Am I to be told--at my age--that I gave birth to an illegitimate child? This is a surprise to me--and not a pleasant one! PEYTON [_To JHANSI._] It would have been better not to have mentioned that. UNCLE GEORGE This _is_ reaction. I think perhaps we need a physician. JHANSI I don’t need a physician. Peyton certainly told me that his mother was an illegitimate child. Of course, Peyton, if you were just _boasting_ about your family--say so. UNCLE GEORGE What have you to say, Peyton? GRANDMOTHER Before he says anything, Bessie, you bring me that portfolio from the lower right-hand corner of my desk. Key in the upper left hand pigeon hole. [_Bessie goes._ MRS. ROOT Peyton! PEYTON Why I didn’t mean any harm, mother. I certainly didn’t mean anything against you, or grandmother. Quite the contrary. I was just anxious that Jhansi should have a little respect for our family. It didn’t seem to have a leg to stand on. JHANSI So you made it up--out of whole cloth? PEYTON No, not out of whole cloth. GRANDMOTHER Out of what cloth, then? Kindly tell me, out of what cloth? MRS. ROOT Peyton is not himself. PEYTON Well, it just came into my head that it was possible. You see, grandmother, your having moved--I do wish you could see that I meant nothing against your character. Absolutely the contrary. But your having _moved_-- GRANDMOTHER My having moved where? PEYTON Your having moved from New York State to Ohio at just that time-- GRANDMOTHER I always did like to travel. Is that anything against a person’s character? PEYTON I was claiming that you _had_ character. GRANDMOTHER I’ll stick to my own, thank you. I’ve had it quite a while and am used to it. But I’d like to know right now what there is so immoral in moving from one state to another--even if you are going to have a baby? JHANSI [_Raising her head._] There is nothing immoral in anything. GRANDMOTHER Fiddlesticks. [_BESSIE hands her the folio._] You found it, Bessie? The key? Here, Peyton; come here. [_Opens portfolio, takes out a rolled paper._] Happily preserved for this defense of my character in my old age, is my wedding certificate. MRS. BYRD This is painful. [_With ostentatious tact she turns and looks at a print on the rear wall; motions SENATOR BYRD to join her._ GRANDMOTHER I want you to look at the date--right there beside that pink cupid--cherub, perhaps it is--anyway, read aloud the figures you see. PEYTON [_Sullenly._] 1869. GRANDMOTHER And here, in this other document, very fortunately at hand to meet the attacks of my only grandson upon my integrity, what do you read there? PEYTON Clara--aged six weeks. GRANDMOTHER And the date? [_MRS. ROOT, BESSIE, UNCLE GEORGE, all listen a little anxiously._ PEYTON December, 1871. [_A sigh of relief._ GRANDMOTHER I trust now, Peyton, you will admit that a woman may move from one state to another without being dissolute.