THE GENTILE WIFE RITA WELL MAN Book .1 u^t CpByiiglitN^ JO COFXRIGHT DEPOSm THE GENTILE WIFE THE GENTILE WIFE BY RITA WELLMAN A Flay in Four Acts NEW YORK MOFFAT, YARD & COMPANY 1919 Copyright, 1919, By MOFFAT, YARD & COMPANY : 20 1919 ©aO 51505 CAST OF CHARACTERS Staged by Arthur Hopkins. Settings by Robert Edmund Jonbs "There's but one gift that all our dead desire, One gift that men can give, and that's a dream. Un'ess we too can burn with that same fire Of sacrifice; die to the things that seem; Die to the little hatreds; die to greed; Die to the old ignob'e selves we knew; Die to the base contemnts of sect and creed, And rise again, like these, with souls as true." CHARACTERS David Davis David Powell Mrs. Davis, his mother Vera Gordon Jacob Davis, his father W. H. Thompson Christina, his aunt Mrs. A. Asheroff Ruby, his sister Amy Dennis Eva Goldschmidt, his sister Litta M.^bih Herman Goldschmidt, her husband Stanley Jessup Naida, David's wife Emily Stevens Jane Allen Eleanor Montell Dr. Mackenzie Frank Conrot Dr. Hotchkiss. Charles Hammond Caroline Virginia Curtis ACT I. — Room in a fashionable hotel in New York, in March. ACT II. — Room at "Roselands," Long Island, in September. ACT III.— Breakfast porch at "Roselands." The following morning. ACT IV. — Same as Act II. September of the following year. PRODUCED IN DECEMBER, ONE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN, AT THE VANDERBILT THEATRE, NEW YORK DEDICATION To the managers who have rejected my plays, To the friends who have given me advice. To the American Public, To all those, in fact, who make the doing of a good thing so difficult — and therefore impossible not to try. THE GENTILE WIFE Act I Scene: The drawing room of a hotel apartment. Elaborate. Door a little left at back. A recessed window on left wall. A large door at right angles {right) leads into bed room which is partly visible. The entrance door left leads into a private passage way which has, of course, a door beyond which communicates with the public corridor. Naida is opening the private door. She is an attractive woman of about twenty-seven. Jane Allen comes into the passage and greets Naida. She is quite pretty and overdressed. Naida Why, it's little Jane Allen. Jane How are you ? Oh, I am so glad to see you Naida. You haven't changed a bit. Naida How did you find me? Whatever made you think of coming to see me? Jane Curiosity. Naida Jane ! Jane Of course not, darling. I wanted to see you again after [7] all these months . . . naturally. You know I always adored you if you can't sing High E without standing on your tip toes. It's a nice hotel, isn't it? What a lovely little room I How many have you? Naida Only this . . . and the other. But sit down. Come over here. . . . You get such a wonderful view of Fifth Avenue from here. I never get tired of sitting here and watching all the things going by way down there below me. Jane Isn't it dreadful to think how much you have to pay in New York for the privilege of seeing other people look like ants? But tell me something about your marriage. No one dreamed of your doing such a thing. It's positively thrilling. We were all talking about you the other night. You were so determined. You were the most ambitious one of our crowd. Why you were set on grand opera — no less. Are you going on with your music, Naida? Naida Of course. Why not? I don't intend to give up my career just because I happen to be married. Jane Happen to be married is good. What is your husband like? Where did you meet him? Naida You were supposed to come that night. It was the supper Alice gave after her recital. Don't you remember? Jane Of course. I had tonsilitis. Will I ever forget it? J was going to give a recital the next day myself. My dear, would you believe it ... I was up at Hoffenders just Monday and they didn't have a thing for me. What are singers to do? All people want is to go to moving pictures [8] and listen to free lectures. Not even a vaudeville house would take me. But you Were going to tell me something about your husband. What is his name? Alice was telling me . . . Paul, . . . Naida No . . . David. Jane Oh, yes, how stupid of me. I knew it was one of the prophets or something. Well, don't stop . . . Naida There is really nothing to tell. We had a wonderful little supper. Oh, I can't remember who was there. Celeb- rities . . . Jane Oh, yes, Alice always has celebrities, Naida Henrietta Walden sang. Jane Agony, I suppose? Naida Pretty bad. Jane Who else? Naida Reggie Woods sat on one side of me. Naida Reggie of all people in the world! Did he make yoii feel his diaphragm? [9] Naida Yes, now that I think of it. We all three got to talking about diaphragms. Jane Who . . . David? Naida Yes . . . David. Then every one around our table began to talk about diaphragms. Then everybody had to punch and pound every one's else diaphragm. Jane So that's how you got acquainted. Naida There's no romance really. How is everybody? I haven't heard from a soul. Jane Everybody is just the same. Going to be famous some day. What does your husband do? Alice said he was a professor or something. Naida He is a biologist. Jane A bi-what ? Naida A biologist. Don't you know what a biologist is? Jane No ... do you? Naida Of course. They . . . dissect things, you know. Pick animals to pieces ... all that . . . [10] Jane What a horrid profession. Does he do that sort of thing here ? Naida How absurd. Of course not, Jane. He works in a laboratory. He teaches, too. Jane Isn't that funny? Naida What do you mean? Jane The things that happen. Who would ever have thought to see you tearing around the conservatory that some day you would marry a man who picks animals to pieces. Naida {Offended.) It is very interesting. To know how things are made. Very wonderful. I intend to take it up myself. Jane Oh, I don't doubt it. Do you remember that red haired girl . . . you know who I mean . . . her one ambition in life was to sing Salome. Well, she married an undertaker. Now she gets quite emotional over the subject of embalming fluid. I saw her the other day. Even her hair has changed. Did you have much of a trousseau? Naida No. We only went to Florida . . . for a few weeks. David couldn't be away very long. All my things are for summer, of course. Would you like to see any of them? Jane Naida, I've been dying to, of course. [11] Naida {Going to left room.) I really didn't get very much. We picked them out together. Jane I should imagine the clothes picked out by a bi-lol-o-gtst would be very interesting. You couldn't get me a cocktail, could you, dearie? My throat is parched. Naida Of course. How stupid of me. I will order one for you. Don't you want something to eat ? A sandwich ? Jane No, thanks. Where did you say Mr. Davis gets his money? Naida I don't know. {Returns with several gowns over her arm.) Here are some of the things . . . Jane Darling! What a sweety little negligee. Naida I've never worn it. Jane Why not? Isn't it becoming? It ought to be. Whew I It came from Corinne. Naida It's too theatrical. I've never been able to see why a woman should look like a courtesan just because she hasn't her dress on. Jane Naida, you've become a Puritan. [12] Naida I always was.. Jane {Knoivingly.) Ah, la, la, la, la. Naida Oh, well, maybe not in the strictest sense. Jane That's better. Here's another from Corinne. You mean to say you've been married . . . how long is it, anyway? Naida Three weeks. Jane You've been married three weeks and you don't know where your husband's money comes from? Naida No, I don't know. What difference does it make? Jane Well, I would want to know. He might steal it for all you know. Naida Oh, I know he doesn't do that. Jane How do you even know he's rich? Naida I don'L {Takes dresses into room right again.) Jane Why for all you know, all this . . . this hotel and all . . . [131 this might just be honeymoon grandeur. You may have to settle down to some little furnished room and a professor's salary. Did you ever think of that? Naida No. I never think of such things. Did you notice how wonderfully the sun is shining? It is almost spring. I can feel spring in the air today. Jane I suppose those Adams people who helped you will cut you off now that you have a husband. Naida Oh, they won't send me any money any more. In fact, I have begged them not to. {There is a knock at the door.) What kind of a cocktail do you want? Jane I don't care ... a bronx. {Naida goes to the door and gives the servant the order and receives from him a florist's box.) Naida Oh, look, Jane. Roses! Jane How do you know they're roses? Naida Oh, I know it. {Opens box.) I told you. Look ! La France roses. They're the sweetest of all. There is a letter, too. You don't mind if I read it, do you, Jane? [14] Jane Go ahead. {She arranges flowers in a vase.) Naida {who has read the letter intently) Oh, Jane! Jane I see . . .a love letter. Naida I am the luckiest woman in the world. Jane When did you see him last ? Naida This morning at ten. Jane And now it's five ... a box of roses and a letter. Naida Is it ridiculous? Jane No . . . it's honeymoon. Naida Oh, please don't use that stupid word. I hate it. I hate marriage for that reason. Jane You hate marriage? Naida Yes, everything is so regulated. Everything is so trite. Everyone you meet is always ready to tell you all about it. [IS] Jane Now I understand. Naida What do you understand, Jane ? Jane Nothing. Don't you think we ought to get some water for the roses? NAroA You mean something about me . . . Alice told you then . . . Jane Well, she did, if you want to know it, Naida I'm not ashamed of what Alice told you . . . they all knew it. You mean that I lived with David three months before we were married. Jane I am not holding that up against you, Naida. Heavens, I don't care about such things. It isn't your not being mar- ried that surprised me . . . it's your getting married. Why did you do it? Naida David. He hated the other way. Jane Oh, I flee . . . then he's proper. Naida No, he's busy. It takes a great deal of your attention — the other way. [16] Jane {Laughing.) Oh, Naida, I never knew you were a cynic Naida But we're going on just as if we weren't married. I mean ... it isn't going to make any difference. Jane You're set on being happy, is that it ? Naida Oh, yes. That is the only thing that matters. One !r>ust have that. Never make a compromise, Jane. Never consent to just live along. I will never do that again. Now that I know what real life is. Jane What is real life, may I ask? Naida To be glad of every breath you draw. To smile as you are going to sleep that the good morning will surely come . . . the blessed day. To see beauty and wonder in every- thing. Oh, I can't tell you. It's just being alive . . . Janb Just being in love, you mean. {As there is a knock at the door.) My little bronx is knocking. Go let the little darling In. Naida {Going to the door.) I ordered tea for myself. Janb He doesn't approve of cocktails? [17] Naida It isn't that. But I thought perhaps the idea . . . If he came in and saw me . . . We have these queer ideas, you know, about the people we care for ... I suppose its absurd. Is yours alright? Jane Smells divinely. (Raises her glass.) To your grandchildren. (Drinks.) Naida When we first came here we used to have our breakfasts on this little table. Jane Why don't you still? Is there anything wrong with it? Naida Oh, no. David got tired of eating up here. He said it made him feel so . . . rimminy-pimminy-Francesca de Rimmini. Jane What in the name of heaven is that? Naida It's a little expression of David's. Jane So he has little expressions, has he? Naida That is the only one. I admit it is rather absurd. Some- how, it's like David. Jane Has he a black mustache — sort of a decided black mus- tache ? [18] Naida Why, yes. What made you ask? Jane Oh, nothing. I seem to see him with a small black mus- tache. Do you know, I imagine he hasn't much sense of humor. Naida It's a rather whimsical sense of humor. Jane I know . . . Rimminy pimminy. Naida If you are going to ridicule my husband. Jane (Lauffhinff.) I'm not at all. I'm making fun of you. Because you are so happy — and I'm jealous. This cocktail has gone to my head I think. I suppose the first thing you'll do, Naida, will be to have dozens of babies and give up singing entirely, and all of your ambitions will go to bang. It always happens that way. Naida Oh, I want to live, Jane. I'm not going to let ambition cheat me out of life. I want to suffer and know things. I'm not going to be a cold, barren, singing machine. You might as well be a phonograph if you are going to order your life that way. Jane Can it be done? It takes a giantess to live and have a career at the same time. Naida {Lauffhinff.) I am going to be a giantess then. I feel strong enough to have ten careers. [19] Jane Look out! First thing you know you'll be wanting to have ten husbands. Naida Oh, no. When j'^ou really love, Jane, one man is ten men to you. He is alwaj^s changins;, always presenting some new, wholly unimagined side. Why, the other day David was telling me about his student daj^s in Leipsic, and he seemed then like an entirely different person . . . some one I had never known before. Jane So he went to school in Leipsic, did he? I suppose he is terribly well educated. Naida He has a wonderful