( a *ollar) HThen as i( this 8hrase auto.ati,ally arouse* an habitual asso,iation in his .in*& he glan,es u8 at the ,han*elier *isa88ro-ingly)I The glare (ro. those e:tra lights hurts .y eyes) $ou *on't .in* i( ? turn the. out& *o youK @e *on't nee* the.& an* there's no use .a9ing the Ele,tri, Co.8any ri,h) ED#+ND" H,ontrolling a 'il* i.8ulse to laugh7agreeablyI No& sure not) Turn the. out)
12 31

!u8ernu.eraries& e:tras) E*'in ;ooth B1/00A1/20C& A.eri,an a,tor an* theatri,al .anager)

/0

T$RONE" Hgets hea-ily an* a bit 'a-eringly to his (eet an* gro8es un,ertainly (or the lights7his .in* going ba,9 to its line o( thoughtI No& ? *on't 9no' 'hat the hell it 'as ? 'ante* to buy) HHe ,li,9s out one bulb)I On .y sole.n oath& E*.un*& ?'* gla*ly (a,e not ha-ing an a,re o( lan* to ,all .y o'n& nor a 8enny in the ban97HHe ,li,9s out another bulb)I ?'* be 'illing to ha-e no ho.e but the 8oorhouse in .y ol* age i( ? ,oul* loo9 ba,9 no' on ha-ing been the (ine artist ? .ight ha-e been) HHe turns out the thir* bulb& so only the rea*ing la.8 is on& an* sits *o'n again hea-ily& ED#+ND su**enly ,annot hol* ba,9 a burst o( straine*& ironi,al laughter) T$RONE is hurt)I @hat the *e-il are you laughing atK ED#+ND" Not at you& Oa8a) At li(e) ?t's so *a.ne* ,ra<y) T$RONE" Hgro'lsI #ore o( your .orbi*nessJ There's nothing 'rong 'ith li(e) ?t's 'e 'ho7HHe GuotesI MThe (ault& *ear ;rutus& is not in our stars& but in oursel-es that 'e are un*erlings)M31 HHe 8auses7then sa*lyI The 8raise E*'in ;ooth ga-e .y Othello) ? .a*e the .anager 8ut *o'n his e:a,t 'or*s in 'riting) ? 9e8t it in .y 'allet (or years) ? use* to rea* it e-ery on,e in a 'hile until (inally it .a*e .e (eel so ba* ? *i*n't 'ant to (a,e it any .ore) @here is it no'& ? 'on*erK !o.e'here in this house) ? re.e.ber ? 8ut it a'ay ,are(ully7 ED#+ND" H'ith a 'ry ironi,al sa*nessI ?t .ight be in an ol* trun9 in the atti,& along 'ith #a.a's 'e**ing *ress) HThen as his (ather stares at hi.& he a**s Gui,9lyI Dor Oete's sa9e& i( 'e're going to 8lay ,ar*s& let's 8lay) HHe ta9es the ,ar* his (ather ha* 8laye* an* lea*s) Dor a .o.ent& they 8lay the ga.e& li9e .e,hani,al ,hess 8layers) Then T$RONE sto8s& listening to a soun* u8stairs)I T$RONE" !he's still .o-ing aroun*) Eo* 9no's 'hen she'll go to slee8) ED#+ND" H8lea*s tenselyI Dor Christ's sa9e) Oa8a& (orget itJ HHe rea,hes out an* 8ours a *rin9) T$RONE starts to 8rotest& then gi-es it u8) ED#+ND *rin9s) He 8uts *o'n the glass) His e:8ression ,hanges) @hen he s8ea9s it is as i( he 'ere *eliberately gi-ing 'ay to *run9enness an* see9ing to hi*e behin* a .au*lin .anner)I $es& she .o-es abo-e an* beyon* us& a ghost haunting the 8ast& an* here 'e sit 8reten*ing to (orget& but straining our ears listening (or the slightest soun*& hearing the (og *ri8 (ro. the ea-es li9e the une-en ti,9 o( a run*o'n& ,ra<y ,lo,97or li9e the *reary tears o( a trollo8 s8attering in a 8u**le o( stale beer on a hon9yAton9 table to8J HHe laughs 'ith .au*lin a88re,iation)I Not so ba*& that last& ehK Original& not ;au*elaire) Ei-e .e ,re*itJ Hthen 'ith al,oholi,
31

!ha9es8eares Julius Caesar

/4

tal9ati-enessI $ou'-e Fust tol* .e so.e high s8ots in your .e.ories) @ant to hear .ineK They're all ,onne,te* 'ith the sea) Here's one) @hen ? 'as on the !Guarehea* sGuare rigger& boun* (or ;uenos Aires) Dull .oon in the Tra*es) The ol* hoo9er *ri-ing (ourteen 9nots) ? lay on the bo's8rit& (a,ing astern& 'ith the 'ater (oa.ing into s8u.e un*er .e& the .asts 'ith e-ery sail 'hite in the .oonlight& to'ering high abo-e .e) ? be,a.e *run9 'ith the beauty an* singing rhyth. o( it& an* (or a .o.ent ? lost .ysel(7a,tually lost .y li(e) ? 'as set (reeJ ? *issol-e* in the sea& be,a.e 'hite sails an* Hying s8ray& be,a.e beauty an* rhyth.& be,a.e .oonlight an* the shi8 an* the high *i.Astarre* s9yJ ? belonge*& 'ithout 8ast or (uture& 'ithin 8ea,e an* unity an* a 'il* Foy& 'ithin so.ething greater than .y o'n li(e& or the li(e o( #an& to Li(e itsel(J To Eo*& i( you 'ant to 8ut it that 'ay) Then another ti.e& on the A.eri,an Line& 'hen ? 'as loo9out on the ,ro''s nest in the *a'n 'at,h) A ,al. sea& that ti.e) Only a la<y groun* s'ell an* a slo' *ro'sy roll o( the shi8) The 8assengers aslee8 an* none o( the ,re' in sight) No soun* o( .an) ;la,9 s.o9e 8ouring (ro. the (unnels behin* an* beneath .e) Drea.ing& not 9ee8ing loo9out& (eeling alone& an* abo-e& an* a8art& 'at,hing the *a'n ,ree8 li9e a 8ainte* *rea. o-er the s9y an* sea 'hi,h sle8t together) Then the .o.ent o( e,stati, (ree*o. ,a.e) The 8ea,e& the en* o( the Guest& the last harbor& the Foy o( belonging to a (ul(ill.ent beyon* .en's lousy& 8iti(ul& gree*y (ears an* ho8es an* *rea.sJ An* se-eral other ti.es in .y li(e& 'hen ? 'as s'i..ing (ar out& or lying alone on a bea,h& ? ha-e ha* the sa.e e:8erien,e) ;e,a.e the sun& the hot san*& green sea'ee* an,hore* to a ro,9& s'aying in the ti*e) Li9e a saint's -ision o( beatitu*e) Li9e the -eil o( things as they see. *ra'n ba,9 by an unseen han*) Dor a se,on* you see7an* seeing the se,ret& are the se,ret) Dor a se,on* there is .eaningJ Then the han* lets the -eil (all an* you are alone& lost in the (og again& an* you stu.ble on to'ar* no'here& (or no goo* reasonJ HHe grins 'ryly)I ?t 'as a great .ista9e& .y being born a .an& ? 'oul* ha-e been .u,h .ore su,,ess(ul as a sea gull or a (ish) As it is& ? 'ill al'ays be a stranger 'ho ne-er (eels at ho.e& 'ho *oes not really 'ant an* is not really 'ante*& 'ho ,an ne-er belong& 'ho .ust al'ays be a little in lo-e 'ith *eathJ T$RONE" Hstares at hi.7i.8resse*I $es& there's the .a9ings o( a 8oet in you all right& Hthen 8rotesting uneasilyI ;ut that's .orbi* ,ra<iness about not being 'ante* an* lo-ing *eath) ED#+ND" Hsar*oni,allyI The .a9ings o( a 8oet) No& ?'. a(rai* ?'. li9e the guy 'ho is al'ays 8anhan*ling (or a s.o9e) He hasn't e-en got the .a9ings) He's got only the habit)

