When I tell him anything, Aunt Letty, it will be one thing--I have stayed here because I love Jonathan, because he needs me. And I have listened to the boy's fears and to his hopes as they came out of his poor tortured little soul in his delirium. I have watched him during his convalescence, and I see in him a growing man in prison. John sees in him only the potential head of the family; but he is my flesh and blood as much as he is John's and I intend to set him free. LETITIA My beloved Nathaniel, John will not give Jonathan up to you. NATHANIEL I don't want Jonathan unless he wants to come to me, but I do want Jonathan's freedom. LETITIA Isn't he a bit young to have _freedom_. NATHANIEL Aunt Letitia, I don't mean a silly license.--I mean freedom. If you are cultivating a peach-tree you don't expect oranges on it even if it could wish to be an orange tree, but you can help to make it bear better peaches. Jonathan isn't a mechanical business person. His bent is in another direction. LETITIA What are you going to do? NATHANIEL Frankly, I do not know. [_Up to window._ All I know now is that I shall stay here until I find a plan. [_Jonathan enters._ JONATHAN Where is Uncle John? NATHANIEL He has gone for a stroll. LETITIA What do you want, my dear? JONATHAN Uncle John sent word that he wanted to see me here at 7:30. [_Letitia and Nathaniel look at each other._ _Jonathan takes out a large silver watch._ It's 7:29 now. NATHANIEL John will be on time--count sixty slowly-- [_John enters. He is rather pale, seems pre-occupied and even more unapproachable than ever._ LETITIA Did you have a pleasant stroll? JOHN I wasn't walking. LETITIA I shall go into the house, I think. JOHN No, Aunt Letitia, I would rather you'd wait, if you please. [_Nathaniel is an interested spectator. He cannot understand why Jonathan should be present for what will probably be an eventful family scene._ Nathaniel, will you sit down? NATHANIEL Certainly.--Where? JOHN (_tartly_) Would you like my chair? NATHANIEL Thank you. [_He sits in John's chair, much to John's annoyance._ JOHN Jonathan, sit down. [_Jonathan sits. John also sits. Aunt Letitia knows what to expect. Nathaniel is more curious than angry. Jonathan is attending his first family conference._ Jonathan, I've sent for you because I want to talk to you seriously. JONATHAN Yes, sir. NATHANIEL Do you think the boy is strong enough? JOHN The doctor told me today that he would be quite equal to it.... Eight weeks ago, Jonathan, you made an effort to run away from your home, because I punished you. In your foolish defiance of all family authority you suffered a fall that might have resulted in a lasting and serious injury. Fortunately you have recovered fully from the result of your fall. NATHANIEL Excuse me, John, but all of us know this. JOHN