THE STEP-DAUGHTER. Fortunately for her, he is dead. Two months ago as I said. We are in mourning, as you see. THE FATHER. He isn't here you see, not because he is dead. He isn't here--look at her a moment and you will understand--because her drama isn't a drama of the love of two men for whom she was incapable of feeling anything except possibly a little gratitude--gratitude not for me but for the other. She isn't a woman, she is a mother, and her drama--powerful sir, I assure you--lies, as a matter of fact, all in these four children she has had by two men. THE MOTHER. I had them? Have you got the courage to say that I wanted them? (_To the company_). It was his doing. It was he who gave me that other man, who forced me to go away with him. THE STEP-DAUGHTER. It isn't true. THE MOTHER (_startled_). Not true, isn't it? THE STEP-DAUGHTER. No, it isn't true, it just isn't true. THE MOTHER. And what can you know about it? THE STEP-DAUGHTER. It isn't true. Don't believe it. (_To Manager_). Do you know why she says so? For that fellow there (_indicates the Son_). She tortures herself, destroys herself on account of the neglect of that son there; and she wants him to believe that if she abandoned him when he was only two years old, it was because he (_indicates the Father_) made her do so. THE MOTHER (_vigorously_). He forced me to it, and I call God to witness it (_to the Manager_). Ask him (_indicates husband_) if it isn't true. Let him speak. You (_to daughter_) are not in a position to know anything about it. THE STEP-DAUGHTER. I know you lived in peace and happiness with my father while he lived. Can you deny it? THE MOTHER. No, I don't deny it.... THE STEP-DAUGHTER. He was always full of affection and kindness for you (_to the Boy, angrily_). It's true, isn't it? Tell them! Why don't you speak, you little fool? THE MOTHER. Leave the poor boy alone. Why do you want to make me appear ungrateful, daughter? I don't want to offend your father. I have answered him that I didn't abandon my house and my son through any fault of mine, nor from any wilful passion. THE FATHER. It is true. It was my doing. LEADING MAN (_to the Company_). What a spectacle! LEADING LADY. We are the audience this time. JUVENILE LEAD. For once, in a way. THE MANAGER (_beginning to get really interested_). Let's hear them out. Listen! THE SON. Oh yes, you're going to hear a fine bit now. He will talk to you of the Demon of Experiment. THE FATHER. You are a cynical imbecile. I've told you so already a hundred times (_to the Manager_). He tries to make fun of me on account of this expression which I have found to excuse myself with. THE SON (_with disgust_). Yes, phrases! phrases!