brain. Since I have known him I have regretted that I never had an education. Jane Thank God for it, Naida. An education would have ruined you. Well, I ought to be going. Naida Stay and meet David. Jane No ... I can't {Opens bag.) Oh, my dear, would you believe it . . . I've got to ask 70U to lend me some money. Do you think I'm awful? Naida Of course not, Jane. How much do you want? Jane You haven't twenty dollars have you, dearie? [20] Naida I will see. {Goes into room left.) Jane It's awfully good of you. I haven't forgotten that I owe you some already. You always were so generous. You know, aunt is always worrying about me in New York . . . (Siffhinf/.) I'm perfectly safe. Naida Here it is. Janb Thanks, dearie. This will help out wonderfully. (Gathering her things together.) If I would consent to debase my art, I could go into raudeville and make money. It's getting harder for real artists every day . . . It's been wonderful seeing you again — so happily married. Naida Oh, this must be David now. Isn't that nice? {As David enters) This is Jane Allen, David. This is David, Jane. Jane Awfully glad to know you. David is medium height, dark. High strung. Spare body luith head somewhat too large. Essentially the thinker. Something of the aesthete. He is absent minded, detached, but at present quickened by Naida and her passionate love for him. He carries several medical books. Naida Won't you stay now, Jane? No . . . can't. Have to go to tea. Did you know Anna [21] Tree has a job at the New York? She gives them classic music with their cocktails. I suppose nobody listens, any- way. Don't you think it is terrible the way art is treated in New York, Mr. Davis? But then you are a bi-lol-o-gist. Well, good bye, dearie. Thanks awfully. Come to see me. Good bye. {She goes out.) Naida It's been such a bore. I hate everyone now but you. David {Kissing her.) We are getting quite impossible. Naida I got your wonderful letter. You are so marvelous. I am so confused with all this happiness. David I wonder why it is that happiness always suprises us . . . unhappiness never does. Naida Oh, don't be philosophical, David. Let me look at you. You look tired. David I am. {Sits on the chaise longue right.) This is the first day I have been seriously to work since . . . You are such a luxurious little thing, Naida. You never know what it is to feel the necessity to work. I honestly believe you could spend your whole life lying on a couch with silk cushions and perhaps flowers to arrange in tall vases. Naida And someone to dream about. [22] David {Laughing.) Of course. Now tell me what you have done to spend the time since I left. Naida Well, let me see. I had breakfast . . . that was about eleven. Then I read the morning paper. Did you read about the new scandal? The Hollister murder? Naida It is the usual old story. The right remains the same, ished by society, no matter whether the murder was justi- lished by society, no matter whether the murder was justi- fied or not. Naida But if he was insane? Of course he is guilty. I suppose he is to be punished, too. But David, do you think that a man who adores his wife can know of her infidelity without going practically insane — for the time being, any way? Think of yourself . . . David {Arranging books in case, right.) My dear child, he has no right to do any such thing . . . to adore her to the point of insanity. Two people come to- gether because they have certain harmonious traits, certain qualities in common. They come, because of these, to love each other. If they continue to love each other these traits mingle and bind them closer. If the wife, in a moment of weakness, yields to the influence of another man, it is trie husband's place to discover sanely whether his wife is, in spite of all, still in harmony with him. He may discover that she is . . . then he must fight for her fairly. He may discover that she is not, then he must give her up to the other man. It seems to me that no love is worth anything at all if you are to accept it as a matter of course, or as a matter of legal ownership. [23] Naida But you speak of harmonious traits . . . That may be one kind of love . . . but I don't think all love is that. David What is it then ? Naida Oh, I am not so clever at definitions, David. I can't reason as you can. But love . . . the thing that brings people together . . . Well, I don't know that I would call it harmony of traits. David Well, let me hear your definition. Naida It's a . . . sort of terrible ... a sort of earthquake. David {Laughing.) That is simply a result of love. That isn't the cause. Naida Yes, yes, you don't know what I mean, David {Sitting beside her.) Well, let us leave the Hollisters. What did you do after absorbing the scandal? Naida I read about the election, too. David You were never interested in politics, Naida. Naida I mean to be, though. I've tried hard to remember the names of all those men concerned. I read all about the election before I even touched the trial. [24] David (Lauffhittff.) As a sort of penance for your pleasure. Naida Oh, I do want to be clever, David. I hate stupiditf. Do you think I am very stupid, David? David (Not reassuringly.) Not at all. Not at all. Naida You don't say that very reassuringly. David I think you have a good mind, Naida. Naida Don't try to be kind. I know. I know how to sing and I know how to be charming. That is all. You should have married a wonderful woman who could talk to you in seven languages about everything under the sun. David Naida, listen to me for a moment. I want to talk to you in plain English about something important. Naida Of course. But what could you have to say to me that is important . . . except that you love me. David There is something, though. I was on the street — just jumping into a taxi to come here . . . Naida {Dreamily.) You see I got your roses, David. I love the roses you •end me. Please always send me roses. [2S1 David But please listen, dear. Naida I am listening. Go on . . . what did you say, David? David Naida, I am afraid I have done something I said I wouldn't. Naida David! David I met my sister on the street. Naida {Changed at once.) Your sister? Which sister is that? David My married sister? The whole family is upset on ac- count of our . . . Naida Well, go on . . . our marriage. David You see, they don't understand. Naida Of course not. Did you think they would? David Well, she stood there talking to me. In fact, she made me talk. Oh, well, there was nothing else for me to do. They're in town . . . Naida David, you didn't break your promise? ]26[ David She kept- at me so . . . Naida And you ... (Rising.) Oh, David! David What could I do? I had to ask them here. Naida Them? David Yes, my mother and sister. Naida You asked them here! David Yes. After all, it is only natural, dear . ." . Naida You promised me, though. You know how I feel about families. David But, really when you come to think about it, isnt' it an unreasonable feeling? Naida You didn't love me because of my reasonableness, did you ? David But, dearest child, you must think reasonably at times. You can't go on forever ... no one can . . . in a sort of . . . Naida A sort of what? [27] David A sort of romantic dream, I suppose you might call it. Naida Why don't more people? Why must we always be reasonable? David Because of other people. Naida I hate other people. David I know you do. Naida Other people are always trj'Ing to make you like then> selves. Why can't I be like my own self? I'm not hurting anyone, am I? David You won't have to see them often. They want to know you, that is all. Families are made that way. They want to gather in all who are near to those whom they love That is a natural thing. Naida I know }'our sister is going to call you "Dave" and treat you like a college boy. That is what I hate so. . David {Laughing.) Oh, sister and I have always been pals. Naida Yes, that is the worst kind. So they are coming here . . . here. [28 1 David Well, I could scarcely ask them to see us downstairs, could I? Naida You don't feel these things. This place is sacred to me. Everything in it cries out about our love and how gloriously happy we have been here. Why I couldn't stand seeing Jane here today. It seemed desecration. David (Smilinff.) Naida, you are simply a child. Naida Oh, please don't laugh at me. When are they coming? David I said at five or half past. I knew you would be ready then. Naida I must change my gown. David That isn't necessary at all. You look charming in that, Naida. Naida I know I do. I don't want to look charming. I*m going in and put on that blue thing we both detest. David And you say you aren't a child. Naida Well perhaps I am, if being a child is to feel things that other people don't bother about. {Embracing him.) You know I love you, my dear, my dear. How can 1 ever make you understand ? ]29[ David I do. Please know that I do. Naida No, no, no you don't. Kiss me. David {Kissing her.) Sometimes I wonder if I did wrong ... a prossaic college professor to ever dare to want you . . . Naida You are so far above me ... David Naida, there's something I haven't told you . . . some- thing that may hurt you. Naida Hurt me? You, David? How could you hurt me? David I have been dishonest with you. At least I have neg- lected to tell you the truth, I don't know why. Perhaps I thought it would never make any difference. I don't think it will. Naida But, David, what is it? David I don't know exactly how to tell you. Naida Is it so terrible, then? David No, no, it isn't. It is something absurd. Just one of those things that really don't count. And yet they are so powerful, so deadly powerful. [30] Naida Why, David, I haven't an idea of what you can mean. David Naida, dear . . . Do you consider me a part of your very self ? Am I that near to you ? Are we really one ? Naida (Earnestly.) You know that! David Yes. It is simply this ... I should have told you before. Now that my people are coming you must know . . . We are Jews, Naida. I am a Jew. (Naida draws away in silence. Her face is difficult to read. She seems stunned. David watches her anxiously.) David Naida, it does make a difference. You do care! Naida (Slowly.) No, David. No, it doesn't ... It really doesn't make any difference. David That is just like you. I knew you would be big and generous as always. (Kissing her hand.) Thank you. Naida But it is strange all the same. I can't help thinking of it. You don't seem like a Jew, David. David (Bitterly.) A Jew has a heart and a brain like any other man. [31] Naida That is why you didn't tell me. You are ashamed of it then. David Perhaps I am. Oh, I could forget . . . But I am never allowed to forget. Ever since I was a small boy I have had it thrust into my face, "Jew! Jew! Jew!" when I was trying with all my soul to be a man. Naida David, I want j^ou to know that I don't feel that way at all, that to me it doesn't make a particle of difference what you are as long as you love me and I love you. David Oh, how good you are! Naida You don't have to be grateful. It is I . . . I am the one to be grateful to you for even noticing me. David I want to tell you, Naida ... my best friends . . . Naida Yes, David, your friends . . . Are they Jewish, too? David No. I have always avoided them. Naida You have avoided them! David I know. I know. It is wrong of me. The whole feeling is wrong. It is narrow and mean and it goes on breeding narrowness and meanness. There is no ending to the hide- ousness of this feeling. Why, look, it has even made me lie to you! 132[ NAroA Come now, don't let us talk about it any more. It is buried as far as wc are concerned. There is the telephone ringing in our room. David {Going right.) They must be downstairs now. Shall I ask them to come up? Naida Yes. And I have forgotten to change my dress. Well, that would have been a petty thing to do, anyway. David I forgot to tell you that my younger sister Is coming, too. Naida Oh, your younger sister is coming, too. What is her name? David Ruby. You will like her. She was a very sweet child, but lately she's been taking up art. All right, send them up. {Enters room again.) Naida Was it they? David Yes, they are coming right up. {Going to her.) Please don't be so serious about it. Meeting your hus- band's people is one of the things we have to go through with. Try to be more worldly. Naida That is exactly it. [33] David I don't know what you mean. Naida I think they're at the door. David This must be they now. I hope you'll like Eva . . . that's my married sister. (Ai the door — outside.) Hello. Hello, mamma. Ruby . . . Eva . . . Come in . . . Come right in . . . Yes, she's here. Mrs. Davis is very fat. She has dark brown eyes filled with fire. She is stubborn, violent in everything: sentimental, narrow minded, weak, generous and mis- understood by everyone. She speaks with quite a Ger- man accent. Eva is quietly, correctly dressed, luhich completely expresses her, as she is quiet and correct. Ruby is quite pretty and young even for sixteen. Mrs. Davis David, I suppose I should spank you. Ach, vat a surprise for us all. To go ant get yourself a vife! Veil, vere is she? Vere is de new Meeses Davis? Naida I am very glad to know you, Mrs. Davis. Mrs. Davis Kiss me, my dear. You are my daughter now. Remem- ber! She looks like Mrs. Silbermann, don't