CURTIS--[Agitatedly.] But Martha--you don't understand. How can I pretend gladness when--[Vehemently.] Why, it would spoil all our plans! MARTHA--Plans? OUR plans? What do you mean? CURTIS--[Excitedly.] Why, you're going with me, of course! I've obtained official permission. I've been working for it for months. The letter came yesterday morning. MARTHA--[Stunned.] Permission--to go with you-- CURTIS--[Excitedly.] Yes. I couldn't conceive going without you. And I knew how you must be wishing-- MARTHA--[In pain.] Oh! CURTIS--[Distractedly--jumping to his feet and staring at her bewilderedly.] Martha! You don't mean to tell me you weren't! MARTHA--[In a crushed voice.] I was wishing you would finally decide not to go--to stay at home. CURTIS--[Betraying exasperation.] But you must realize that's impossible. Martha, are you sure you've clearly understood what I've told you? You can go with me, do you hear? Everything is arranged. And I've had to fight so hard--I was running the risk of losing my own chance by my insistence that I couldn't go without you. MARTHA--[Weakly and helplessly.] I understand all that, Curt. CURTIS--[Indignantly.] And yet--you hesitate! Why, this is the greatest thing of its kind ever attempted! There are unprecedented possibilities! A whole new world of knowledge may be opened up--the very origin of Man himself! And you will be the only woman-- MARTHA--I realize all that, Curt. CURTIS--You can't--and hesitate! And then--think, Martha!--it will mean that you and I won't have to be separated. We can go on living the old, free life together. MARTHA--[Growing calm now.] You are forgetting--what I told you, Curt. You must face the fact. I cannot go. CURTIS--[Overwhelmed by the finality of her tone--after a pause.] How long have you known--this? MARTHA--Two months, about. CURTIS--But why didn't you tell me before? MARTHA--I was afraid you wouldn't understand--and you haven't, Curt. But why didn't you tell me before--what you were planning? CURTIS--[Eagerly.] You mean--then--you would have been glad to go--before this had happened? MARTHA--I would have accepted it. CURTIS--[Despairingly.] Martha, how could you ever have allowed this to happen? Oh, I suppose I'm talking foolishness. It wasn't your seeking, I know. MARTHA--Yes it was, Curt. I wished it. I sought it. CURTIS--[Indignantly.] Martha! [Then in a hurt tone.] You have broken the promise we made when they died. We were to keep their memories inviolate. They were to be always--our only children. MARTHA--[Gently.] They forgive me, Curt. And you will forgive me, too--when you see him--and love him. CURTIS--Him? MARTHA--I know it will be a boy. CURTIS--[Sinking down on the couch beside her--dully.] Martha! You have blown my world to bits.