/5

? ,oul*n't tou,h 'hat ? trie* to tell you Fust no') ? Fust sta..ere*) That's the best ?'ll e-er *o) ? .ean& i( ? li-e) @ell& it 'ill be (aith(ul realis.& at least) !ta..ering is the nati-e eloGuen,e o( us (og 8eo8le) HA 8ause) Then they both Fu.8 startle*ly as there is a noise (ro. outsi*e the house& as i( so.eone ha* stu.ble* an* (allen on the (ront ste8s) ED#+ND grins)I @ell& that soun*s li9e the absent brother) He .ust ha-e a 8ea,h o( a bun on) T$RONE" Hs,o'lingI That loa(erJ He ,aught the last ,ar& ba* lu,9 to it) HHe gets to his (eet)I Eet hi. to be*& E*.un*) ?'ll go out on the 8or,h) He has a tongue li9e an a**er 'hen he's *run9) ?'* only lose .y te.8er) HHe goes out the *oor to the si*e 8or,h as the (ront *oor in the hall bangs shut behin* JA#?E) ED#+ND 'at,hes 'ith a.use.ent JA#?E' ! 'a-ering 8rogress through the (ront 8arlor& JA#?E ,o.es in) He is -ery *run9 an* 'oo<y on his legs) His eyes are glassS'& his (a,e bloate*& his s8ee,h blurre*& his .outh sla,9 li9e his (ather's& a leer on his li8s)I JA#?E" Hs'aying an* blin9ing in the *oor'ay7in a lou* -oi,eI @hat hoJ @hat hoJ ED#+ND" Hshar8lyI Ni: on the lou* noiseJ JA#?E" Hblin9s at hi.I Oh& hello& >i*) H'ith great seriousnessI ?'. as *run9 as a (i**ler's bit,h) ED#+ND" H*rylyI Than9s (or telling .e your great se,ret) JA#?E" Hgrins (oolishlyI $es) +nne,essary in(or.ation Nu.ber One& ehK HHe ben*s an* sla8s at the 9nees o( his trousers)I Ha* serious a,,i*ent) The (ront ste8s trie* to tra.8le on .e) Too9 a*-antage o( (og to 'aylay .e) Ought to be a lighthouse out there) Dar9 in here& too) Hs,o'lingI @hat the hell is this& the .orgueK Lets ha-e so.e light on subFe,t) HHe s'ays (or'ar* to the table& re,iting >i8ling33I MDor*& (or*& (or* o' >abul ri-er& Dor* o' >abul ri-er in the *ar9J >ee8 the ,rossingAsta9es besi*e you& an' they 'ill surely gui*e you 'Cross the (or* o' >abul ri-er in the *ar9)M HHe (u.bles at the ,han*elier an* .anages to turn on the three bulbs)I Thats .ore li9e it) The hell 'ith ol* Eas8ar*)30 @here is the ol* tight'a*K ED#+ND" Out on the 8or,h) JA#?E" Can't e:8e,t us to li-e in the ;la,9 Hole o( Cal,utta)34 HHis eyes (i: on the (ull
33 30

Ru*yar* >i8ling B1/65A1206C& English author) Ja.ie's ,onte.8tuous na.e (or his (ather& *ra'n (ro. a ,hara,ter in the 8o8ular *ra.a The ;ells)

/6

bottle o( 'his9ey)I !ayJ Ha-e ? got the *)t)'sK35 HHe rea,hes out (u.blingly an* grabs it)I ;y Eo*& it's real) @hat's .atter 'ith the Ol* #an tonightK #ust be ossi(ie* to (orget he le(t this out) Erab o88ortunity by the (orelo,9) >ey to .y su,,ess) HHe slo8s a big *rin9 into a glass)I ED#+ND" $ou're stin9ing no') That 'ill 9no,9 you sti(() JA#?E" @is*o. (ro. the .outh o( babes) Can the 'ise stu((& >i*) $ou're still 'et behin* the ears) HHe lo'ers hi.sel( into a ,hair& hol*ing the *rin9 ,are(ully alo(t) I ED#+ND" All right) Oass out i( you 'ant to) JA#?E" Can't& that's trouble) Ha* enough to sin9 a shi8& but ,an't sin9) @ell& here's ho8ing) HHe *rin9s)I ED#+ND" !ho-e o-er the bottle) ?'ll ha-e one& too) JA#?E" H'ith su**en& bigAbrotherly soli,itu*e& grabbing the bottleI No& you *on't) Not 'hile ?'. aroun*) Re.e.ber *o,tor's or*ers) #aybe no one else gi-es a *a.n i( you *ie& but ? *o) #y 9i* brother) ? lo-e your guts& >i*) E-erything else is gone) $ou're all ?'-e got le(t& H8ulling bottle ,loser to hi.I !o no boo<e (or you& i( ? ,an hel8 it) H;eneath his *run9en senti.entality there is a genuine sin,erity) I ED#+ND" HirritablyI Oh& lay o(( it) JA#?E" His hurt an* his (a,e har*ensI $ou *on't belie-e ? ,are& ehK Just *run9en bull) HHe sho-es the bottle o-er)I All right) Eo ahea* an* 9ill yoursel() ED#+NDL Hseeing he is hurt7a((e,tionatelyI !ure ? 9no' you ,are& Ja.ie& an* ?'. going on the 'agon) ;ut tonight *oesn't ,ount) Too .any *a.ne* things ha-e ha88ene* to*ay) HHe 8ours a *rin9)I Here's ho') HHe *rin9s) I JA#?E" Hsobers u8 .o.entarily an* 'ith a 8itying loo9I ? 9no'& >i*) ?t's been a lousy *ay (or you) Hthen 'ith sneering ,yni,is.I ?'ll bet ol* Eas8ar* hasn't trie* to 9ee8 you o(( boo<e) Orobably gi-e you a ,ase to ta9e 'ith you to the state (ar. (or 8au8er 8atients) The sooner you 9i,9 the bu,9et& the less e:8ense& H'ith ,onte.8tuous hatre*I @hat a bastar* to ha-e (or a (atherJ Christ& i( you 8ut hi. in a boo9& no one 'oul* belie-e itJ ED#+ND" H*e(ensi-elyI Oh& Oa8a's all right& i( you try to un*erstan* hi.7 an* 9ee8 your sense o( hu.or) JA#?E" H,yni,allyI He's been 8utting on the ol* sob a,t (or you& ehK He ,an al'ays 9i* you) ;ut not .e) Ne-er again& Hthen slo'lyI Although& in a 'ay& ? *o (eel sorry (or hi. about one thing) ;ut he has e-en that ,o.ing to hi.) He's to bla.e& Hhurrie*lyI ;ut to

