JAYSON--Yes, you can't take Martha with you this time, you know. CURTIS--[With a laugh.] No? What makes you so sure of that? [As they look mystified, he continues confidentially.] I'll let you in on the secret--only you must all promise not to breathe a word to Martha--until to-morrow. To-morrow is her birthday, you know, and this is a surprise I've saved for her. [They all nod.] I've been intriguing my damnedest for the past month to get permission for Martha to go with me. It was difficult because women are supposed to be barred. [Happily.] But I've succeeded. The letter came this morning. How tickled to death she'll be when she hears! I know she's given up hope. [Thoughtfully.] I suppose it's that has been making her act so out-of-sorts lately. JAYSON--[Worriedly.] Hmm! But would you persist in going--alone--if you knew it was impossible for her--? CURTIS--[Frowning.] I can't imagine it without her. You people can't have any idea what a help--a chum--she's been. You can't believe that a woman could be--so much that--in a life of that kind--how I've grown to depend on her. The thousand details--she attends to them all. She remembers everything. Why, I'd be lost. I wouldn't know how to start. [With a laugh.] I know this sounds like a confession of weakness but it's true just the same. [Frowning again.] However, naturally my work must always be the first consideration. Yes, absolutely! [Then with glad relief.] But what's the use of rambling on this way? We can both go, thank heaven! MRS. DAVIDSON--[Sternly.] No. SHE cannot go. And it is YOUR duty-- CURTIS--[Interrupting her with a trace of impatience.] Oh, come! That's all nonsense, Aunt. You don't understand the kind of woman Martha is. MRS. DAVIDSON--[Harshly.] The women I understand prefer rearing their children to selfish gallivanting over the world. CURTIS--[Impatiently.] But we have no children now, Aunt. MRS. DAVIDSON--I know that, more's the pity. But later-- CURTIS--[Emphatically.] No, I tell you! It's impossible! MRS. DAVIDSON--[Grimly.] I have said my last word. Go your own road and work your own ruin. CURTIS--[Brusquely.] I think I'll change my togs and go for a walk. Excuse me for a second. I'll be right down again. [He goes out, rear.] EMILY--[With her false air of innocence.] Curt acts so funny, doesn't he? Did you notice how emphatic he was about its being impossible? And he said Martha seemed to him to be acting queer lately--with him, I suppose he meant. ESTHER--He certainly appeared put out when he heard she'd gone motoring with Big. JAYSON--[Moodily.] This dislike of the very mention of children. It isn't like Curt, not a bit. JOHN--There's something rotten in Denmark somewhere. This family will yet live to regret having accepted a stranger--