[_At this moment Jonathan enters the room. He is a slender boy of fourteen with a deep problem in his eyes. When he smiles before his elders, which is seldom, he seems always prepared to restrain the smile. His voice is just changing and this adds to his reticence. He has a tremendous capacity for expressing wonderment and, as usual with one of his type, he is capable of great displays of temper. He gives the impression of thinking about everything he sees. He is at the age of wonder and only custom prevents the world from becoming the promised land of visions and enchantments._ NATHANIEL Poor Jonathan! [_He turns and sees the boy._ _The two stand face to face for a moment. For Nathaniel it is the first moment of a new relationship. For Jonathan it is a moment of uncertainty. He has heard himself called "Poor Jonathan" and he is facing another male relative._ _Jonathan looks first at Letitia, then at Nathaniel and then at Letitia._ LETITIA Jonathan, this is your Uncle Nathaniel. Nathaniel, this is Emily's boy. NATHANIEL (_Holds out his hand which Jonathan takes very shyly_) Jonathan! JONATHAN How do you do, sir? NATHANIEL How tall you are! JONATHAN (_quite conscious of his short trousers_) Yes, sir. NATHANIEL I didn't take you away from any studies, did I? JONATHAN No, sir.... I was just writing something when Susan called me. NATHANIEL May I ask what you were writing? JONATHAN Yes, sir.... [_He swallows._ ... A play. NATHANIEL A play! _Zenobia_? JONATHAN (_Looks quickly for some indication of laughter in Nathaniel's eyes_) Yes, sir. NATHANIEL It's a tragedy, isn't it? JONATHAN Yes, sir. NATHANIEL In ten acts. JONATHAN There may be only eight. NATHANIEL Then I know who you are! (_Jonathan looks at him in surprise_) You are the celebrated dramatist, Alexander Jefferson, Sr. JONATHAN Did Aunt Letitia tell you? NATHANIEL No, sir. I read it on the billboards. (_Jonathan laughs with a catch in his breath_) And I should like to attend a performance, Mr. Jefferson. JONATHAN It isn't finished yet. NATHANIEL Well, when am I to see this theatre? LETITIA Your Uncle Nathaniel and I shall come together. JONATHAN You've seen all the plays. LETITIA That doesn't make any difference. I'd like to see them again. [_Jonathan looks at her to be sure she is in earnest. Then he smiles._ JONATHAN I'll finish _Zenobia_ for tomorrow. NATHANIEL Agreed! Can you get the scenery ready? JONATHAN I painted it last week. LETITIA You must have the orchestra, too, Jonathan. JONATHAN Yes, ma'am. Susan has some new pieces. NATHANIEL Is Susan the orchestra? JONATHAN Yes, sir. NATHANIEL What else have you written? JONATHAN A lot of plays, sir. Mother and I used to write little plays. I don't write many any more. NATHANIEL Why not? JONATHAN I'm getting too big. NATHANIEL Do you ever write anything beside plays? JONATHAN Yes, sir. NATHANIEL That's splendid. Stories? JONATHAN