35

Deliriu. tre.ens

/N

hell 'ith that) HHe grabs the bottle an* 8ours another *rin9& a88earing -ery *run9 again)I That lash *rin9's getting .e) This one ought to 8ut the lights out) Di* you tell Eas8ar* ? got it out o( Do, Har*y this sanatoriu. is a ,harity *u.8K ED#+ND" Hrelu,tantlyI $es) ? tol* hi. ? 'oul*n't go there) ?t's all settle* no') He sai* ? ,an go any'here ? 'ant) HHe a**s& s.iling 'ithout resent.entI @ithin reason& o( ,ourse) JA#?E" H*run9enly i.itating his (atherI O( ,ourse& la*) Anything 'ithin reason& HsneeringI That .eans another ,hea8 *u.8) Ol* Eas8ar*& the .iser in MThe ;ells&M that's a 8art he ,an 8lay 'ithout .a9eAu8) ED#+ND" HirritablyI Oh& shut u8& 'ill you) ?'-e hear* that Eas8ar* stu(( a .illion ti.es) JA#?E" Hshrugs his shoul*ers7thi,9lyI A' right& i( you're satis(ie*7let hi. get a'ay 'ith it) ?t's your (uneral7? .ean& ? ho8e it 'on't be) ED#+ND" H,hanging the subFe,tI @hat *i* you *o u8to'n tonightK Eo to #a.ie ;urnsK JA#?E" H-ery *run9& his hea* no**ingI !ure thing) @here else ,oul* ? (in* suitable (e.inine ,o.8anionshi8K An* lo-e) Don't (orget lo-e) @hat is a .an 'ithout a goo* 'o.an's lo-eK A Eo*A*a.ne* hollo' shell) ED#+ND" H,hu,9les ti8sily& letting hi.sel( go no' an* be *run9I $ou're a nut) JA#?E" HGuotes 'ith gusto (ro. Os,ar @il*e's MThe Harlot's HouseMI MThen& turning to .y lo-e& ? sai*& 'The *ea* are *an,ing 'ith the *ea*& The *ust is 'hirling 'ith the *ust)' ;ut she7she hear* the -iolin& An* le(t .y si*e an* entere* in" Lo-e 8asse* into the house o( lust) Then su**enly the tune 'ent (alse& The *an,ers 'earie* o( the 'alt< ) ) ) M HHe brea9s o((& thi,9lyI Not stri,tly a,,urate) ?( .y lo-e 'as 'ith .e& ? *i*n't noti,e it) !he .ust ha-e been a ghost) HHe 8auses)I Euess 'hi,h one o( #a.ie's ,har.ers ? 8i,9e* to bless .e 'ith her 'o.an's lo-e) ?t'll han* you a laugh& >i*) ? 8i,9e* Dat %iolet) ED#+ND" Hlaughs *run9enlyI No& honestK !o.e 8i,9J Eo*& she 'eighs a ton) @hat the hell (or& a Fo9eK JA#?E" No Fo9e) %ery serious) ;y the ti.e ? hit #a.ie's *u.8 ? (elt -ery sa* about

//

.ysel( an* all the other 8oor bu.s in the 'orl*) Rea*y (or a 'ee8 on any ol* 'o.anly boso.) $ou 9no' ho' you get 'hen John ;arley,orn turns on the so(t .usi, insi*e you) Then& soon as ? got in the *oor& #a.ie began telling .e all her troubles) ;ee(e* ho' rotten business 'as& an* she 'as going to gi-e Dat %iolet the gate) Custo.ers *i*n't (all (or %i) Only reason she'* 9e8t her 'as she ,oul* 8lay the 8iano) Lately %i's gone on *run9s an* been too boile* to 8lay& an* 'as eating her out o( house an* ho.e& an* although %i 'as a goo*hearte* *u.bbell& an* she (elt sorry (or her be,ause she *i*n't 9no' ho' the hell she'* .a9e a li-ing& still business 'as business& an* she ,oul*n't a((or* to run a house (or (at tarts) @ell& that .a*e .e (eel sorry (or Dat %iolet& so ? sGuan*ere* t'o bu,9s o( your *ough to es,ort her u8stairs) @ith no *ishonorable intentions 'hate-er) ? li9e the. (at& but not that (at) All ? 'ante* 'as a little heartAtoAheart tal9 ,on,erning the in(inite sorro' o( li(e) ED#+ND" H,hu,9les *run9enlyI Ooor %iJ ?'ll bet you re,ite* >i8ling an* !'inburne an* Do'son an* ga-e her M? ha-e been (aith(ul to thee& Cynara& in .y (ashion)M JA#?E" Hgrins looselyI !ure7'ith the Ol* #aster& John ;arley,orn& 8laying so(t .usi,) !he stoo* it (or a 'hile) Then she got goo* an* sore) Eot the i*ea ? too9 her u8stairs (or a Fo9e) Ea-e .e a gran* ba'ling out) !ai* she 'as better than a *run9en bu. 'ho re,ite* 8oetry) Then she began to ,ry) !o ? ha* to say ? lo-e* her be,ause she 'as (at& an* she 'ante* to belie-e that& an* ? staye* 'ith her to 8ro-e it& an* that ,heere* her u8& an* she 9isse* .e 'hen ? le(t& an* sai* she'* (allen har* (or .e& an* 'e both ,rie* a little .ore in the hall'ay& an* e-erything 'as (ine& e:,e8t #a.ie ;urns thought ?'* gone bughouse) ED#+ND" HGuotes *erisi-elyI MHarlots an* Hunte* ha-e 8leasures o( their o'n to gi-e& The -ulgar her* ,an ne-er un*erstan*)M JA#?E" Hno*s his hea* *run9enlyI E:a,tlyJ Hell o( a goo* ti.e& at that) $ou shoul* ha-e stu,9 aroun* 'ith .e& >i*) #a.ie ;urns inGuire* a(ter you) !orry to hear you 'ere si,9) !he .eant it& too) HHe 8auses7then 'ith .au*lin hu.or& in a ha.Aa,tor toneI This night has o8ene* .y eyes to a great ,areer in store (or .e& .y boyJ ? shall gi-e the art o( a,ting ba,9 to the 8er(or.ing seals& 'hi,h are its .ost 8er(e,t e:8ression) ;y a88lying .y natural Eo*Agi-en talents in their 8ro8er s8here& ? shall attain the 8inna,le o( su,,essJ ?'ll be the lo-er o( the (at 'o.an in ;arnu. an* ;ailey's ,ir,usJ H ED#+ND laughs& JA#?E'! .oo* ,hanges to arrogant *is*ain)I OahJ ?.agine .e sun9 to the (at girl in a

