BISHOP. My son, you are wrong. The situation is improving. Business conditions are already vastly better. It takes time. You'll get a job, very soon. KEN. I've heard that for six years. [_Pause._] BISHOP. [_Clearing his throat; takes check from pocket._] Now this check you returned ... KEN. [_Shortly._] I don't want it. BISHOP. But how can you get along without it? KEN. I'll get along. BISHOP. How do you propose to live? KEN. By sleeping on park benches, eating in our bread lines.--Or I'll tell the government I'm destitute--or get a relief job.--I won't go on the way I've been doing.--Laura comes and brings food; Tippy leaves cigarettes around; you send me checks. I'm sick of having to take from you all!--If I've got to live by charity, I want to be free to hate charity. That's a beggar's right. BISHOP. It gives us pleasure to help you. KEN. But can't you see what you're doing to my self-respect? BISHOP. I don't want to hurt your self-respect. KEN. Then leave me alone. [_Pause._] BISHOP. [_Clearing his throat._] Have you been to see Stanley Prescott? KEN. Yes. BISHOP. Why hasn't he done something for you? KEN. I suppose he can't. BISHOP. Prescott's my friend. He ought to do something for you. KEN. Oh, the hell with Prescott! [_Contrite._] Don't misunderstand me. I wouldn't refuse any job he had to offer me. I'd black his boots if that was the job. But I've been to see him as much as I can. I can't sit on his doorstep and whine. BISHOP. Certainly not. You must not do anything that would hurt your self-respect. [_He has been holding the check, which he now lays down on the table._] KEN. Don't leave that check, dad. BISHOP. But son-- KEN. If you do, I'll tear it up. [BISHOP _picks up check, talks to_ LAURA.] BISHOP. I'll leave this check with you, Laura. Give it to him when he--when he is himself again. [_At this_ KEN _picks up his hat and walks out without a word. The two look unhappily after him_. BISHOP, _shaken._] That boy--that sane youth ... What's happened to him? LAURA. [_With difficulty._] He wants to break our engagement. BISHOP. Ah! That's the trouble then. You two have quarrelled. LAURA. He doesn't need me. I don't mean anything to him.... BISHOP. But of course you do.--There, Laura, there! LAURA. No. He doesn't. I feel it. BISHOP. Why, for years you've meant everything to him. He planned to marry you as soon as he graduated. ... LAURA. Oh, he's so muddled--he's so muddled! BISHOP. I know how you feel, my dear, but lovers' quarrels ... LAURA. It's not a lovers' quarrel. Oh, don't you understand? His morale's all shot. BISHOP. Kenneth is essentially sound. Now don't worry, my dear. [_Indulgently._] I'll wait and have another talk with him, eh? Perhaps that's what he needs; a good, sound, heart-to-heart talk with his father. LAURA. He needs a job! He needs a job! It's more important than I am--more important than you--more important than anything in the world.