she, Eva, about de eyes? David This is my married sister, Naida, Mrs. Goldschmidt. Naida I am glad to know you, Mrs. Goldsmith. [34] Eva How do you do. David And this is Ruby, the baby. Naida How do you do? (Ruby giggles.) Mrs. Davis You are younker dan I shoult haff imagined. Davit is tirty-five. Aren't you, Davitt? You birt-day comes on de twenty-first of September. Yes, you vill be tirty-five. Tink of it! Ant now he iss married! Vere's a chair? {Sits.) Vat a pretty room. Ver nize. Say someting, Eva. Davitt, I must say you are very comfortably fixed here. David Here's a more comfortable chair, mama. Sit here. Mrs. Davis Di vill do. Ven I have vonce sat down I don't like to get up in a hurry. I have been having trouble mitt my legs, Davitt. Look at dem, all swollen out. De doctor don't seem to know vat de trouble is. It comes from my stomach, he tinks. He says I eat too much. But dat isn't so? Is it, Eva? {Without giving her time to reply.) Vat do you pay here ? David Oh, it isn't as expensive as it looks. Mrs. Davis Very nize. Isn't it, Eva? Eva Very. Mrs. Davis How long have you been here, Davitt ? [35] David Just . . . how long is it, Naida? You would remember. Naida Oh, I don't know exactly. You get a very nice view from Fifth Avenue from the windows here. Mrs. Davis I suppose you enchoy Fifth Avenue — like most young ▼omen? Veil, dat passes off . . . like udder tings. Davitt, I am tinking of giving up de city house. Too much egspense. Vat do we vant mitt a house in de country and von in de city? I don't enchoy de city at all. I am miserable de whole time. Noise, people, egspense, no sleep . . . And vat do you get? Notting. Simply notting. De opera vonce a week and a lot of strangers coming to dinner. Now in de country I have a fine beeg room to myself, I have peace ant quiet, plenty of servants and a goot furnace and, please Gott, some day I vill haff grantchildren to run around de olt place ant keep me company. What more? Isn't it so, Eva? Eva But you have grandchildren now, mamma. Mrs. Davis I mean a great deal of grantchildren . . . hundreds of grantchildren. Isn't dat so, Davitt? David Of course, of course, mama. How is auntie? Mrs. Davis (Shruffs.) Oh, she iss de same. Vat can you do? She alvays com- plains. She puts her interference into everyding as usuaL She's veil. She hass a big appetite. Mrs. Solomon vaa asking for you de udder day, Davitt. Vasn't she, Eva ? Eva Oh yea. She always admired you so much, David. [36] David That is very, kind of her. (To Naida.) An old neighbor of ours in the country. Mrs. Davis Very rich people. Very old Jewish family. But ve are forgetting de bride. Naida . . . Iss dat your real name? Naida! I never heard Naida before. Vat does it mean? Anything? Iss it a Russian name or an English name? Vat kind of a name iss it? NAroA It is a stage name. Mrs. Davis A stage name! (Shocked.) Are you on de stage, den? Naida I was studying for the operatic stage. Mrs. Davis (To Eva.) She vass studying for de operatic stage. So! Tink of dat den! Vat iss your real name, den, if it isn't Naida? Naida My real name is Ada. Mrs. Davis So! Your real name is Ada. And vat made you change your name? Vasn't Ada goot enough for you? Naida My name was plain Ada Jones. I know no one would ever pay to hear plain Ada Jones sing, so I simply added an i and an n and made it Naida. [371 David But, dear, I didn't know that your name was Ada. Naida We never talked about it, David. Mrs, Davis You never talked about vedder her name was Ada or Naida ! {To Naida.) Veil, Ada, your name vas Jones. So you aren't a Jewish girl, are you? Naida No, Mrs. Davis. And every one calls me Naida now. Mrs. Davis {Stops to think, then turns to David.) So. Veil! Davitt, ve read de article about you in de Sunday pabers. Ve vere all so proud, of course. Papa vass pleased to dett. Poor papa, he's been feeling sick. His kidneys trouble him. Don't you ever tink of poor papa, Davitt? He's alvays tinking about you. Ven iss Davitt coming home? Vy doesn't Davitt come to see me? Isn't dat so, Eva? Eva Papa feels very badly that you don't come to see us all and bring . . . Naida. David I don't see why he should feel hurt at my not coming. I have been home so little in the past year ortwo. I have always had my own place in town in the winter. Mrs. Davis You young people never tink of family ties. I suppose your mudder is living, Ada? Naida No, my mother died when I was a baby. [38] Mrs. Davis Vas your mudder an American? Naida No. Mrs. Davis Vat was she ? Naida My mother was French. Mrs. Davis So. To tink of Davitt's marrying a French girl. David Naida, you never told me your mother was French. Naida You never asked me, David. Mrs. Davis Veil! Iss your father living den? Naida No. My father died when I was young. Mrs. Davis Who brought you up den ? Somebotty must have brought you up. Naida An American woman from the South. She brought me from England when I was still a child. You see my father was part Irish — but we always lived in England. Mrs. Davis His mudder vass Irish den? Naida Oh, no. His mother was Italian. [39] Mrs. Davis French, English, Irish, Italian . . , Gott, Davitt, it seems to me your vife is everyting but Jewish. David (Lauffhinff.) What diflFerence does that make? We are all Americans now. Mrs. Davis Of course. Vy not? I am not old fashioned. Veil, how long are you two expecting to stay here? Oh, a hotel iss alright for honej'^moons, but honeymoons don't last forever. Life is not all tea and silk cushions. Ach, don't I know dat? I had a honeymoon, too. I haff not forgotten. Your fadder has tonsilitis. I could not get near him for weeks. {Turning impatiently to Eva.) Vy don't you say someding? Ruby Don't you think we had better be going, mama? Naida (To Ruby.) David tells me you are studying art. Do you like it? Ruby Oh, yes, very much. Mrs. Davis She makes very nize little trawings. Although I don't approve of de nude. It teaches young beople immodesty. De body is meant to be useful not ornamental. Vy are ve so ugly? David Are we ugly? Surely not all . . . (Ruby giggles.) [40] Mrs. Davis Ruby! De art school is taking all her sensibilities avay. Trawings from de nude, Greek dancing ... is dere notting left for brivate life? Veil, we must go. But not before you bromise to come out to Roselands for dinner. Vy not plan to spend de whole summer mitt us? Dat's an idea. Papa vould be in Heaven. You can haff a whole ving to your- selves. You can safe money, Davitt. And dere's de labora- tory. Somebotty asked me de udder day . . . Vy haff you got dat shed dere ... to keep elephants in? Ant I said, no, dat iss for my bug hunter. He hunts bugs in dere and sticks pins into guinea pigs to make dem squeal. Veil, veil. I won't make fun. I know dat you are a very great scientist. Gott, vere vould de voild be mittout science? Isn't it so, Ada? Naida Oh, yes, I think David's work is very important. Mrs. Davis Dat's right. Dat's right. I am glad to hear it. I sup- pose you are very fond of cooking little tings? Davitt used to be very fond of my strudel and hasenpfheffer. Naida I really have had very little practice in cooking, Mrs. Davis. Mrs. Davis Like every mottern girl. Take Ruby, now. She can cook. But does she? {Seeing the table with the cocktail glass.) You drink cocktails in de afternoon? {as Naida is about to speak) Nevermint. I am not old fashioned. Veil, goot pye, Davitt. Don't forget your bromise to come out to Rose- lands on Sunday. Ve shall egspect you. Papa can't vait to see Ada. [41] NAroA But my name is Naida. Mrs. Davis No, I can never remember to add an i and an n. Ada iss goot enough for me. Goot pye, my dear. (Shakes hands with Naida.) I am sure you are going to make my poy a very goot vife. After all, dat is vat matters, isn't it? Come, Ruby. Vy can't you say someting? Ruby {reaching out her hand) Good bye, Naida. Naida Good bye. Ruby. Eva Good bye, Naida. Naida Good bye, Mrs. Goldsmith. Mrs. Davis Schmidt! Goldschmidt! David (kissing her) Good bye, mama. Mrs. Davis (Affectionately.) Goot pye, my son. It gives me a treat to see you again. You never tink of your poor old mama, do you? And you're all I haff, since Eddie died. It vass his birttday yesterday. Did you go out to de grave? David No, mama, I . . . [42 J Mrs. Davis You see! Dat iss vat love iss. Forget everyting! So! Veil, goot pye. I forgive everyting. Be happy. No, don't bodder to go out mitt us. Go to Ada. {They all go out.) David {Who goes out with therrij nevertheless — returning.) Poor old mama ! {Laughs.) Isn't she funny? Naida Oh, quite. David She gets so much excitement out of life. She's always like that. She has the biggest heart in the world, too. Generous . . . she'd give anything away. Little Ruby has grown, too. Quite a young lady. I haven't seen her since she came back from boarding school. She's just at the silly age, isn't she? Naida She seems rather silly, yes. David You'll like Eva when you get to know her. She has a very strong character. She really rules mama. That is why she gives in to her in everj^thing. She has three wonderful children. Didn't j'ou like her? Naida Oh, very much. David I am glad. I thought you would. Shall we go out there Sunday. Naida - Do you want to go, David? [43] . _ J David I think we should. Yes, I would enjoy it in a way. After all, your own people do mean a great deal to you. And you would want to see the place . . . It's a fine old place . . . And my old room I used to have . . . and the laboratory . . . and auntie . . . Auntie would be terribly hurt if we didn't go. Naida You have decided to go, then? David Not unless you want to, dear. You don't want to go, do you? Naida (Quickly.) Yes, yes, of course. Why not? David {Thinking pleasantly of his family affection, not noticing that Naida is sitting staring ahead of her, trying to control her feelings.) You'll see then how funny mama really is. We all laugh at her. You should see her in one of her tirades. She storms around in a perfect whirlwind, sputters in German, berates everj'one . . . then Eva comes along . . . (Seeing Naida' s face.) Why, what is the matter? (Naida jumps up. She seems about to speak, then strides across the room and into the bedroom, bang- ing the door and locking it.) CURTAIN Act II Scene: Room at Roselands. Large arched door at left, back. This leads to a terrace which leads in turn to a [441 garden below. Another arched door at right back. Small arched door at left, back. This leads to the front of the house. Terra cotta fireplace at right ivell forward. The walls are hung luith tapestry. The furniture is, for the most part, Italian. A couch well forward right. About this are grouped several com- fortable chairs. A small table to the left of the couch holds a lamp and books. Behind the couch a long table with two lamps. A large modern American chair is placed conspicuously forward. At left there is an old carved walnut chest. A small table of odd shape holds several marble figures and a box of painted wood. At right, tvell forward, against the wall, there is a small pulpit from a church. It is a beautiful September eve- ning after dinner. Jacob Davis, a small, grizzled, old Jew, of the gentle, almost effeminate type, is enjoying his after-dinner coffee and cigar in the company of his sister, who sits on the couch knitting. She is an erect little creature with the body and face of a child, for all her sixty-five years. She is always called AuNTiB in the family. Jacob Its just like we sit in de olt country, isn't it, Christianne? You pizzy at some tammed knitting and I bretending to read de baper. Only look at de room. Whoever would have tought of such a room in de olt country? Auntie {Counting her stitches.) Von, too, tree, four, fif . . . It iss nizc sitting like dis mitt you, Jacob. Since my brudder's become such a great man he never hass time for his poor olt sister Christianne. Jacob Don't talk such foolishness. Auntie Such bright nights. I cannot sleep. I jump up. I lie [45) down. Alvays de moon. I tink of udder times. (Sighs.) Batt to grow old. Nopotty cares. Alvays de young beople. Day hate you, and day are alvays so kind. Auntie dis, Auntie dat! Dear Auntie! Ant day vish I vass deatt alreatty. (Siffhs.) Put I can't complain. Den vy do you? Vere are my glasses? Jacob Auntie Jacob (Hunting for them.) Now you haff lost your glasses again. (He looks for the glasses.) Vat's dat — pinned on your vaist? Auntie My glasses! (She puts them on.) Lena vill never haff any light in de house. It's stylisk not to see vat you are doing. Put I can't complain. Jacob How iss your heart? Auntie _^ My heart? Last week ven you were gone away — den I had a batt attach. Very batt. Since den . . . Veil, I am alive, I subbose. It von't pe long, dough, before I . . . Jacob Vat a vay to talk now! Vy you haff a long time to live yet. Don't your olt brudder take goot care of you — vat, Christianne ? [+6] Auntie Lena don't care vat pecomes of me. She iss alvays so pizzy.