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hi,9 to'n hoo9er sho8J #eJ @ho ha-e .a*e so.e o( the bestAloo9ers on ;roa*'ay sit u8 an* begJ HHe Guotes (ro. >i8ling's M!estina o( the Tra.8ARoyalMI M!8ea9in' in general& ? 'a-e trie* 'e. all& The a88y roa*s that ta9e you o'er the 'orl*)M H'ith so**en .elan,holyI Not so a8t) Ha88y roa*s is bun9) @eary roa*s is right) Eet you no'here (ast) That's 'here ?'-e got7no'here) @here e-eryone lan*s in the en*& e-en i( .ost o( the su,9ers 'on't a*.it it) ED#+ND" H*erisi-elyI Can itJ $ou'll be ,rying in a .inute) JA#?E" Hstarts an* stares at his brother (or a se,on* 'ith bitter hostility7 thi,9lyI Don't get7too *a.ne* (resh& Hthen abru8tlyI ;ut you're right) To hell 'ith re8iningJ Dat %iolet's a goo* 9i*) Ela* ? staye* 'ith her) Christian a,t) Cure* her blues) Hell o( a goo* ti.e) $ou shoul* ha-e stu,9 'ith .e) >i*) Ta9en your .in* o(( your troubles) @hat's the use ,o.ing ho.e to get the blues o-er 'hat ,an't be hel8e*) All o-er7 (inishe* no'7not a ho8eJ HHe sto8s& his hea* no**ing *run9enly& his eyes ,losing then su**enly he loo9s u8& his (a,e har*& an* Guotes Feeringly)I M?( ? 'ere hange* on the highest hill) #other o' .ine& O .other o' .ineJ ? 9no' 'hose lo-e 'oul* (ollo' .e still ) ) )M ED#+ND" H-iolentlyI !hut u8J JA#?E" Hin a ,ruel& sneering tone 'ith hatre* in itI @here's the ho8hea*K Eone to slee8K H ED#+ND Fer9s as i( he'* been stru,9) There is a tense silen,e) ED#+ND'! (a,e loo9s stri,9en an* si,9) Then in a burst o( rage he s8rings (ro. his ,hair) I ED#+ND" $ou *irty bastar*J HHe 8un,hes his brother in the (a,e& a blo' that glan,es o(( the ,hee9bone) Dor a se,on* JA#?E rea,ts 8ugna,iously an* hal( rises (ro. his ,hair to *o battle& but su**enly he see.s to sober u8 to a sho,9e* reali<ation o( 'hat he has sai* an* he sin9s ba,9 li.8ly)I JA#?E" H.iserablyI Than9s& >i*) ? ,ertainly ha* that ,o.ing) Don't 9no' 'hat .a*e .e7boo<e tal9ing7$ou 9no' .e& >i*) ED#+ND" Hhis anger ebbingI ? 9no' you'* ne-er say that unless7;ut Eo*& Ja.ie& no .atter ho' *run9 you are& it's no e:,useJ HHe 8auses7.iserablyI ?'. sorry ? hit you) $ou an* ? ne-er s,ra87that ba*) HHe sin9s ba,9 on his ,hair)I JA#?E" Hhus9ilyI ?t's all right) Ela* you *i*) #y *irty tongue) Li9e to ,ut it out) HHe hi*es his (a,e in his han*s7*ullyI ? su88ose it's be,ause ? (eel so *a.ne* sun9) ;e,ause

21

this ti.e #a.a ha* .e (oole*) ? really belie-e* she ha* it li,9e*) !he thin9s ? al'ays belie-e the 'orst& but this ti.e ? belie-e* the best) HHis -oi,e (lutters)I ? su88ose ? ,an't (orgi-e her7 yet) ?t .eant so .u,h) ?'* begun to ho8e& i( she'* beaten the ga.e& ? ,oul*& too) HHe begins to sob& an* the horrible 8art o( his 'ee8ing is that it a88ears sober& not the .au*lin tears o( *run9enness) I ED#+ND" Hblin9ing ba,9 tears hi.sel(I Eo*& *on't ? 9no' ho' you (eelJ !to8 it& Ja.ieJ JA#?E" Htrying to ,ontrol his sobsI ?'-e 9no'n about #a.a so .u,h longer than you) Ne-er (orget the (irst ti.e ? got 'ise) Caught her in the a,t 'ith a hy8o) Christ& ?'* ne-er *rea.e* be(ore that any 'o.en but 'hores too9 *o8eJ HHe 8auses)I An* then this stu(( o( you getting ,onsu.8tion) ?t's got .e li,9e*) @e'-e been .ore than brothers) $ou're the only 8al ?'-e e-er ha*) ? lo-e your guts) ?'* *o anything (or you) ED#+ND" Hrea,hes out an* 8ats his ar.I ? 9no' that& Ja.ie) JA#?E" Hhis ,rying o-er7*ro8s his han*s (ro. his (a,e7'ith a strange bitternessI $et ?'ll bet you'-e hear* #a.a an* ol* Eas8ar* s8ill so .u,h bun9 about .y ho8ing (or the 'orst& you sus8e,t right no' ?'. thin9ing to .ysel( that Oa8a is ol* an* ,an't last .u,h longer& an* i( you 'ere to *ie& #a.a an* ? 'oul* get all he's got& an* so ?'. 8robably ho8ing7 ED#+ND" Hin*ignantlyI !hut u8& you *a.ne* (oolJ @hat the hell 8ut that in your nutK HHe stares at his brother a,,usingly)I $es& that's 'hat ?'* li9e to 9no') @hat 8ut that in your .in*K JA#?E" H,on(use*ly7a88earing *run9 againI Don't be a *u.bbellJ @hat ? sai*J Al'ays sus8e,te* o( ho8ing (or the 'orst) ?'-e got so ? ,an't hel87Hthen *run9enly resent (i*I @hat are you trying to *o& a,,use .eK Don't 8lay the 'ise guy 'ith .eJ ?'-e learne* .ore o( li(e than you'll e-er 9no'J Just be,ause you'-e rea* a lot o( highbro' Fun9& *on't thin9 you ,an (ool .eJ $ou're only an o-ergro'n 9i*J #a.a's baby an* Oa8a's 8etJ The (a.ily @hite Ho8eJ $ou'-e been getting a s'elle* hea* lately) About nothingJ About a (e' 8oe.s in a hi,9 to'n ne's8a8erJ Hell& ? use* to 'rite better stu(( (or the Lit .aga<ine in ,ollegeJ $ou better 'a9e u8J $ou're setting no ri-ers on (ireJ $ou let hi,9 to'n boobs (latter you 'ith bun9 about your (uture7 HAbru8tly his tone ,hanges to *isguste* ,ontrition& ED#+ND has loo9e* a'ay (ro. hi.& trying to ignore this tira*e)I Hell& >i*& (orget it) That goes (or !'eeny) $ou 9no' ? *on't .ean it) No one ho8es .ore than ? *o you'll 9no,9 'e. all *ea*) No one is 8rou*er you'-e starte* to .a9e goo*& H*run9enly asserti-eI @hy shoul*n't ? be 8rou*K Hell& it's 8urely sel(ish) $ou re(le,t

