BIGELOW--[Repelled--sternly.] Damn it, man, do you know what you're saying? [Relentingly.] No, Curt, old boy, do stop talking. If you don't I'll send for a doctor, damned if I won't. That talk belongs in an asylum. God, man, can't you realize this is your child--yours as well as hers? CURTIS--I've tried. I cannot. There is some inexorable force in me-- BIGELOW--[Coldly.] Do you realize how contemptible this confession makes you out? [Angrily.] Why, if you had one trace of human kindness in you--one bit of unselfish love for your wife--one particle of pity for her suffering-- CURTIS--[Anguished.] I have--all the love and pity in the world for her! That's why I can't help hating--the cause of her suffering. BIGELOW--Have you never thought that you might repay Martha for giving up all her life to you by devoting the rest of yours to her? CURTIS--[Bitterly.] She can be happy without me. She will have this child--to take my place. [Intensely.] You think I would not give up my work for her? But I would! I will stay here--do anything she wishes--if only we can make a new beginning again--together--ALONE! BIGELOW--[Agitated.] Curt, for God's sake, don't return to that! Why, good God, man--even now--while you're speaking--don't you realize what may be happening? And you can talk as if you were wishing-- CURTIS--[Fiercely.] I can't help but wish it! BIGELOW--[Distractedly.] For the love of God, if you have such thoughts, keep them to yourself. I won't listen! You make me despise life! CURTIS--And would you have me love life? [The door in the rear is opened and JAYSON enters, pale and unnerved. A succession of quick, piercing shrieks is heard before he can close the door behind him. Shuddering.] My God! My God! [With a fierce cry.] Will--this--never--end! JAYSON--[Tremblingly.] Sh-h-h, they say this is the crisis. [Puts his arm around CURT.] Bear up, my boy, it will soon be over now. [He sits down in the chair BIGELOW has vacated, pointedly ignoring the latter. The door is opened again and EMILY, ESTHER, JOHN and SHEFFIELD file in quickly as if escaping from the cries of the woman upstairs. They are all greatly agitated. CURT groans, pressing his clenched fists against his ears. The two women sit on the lounge. MARK comes forward and stands by JAYSON'S chair, JOHN sits by the door as before. BIGELOW retreats behind CURT's chair, aware of their hostility. There is a long pause.] ESTHER--[Suddenly.] She has stopped--[They all listen.] JAYSON--[Huskily.] Thank God, it's over at last. [The door is opened and MRS. DAVIDSON enters. The old lady is radiant, weeping tears of joy.] MRS. DAVIDSON--[Calls out exultantly between sobs.] A son, Curt--a son. [With rapt fervor--falling on her knees.] Let us all give thanks to God! CURTIS--[In a horrible cry of rage and anguish.] No! No! You lie! [They all cry out in fright and amazement: "CURT!" The door is opened and the NURSE appears.]