* I am not allowed to do a ting in de house. I am treated like an olt piece of rubbish. If I am in de liprary, den it's de liprary must pe cleaned. If I am sitting in de borch — den it's de borch. Ant I am never allowed to help any more. Vy dey don't even allow me in de kitchen. And a French cook! Whoever heard of a French cook, Jacob I Jacob Oh, veil, Lena don't mean anyting. Auntie Such noodles! Like leader! Like leader! Eva (Enters.) Well, papa, you two old cronies gossiping after dinner? Where's Herman? Auntie Efa, who's dis Doctor Mackenzie who vass here for dinner? Eva He is David's chief at the laboratory. David met him at the golf club today and brought him to dinner, Auntie. Auntie I don't like him. Eva Papa, have you seen Herman? Jacob No, darling. Vy must you alvays pe looking for dat goot for notting husband of yours? Heah? Eva Because Barbara has a stomach ache and she must have lome castor oil. [47] Jacob Castor oil Vat hass Herman to do mitt castor oil? Eva He always gives it to her. I wonder where they went. Jacob Oh, I see, a sentimental reason. Dat's right. Jacob I heard mama say someting about David's animal house over dere. Eva Oh, of course. They've gone over to David's laboratory. Will you tell Herman to come right up, papa? Jacob Vy don't you go ant get him, Eva? Eva Oh, no. If I do they will make me come back and play bridge. You know mama can't sleep unless she has her game of bridge. No one realizes how serious a matter it is to bring up children. {She goes out, left.) Jacob {Rising.) I vill go ant get him myself. It's a shame, to go avay ven de papy needs castor oil. {He goes out, right.) Auntie sits knitting. When Doctor Mackenzie and Doctor Hotchkiss enter, she rises stiffly, going out right. Mackenzie is a handsome man. He is not tall, but well built and strong. He is of the type we call American — strong jaw, small nose, small brilliant eyes, smooth face, and clear ruddy complexion. Hotch- kiss is tall and angular. He wears glasses. His nose is a little pink from bad digestion. He is in evening dress. Mackenzie wears a tweed golf suit which w very becoming. They are both smoking. [48] Mackenzie (Looking about.) Not a bad room. Not bad at all. House isn't bad. I'm quite surprised. Of course they may have overstepped themselves here and there . . . HOTCHKISS I wonder why it is that most of us feel ourselves superior to the Jew — and especially if he is rich. Mackenzie Well, arent we? HOTCHKISS {Ignoring the question — examining a chair.) This is an original. Very rare — with that splat. Mackenzie And do you know, it's the Jew himself who makes us feel that way? Even the best Jew is conscious of being one. And that is exactly where he trips himself up. He's always making excuses for himself ... or defending himself. HOTCHKISS I don't see how anyone could feel himself superior to Davis — I mean, the Doctor. Mackenzie Davis? As a scientist . . . Well, in the last few years Davis has surpassed himself. He is not a brilliant, forceful man but he is the kind who works underground for precious metal. Sometimes, do you know, I am almost jealous of him? It's a funny thing, though . . . When Davis and I are side by side — say we walk out together — I mean just the physical thing . . . Davis's blood is always seeming to make excuses for itself. I can feel my personality take hold of him. Oh, there are such things! He envies me because I am not of a race of martyrs. He recognizes me as a superior animal. [49] HOTCHKISS That is simply physical magnetism. You exercise that over many people. ' Mackenzie My dear Hotchkiss, Davis is not a woman.. HOTCHKISS {Laughs.) You haven't changed, Mackenzie. Mackenzie {Looking about — sees the pulpit.) What in the name of common sense is that? Hotchkiss It's an old pulpit . . . {Going to it.) Mackenzie What is it doing here ? {They examine it together.) Here's an auction number. It's the old man's latest prize. {Laughs.) He's bought the pulpit from an Italian church. Hotchkiss Fine one, too. I should say it was about fourteenth century. {Examines it fondly.) Mackenzie To think, Hotchkiss, that a man of God has tread these stairs, his head buzzing with platitudes . . . and now it belongs to our old diamond merchant who bought it at an auction . . . Hotchkiss And paid the price of the church for it, I warrant. [50] Mackenzie Do you suppose it really means anything to hira? HOTCHKISS You can't tell. Mackenzie Look at the mantle, if you please. Copied from the Davenzatti Palace. And before it — lo — a chair from Grand Rapids, Michigan. HoTCHKISS He probably likes it because it's comfortable. He has worked for his rest, why not? Mackenzie He needn't go to sleep in the drawing room even if he is rich. The tapestries are fakes, and so are the hanging lamps. What do you think of Davis's wife? Hotchkiss She seems very nice. Mackenzie She's a very pretty woman. I thought her gown very attractive, didn't you? Hotchkiss I don't know as I really noticed it. Mackenzie My dear Hotchkiss, you are simply a biological specimen. (Picks up a book of poetry — an edition of Mercure de France.^ Poems — French . . . Someone has been scribbling on it in French. By the way, their cook is a poet himself. I never tasted such patties. Hotchkiss Perhaps the poems are his. [51] Mackenzie Perhaps. Have you heard her sing? HOTCHKISS Just a minute tonight — from her own room. Mackenzie How was it? HoTCHiass Nice voice, I thought. Mackenzie Not bad? HOTCHKISS No. Not bad at all. On the contrary. Mackenzie I can't say how relieved I am. There's nothing worse than a woman who can't sing — unless it's one who can. By the way, Hotchkiss, do me a favor, will you? HOTCHKISS Well, doctor? Mackenzie Ask her to sing — off hand, you know. The others come in from the garden. Mrs. Davis^ Mr. Davis, David, Herman Goldschmidt, Naida. Herman is the pompous, uncuous type of Jew. He affects an English accent. He likes to talk above other people's heads — and his own. All are in evening dress. Naida's dress is expensive and very low. Mrs. Davis is heard off stage scolding Jacob. Mrs. Davis Don't take it off now. Keep it on until you get in de house. Such a papy! You'll catch your deatt out here in de damp, don't you know dat? [52] Jacob {Protesting.) I am alright. I am not a papy. Mrs. Davis Didn't I hear j'ou sneeze? You can't fool me. Running oud in de night air mittout a hat. Whoever heard of such foolishness ! Jacob enters, wearing Mrs. Davis' fur stole, which she keeps tied about his head, in spite of his protests and efforts to escape. As they enter he sneezes. Mrs. Davis Dere! Vat did I tell you? Look at him! Vouldn't you tink he vass olt enough alretty to take care of himself? Valking out in de garden in dancing shoes. Whoever heard . . . Mackenzie We have found where the cook keeps his poetry — ^here . . . Mrs. Davis (Exploding.) De cook! How can he dare? Vat does de cook haff to do in de trawing room? Jacob, do you hear? De cook bass left hiss book in here! Yellow French boetry. Gott, dis Iss too much! Naida Don't be absurd, Mrs. Davis. This is my book. I left it In here. Mrs. Davis You I Den . . . Ach, I see ! It's chust anudder of your chokes, Doctor Mackenzie. You are a great choker, but blease don't give me such shocks. He's independent enough, de cook. De udder day he tried to make me eat poisoned mushrooms. [531 HOTCHKISS Poisoned mushrooms! I have made a studj^ of poisoned mushrooms. {Herman enters from right.) Mrs. Davis Don't be scientific! I vill not pe legured to. Goethe himself could not make me eat poisoned mushrooms. Herman But Goethe is dead, mama. Mrs. Davis Don't I know dat? But what has dat to do mitt toad stools? Eva {Entering.) Herman, where have you been? I never knew you to run off that way when Barbara is sick. Herman I am sorry, dear, but how was I to know she was sick? Eva Well, you might have guessed it. One of them always is. Mrs. Davis I tolt you so! Herman What is wrong with her now, Eva ? Eva She has temperature, and her stomack . . . Mrs. Davis Her stomack ... I knew it. She doesn't get enough to eat. Dats de whole trouble. De chilt is half starved. {To Mackenzie.) Vy you shoult half seen her, Doctor, last summer ven I had her. She vas as fat as a little angel, vasn't she, f adder? Eva That's just when her stomach got upset, mama. [54] Mrs. Davis You mean to say / upset her stomach 1 I upset my own grandaughter's stomach! Oh, Efa, how can you stant dere and say such a ting! Herman How many times have I told you, mama, that Eva and I have a special routine for our children and that if anyone else steps in . . . Mrs. Davis {Indignant.) Step in! Step in! Any von else! I am not any von else! I am her grantmudder. I tink if any von has a right to spoil her stomach I haff. Mackenzie Assuredly, Mrs. Davis. Jacob Veil, vy don't you do someding? Haven't ve trained nurses? Vat are all dose starched ghosts sitting around for, anyvay? Vy don't day pe useful? Vy don't somebody giff Barbara some castor oil? Eva Because Herman always gives it to the children, and Herman was out In the laboratory explaining science to Naida. Naida {Smiling.) So that's what it was. Herman I'll come right away, dear. I didn't dream Baby was sick. I'm awfully sorry, you know. David I'll go up with you, Herman. Perhaps there is something I can do. {Hermanj Eva, David go out.) [55] Mrs. Davis I spoil her stomach! Isn't dat an awful vay to talk to me? As if I . . . Veil, I vill not go near her now. Dey can nurse her demselves. Vat iss wrong mitt mottern barents, Doctor Mackenzie? Dey tink dey know everyding about dere children. You can't teach dem anyting. I go into de nursery and dere are tree nurses sitting arount like it vas a funeral. I hear my grantchild screaming. Nopotty goes to it. I say — Vere iss your heart? A papy iss crying! And dey say — Shh! Let it! And den ven I go to my grantchild dey all take hold of me ant drag me avay, as if I vass a devil. Vy iss dat? Nature! Dey are alvays talking about Nature. I am sure in de olt country ve never vorried about Nature but our children grew up to be strong ant healtty. Mackenzie Your daughter and her husband believe in practicing modern ideas of discipline. Mrs. Davis Mottern! Mottern! I hate vat iss mottern. It chust means doing some funny ting because nopotty ever heard of doing it before. Ada, you are smoking a cigarette? Look, papa, Ada iss smoking a cigarette. HOTCHKISS {To Mr. Davis.) I am very interested in your antique, Mr. Davis. That pulpit is extremely interesting. What do you intend doing with it? Jacob I don't know. Do you like it? My tealer bitt for it by mistake. But of course ven all de bapers brinted dat I had bought it I vass ashamed to send it back. It's bretty. I can put it in de music room beside de organ. Mackenzie Oh, no. Some day you must build a room around it. r56] Jacob Build a . room around a pulpit I I never heard of such a ting! Mrs. Davis Doctor Mackenzie is chust making fun of you, Jacob. He is9 alvays making fun. Mackenzie On the contrary. I would enjoy seeing your print col- lection, Mr. Davis. I hear you have some valuable etchings. Mrs. Davis ( To Naida as Mr. Davis and Mackenzie and Hotch- kiss talk.) Ada! (Motions about the cut of Naida' s dress.) Naida I don't know what you mean, Mrs. Davis. Mrs. Davis Your tress, Naida. Vy all de men are looking at you. Naida (Out of patience — moving away — to Hotchkiss.) Wouldn't you like to look at my father-in-law's etchings? . . . they're in the next room. Hotchkiss I should enjoy seeing them very much, of course. Has he any Whistlers ? (They go out talking.) Mrs. Davis Do you blay auction, Doctor Mackenzie? Mackenzie No. ]57[ Mrs. Davis Well, Jacob, I subbose we might as veil go to bett den? Jacob Yes. I must be up early in de morning. Doctor Max:- kenzie, I hope you vill excuse me. Good night, mama. (Kisses her- — ffoes out left.) Mrs. Davis (In a voice full of emotion.) Doctor Mackenzie, ven iss my poy to get his appointment? Mackenzie Well, Mrs. Davis, of course . . . Mrs. Davis Don't start in to make egscuses. Mackenzie There are many considerations. You must know that, my dear lady. You must understand also that I am not the voice of the whole university. I am merely a member of the board of judges. He is a very able man, of course . . . Mrs. Davis (Passionately.) Put he iss a Jew! Mackenzie My dear Mrs. Davis! Mrs. Davis Ach, gott! My dear Mrs. Davis! I know vat I see, vat I hear! I haff ears. Davitt . . . Davitt knows notting dat goes on. You can insult him to his face ant he vill smile. He hass his toughts — I don't know vere. He iss alvays treaming. But me — I don't tream. Vy dit dey appoint Doctor Reilly last year instead of Davitt, ven everybotty — even de newsbapers saitt dat Davitt vass de man for de blace ? [58] Mackenzie Reilly was an older man. He had long been associated with the work of the department. It was only natural and right that he should receive the promotion to a higher place. Mrs. Davis Dat he could not full ven he got it. He vass so stupit dat even before his illness Davitt vass doing haff his vork and his own vork pesides. Mackenzie Who told you this? Mrs. Davis Not Davitt, you may be sure. He never complains. He iss proud. Put he vants his appointment chust de same. Ant he shoult get it. Dere iss von man who stands in de vay. De most powerful man at de university. Mackenzie Who? Mrs. Davis I mean Doctor Albert Mackenzie. David (Enterinff.) What is mama saying now? Are you scolding Doctor Mackenzie again? Mackenzie Very severely. How is the patient? Mrs. Davis Vat vass wrong? Anyting serious, Davitt? David She is alright now. Nothing serious. She simply swal- lowed a moth ball. [59] Mrs. Davis A mott ball! Who gave her a mott ball to swallow? Pless her little heart. I am going