21

,re*it on .e) ?'-e ha* .ore to *o 'ith bringing you u8 than anyone) ? 'ise* you u8 about 'o.en& so you'* ne-er be a (all guy& or .a9e any .ista9es you *i*n't 'ant to .a9eJ An* 'ho steere* you on to rea*ing 8oetry (irstK !'inburne&36 (or e:a.8leK ? *i*J An* be,ause ? on,e 'ante* to 'rite& ? 8lante* it in your .in* that so.e*ay you'* 'riteJ Hell& you're .ore than .y brother) ? .a*e youJ $ou're .y Dran9ensteinJ3N HHe has risen to a note o( *run9en arrogan,e& ED#+ND is grinning 'ith a.use.ent no')I ED#+ND" All right& ?'. your Dran9enstein) !o let's ha-e a *rin9) HHe laughs)I $ou ,ra<y nutJ JA#?E" Hthi,9lyI ?'ll ha-e a *rin9) Not you) Eot to ta9e ,are o( you) HHe rea,hes out 'ith a (oolish grin o( *oting a((e,tion an* grabs his brother's han*)I Don't be s,are* o( this sanatoriu. business) Hell& you ,an beat that stan*ing on your hea*) !i: .onths an* you'll be in the 8in9) Orobably ha-en't got ,onsu.8tion at all) Do,tors lot o( (a9ers) Tol* .e years ago to ,ut out boo<e or ?'* soon be *ea*7an* here ? a.) They're all ,on .en) Anything to grab your *ough) ?'ll bet this state (ar. stu(( is 8oliti,al gra(t ga.e) Do,tors get a ,ut (or e-ery 8atient they sen*) ED#+ND" H*isguste*ly a.use*I $ou're the li.itJ At the Last Ju*g.ent& you'll be aroun* telling e-eryone it's in the bag) JA#?E" An* ?'ll be right) !li8 a 8ie,e o( ,hange to the Ju*ge an* be sa-e*& but i( you're bro9e you ,an go to hellJ HHe grins at this blas8he.y an* ED#+ND has to laugh& JA#?E goes on)I MThere(ore 8ut .oney in thy 8urse)M3/ That's the only *o8e& H.o,9inglyI The se,ret o( .y su,,essJ Loo9 'hat it's got .eJ HHe lets ED#+ND'! han* go to 8our a big *rin9& an* gul8s it *o'n) He stares at his brother 'ith bleary a((e,tion7ta9es his han* again an* begins to tal9 thi,9ly but 'ith a strange& ,on-in,ing sin,erity)I Listen& >i*& you'll be going a'ay) #ay not get another ,han,e to tal9) Or .ight not be *run9 enough to tell you truth) !o got to tell you no') !o.ething ? ought to ha-e tol* you long ago7(or your o'n goo*) HHe 8auses7struggling 'ith hi.sel(& ED#+ND stares& i.8resse* an* uneasy) Ja.ie blurts outI Not *run9en bull& but Min -ino %eritasM32 stu(() $ou better ta9e it seriously)

36 3N

Algernon Charles !'inburne B1/0NA1212C& English 8oet an* ,riti,) ?n the no-el Dran9enstein by the English author #ary !helley B1N2NA1/51C& the s,ientist Dr) Dran9enstein

,reates a .onster) Ja.ie ,on(uses the s,ientist 'ith his ,reation& although it is 8ossible that the .ista9e is O'Neill's) 3/ !ha9es8eares Othello 32 ?n 'ine there is truth B LatinC

23

@ant to 'arn you7against .e) #a.a an* Oa8a are right) ?'-e been rotten ba* in(luen,e) An* 'orst o( it is& ? *i* it on 8ur8ose) ED#+ND" HuneasilyI !hut u8J ? *on't 'ant to hear7 JA#?E" Ni:& >i*J $ou listenJ Di* it on 8ur8ose to .a9e a bu. o( you) Or 8art o( .e *i*) A big 8art) That 8art that's been *ea* so long) That hates li(e) #y 8utting you 'ise so you'* learn (ro. .y .ista9es) ;elie-e* that .ysel( at ti.es& but it's a (a9e) #a*e .y .ista9es loo9 goo*) #a*e getting *run9 ro.anti,) #a*e 'hores (as,inating -a.8ires instea* o( 8oor& stu8i*& *isease* slobs they really are) #a*e (un o( 'or9 as su,9er's ga.e) Ne-er 'ante* you to su,,ee* an* .a9e .e loo9 e-en 'orse by ,o.8arison) @ante* you to (ail) Al'ays Fealous o( you) #a.a's baby& Oa8a's 8etJ HHe stares at ED#+ND 'ith in,reasing en.ity)I An* it 'as your being born that starte* #a.a on *o8e) ? 9no' that's not your (ault& but all the sa.e& Eo* *a.n you& ? ,an't hel8 hating your guts7J ED#+ND" Hal.ost (rightene*lyI Ja.ieJ Cut it outJ $ou're ,ra<yJ JA#?E" ;ut *on't get 'rong i*ea& >i*) ? lo-e you .ore than ? hate you) #y saying 'hat ?'. telling you no' 8ro-es it) ? run the ris9 you'll hate .e7 an* you're all ?'-e got le(t) ;ut ? *i*n't .ean to tell you that last stu((7go that (ar ba,9) Don't 9no' 'hat .a*e .e) @hat ? 'ante* to say is& ?'* li9e to see you be,o.e the greatest su,,ess in the 'orl*) ;ut you'* better be on your guar*) ;e,ause ?'ll *o .y *a.ne*est to .a9e you (ail) Can't hel8 it) ? hate .ysel() Eot to ta9e re-enge) On e-eryone else) Es8e,ially you) Os,ar @il*e's MRea*ing EaolM has the *o8e t'iste*) The .an 'as *ea* an* so he ha* to 9ill the thing he lo-e*) That's 'hat it ought to be) The *ea* 8art o( .e ho8es you 'on't get 'ell) #aybe he's e-en gla* the ga.e has got #a.a againJ He 'ants ,o.8any& he *oesn't 'ant to be the only ,or8se aroun* the houseJ HHe gi-es a har*& torture* laugh)I ED#+ND" Jesus& Ja.ieJ $ou really ha-e gone ,ra<yJ JA#?E" Thin9 it o-er an* you'll see ?'. right) Thin9 it o-er 'hen you're a'ay (ro. .e in the sanatoriu.) #a9e u8 your .in* you'-e got to tie a ,an to .e7get .e out o( your li(e7thin9 o( .e as *ea*7tell 8eo8le& M? ha* a brother& but he's *ea*)M An* 'hen you ,o.e ba,9& loo9 out (or .e) ?'ll be 'aiting to 'el,o.e you 'ith that M.y ol* 8alM stu((& an* gi-e you the gla* han*& an* at the (irst goo* ,han,e ? get stab you in the ba,9) ED#+ND" !hut u8J ?'ll be Eo*A*a.ne* i( ?'ll listen to you any .ore7 JA#?E" Has i( he ha*n't hear*I Only *on't (orget .e) Re.e.ber ? 'arne* you7(or your sa9e) Ei-e .e ,re*it) Ereater lo-e hath no .an than this& that he sa-eth his brother (ro.

