MADELINE: Auntie, dear! I'm sorry--if I hurt your feelings. AUNT ISABEL: (_quick to hold out a loving hand, laughing a little_) They've been good birthday cakes, haven't they, Madeline? MADELINE: (_she now trying not to cry_) I don't know--what I'd have done without them. Don't know--what I will do without them. I don't--see it. AUNT ISABEL: Don't try to. Please don't see it! Just let me go on helping you. That's all I ask. (_she draws_ MADELINE _to her_) Ah, dearie, I held you when you were a little baby without your mother. All those years count for something, Madeline. There's just nothing to life if years of love don't count for something. (_listening_) I think I hear them. And here are we, weeping like two idiots. (MADELINE _brushes away tears_, AUNT ISABEL _arranges her veil, regaining her usual poise_) Professor Holden was hoping you'd take a tramp with him. Wouldn't that do you good? Anyway, a talk with him will be nice. I know he admires you immensely, and really--perhaps I shouldn't let you know this--sympathizes with your feeling. So I think his maturer way of looking at things will show you just the adjustment you need to become a really big and useful person. There's so much to be done in the world, Madeline. Of course we ought to make it a better world. (_in a manner of agreement with_ MADELINE) I feel very strongly about all that. Perhaps we can do some things together. I'd love that. Don't think I'm hopeless! Way down deep we have the same feeling. Yes, here's Professor Holden. (HOLDEN _comes in. He seems older_.) HOLDEN: And how are you, Madeline? (_holding out his hand_) MADELINE: I'm--all right. HOLDEN: Many happy returns of the day. (_embarrassed by her half laugh_) The birthday. AUNT ISABEL: And did you have a nice look up the river? HOLDEN: I never saw this country as lovely as it is to-day. Mary is just drinking it in. AUNT ISABEL: You don't think the further ride will be too much? HOLDEN: Oh, no--not in that car. AUNT ISABEL: Then we'll go on--perhaps as far as Laughing Creek. If you two decide on a tramp--take that road and we'll pick you up. (_smiling warmly, she goes out_) HOLDEN: How good she is. MADELINE: Yes. That's just the trouble. HOLDEN: (_with difficulty getting past this_) How about a little tramp? There'll never be another such day. MADELINE: I used to tramp with Fred Jordan. This is where he is now. (_stepping inside the cell_) He doesn't even see out. HOLDEN: It's all wrong that he should be where he is. But for you to stay indoors won't help him, Madeline. MADELINE: It won't help him, but--today--I can't go out. HOLDEN: I'm sorry, my child. When this sense of wrongs done first comes down upon one, it does crush. MADELINE: And later you get used to it and don't care. HOLDEN: You care. You try not to destroy yourself needlessly. (_he turns from her look_) MADELINE: Play safe.