up to her now. {fVith dignity — to Mackenzie.) Vill you egscuse me, Doctor Mackenzie? {Kissing David.) I am going up now. Goot night, son. David Good night, mama. Where is Naida? Mrs. Davis She vent into de liprary mitt Doctor Hotchkiss to look at papa's pictures. Speak to her about her tress, Davitt It's a disgrace. I do not like to criticise — put it's disgraceful Vy she looks like an opera singer. {She goes out right.) {Hotchkiss and Naida enter.) Hotchkiss Oh, Mackenzie. You can't afford to miss these Haydena. And there's a Whistler you'll want to steal. Mackenzie Whistlers, has he? Arc there any Duers? {To Naida.) I hope you're not going to desert us, Mrs. Davis? Naida No, of course not. {Mackenzie and Hotchkiss go out.) David You look tired tonight, dear. Naida Do I? I'm sorry. I was hoping I looked very nice. David You do, of course. You always look beautiful. [60] Natoa Don't I look especially beautiful? David I suppose you do. Naida (Lauffhinff.) You suppose. Oh, David! David Is that the gown you bought the other day? Naida Yes, don't you like it? Of course it's a little elaborate for these small family dinners. Why do we never have anything but small family dinners, David? David We really have very few friends, as I have told you. And, of course, for our relatives . . . Naida (Stffhinff.) Oh, of course, for our relatives . . . David Naida, don't you think that dress a little too ... I don't want to offend you. Naida You don't want to offend me, and yet you suggest that my dress is a little too . . . Too what? Let me hear, David, what you mean ? David Oh, nothing, only ... I thought, perhaps . . . The neck, you know. Don't you think it's ... It exposes a good deal? Naida I see. I'm indecently dressed. [61] David I didn't say that, Naida. I suppose it's alright. It's very charming, and you look beautiful in it. But — for a different atmosphere. I'm not narrow minded, you know that. But here — ^when it is, as you say, just a small family dinner . . . {Laughing.) You shouldn't look like an opera singer. Naida {Laughing — and hurt.) An opera singer ! Oh, how absurd ! {Starts right.) David No, don't go. Please stay and talk with me. I don't mean to hurt you, dear. Try to understand. I haven't had a minute to talk with you for the past month. You're always so busy with something — sketching and singing lessons . . . Naida Of course you haven't had a minute with me. You simply appear at meals — the rest of the time you are locked up in your laboratory. And at night you are tired. When do you expect to see me? David I am not locked up. You know that you can come in any time you wish, Naida, Naida Yes, and when I do go over there you are always pre- occupied and annoyed. If I begin to ask questions you send me over to look at the white rats. Now run away like a good little girl and play with the pretty little white rats. You never give me credit for wanting to know something about your work and the things which occupy your mind. Since / don't occupy it, at least I have the right to know something about what does. [62] David You do occupy my mind. Naida I did. David You don't understand me, that is all. Naida And do you understand me? DAviD Yes, of course — perfectly. Naida No, you don't. Because if you did you would know what hell I have been through in the last months — five months in this house! David What do you say, Naida? You're not content here? Why I never . . . Naida No, you never dreamed it. That shows how occupied you have been with me. You never noticed a thing. David Of course I have seen some things. I know that mama is rather trying. Naida Trying ! David But I even thought that you were beginning to get around her. You have a way of winning people, Naida. Naida Thank you, David. [63] David And you have been so interested in your singing lessons. You were so glad to have free time to work in, you said. I thought you were happy. You and Ruby have been good friends. Naida Because she is young. I must have youth about me. Oh, you haven't seen a thing. I am starving in this house. I hate families. I always told you that. I loathe those children and the castor oil bottle and that gluey marriage of Herman's and Eva's and Herman's flirting with me every time we are alone together. David Herman flirting with you? I never dreamed of such a thing. Naida Oh, that isn't so bad. I really don't mind enough, I suppose. And there's the rest . . . David What do you mean by — the rest? Naida Your mother and father and — auntie. David But they mean so much to me, Naida. I can't see why they don't . . . Naida Why they don't mean so much to me, too? Perhaps when one gets old . . . But I'm not old enough. Oh, David, if you had ever known what it is to be young. David Then you're not happy here? [64] NAroA I am simply stifling. Oh, I can't explain . . . The whole thing was such a mistake. I was never meant to marry. I was meant to go along as I was then, to sing and fly around with crazy fools like myself. We had such glorious times, David, being so utterly ridiculous. You can't understand that, David. You are never happy unless you are solving some deep problem of the universe. You always say I am a child. I am a child. I can't help it. I like those garrish hotels you hate so. I like bright clothes. I like gay people. I need and want everything you shun and disapprove of. What can we do? Here we are married and living a sedate life together! David Naida 1 Natoa I've thought and thought. You can't help it. I can't help it. No one can. I suppose I will simply have to go on as I have been . . . David What do you mean by that? Naida (With a great siffh.) Stifling. David Don't you think, Naida, in time . . . ? Naida In time, in time ... Of course, I will get old. Gire me time and I will get old. If I could only be like Eva. If I could only congeal as she has! Castor oil and string quartets — that is all Eva thinks of from one year's end to the other. [65] David Naida ! Naida Oh, don't let us talk like this any more. It doesn't do any good. But please don't say that you understand. David Why . . . Naida Oh, it's — it's just everything. I am going in to them now. David {Getting her scarf which lies across the back of the couch.) Wait, dear . . . Here is your scarf . . . don't you think you had better put it about your shoulders? {He throws the scarf about her shoulders.) Naida {Furious at the idea that he wishes to hide her shoulders.) You Jew! {She throws the scarf on the floor and goes out right.) {David stands stunned and hurt. He is about to go out left when Mackenzie and Hotchkiss enter.) Mackenzie I see your father has a duplicate. A lithograph of Whist- lers. I've been looking years for it. Do you suppose he'd trade it? David I don't know, I am sure, how my father would feel about it. You will have to ask him tomorrow. I hope you will excuse me tonight, Mackenzie. There is some unfinished work ... at the laboratory . . . You know how it is . . . Mackenzie It's quite alright, Doctor, of course. [66] David If they ask about me, Hotchkiss, I'm alright. I've often done it before, I have everything I need. I hope you don't think us rude . . . Well . . . Mackenzie Good night, Davis. Awfully good of you to have us. {David goes out back.) {Seeviff Naida's scarf on the floor — puts it back on the couch.) You didn't ask her to sing. You promised me you would. Hotchkiss Why didn't you ask her yourself. Mackenzie I was afraid she might think I was interested. Women are so conceited. Hotchkiss Well, you are interested. Mackenzie If I weren't do you think I would mind her thinking so? Hotchkiss {Laughing.) Still the Don Juan, Mackenzie. Mackenzie Oh, no. I simply understand women. Hotchkiss {After a pause.) I suppose you have never realized, Mackenzie, that work- ing under Davis for three years I have come to admire him — to — well — to love him? Mackenzie I am sure I have no objection to your loving him. [67] HOTCHKISS I dislike to hear you spenk of him slightingly. He is a great man — not only as a scientist — but in every way. Mackenzie I rather thought that you admired me somewhat. HoTCHKISS You were one of my young heroes. I remember when you first came to the University. You impressed me enorm- ously. You were so picturesque. You were my ideal of a great man. Your cruelty appealed to me — as it appeals to all unformed 5^oung minds. Mackenzie Thank you, my dear Doctor. HOTCHKISS {After a pause.) Mackenzie, I don't want you to use your influence with the board to get me placed in a position which should go to Davis. If I get it, I am going to decline. Mackenzie You won't throw away a chance like that when you once have it: I know men too well. HOTCHKISS That is just where men like you fail, Mackenzie. You can control affairs as long as you are counting upon the ambitions of other men — but you never take into account their ideals. Mackenzie {Shritgging.) Have it your own way. There are others who will go in your place. Hotchkiss {At right,) Coming up? [68] Mackenzie Shortly. I'm going to smoke a cigarette. HOTCHKISS (Lauf/hinff.) Good niG^ht. (He goes out right.) Mackenzie Good nig;ht. {There is a silence. A maid comes in at left.) Maid Oh, excuse me, sir. Mackenzie It's alright. What do you want? Maid I came to close up, sir. I thought everybody had gone «p. Mackenzie So they have. I will be going up in a minute. Maid Shall I wait, sir? Mackenzie No, you needn't wait. I just want to finish my cigarette. (Meaning to flatter.) Mrs. Davis keeps very pretty maids. Maid (Meekly.) Yes, sir. Mackenzie What do you do on a moon light night like this? Maid I sleep, sir. I have been up since six. [69] Mackenzie What a waste! Maid I beg pardon, sir? Mackenzie Do you never dream? Maid (Earnestly.) Oh, yes, sir. Mackenzie Tell me what you dream. Maid Last night I dreamed of my father. We have a pretty little cottage at home, sir. I dreamed that it burned down and my father in it. Mackenzie (Bored.) What a pity! Well, j'^ou'd better go to bed now. Maid Shall I close the window, sir? Mackenzie I will close it when I go up. Maid (Going left.) Yes, sir. Good night, sir. (Naida enters after a minute. She comes in hesi- tatingly.) Naida (Seing Mackenzie.) Oh! I thought everyone had gone up. Mackenzie I am always the last up. I never enjoy a house until I feel I am alone in it. [70 1 Naida Yes, I" can understand that feeling. I came for my book. The chef's book, as you called it. (She goes to table for book.) Mackenzie {Getting the book for her, opens it.) So you read French poetry, do you ? Naida I always spoke French when I was younger. I was born in France. Mackenzie Really ? Were jou ? That w^as very wise of you. Naida Please let me have my book now, Doctor Mackenzie. I am going upstairs now. Mackenzie Ah, markings in pencil. All your favorites . . . Verlaine, de Regnier, Paul Fort . . . Ah, here is your especial favorite . . . Naida (Annoyed.) Please, Doctor Mackenzie . . . Mackenzie (Reading.) Par les nuits d'ete bleues oij chantent les cigales, Dieu verse sur la France une coupe d'etoiles. Le vent porte a ma levre un gout du ciel d'ete ! Je veux boire . . . Naida I hate to have things read out loud. [71] Mackenzie So do I. Stay a moment. You can't be sleepy. You've been up there on that balcony of your looking at the moon. Naida How did you know? Mackenzie How could you do anything else? You see I see every- thing. I see many things which you think are disguised from everyone. Naida Oh, I have nothing to conceal. Mackenzie Have a cigarette with me. {He offers his cigarette case. Naida takes a cig- arette. ) Naida Well, for a few minutes . . . How warm it is in the rooms up stairs! {She sits on the couch.) Mackenzie {Standing near her.) Do you remember de Maupassant's moon story? Only old people and fools, he saj's, are insensible to the lure of the moon. And, do you know. I think that you are neither one nor the other. Naida I am not so sure about the fool part of it. Mackenzie Oh well . . . You wanted to be a great singer, didn't you? Naida Who told you . . . ? [72] Mackenzie Never mind. Well, then, why did you get married? You see that is where women are so unreasonable. They don't sit down calmly and think — if I let myself be married then I will have to go with this man or that and settle down and go his way instead of my own. They allow their emotions to run away with them, and then one fine day they discover that they have nothing left but their emotions — which have prob- ably cooled considerably by this time. Naida There are women who are successful both as artists and as wives and mothers. Why I know . . . Mackenzie Yes, and art suffers for it every time. A woman can't act with one half of her mind on her role and the other hall on the nursery . . . Naida I suppose that is true. What are we to do? Mackenzie It is tragic business being a woman. Naida Tragic? Mackenzie I have known a great many women. I have never known one who was not enmeshed in hopeless complications. Yes, one. My sister. She is enormously intelligent. She is as unfeeling as if she had been under chloroform her whole life long. She does a great deal of good, of course. You would scarcely call her a human being. Naida It is hard to stifle one's emotions — and then if you don't . . . [73 1 Mackenzie That is woman's whole problem. She never knows when to feel and when not to. Look at