20

hi.sel(& H-ery *run9enly& his hea* bobbingI That's all) Deel better no') Eone to ,on(ession) >no' you absol-e .e& *on't you& >i*K $ou un*erstan*) $ou're a *a.ne* (ine 9i*) Ought to be) ? .a*e you) !o go an* get 'ell) Don't *ie on .e) $ou're all ?'-e got le(t) Eo* bless you& >i*) HHis eyes ,lose) He .u.blesI That last *rin97 the ol* >) O) HHe (alls into a *run9en *o<e& not ,o.8letely aslee8& ED#+ND buries his (a,e in his han*s .iserably) T$RONE ,o.es in Guietly through the s,reen *oor (ro. the 8or,h& his *ressing go'n 'et 'ith (og& the ,ollar turne* u8 aroun* his throat) His (a,e is stern an* *isguste* but at the sa.e ti.e 8itying& ED#+ND *oes not noti,e his entran,e)I T$RONE" Hin a lo' -oi,eI Than9 Eo* he's aslee8) H ED#+ND loo9s u8 'ith a start)I ? thought he'* ne-er sto8 tal9ing) HHe turns *o'n the ,ollar o( his *ressing go'n)I @e'* better let hi. stay 'here he is an* slee8 it o(() H ED#+ND re.ains silent) T$RONE regar*s hi.7then goes onI ? hear* the last 8art o( his tal9) ?t's 'hat ?'-e 'arne* you) ? ho8e you'll hee* the 'arning& no' it ,o.es (ro. his o'n .outh) H ED#+ND gi-es no sign o( ha-ing hear*) T$RONE a**s 8ityinglyI ;ut *on't ta9e it too .u,h to heart& la*) He lo-es to e:aggerate the 'orst o( hi.sel( 'hen he's *run9) He's *e-ote* to you) ?t's the one goo* thing le(t in hi.) HHe loo9s *o'n on JA#?E 'ith a bitter sa*ness)I A s'eet s8e,ta,le (or .eJ #y (irstAborn& 'ho ? ho8e* 'oul* bear .y na.e in honor an* *ignity& 'ho sho'e* su,h brilliant 8ro.iseJ ED#+ND" H.iserablyI >ee8 Guiet& ,an't you& Oa8aK T$RONE" H8ours a *rin9I A 'asteJ A 're,9& a *run9en hul9& *one 'ith an* (inishe*J HHe *rin9s& JA#?E has be,o.e restless& sensing his (ather's 8resen,e& struggling u8 (ro. his stu8or) No' he gets his eyes o8en to blin9 u8 at T$RONE) The latter .o-es ba,9 a ste8 *e(ensi-ely& his (a,e gro'ing har*)I JA#?E" Hsu**enly 8oints a (inger at hi. an* re,ites 'ith *ra.ati, e.8hasisI MClaren,e is ,o.e& (alse& (leeting& 8erFure* Claren,e& That stabbe* .e in the (iel* b$ Te'9sbury) !ei<e on hi.& Duries& ta9e hi. into tor.ent)M01 Hthen resent(ullyI @hat the hell are you staring atK HHe re,ites sar*oni,ally (ro. Rossetti01I MLoo9 in .y (a,e) #y na.e is #ightAHa-eA;eenL ? a. also ,alle* No #ore& Too Late& Dare'ell)M

01

01

!ha9es8eare's Ri,har* Dante Eabriel Rossetti B1/31A1//3C& English 8oet an* 8ainter)

24

T$RONE" ?'. 'ell a'are o( that& an* Eo* 9no's ? *on't 'ant to loo9 at it) ED#+ND" Oa8aJ Tuit itJ JA#?E" H*erisi-elyI Eot a great i*ea (or you& Oa8a) Out on re-i-al o( MThe ;ellsM this season) Ereat 8art in it you ,an 8lay 'ithout .a9eAu8) Ol* Eas8ar*& the .iserJ HT$RONE turns a'ay& trying to ,ontrol his te.8er)I ED#+ND" !hut u8& Ja.ieJ JA#?E" HFeeringlyI ? ,lai. E*'in ;ooth ne-er sa' the *ay 'hen he ,oul* gi-e as goo* a 8er(or.an,e as a traine* seal) !eals are intelligent an* honest) They *on't 8ut u8 any blu((s about the Art o( A,ting) They a*.it they're Fust ha.s earning their *aily (ish) T$RONE" Hst''g& turns on hi. in a rageI $ou loa(erJ ED#+ND" Oa8aJ Do you 'ant to start a ro' that 'ill bring #a.a *o'nK Ja.ie& go ba,9 to slee8J $ou'-e shot o(( your .outh too .u,h alrea*y) HT$RONE turns a'ay)I JA#?E" Hthi,9lyI All right& >i*) Not loo9ing (or argu.ent) Too *a.ne* slee8y) HHe ,loses his eyes& his hea* no**ing) T$RONE ,o.es to the table an* sits *o'n& turning his ,hair so he 'on't loo9 at JA#?E) At on,e he be,o.es slee8y& too)I T$RONE" Hhea-ilyI ? 'ish to Eo* she'* go to be* so that ? ,oul*& too) H*ro'silyI ?'. *og tire*) ? ,an't stay u8 all night li9e ? use* to) Eetting ol*7 ol* an* (inishe*& H'ith a boneA ,ra,9ing ya'nI Can't 9ee8 .y eyes o8en) ? thin9 ?'ll ,at,h a (e' 'in9s) @hy *on't you *o the sa.e& E*.un*K ?t'll 8ass the ti.e until she7 HHis -oi,e trails o(() His eyes ,lose& his ,hin sags& an* he begins to breathe hea-ily through his .outh& ED#+ND sits tensely) He hears so.ething an* Fer9s ner-ously (or'ar* in his ,hair& staring through the (ront 8arlor into the hall) He Fu.8s u8 'ith a hunte*& *istra,te* e:8ression) ?t see.s (or a se,on* he is going to hi*e in the ba,9 8arlor) Then he sits *o'n again an* 'aits& his eyes a-erte*& his han*s gri88ing the ar.s o( his ,hair) !u**enly all (i-e bulbs o( the ,han*elier in the (ront 8arlor are turne* on (ro. a 'all s'it,h& an* a .o.ent later so.eone starts 8laying the 8iano in there7the o8ening o( one o( Cho8in's03 si.8ler 'alt<es& *one 'ith a (orget(ul& sti((A(ingere* gro8ing& as i( an a'9'ar* s,hoolgirl 'ere 8ra,ti,ing it (or the (irst ti.e) T$RONE starts to 'i*eA a'a9eness an* sober *rea*& an* JA#?E s hea* Fer9s ba,9 an* his eyes o-en) Dor a .o.ent they listen (ro<enly) The 8laying sto8s as abru8tly as it began& an* #AR$ a88ears in the *oor'ay) !he 'ears a s9yAblue *ressing go'n o-er her night*ress& *ainty sli88ers an* 8o.8ons on her bare (eet) Her (a,e is 8aler than e-er) Her eyes loo9

03

Dre*eri, Cho8in B1/11A1/42C& Oolish ,o.8oser (a.ous (or 'or9s (or the 8iano)

