LILY--[Indignantly.] She probably realizes what we are too mean to remember--that the baby, at least, is innocent. Wait, Esther. I'll come with you. JAYSON--Yes, hurry, she shouldn't be left alone. [ESTHER and LILY follow the old lady out, rear.] DICK--[After a pause--impatiently.] Well, what next? I don't see what good we are accomplishing. May I run along? [He gets up restlessly as he is speaking and goes to the window.] JAYSON--[Severely.] You will stay, if you please. There's to be no shirking on anyone's part. It may take all of us to induce Curt-- SHEFFIELD--I wouldn't worry. Bigelow is taking that job off our hands, I imagine. DICK--[Looking out of the window.] He certainly seems to be doing his damnedest. [With a sneer.] The stage missed a great actor in him. JAYSON--[Worriedly.] But, if Bigelow should fail-- SHEFFIELD--Then we'll succeed. [With a grim smile.] By God, we'll have to. JAYSON--Curt has already packed his trunks and had them taken down to the station--told me he was leaving on the five o'clock train. SHEFFIELD--But didn't you hint to him there was now this matter of the child to be considered in making his plans? JAYSON--[Lamely.] I started to. He simply flared up at me with insane rage. DICK--[Looking out the window.] Say, I believe they're coming in. JAYSON--Bigelow? DICK--Yes, they're both making for the front door. SHEFFIELD--I suggest we beat a retreat to Curt's study and wait there. JAYSON--Yes, let's do that--come on, all of you. [They all retire grumblingly but precipitately to the study, closing the door behind them. The front door is heard opening and a moment later CURT and BIGELOW enter the room. CURT's face is set in an expression of stony grief. BIGELOW is flushed, excited, indignant.] BIGELOW--[As CURT sinks down on the couch--pleading indignantly.] Curt, damn it, wake up! Are you made of stone? Has everything I've said gone in one ear and out the other? I know it's hell for me to torment you at this particular time but it's your own incredibly unreasonable actions that force me to. I know how terribly you must feel but--damn it, man, postpone this going away! Face this situation like a man! Be reconciled to your child, stay with him at least until you can make suitable arrangements-- CURTIS--[Fixedly.] I will never see it! Never! BIGELOW--How can you keep repeating that--with Martha hardly cold in her grave! I ask you again, what would she think, how would she feel--If you would only consent to see this baby, I know you'd realize how damnably mad and cruel you are. Won't you--just for a second? CURTIS--No. [Then raging.] If I saw it I'd be tempted to--[Then brokenly.] No more of that talk, Big. I've heard enough. I've reached the limit.