yourself . . . Naida Oh, please don't talk about me ! Mackenzie I knew from the first minute that I saw you that you were unhappy. Naida Then j ou were wrong. I am not unhappy. I am simply . . . It's stupid, I suppose. My husband has changed so. (Lauffhinff.) Mackenzie You love him then? Naida I — I don't know. Mackenzie You have the most beautiful lips I have ever seen. Naida (Risinff.) Doctor Mackenzie! Mackenzie You don't want me to make love to you then? Naida Make love to me? Mackenzie It is very difficult not to. You are very beautiful. I worship your beauty — as if you were carved in marble and I kneeling below your pedestal — a humble student. Naida {Going right.) I am going up to my room now. Good night. [74] Mackenzie Just now as you stand there. A thought came over me. I have a whim — will you humor me in it ? Stand up there — {Meaning the pulpit.) Let me see you there — ^high above me — as inexorable as God. Naida {Laughing.) What an absurd idea. You want me to go up there? Mackenzie Yes. Please. You will look so exquisite. Naida {Amused and interested.) I might fall down. Mackenzie Then I will catch you. {She runs up the steps and stands in the pulpit, amused to look beautiful and be admired.) Naida How do I look? Mackenzie {Kneeling.) I am humble. Command me. Naida It is such a strange feeling to be in a pulpit. What are you doing? Mackenzie I am praying. Naida To God? Mackenzie No. To you. Naida This is blasphemous. I command you to get up. [75 3 . i Mackenzie {Going to the steps.) Give me some word from your world of beautj. Naida {Laughing and embarrassed.) I am nervous. Mackenzie My goddess has weakened. She gives me courage. Naida Doctor Mackenzie, I am coming down. Look out, I will fall. Mackenzie That will be human and wonderful. {He tries to touch her, but she eludes him.) Naida I don't like being divine. Mackenzie {Goes to the doorway looking out into the moon light.) The garden is wonderful. Naida {Following him and looking out.) How white and still it is. Mackenzie Oh, que le ciel coule en moi! Que je me fonde en lui! Naida {Dreamily.) Yes, to flow into the sky! Oh, if this were all as beautiful as it seems. [761 Mackenzie It is! We will go far into the garden — back to the pc oL You and I will dance with the moon — two satyrs and a aymph. Naida {Looking at him intently.) And if I do go . . . ? Mackenzie You are going. Come . . . {Almost as if hypnotized she goes forward slowly. They go out and down into the garden. There is a silence in which the audience is made to feel the mystery of the moon light night, and to follow in imagination the two who are walking down to the garden.) CURTAIN Act III Scene: Breakfast porch at Roselands, the following morn- ing. Steps to the garden off left, back. Potted trees and plants along the low rail. Entrance right, at back. A screen before this. Another entrance left. Wall fountain with growing vines. Marble bench near this. Breakfast table right, with chairs. Serving table against the right wall. Mrs. Davis, Mr. Davis, Auntib seated at the breakfast table. Mrs. Davis Vy can't beople get up in de morning? It's chust as easy ass lying in bett. {To Auntie.) Why don't you have some eggs? C771 Auntie No, tank you, Lena. De.v don't agree mitt me. Vat am 1 lO do ven notting agrees mitt me? Mrs. Davis (To Jacob.) She iss too mean to eat eggs. Vat if dey are dear? Von hass to live I subbose. No eggs for my sister dis morning, Caroline. Au-NTIE {Complaining.) Caroline, vy don't you wear a clean apron? Mrs. Davis It iss clean. I w^ill tell my maids vat to vear! {To Jacob.) Ach, she iss getting vorse and vorse. I can't stand it much lonker. My nerves! I have nerves. Am I a jelly fish? I am going matt mitt her complaining. Jacob Dere, dere, sweetheart, she iss only olt and cranky. Don't fuss mitt her too much. {Drinks his coffee.) Batt coiifee. Vy can't dat French cook make goot coffee? Mrs. Davis {Tearfully.) You see. You chust agree mitt Christianne in everyting. Dat's all Christianne's doing. Here I go and get de most egspensive cook I can find — just to blease you — and den you say he makes batt coffee. {Drinks her coffee and then puts dotun her cup furiously.) It iss batt! Vatt is de matter mitt him dis morning! [78] Auntie {Rising.) I vill make your coffee for you, Jacob. Like de coffee ve used to have in de olt country. (Goes left.) You chust vait. Christianne knows how to make coffee. French coeks^ Whoever heard of a French cook! (She goes out.) Mrs. Davis Don't you dare go into my kitchen! Jacob Dere, dere, Lena. Let her make a little coffee if she vants to. Mrs. Davis ( JVeeping. ) You don't loff me any more. All you care apout iss Christianne. I am only in de vay. Jacob Dere, dere, whoever heard of such a ting! I don't loff you I Mrs. Davis No, 5^ou don't. Nopotty loffs me. I am chust in de vey. I vould pe bedder off deatt. (Suddenly energetic.) Caroline has forgotten de toast! Caroline! (Violently.) Caroline ! Caroline (Entering.) Yes, Mrs. Davis. Mrs. Davis See dat you pring de toast on time hereafter. Caroline, iss your apron clean? Caroline Why, of course, Mrs. Davis. [79] Mrs. Davis Veil, veil, run along now. See vat dat olt pusy-botty m doing in my kitchen. I haff a goot mint to go and qiake de coffee myself. {Eva and Herman enter.) Eva Good morning. Mrs. Davis Goot morning, Efa. How is Barbara? Eva She's alright, thank you, mama. Mrs. Davis Vass you up mitt her last night? Eva No, that's the worst part of it. She slept soundly the whole night through — and I was lying awake wondering why. Mrs. Davis Dat's a mottern barent for you. Vy didn't you go ant find out? Herman I should like to see what happened to babies who were brought up under your methods, mama. Mrs. Davis I subbose you tink ve killed our children? Veil, didn't I pring up Efa, ant Davitt, ant Ruby — aldough dey never get up in de morning. Ruby (Enters.) VThat's that? Never get up in the morning? Here I am, anyway. Nice little anvil chorus we had at six P. X., Eva. [SO] Eva You needn't be rude to my child, Ruby. Ruby No, it wouldn't do me any good. But at least I can have some satisfaction in taking it out on you. {To Mrs. Davis.) Mama, may I go to the theatre today? Eva There's nothing to see so early in the season. Mrs. Davis No, it's a vaste of money. Herman They never put anything good on at this time, you know. Eva No, they take this time to get rid of the promising young American dramatists we're always hearing so much about. Ruby Oh, of course there's nothing high brow, if that's what you mean. You and Herman think if a thing isn't copied from Shakespeare or Shaw it's no good. Eva Well, nearly everything you see in New York is copied from either one or the other. Ruby {Enthusiastically. ) This isn't. This is a real American play. Mayn't I go, mama? Mrs. Davis Oh, veil, go if you must. I subbose it iss an imnwral blay. [81] Ruby Why should it be immoral, mama? , Mrs. Davis Vy not ? Odderwise vy voult you care apout seeing it ? Dis age is getting decadent. Everyting is rotten. Tings are ass batt as dey vere in de olt times at de fall of Egypt. Herman Don't you mean the fall of the Roman Empire, mama? Mrs. Davis Vat difference does it make? Egypt must have fallen also. Tink of Cleopatra ! {Ruby and Herman laugh.) Auntie {Entering with a cup of coffee.) Vat are dey laughing at ? Are dey laughing at me, Jacob ? Dere, dat is real old fashioned Jewish coffee. {Goes out with dignity left.) And dere iss notting to laugh about in Jewish coffee. {Caroline comes in with mail.) Ruby Oh, good — the mail! Mrs. Davis {With importance.) Here — for you, papa. Here iss anudder. Looks like your lawyer. You've forgotten to send him dose contracts. Here — for me — for Davitt ... I don't seem to know de hand- writing. For Davitt . . . For Herman . . . Ruby Anything for me, mama? [82] Mrs. Davis (Sharply.) Vait Until I come to you. For Ada. (Smells it.) Dat friend of hers alvays uses some scent. Pooh! Eva ... I can't tink from whom it might pe. Eva Well, give it to me, mama, and perhaps I can find out. Mrs. Davis (Hands the letter to Eva, still looking at the envelope. ) Anudder for you, papa. It's de first of de month. Von for you, Caroline. Caroline Thank you, Mrs. Davis. Mrs. Davis (Reading the post card first.) It's from your sister in Atlantic City. Here's de baber, papa. (All open their letters. Naida enters. She looks pale.) Naida Good morning. All Morning. Mrs. Davis Here's a letter from dat friend of yours in de city, Ada. I could tell it a mile. Tink of using scent on your baper. (Hands the letter to Naida.) Eva (To Mrs. Davis.) I hope you have made arrangements to have Doctor Mac- kenzie and Doctor Hotchkiss taken down to the station, mama. [83] Mrs. Davis < Are dey leaving dis morning? Dey didn't say anyting to me apout it. Eva Well, we have to arran2;e for it, anyway. I will need the roadster for the marketing. Ruby I want the roadster myself. We're all going in swimming. Mrs. Davis You can't go in swimming. It's after Labor Day. Who- ever heard of anybody going in swimming after Labor Day? Jacob Who iss going to take me down? Ruby I am, papa, as I do every morning. Mrs. Davis Ruby can take you down in the Packard and let Henri vait for Doctor Mackenzie. Eva Don't forget Herman. Herman has to go to New Jersey today. Herman Oh, don't bother about me. I'm not too good for the train. Ruby Well, I want the roadster, and if Eva . . . Mrs. Davis {Sharply.) £fa iss to have de roadster! [84] Ruby Why can't Henri take her later in the Packard? Eva Go in swimming later. Ruby But it's high tide just at eleven. Eva Well, go in at low tide. Do something to be obliging. Ruby Obliging! I don't see how you can talk about being obliging! Well, of all the . . . Jacob {Jumping up, out of temper.) Roadster, Packard, Packard, roadster! Such a bodder! I vill get a taxi. Nopotty cares about me. Vedder I valk or fly or vat! Ruby {Contrite.) Now, papa, don't go and get angry. You know I'd not want to have you ride down in any old taxi. I will take you down in the roadster as I do every morning. Eva I don't see why Henri can't run papa down in the Packard and then come back for Doctor Mackenzie. Ruby {Feting him.) Because papa likes to have me take him down, don't you, papa? Come on, now, or you'll miss your train. {They go out back.) Eva I don't see why you don't say something to Ruby, mama. She is getting positively unmanageable. [85] Mrs. Davis Ada, you spoil her. Dat's de whole trouble. Since you haff been here she hass peen like a different girl. She used to pe shy ant quiet. Now — Gott! Dere's notting she does not do — and vat she does not do she tinks about. Eva And she's always talking about being suppressed. Mrs. Davis Suppressed! Veil, vy shouldn't she be? If you don't suppress human nature vat can you do mitt it? Herman {Reading the newspaper.) Speaking of human nature — they've let Hollister off. Eva Acquitted him? Mrs. Davis A lot of soft headed fools! He shoult pe made to die. Vat right hass von man to take anudder man's life? A nize fix we voult pe in if everypotty vent arount killing de people dey didn't like. Dere vouldn't pe anypotty left in de vorld. Eva {Rising.) I must see that the children get out. Herman, will you come and help Tillie with the baby carriage? Herman {Patiently.) Yes, dear. {They go out left.) Mrs. Davis {Rising.) Look at de eggs, Nopotty hass finished dere eggs. No- potty knows how hard it iss to keep chickens at dis time. [86] ($he ffoes out right.) {Naida has been bored and annoyed through all the foregoing. Now that she is alone, she reaches for the paper and reads it intently. After a moment Doctor Mackenzie enters.) Mackenzie Oh, good morning. Naida Good morning. {Mackenzie goes to breakfast table and sits there.) (Caroline enters.) Mackenzie Oh, good morning. Caroline Good morning, sir. Mackenzie Nothing for me, thanks. Will you see about the car? I have some bags in the hall. Caroline I will see that they are taken down for you, sir. Mackenzie Thank you. {Caroline goes out.) How absurd this is. I knew that we would run into each other. I've been up for an hour — waiting for you to get away — and here you are, just as I knew you would be. Well, perhaps it is better so. {After a moment.) I have been reading your husband's literature — before breakfast. I got quite fascinated in The Life of the Cater- pillar. Does your husband spend his nights reading The Life of the Caterpillar? {He goes over to her.) Please don't hate me so very much. [87] Naida I don't hate you. Mackenzie Oh, yes you do. You hate me for being in such a hurry to leave you. You hate me for reading your husband's Life of the Caterpillar when you were waiting in agony to talk to me and get our relations settled. Naida Oh! Mackenzie You may as well admit it. My dear lady, I understand women. I know exactly what you have been going through. Well — I am sorry. I am really tremendously sorry. Does that help ? Naida Please ! Mackenzie Why are you angry with me because I am not in love with you? Naida But I am not in love with you. Mackenzie Nevertheless, you feel that you should have some kind of hold upon me, don't you? Naida Oh, why talk at all? Mackenzie After last night you think that we should have some tic between us — some bond — isn't that so? It is revolting to you to think that things like that can happen and mean noth- ing, have