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enor.ous) They glisten li9e 8olishe* bla,9 Fe'els) The un,anny thing is that her (a,e no' a88ears so youth(ul) E:8erien,e see.s irone* out o( it) ?t is a .arble .as9 o( girlish inno,en,e& the .outh ,aught in a shy s.ile) Her 'hite hair is brai*e* in t'o 8igtails 'hi,h hang o-er her breast) O-er one ar.& ,arrie* negle,t(ully& trailing on the (loor& as i( she ha* (orgotten she hel* it& is an ol*A(ashione* 'hite satin 'e**ing go'n& tri..e* 'ith *u,hesse la,e) !he hesitates in the *oor'ay& glan,ing roun* the roo.& her (orehea* 8u,9ere* 8u<<le*ly& li9e so.eone 'ho has ,o.e to a roo. to get so.ething but has be,o.e absentA.in*e* on the 'ay an* (orgotten 'hat it 'as) They stare at her) !he see.s a'are o( the. .erely as she is a'are o( other obFe,ts in the roo.& the (urniture& the 'in*o's& (a.iliar things she a,,e8ts auto.ati,ally as naturally belonging there but 'hi,h she is too 8reo,,u8ie* to noti,e) I JA#?E" Hbrea9s the ,ra,9ing silen,e7bitterly& sel(A*e(ensi-ely sar*oni,I The #a* !,ene) Enter O8heliaJ00 HHis (ather an* brother both turn on hi. (ier,ely& ED#+ND is Gui,9er) He sla8s JA#?E a,ross the .outh 'ith the ba,9 o( his han*)I T$RONE" Hhis -oi,e tre.bling 'ith su88resse* (uryI Eoo* boy& E*.un*) The *irty bla,9guar*J His o'n .otherJ JA#?E" H.u.bles guiltily& 'ithout resent.entI All right& >i*) Ha* it ,o.ing) ;ut ? tol* you ho' .u,h ?'* ho8e*7HHe 8uts his han*s o-er his (a,e an* begins to sob) I T$RONE" ?'ll 9i,9 you out in the gutter to.orro'& so hel8 .e Eo*) H;ut JA#?E'! sobbing brea9s his anger& an* he turns an* sha9es his shoul*er& 8lea*ingI Ja.ie& (or the lo-e o( Eo*& sto8 itJ HThen #AR$ s8ea9s& an* they (ree<e into silen,e again& staring at her) !he has 8ai* no attention 'hate-er to the in,i*ent) ?t is si.8ly a 8art o( the (a.iliar at.os8here o( the roo.& a ba,9groun* 'hi,h *oes not tou,h her 8reo,,u8ationL an* she s8ea9s alou* to hersel(& not to the.)I #AR$" ? 8lay so ba*ly no') ?'. all out o( 8ra,ti,e) !ister Theresa 'ill gi-e .e a *rea*(ul s,ol*ing) !he'll tell .e it isn't (air to .y (ather 'hen he s8en*s so .u,h .oney (or e:tra lessons) !he's Guite right& it isn't (air& 'hen he's so goo* an* generous& an* so 8rou* o( .e) ?'ll 8ra,ti,e e-ery *ay (ro. no' on) ;ut so.ething horrible has ha88ene* to .y han*s) The (ingers ha-e gotten so sti((7H!he li(ts her han*s to e:a.ine the. 'ith a (rightene* 8u<<le.ent)I The 9nu,9les are all s'ollen) They're so ugly) ?'ll ha-e to go to the ?n(ir.ary an* sho' !ister #artha& H'ith a s'eet s.ile o( a((e,tionate trustI !he's ol*

00

An allusion to !ha9es8eares Ha.let

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an* a little ,ran9y& but ? lo-e her Fust the sa.e& an* she has things in her .e*i,ine ,hest that'll ,ure anything) !he'll gi-e .e so.ething to rub on .y han*s& an* tell .e to 8ray to the ;lesse* %irgin& an* they'll be 'ell again in no ti.e) H!he (orgets her han*s an* ,o.es into the roo.& the 'e**ing go'n trailing on the (loor) !he glan,es aroun* -aguely& her (orehea* 8u,9ere* again)I Let .e see) @hat *i* ? ,o.e here to (in*K ?t's terrible& ho' absentA.in*e* ?'-e be,o.e) ?'. al'ays *rea.ing an* (orgetting) T$RONE" Hin a sti(le* -oi,eI @hat's that she's ,arrying& E*.un*K ED#+ND" H*ullyI Her 'e**ing go'n& ? su88ose) T$RONE" ChristJ HHe gets to his (eet an* stan*s *ire,tly in her 8ath7in anguishI #aryJ ?sn't it ba* enough7K H,ontrolling hi.sel(7gently 8ersuasi-eI Here& let .e ta9e it& *ear) $ou'll only ste8 on it an* tear it an* get it *irty *ragging it on the (loor) Then you'* be sorry a(ter'ar*s) H!he lets hi. ta9e it& regar*ing hi. (ro. so.e'here (ar a'ay 'ithin hersel(& 'ithout re,ognition& 'ithout either a((e,tion or ani.osity)I #AR$ H'ith the shy 8oliteness o( a 'ellAbre* young girl to'ar* an el*erly gentle.an 'ho relie-es her o( a bun*leI Than9 you) $ou are -ery 9in*) H!he regar*s the 'e**ing go'n 'ith a 8u<<le* interest)I ?t's a 'e**ing go'n) ?t's -ery lo-ely& isn't itK HA sha*o' ,rosses her (a,e an* she loo9s -aguely uneasy)I ? re.e.ber no') ? (oun* it in the atti, hi**en in a trun9) ;ut ? *on't 9no' 'hat ? 'ante* it (or) ?'. going to be a nun7that is& i( ? ,an only (in*7H!he loo9s aroun* the roo.& her (orehea* 8u,9ere* again)I @hat is it ?'. loo9ing (orK ? 9no' it's so.ething ? lost) H!he .o-es ba,9 (ro. T$RONE& a'are o( hi. no' only as so.e obsta,le in her 8ath)I T$RONE" Hin ho8eless a88ealI #aryJ H;ut it ,annot 8enetrate her 8reo,,u8ation) !he *oesn't see. to hear hi.) He gi-es u8 hel8lessly& shrin9ing into hi.sel(& e-en his *e(ensi-e *run9enness ta9en (ro. hi.& lea-ing hi. si,9 an* sober) He sin9s ba,9 on his ,hair& hol*ing the 'e**ing go'n in his ar.s 'ith an un,ons,ious ,lu.sy& 8rote,ti-e gentleness)I JA#?E" H*ro8s his han* (ro. his (a,e& his eyes on the table to8) He has su**enly sobere* u8& too7*ullyI ?t's no goo*& Oa8a) HHe re,ites (ro. !'inburne's MA Lea-eAta9ingM an* *oes it 'ell& si.8ly but 'ith a bitter sa*ness)I MLet us rise u8 an* 8artL she 'ill not 9no') Let us go sea'ar* as the great 'in*s go& Dull o( blo'n san* an* (oa.L 'hat hel8 is hereK There is no hel8& (or all these things are so&

