CURTIS--[Getting to his feet--frowning.] Why, everything's all right between Martha and them, isn't it? What do you mean, Big? I certainly imagined--but I'll confess this damn book has had me so preoccupied-- BIGELOW--Too darn preoccupied, if you'll pardon my saying so. It's not fair to leave her to fight it alone. CURTIS--[Impatiently.] Fight what? Martha has a sense of humor. I'm sure their petty prejudices merely amuse her. BIGELOW--[Sententiously.] A mosquito is a ridiculous, amusing creature, seen under a microscope; but when a swarm has been stinging you all night-- CURTIS--[A broad grin coming over his face.] You speak from experience, eh? BIGELOW--[Smiling.] You bet I do. Touch me anywhere and you'll find a bite. This, my native town, did me the honor of devoting its entire leisure attention for years to stinging me to death. CURTIS--Well, if I am to believe one-tenth of the family letters I used to receive on the subject of my old friend, Bigelow, they sure had just cause. BIGELOW--Oh, I'll play fair. I'll admit they did--then. But it's exasperating to know they never give you credit for changing--I almost said, reforming, One ought to be above the gossip of a town like this--but say what you like, it does get under your skin. CURTIS--[With an indulgent smile.] So you'd like to be known as a reformed character, eh? BIGELOW--[Rather ruefully.] Et tu! Your tone is sceptical. But I swear to you, Curt, I'm an absolutely new man since my wife's death, since I've grown to love the children. Before that I hardly knew them. They were hers, not mine, it seemed. [His face lighting up.] Now we're the best of pals, and I've commenced to appreciate life from a different angle. I've found a career at last--the children--the finest career a man could have, I believe. CURTIS--[Indifferently.] Yes, I suppose so--if you're made that way. BIGELOW--Meaning you're not? CURTIS--Not any more. [Frowning.] I tried that once. BIGELOW--[After a pause--with a smile.] But we're wandering from the subject of Martha versus the mosquitoes. CURTIS--[With a short laugh.] Oh, to the deuce with that! Trust Martha to take care of herself. Besides, I'll have her out of this stagnant hole before so very long--six months, to be exact. BIGELOW--Where do you think of settling her then? CURTIS--No settling about it. I'm going to take her with me. BIGELOW--[Surprised.] On the Asian expedition? CURTIS--Yes. I haven't told her yet but I'm going to to-day. It's her birthday--and I've been saving the news to surprise her with. BIGELOW--Her birthday? I wish the children and I had known--but it's not too late yet. CURTIS--[With a grin.] Thirty-nine candles, if you're thinking of baking a cake! BIGELOW--[Meaningly.] That's not old--but it's not young either, Curt.