CLAIRE: Not the madness that--breaks through. And it was--a stunning chance! Mankind massed to kill. We have failed. We are through. We will destroy. Break this up--it can't go farther. In the air above--in the sea below--it is to kill! All we had thought we were--we aren't. We were shut in with what wasn't so. Is there one ounce of energy has not gone to this killing? Is there one love not torn in two? Throw it in! Now? Ready? Break up. Push. Harder. Break up. And then--and then--But we didn't say--'And then--' The spirit didn't take the tip. HARRY: Claire! Come now (_looking to the others for help_)--let's talk of something else. CLAIRE: Plants do it. The big leap--it's called. Explode their species--because something in them knows they've gone as far as they can go. Something in them knows they're shut in to just that. So--go mad--that life may not be prisoned. Break themselves up into crazy things--into lesser things, and from the pieces--may come one sliver of life with vitality to find the future. How beautiful. How brave. TOM: (_as if he would call her from too far--or would let her know he has gone with her_) Claire! CLAIRE: (_her eyes turning to him_) Why should we mind lying under the earth? We who have no such initiative--no proud madness? Why think it death to lie under life so flexible--so ruthless and ever-renewing? ANTHONY: (_from the door of the inner room_) Miss Claire? CLAIRE: (_after an instant_) Yes? (_she goes with him, as they disappear his voice heard_,'show me now ... want those violets bedded') HARRY: Oh, this has got to _stop_. I've got to--put a stop to it some way. Why, Claire used to be the best sport a man ever played around with. I can't stand it to see her getting hysterical. TOM: That was not hysterical. HARRY: What was it then--I want to know? TOM: It was--a look. HARRY: Oh, I might have known I'd get no help from either of you. Even you, Edgeworthy--much as she thinks of you--and fine sort as I've no doubt you are, you're doing Claire no good--encouraging her in these queer ways. TOM: I couldn't change Claire if I would. HARRY: And wouldn't if you could. TOM: No. But you don't have to worry about me. I'm going away in a day or two. And I shall not be back. HARRY: Trouble with you is, it makes little difference whether you're here or away. Just the fact of your existence does encourage Claire in this--this way she's going. TOM: (_with a smile_) But you wouldn't ask me to go so far as to stop my existence? Though I would do that for Claire--if it were the way to help her. HARRY: By Jove, you say that as if you meant it. TOM: Do you think I would say anything about Claire I didn't mean? HARRY: You think a lot of her, don't you? (TOM _nods_) You don't mean (_a laugh letting him say it_)--that you're--in love with Claire! TOM: In love? Oh, that's much too easy. Certainly I do love Claire. HARRY: Well, you're a cool one! TOM: Let her be herself. Can't you see she's troubled?