no importance of any kind whatsoever . . . [88] Naida That is exactly what I have been thinking. If I didn't fou love . . . Why Should . . . That is what I cannot understand. Mackenzie That is the trouble with our whole American sentiment. It is not based on knowledge of real life. That is why all of cur books and our plays never ring true. Life is never a complete harmonious chain of events woven regularly with the hours, with a definite beginning and a definite ending. Naida What is life! Mackenzie My dear lady, I am not an American novelist. I would never presume to compress the infinite into any small recep- tacle of my own making. Naida Oh, if you would only stop making speeches! Mackenzie Come, don't be angry with me. I am really not to blame. It was the night, and the moon and the co-inciding of our moods. Naida Oh, that I should be such a fool! Why, if anyone had told me . . . Mackenzie If anj'one had told you you would have hotly denied it. And yet all afternoon — all evening — you and I were gradu- ally, unmistakably leading up to the occasion which finally arrived — to the opportunity — the garden — and the rest — Things happen that way. {David enters. He looks haggard.) [89] Naida David ! David Naida . . . Mackenzie . . . {Sits at table facing audience.) Mackenzie Thank you, Davis, Good bye. I enjoyed reading your book very much — The Life of the Caterpillar — ^very fasci- nating . . . (Exit right.) Is mother down? Long ago. It's late. Yes, I suppose so. David Naida David Naida You slept at the laboratory? David Yes. Naida Were j'ou comfortable there ? David Quite. (David reads letters — puts down one he has read.) Well! Naida What is it, David? David Why you would scarcely believe this, Naida. They've met already. Mackenzie didn't say a word to me about it. Not an intimation. Why Naida, I can scarcely believe it. [90] Naida What is it, David? Have they definitely decided upon anyone ? David Hotchkiss. They've chosen Hotchkiss. Naida David ... I am sorry. David {After a moment.) It almost takes the breath out of me. Naida I know. You cared so much. You worked so hard. {The tears start to her eyes arid her lips tremble J) If I could only help . . . If I could only . . . David {Rising and moving away.) Please . . . not now — I didn't sleep. I'm all worn out. Naida I hurt you last night. I can't understand what made me be so cruel. David Oh, don't talk about that. I can't talk now. Don't you see how I am this morning? Naida Don't go. Stay and talk with me. Oh, David, won't you forgive me for what I said? David Can you forgive me for being a . . . Naida Oh, my dear . . . ! [91] David What chance have I? As long as I am underneath doing my work — helping along — I am alright. But the minute I want to step out and claim recognition — superiority — I am held down. I am told to stay where I belong. Naida And even I . . . David, say you forgive me. David Oh, Naida, not now! Naida Then you won't forgive me? David Oh, I do, I do, of course. Let me alone ... I must be alone! I am going out to my laboratory to work. Naida The laboratory! {Helplessly.) What about me? David About you? Naida I — can't be alone with myself today, David. Stay with me just for today. Let us take a long walk together. Then we can talk together — then we can be with each other without anyone else around. {As he starts to go left.) No, no, don't go. Please don't go, David. Please stay with me, David, David . . . David, something terrible has happened. I have something to tell you ... I must tell you something which will break your heart. David {Falling to his knees before her.) Thank God! Thank God! [92] Naida David . . . ? David I have been tortured so. Naida Tell me. David Last night . . . Naida Last night? David I couldn't work. I couldn't sleep. I ^wanted to talk everj'thing over with you. I was coming back to you . . . through the garden . . . Naida The garden? Naida Yes, Naida, the garden. When you were walking back, I was behind the hedge. I heard everything you two said. Naida You heard? David I crept back to the laboratory. I have had an old revolver there. I nearly — killed myself. Naida David . . . why not — him — and me? David Because I am the one in the way. Naida Don't! Oh, don't do that! {Going to him.) David, look at me. Look into my eyes. Can you ever have faith in me again? Can you ever believe in me again? (93} David I don't know. I don't know anything any more. Naida Oh, how can I make you understand? What I don't understand myself. I was unhappy, that was it. I was all mixed up, I even began to believe that you didn't care for me any more. David That I didn't care for j^ou! Naida You were so cold and distant. Then last night . . . about my gown I was hurt and angry. Then he . . . Oh, you know what he is ! David Last night I reasoned with myself. I reasoned it all out. I was thinking of j'^ou. How different j'^ou are from me. Even when we were happiest together, Naida, I always noticed it. I have never been the man for you. I must be wise about it. I must think of your good. Perhaps you have done right, dear. He is the man you should have. Naida Oh, my dear . . . David I have made up my mind not to stand In your way. Naida Oh, David, j'^ou don't see. You don't understand how it is. You couldn't. You are too fine. He doesn't love me. I don't love him. Don't you see ? It was simply . . . David You mean that you were just another of his . . . Good God ! Then he simply . . . [94] {Without another word he goes off quickly down the steps, Naida stands watching him atixiously. Doctor Hotchkiss enters.) HOTCHKISS Good morning. Naida Oh, it's Doctor Hotchkiss. Hotchkiss What a lovely, fresh morning. (Goes toward the table.) It is such a fresh, lovely morning I was thinking of walk- ing down to the station. It isn't far, is it? Naida No, not at all. Let me ring for your breakfast. (She rings the bell under the table.) Hotchkiss Thank you. {Looks out.) It really is a lovely morning. {Caroline enters — in answer to her question.) Just coffee, thank you. {Caroline exits.) I suppose when one is in the country he should get the benefit of fresh eggs. It's a great pleasure to eat a really fresh egg, isn't it? After the cold storage eggs one gets in the city. I hear, by the way, someone has invented a new way of storing eggs which enables them to keep their original properties much longer than ... Naida I wonder if you would be good enough to excuse me, Doctor Hotchkiss. I don't seem to be very well this morn- ing. I really feel quite faint. [95] . HOTCHKISS Why, of course, Mrs. Davis. You really looke quite pale. I'm so very sorry. Is there anything I can do . . . Naida Oh, please don't bother. I will go up to my room for a while. {She goes out.) {Airs. Davis comes running in from back.) Mrs. Davis Caroline, nopotty hass fed Mr. Davis's white rats and guinea pigs. {To Hotchkiss.) Good morning. Guinea pigs. Dat is science! To spend your whole life mitt white rats and guinea pigs. Till you pecome a white rat or a guinea pig yourself. You are leaving us, Doctor Hotchkiss? Hotchkiss Right away. It was such a lovely fresh morning I thought I would walk down. {Going to her.) Thank you, Mrs. Davis. You have been very kind. Mrs. Davis Dat's netting. It vass a bleasure to hafiE you here, Doctor ... Hotchkiss Yes, Mrs. Davis? Mrs. Davis About my poy? You vill see vat you can do about his abbointment ? Hotchkiss I will do all I can. I am always your friend, Mrs. Davis — ^and David's friend. [96] Mrs, Davis Thank you, thank you, Doctor. You are a goot man. {As he goes out back, J unties comes from the garden with a basket of flowers over her arm. She wears a big drooping garden hat with a grein veil.) Auntie Look, Lena, de roses! Aren't they pretty. Tea roses, Chust like de olt country. Not so fine, of course. Ach, it's so varm in de garden. {Feels her heart.) Mrs. Davis You vill kill yourself doing so much. Put you never listen. Ven you die, den it vill pe time enough to see dat I am right I subbose. Auntie {Childishly.) Let me show you, Lena. {Pulls out a large rose.) Look at dat. Like a papy's hand! Ach, how I loff de flowers. Mrs. Davis {Examining the basket critically.) Chust as I tought. You've picked dem too soon. Look at dat. Dey aren't even bloomed yet. Auntie Notting I do iss right. I am always wrong. You must speak to the gardener, Lena. De best rose bushes are covered mitt bugs. Covered! {Ruby's voice is heard off back, frantically calling.) Ruby {Off back.) Mama. Mama, where are you? [971 Mrs. Davis Ruby. Here iss mama. Ruby {Running in.) Mama, mama . . . Oh, mama . . . Something terrible has happened. Auntie . . . Mrs. Davis Ruby, vat iss it? Tell me. Anyting happened to papa? Is it papa? Ruby No, David! Where is Naida? I must tell Naida. {Calling loudly.) Naida, Naida . . . How can I tell Naida. David {Entering.) Here I am. Ruby. I heard you. Ruby. . . . Ruby, has anything happened to David? Ruby Naida — down at the station . . . something terrible hap- pened. David shot someone. Naida Ruby, was it . . . was it ... ? Ruby Doctor Mackenzie. Mrs. Davis Davitt! My Davitt! Oh, my Gott! My poy! My little poy! Henri, Henri. I vant de car right avay. Henri. Vy doesn't he come? {She runs out frantically calling.) Ruby {Sobbing.) Mama, mama, I am coming with you. {She goes off back.) [98] Naida (Falls back against the door in a fit of violent laugh- ter which grows more and more hysterical until she finally shrieks out.) I'm so glad ! I'm so glad ! Auntie {Horrified.) Ada . . . {She goes to Naida and shakes her fiercely and as Naida continues to laugh hysterically she talks to her, her old voice growing strong with emotion until finally it succeeds in calming Naida whose hysterical laughter turns to tears — and she falls into Auntie's arms, weeping.) Ada! Davitt iss everyting to me, Ada. You don't know . . . Dere vass a time ven Auntie vass everyting to him, too. Ven he vass a little poy. He vass such a gentle little poy, Ada — not like udder poys . . . Not like udder poys . . . CURTAIN Act IV Scene: Same as Act II. September of the following year. Ornaments are removed. The room is ready to be closed for a long time. Chairs, couches, etc., have covers of linen. Mrs. Davis sits at right before a folding card table, playing Patience. EvA sits at left well forward, knitting. It is about eight-thirty on a disagreeable rainy evening. [99] Mrs. Davis Ditt you bay the expressman, Eva? Eva {Patiently.) Yes, mama. Mrs. Davis I subbose de furniture vill never stant de moving — ant storage. De vay dey vere packing my china! My pow- dered blue, Eva! {After a pause.) Ven are dey coming tomorrow to finish packing up de goot furniture? Eva At eight, mama. You heard . . . you were standing right there when he told Caroline. Mrs. Davis Ya. I hope dey don't break de china. Vat are you knit- ting, Eva? Eva I told you, mama. A little pair of shoes. Mrs. Davis Oh, yes. To tink of your having anudder child. Eva You had better send in one or two of the maids tomorrow, mama, to get the place cleaned up and things ready. Mrs. Davis Vy do you alvays tell me what to do? You are ass batt ass Christianne. I ha£E kept house for tirty years. I shoult know how to move out of von by dis time. To tink of my taking an abartment in New York after all dese years I haff said I vould never live in an abartment. [100] Eva You will be more comfortable there, mama. Mrs. Davis Yes, I certainly cannot live any longer in dis house. Here it iss September alretty. Vat ve haff gone through since last September! Half you seen de bapers dis evening, Eva? Eva Yes, mama. Mrs. Davis Oh, I cannot talk about it. Eva, if he had only never met Ada! She comes along — and vat does she do? She turns hiss head — mitt her i and her n and her singing nonsense ant all de rest. Oh, if she had only been de von to die ! Eva Mama! Mrs. Davis Oh, Efa, to hafF dis disgrace in my old age! Efa, you may pe sorry to haff anudder child. Vat iss it? Suffering. All sufFering. You gifF your life for dem over ant over again. Vat do dey do? Dey chust claw your heart out. (Slams down the cards and jumps up.) Ach, Gott! I cannot blay dis Solitaire. Look at dat! I haff got stuck again. Herman vent to court today, didn't he? Eva ^ Yes, mama, you know he did. Mrs. Davis I vake up in de middle of de night — I say — Davitt! Iss It you, Davitt? My son! Iss it all drue? Iss dis my own son? Eva Mama, please . . . [101] Mrs. Davis Dere, dere . . . Dis iss not goot for you. I vill liff for your children, Efa. May Gott brotect you ant yours. I know dey are going to break my powdered blue. But vat does it matter, anjnvay? But you shoult haff seen how care- less dey were mitt de vase papa gafe me on our anniversary. Vat can keep Herman so? He iss alvays on time. Do you subbose he hass heard someting? Mr. Harcourt saitt today voult pe very important at de trial. Do you tink Mr. Har- court iss a goot lawyer, Efa? Eva He is a very good man, mama. I am always telling you that. Everyone says that he did wonderfully with the case at the first trial, and that he has managed . . . Mrs. Davis {Interrupting violently.) But he cannot make an innocent man out of a guilty von, iss dat it ? Eva He was Hollister's lawyer. Mrs. Davis Hollister! Hollister got free. He vass guilty . . . but dey let him go. He defended hiss home. But Davitt . . . Davitt iss a different