2N

An* all the 'orl* is bitter as a tear) An* ho' these things are& though ye stro-e to sho'& !he 'oul* not 9no')M #AR$" Hloo9ing aroun* herI !o.ething ? .iss terribly) ?t ,an't be altogether lost) H!he starts to .o-e aroun* in ba,9 o( JA#?E'! ,hair)I JA#?E" Hturns to loo9 u8 into her (a,e7an* ,annot hel8 a88ealing 8lea*ingly in his turnI #a.aJ H!he *oes not see. to hear) He loo9s a'ay ho8elessly)I HellJ @hat's the useK ?t's no goo*) HHe re,ites (ro. MA Lea-eAta9ingM again 'ith in,rease* bitterness)I MLet us go hen,e& .y songsL she 'ill not hear) Let us go hen,e together 'ithout (earL >ee8 silen,e no'& (or singingAti.e is o-er& An* o-er all ol* things an* all things *ear) !he lo-es not you nor .e as all 'e lo-e her) $ea& though 'e sang as angels in her ear& !he 'oul* not hear)M #AR$" Hloo9ing aroun* herI !o.ething ? nee* terribly) ? re.e.ber 'hen ? ha* it ? 'as ne-er lonely nor a(rai*) ? ,an't ha-e lost it (ore-er& ? 'oul* *ie i( ? thought that) ;e,ause then there 'oul* be no ho8e) H!he .o-es li9e a slee8'al9er& aroun* the ba,9 o( JA#?E'! ,hair& then (or'ar* to'ar* le(t (ront& 8assing behin* ED#+ND)I ED#+ND" Hturns i.8ulsi-ely an* grabs her ar.) As he 8lea*s he has the Guality o( a be'il*ere*ly hurt little boy)I #a.aJ ?t isn't a su..er ,ol*J ?'-e got ,onsu.8tionJ #AR$" HDor a se,on* he see.s to ha-e bro9en through to her) !he tre.bles an* her e:8ression be,o.es terri(ie*) !he ,alls *istra,te*ly& as i( gi-ing a ,o..an* to hersel()I NoJ HAn* instantly she is (ar a'ay again) !he .ur.urs gently but i.8ersonallyI $ou .ust not try to tou,h .e) $ou .ust not try to hol* .e) ?t isn't right& 'hen ? a. ho8ing to be a nun) HHe lets his han* *ro8 (ro. her ar.) !he .o-es le(t to the (ront en* o( the so(a beneath the 'in*o's an* sits *o'n& (a,ing (ront& her han*s (ol*e* in her la8& in a *e.ure s,hoolAgirlish 8ose)I JA#?E" Hgi-es ED#+ND a strange loo9 o( .ingle* 8ity an* Fealous gloatingI $ou *a.ne* (ool) ?t's no goo*) HHe re,ites again (ro. the !'inburne 8oe.)I MLet us go hen,e& go hen,eL she 'ill not see) !ing all on,e .ore togetherL surely she& !he too& re.e.bering *ays an* 'or*s that 'ere&

2/

@ill turn a little to'ar* us& sighingL but 'e& @e are hen,e& 'e are gone& as though 'e ha* not been there) Nay& an* though all .en seeing ha* 8ity on .e& !he 'oul* not see)M T$RONE" Htrying to sha9e o(( his ho8eless stu8orI Oh& 'e're (ools to 8ay any attention) ?t's the *a.ne* 8oison) ;ut ?'-e ne-er 9no'n her to *ro'n hersel( in it as *ee8 as this& Hgru((lyI Oass .e that bottle& Ja.ie) An* sto8 re,iting that *a.ne* .orbi* 8oetry) ? 'on't ha-e it in .y houseJ H JA#?E 8ushes the bottle to'ar* hi.) He 8ours a *rin9 'ithout *isarranging the 'e**ing go'n he hol*s ,are(ully o-er his other ar. an* on his la8& an* sho-es the bottle ba,9& JA#?E 8ours his an* 8asses the bottle to ED#+ND & 'ho& in turn& 8ours one) T$RONE li(ts his glass an* his sons (ollo' suit .e,hani,ally& but be(ore they ,an *rin9 #AR$ s8ea9s an* they slo'ly lo'er their *rin9s to the table& (orgetting the.)I #AR$" Hstaring *rea.ily be(ore her) Her (a,e loo9s e:traor*inarily youth(ul an* inno,ent) The shyly eager& trusting s.ile is on her li8s as she tal9s alou* to hersel()I ? ha* a tal9 'ith #other Eli<abeth) !he is so s'eet an* goo*) A saint on earth) ? lo-e her *early) ?t .ay be sin(ul o( .e but ? lo-e her better than .y o'n .other) ;e,ause she al'ays un*erstan*s& e-en be(ore you say a 'or*) Her 9in* blue eyes loo9 right into your heart) $ou ,an't 9ee8 any se,rets (ro. her) $ou ,oul*n't *e,ei-e her& e-en i( you 'ere .ean enough to 'ant to) H!he gi-es a little rebellious toss o( her hea*7'ith girlish 8iGueI All the sa.e& ? *on't thin9 she 'as so un*erstan*ing this ti.e) ? tol* her ? 'ante* to be a nun) ? e:8laine* ho' sure ? 'as o( .y -o,ation& that ? ha* 8raye* to the ;lesse* %irgin to .a9e .e sure& an* to (in* .e 'orthy) ? tol* #other ? ha* ha* a true -ision 'hen ? 'as 8raying in the shrine o( Our La*y o( Lour*es& on the little islan* in the la9e) ? sai* ? 9ne'& as surely as ? 9ne' ? 'as 9neeling there& that the ;lesse* %irgin ha* s.ile* an* blesse* .e 'ith her ,onsent) ;ut #other Eli<abeth tol* .e ? .ust be .ore sure than that& e-en& that ? .ust 8ro-e it 'asn't si.8ly .y i.agination) !he sai*& i( ? 'as so sure& then ? 'oul*n't .in* 8utting .ysel( to a test by going ho.e a(ter ? gra*uate*& an* li-ing as other girls li-e*& going out to 8arties an* *an,es an* enFoying .ysel(L an* then i( a(ter a year or t'o ? still (elt sure& ? ,oul* ,o.e ba,9 to see her an* 'e 'oul* tal9 it o-er again) H!he tosses her hea*7in*ignantlyI ? ne-er *rea.e* Holy #other 'oul* gi-e .e su,h a*-i,eJ ? 'as really sho,9e*) ? sai*& o( ,ourse& ? 'oul* *o anything she suggeste*& but ? 9ne' it 'as si.8ly a 'aste o( ti.e) A(ter ? le(t her& ? (elt all .i:e* u8& so ? 'ent to

22

the shrine an* 8raye* to the ;lesse* %irgin an* (oun* 8ea,e again be,ause ? 9ne' she hear* .y 8rayer an* 'oul* al'ays lo-e .e an* see no har. e-er ,a.e to .e so long as ? ne-er lost .y (aith in her) H!he 8auses an* a loo9 o( gro'ing uneasiness ,o.es o-er her (a,e) !he 8asses a han* o-er her (orehea* as i( brushing ,ob'ebs (ro. her brain7-aguelyI That 'as in the 'inter o( senior year) Then in the s8ring so.ething ha88ene* to .e) $es& ? re.e.ber) ? (ell in lo-e 'ith Ja.es Tyrone an* 'as so ha88y (or a ti.e) H!he stares be(ore her in a sa* *rea.) T$RONE stirs in his ,hair& ED#+ND an* JA#?E re.ain .otionless) I C+RTA?N

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