JAYSON--[Starting to follow SHEFFIELD, hesitates and puts a hand on his son's shoulder.] Curt. Remember I'm your father. Can't you confide in me? I'll do anything to help. CURTIS--[Harshly.] No, Dad. Leave me alone. JAYSON--[Piqued.] As you wish. [He starts to go.] CURTIS--And send Big in to me as soon as he comes. JAYSON--[Stops, appears about to object--then remarks coldly.] Very well--if you insist. [He switches off the lights. He hesitates at the door uncertainly, then opens it and goes out. There is a pause. Then CURT lifts his head and peers about the room. Seeing he is alone he springs to his feet and begins to pace back and forth, his teeth clenched, his features working convulsively. Then, as if attracted by an irresistible impulse, he goes to the closed door and puts his ear to the crack. He evidently hears his wife's moans for he starts away--in agony.] CURTIS--Oh, Martha, Martha! Martha, darling! [He flings himself in the chair by the fireplace--hides his face in his hands and sobs bitterly. There is a ring from somewhere in the house. Soon after there is a knock at the door. CURTIS doesn't hear at first but when it is repeated he mutters huskily.] Come in. [BIGELOW enters. CURT looks up at him.] Close that door, Big, for God's sake! BIGELOW--[Does so--then taking off his overcoat, hat, and throwing them on the lounge comes quickly over to CURT.] I got over as soon as I could. [As he sees CURT's face he starts and says sympathetically.] By Jove, old man, you look as though you'd been through hell! CURTIS--[Grimly.] I have. I am. BIGELOW--[Slapping his back.] Buck up! [Then anxiously.] How's Martha? CURTIS--She's in hell, too-- BIGELOW--[Attempting consolation.] You're surely not worrying, are you? Martha is so strong and healthy there's no doubt of her pulling through in fine shape. CURTIS--She should never have attempted this. [After a pause.] I've a grudge against you, Big. It was you bringing your children over here that first planted this in her mind. BIGELOW--[After a pause.] I've guessed you thought that. That's why you haven't noticed me--or them--over here so much lately. I'll confess that I felt you--[Angrily.] And the infernal gossip--I'll admit I thought that you--oh, damn this rotten town, anyway! CURTIS--[Impatiently.] Oh, for God's sake! [Bitterly.] I didn't want you here to discuss Bridgetown gossip. BIGELOW--I know, old man, forgive me. [In spite of the closed door one of MARTHA's agonized moans is heard. They both shudder.] CURTIS--[In a dead, monotonous tone.] She has been moaning like that hour after hour. I shall have those sounds in my ears until the day I die. Nothing can ever make me forget--nothing. BIGELOW--[Trying to distract him.] Deuce take it, Curt, what's the matter with you? I never thought you'd turn morbid. CURTIS--[Darkly.] I've changed, Big--I hardly know myself any more.