RICHARD--[Impatiently.] Are you coming or not? LILY--[Quickly.] Yes--wait--here I am. [She pushes past the others and follows RICHARD out rear. ESTHER and EMILY sit on couch--JOHN on chair, right rear.] ESTHER--[With a sigh.] I thought I went through something when mine were born--but this is too awful. EMILY--And, according to John, Curt actually says he hates it! Isn't that terrible? [After a pause--meaningly.] It's almost as if her suffering was a punishment, don't you think? ESTHER--If it is, she's being punished enough, Heaven knows. It can't go on this way much longer or something dreadful will happen. EMILY--Do you think the baby-- ESTHER--I don't know. I shouldn't say it but perhaps it would be better if-- EMILY--That's what I think. ESTHER--Oh, I wish I didn't have such evil suspicions--but the way Curt goes on--how can you help feeling there's something wrong? JAYSON--[Suddenly.] How is Curt? EMILY--John just came in from the garden. [Turning around to where JOHN is dozing in his chair--sharply.] John! Well I never! If he isn't falling asleep! John! [He jerks up his head and stares at her, blinking stupidly. She continues irritably.] A nice time to pick out for a nap, I must say. JOHN--[Surlily.] Don't forget I have to be at the bank in the morning. JAYSON--[Testily.] I have to be at the bank, too--and you don't notice me sleeping. Tell me about Curt. You just left him, didn't you? JOHN--[Irritably.] Yes, and I've been walking around that damned garden half the night watching over him. Isn't that enough to wear anyone out? I can feel I've got a terrible cold coming on-- ESTHER--[Impatiently.] For goodness sake, don't you start to pity yourself! JOHN--[Indignantly.] I'm not. I think I've showed my willingness to do everything I could. If Curt was only the least bit grateful! He isn't. He hates us all and wishes we were out of his home. I would have left long ago if I didn't want to do my part in saving the family name from disgrace. JAYSON--[Impatiently.] Has he quieted down, that's what I want to know? JOHN--[Harshly.] Not the least bit. He's out of his head--and I'd be out of mine if a child was being born to my wife that-- JAYSON--[Angrily.] Keep that to yourself! Remember you have no proof. [Morosely.] Think all you want--but don't talk. EMILY--[Pettishly.] The whole town knows it, anyway; I'm sure they must. JAYSON--There's only been gossip--no real scandal. Let's do our united best to keep it at that. [After a pause.] Where's Aunt Elizabeth? We'll have to keep an eye on her, too, or she's quite liable to blurt out the whole business before all comers.