matter. Davitt is a . . . Eva Oh, mama! Mrs. Davis Oh, vy iss everyvon so cruel ? Vy do dey hate us so ? Vat haff ve done? Am I to turn against my mudder's blood, my grantmudder's, ant her mutter ant grantmudder? Am I to pe ashamed of all de goot ant honest beople who haff lived straight and struggled ant fought dere vay dat I may pe able to live and haff my rights ven I am born? Vat iss [102] life den . . . but to love your own kint, to cling mitt your last bre'att to your own flesh and blood ! My mudder vass a Jew, my f adder vass a Jew. I am a Jew! I am proud to be a Jew ! I vill fight for my own beople until I die ! Eva Mama, don't get so excited. Go sit down and play your solitaire. Mrs. Davis Solitaire, solitaire ! Ven my brain iss on fire ! Eva (Listeninff.) I think I heard a car stop. I wonder if it could be Herman. Mrs. Davis Herman vill at least giff us some real news. Vat can you tell from de newspapers? I shoult like to know vat kint of men write for dose bapers. Do dey tink dat life iss a choke, or a blay dat you sit at ant nopotty really cares? Ada! Ada's hat, her tress, her complexion, de vay she looked, de vay she talked, de vay Ada does dis, and de vay Ada does dat, as if she vass de heroine in a blay. Ada — ven my poy iss on trial for hiss life! {Herman enters.) What made you late, Herman? Herman I've had so much to do, mama. {To Eva.) How do you feel, dear? Headache gone? Eva It's better. Did you bring the toys for the children? Herman Yes, I sent them up with Caroline. How do you feel, mama? [103] Mrs. Davis Vat happened, Herman? Vat happened about Davitt? Herman Yes, mama, I am coming to that. This afternoon I re- ceived a note from Doctor Hotchkiss. Mrs. Davis Vat ditt Doctor Hotchkiss say? Tank Gott ve haff von friend. Eva Is that what kept you so long, Herman? Herman Yes, with one thing and another. Eva, Doctor Hotchkiss is coming here tonight. Mrs. Davis Doctor Hotchkiss iss coming here to see us! Someting terrible hass happened den. Eva Herman, has anything new taken place? Mrs. Davis Herman, what ditt Doctor Hotchkiss say? Herman He telephoned me. He simply said — ^Tell Mrs. Davis not to get excited. Mrs. DA^^s Tell Mrs. Davis not to get excited. Vat does he tink I am? A child? A foolish person? Am I such an olt voman to be talked to like dat? Excited. I vill get excited. I am excited! (Walking away.) Ach, Gott, vy can't I have any peace? [104] Eva How long is he going to stay, Herman? Herman I don't know. The whole thing is a mystery to me. Mrs. Davis Vat happened today, Herman? De newspapers saitt de jury vass sympathetic to Davitt. De plumber cried. Eva Oh, mama, you never read anything right. Herman There's Guyer . . . Eva The station master? Herman Yes. He is really the valuable witness. Mrs. Davis Dat station master! Vat right hass he to meddle in our affairs. Vy, Efa, you ant I ourselves vent to hiss vife ven she vass sick ant took money ant food and even night drawers to de children. Herman You see he heard what passed between David and Mac- kenzie . . . Mrs. Davis Don't say dat man's name! Eva What did he tell today? Herman Well, you see, he trips up the defense this way . . . Har- court has explained David's action by the sudden and temporary insanity . . . [1051 Mrs. Davis David insane! It's wicked to talk like dat! Eva Let Herman tell us, mama. Herman Well, you know all that . . . Eva Yes, but what did Guyer say? Herman Guyer swears that David did not fire until Mackenzie said the words — You little Jew! Eva Oh! Mrs. Davis He fired den . . . ven he vass called a Jew? Oh, my poy ! {She goes right, crying.) My poor poy! {She goes out.) Eva Then this is what they have been waiting to spring all along? Herman Yes. Guyer has been clever. I think he has wanted to help David. Eva Do you think he has the slightest chance, Herman? / Herman It all looks bad. Eva You talked with Mr. Harcourt? [106] Herman Just for a minute. You see Mackenzie was so powerful . . . All the doctors have been working on his side . . . that is, against David. Eva But Doctor Hotchkiss seems to have some influence. He had David sent out to the sanitarium. He's comfortable there ... at least it isn't like being a prisoner . . . Although they won't allow any of us to see him . . . Oh, it all makes me so nervous . . . Herman Why don't you go up to your room and rest? Even if you don't go to bed just yet. It has all been so hard for you . . . just now . . . Eva No, I must be here to meet Doctor Hotchkiss when he comes. Someone must, and you can't count on mama. You go up and see if the children are alright, will you, dear? Herman I will tell Caroline to get a room ready. {He goes out. Naida enters.) Eva {Jumping up.) Naida! Naida Hello, Eva. I couldn't get anything to take me up, so I walked. Oh, you have a fire. How good it looks. {Goes toward the fire.) It's getting cold, isn't it? Eva Naida, I never thought to see you here again. Naida I never thought to be here again. What is the matter? Why is everything in shrouds? [ 107 ] Eva Mama is selling Roselands, Naida. Naida Will anyone buy it, do you think? Eva Of course. What makes you think they wouldn't? Naida Nothing. Why shouldn't they? Furniture is a funny thing, isn't it? Eva I must say I don't see anything funny about it. Naida This couch, that chair, the table where Auntie always kept her knitting . . . They are all like people ... all talking to me at once. Eva Naida, why are you here? Naida No, they are like devils — screaming at me. {Trying to be offhand.) I suppose you heard about my taking a position? Eva Yes, we heard, of course. \Vhy did you do that, Naida? Naida To make money. When I discovered that David had so little money really his own . . . Eva David has an income — as we all have. [ 108] Natoa But he is really dependent upon his mother for most of the big things he must have. Eva I think it was very poor taste of you to use the notoriety of our disgrace to advertise yourself. Naida I knew you would think that. Eva My mother would never have begrudged you money. Naida But she did, she did — until I began to sing in a public place. Eva I suppose you are to be congratulated that you can do it. You are very fortunate, Naida. Naida Fortunate? How? Eva In not being like the rest of us. We are so sensitive. Naida Oh I Where is Ruby? Is she here? Eva Ruby is away at school. Naida And how is Mr. Davis? And Auntie? Eva Auntie wasn't well today. She had a fainting spell. The trial has been very hard on her. As far as I can sec you arc the only one who has remained unchanged. [ 109 ] Naida As far as you can see, Eva. Eva Naida, why are you here? Naida What is that you are making ? It is so small. Eva It's a pair of shoes. Naida Shoes? Oh, it's for a baby. I never saw anything so small. Eva It's the right size. It's for a small baby. Naida {Suddenly.) Eva . . . is it . . . for yours? Eva (Annoyed.) Yes, of course. Don't be absurd, Naida. Naida (After a pause.) How funny ! How funny everything is. Eva I can't see anything funny about having a baby, Naida. Naida No, of course it isn't funny. I don't mean that. I am sorry, Eva. Eva Naida, why are you here? Naida Eva, I don't want Mrs. Davis to know I am here, if it can be helped. I don't want to see her. I can't see her. Eva, will you promise not to let her know that I am here? Eva But I don't see . . . Naida Promise me. [110] Eva I promise, of course. It is best for her. Naida {Who walks about restlessly.) How the wind is blowing! {Irritably.) Eva, for Heaven's sake, stop that knitting! -^ Eva I don't see why my knitting should annoy you. {Herman enters.) Herman Eva, mama wants to see you upstairs. {Seeing Naida.) Naida ! Naida How are you, Herman? Herman What, are you here? Eva, think of Naida's being here. Eva You'd better come upstairs right away, Herman. Mama will probably want you. {She goes out right.) Herman You are almost like a ghost, popping up like this, Naida. Naida Yes, this house is full of ghosts. Herman You're not looking run down at all. In fact, I never saw you looking better. Naida Is that a reproach? Herman Oh, no, not at all. I meant it as a compliment. Naida I suppose you did. Oh, Herman, please don't start in now and pay me compliments. [Ill] Herman I think that is very unkind of you, Naida. As if I were the flirtatious sort and all that, you know. I have always wanted to be friendly with you, that's all. I am the only member of the family who has understood you. Naida I suppose that was why you were so ready to talk about me in court. Herman I merely told the truth. Naida You merely gave opinions. I don't care! How silly I I like you. At any rate I don't hate you. Oh, why did I come here? When did you hear from Hotchkiss? Herman Today. He is coming here tonight. Naida {Excitedly breaking out.) Tonight ! I was right then ! I risked it ! Herman What do you mean, Naida? Risked what? Naida Do you hear anything ? It's the wind perhaps. It sounded like a car, though. Herman He'll come by train most likely. There isn't any until after eleven. Naida No, he will come by automobile. Herman Did he tell you ? Naida No, I just know. Herman You're nervous. You're trembling like a leaf. [112] Naida Noj I am, not nervous. I don't feel nervous at all. Go and see if an3'one came, will you? {He goes out left.) Eva {Entering.) Naida, you can go up to your old room now if you wish. I put a lamp in there, and there are some of your books you left here .... Naida Thank you, Eva. {Going to Eva, gently.) You don't look very well, Eva. You really don't look welL How curiously far apart we are, Eva. I am sorry. Eva Mama is in Auntie's room just now. She won't hear you. Naida I understand. Thank you, Eva. {She goes out right. Herman enters.) Herman Eva, why is she here ? Eva To bring fresh trouble upon us all. Oh, if she had never come into this house ! Herman She's looking well, too, isn't she? Eva You always have thought so, Herman. Herman Now, Eva, I hope you don't think . . . Caroline {Entering.) Doctor Hotchkiss is here, Mrs. Goldschmidt. Eva Here he is. {As he enters.) Good evening. [113] HOTCHKISS Good evening, Mrs. Goldschmidt. Do you know anything of Mrs. Davis ... I mean David's wife, of course. I have been trying to reach her all afternoon. Herman She is here. She came this evening. HOTCHKISS Ah ! She is here then ! Eva They aren't going to let David of?, are they? Tell us, frankly. Doctor Hotchkiss. There's no hope, is there? HOTCHKISS Not as far as the law is concerned, Mrs. Goldschmidt. Herman What do you mean by that? Eva Do you mean then that David . . . ? Hotchkiss Your brother has escaped from the Sanitarium. He will be here within a half hour. Eva Doctor! Herman, do you hear? Herman You are helping him in this, Doctor Hotchkiss? Hotchkiss His wife made the plan. It has been her courage and faith which has made it all possible. She has done everything in her power to save him. I have done what I can to help her. Eva But how is this possible? How can he run away like this . . . Hotchkiss David sails tonight for South America — there is a small scientific school in an out-of-the-way part of Peru. I have made arrangements for him to work in the pathological department there. [114] Herman {Awed.) Do you realize that you are acting in defiance of the law? HOTCHKISS I realize what I am doing. Eva Oh, Doctor Hotchkiss, you don't realize what all this means. You scientists are too taken up with theories. You never see things as they really are. This simply means fresh disgrace and notoriety and misery for us all. (Mrs. Davis enters.) Mrs. Davis (Enterinff.) Doctor! Doctor, vy are you here? Vat iss happening? I knew somting vass taking place. Eva, vy do you look like dat? Have dey decided? Iss dis de end den? Eva Mama . . . Mama, Naida and Doctor Hotchkiss have made arrange- ments . . . David is running away . . . He is coming here tonight. Mrs. Davis He iss running avay. Iss dis true, Doctor? Hotchkiss He will be here in a very short while. Mrs. Davis (Joyously.) Davitt vill pe here . . . here in my house again . . . home . . . (Suddenly grave.) But de law . . . de law ... it hass not let him go? Hotchkiss No. Mrs. Davis My poy! [lis] : HOTCHKISS Don't you understand what this means? It means that instead of being put to death like a miserable criminal David will go away ... he and his wife will go away to South America where David can have quiet and seclusion . . . where he can carry on his work. Mrs. Davis He ant his vife ? Ada vill haff him den? . HoTCHKISS My dear Mrs. Davis, do you really mean . . . Mrs. Davis Vat difference does Davitt make to her anyvay? She never loved him. Hasn't she broven dat? Yet she can haff him. My son ! Dere hass not been a night I haff not cried for him. Vy is everyting so unfair, Doctor? Vy iss it dat goot people are made to suffer in dis vorld and batt beople alvays haff tings go dere vay? Oh, I don't understand! (As Jacob enters.) Papa, Davitt iss running avay from de Sanitarium. He iss coming here tonight. Jacob Davitt is running avay? Eva Naida and Doctor Hotchkiss have planned for him to escape to South America. Jacob He iss running avay from de law? Mrs. Davis Yes, Jacob, he iss escaping like a criminal. Our poy! Jacob Davie ! (All during the following he stands quiet and stricken watching the others in amazement and pain.) Mrs. Davis Mitt Ada, too, papa. He iss running avay mitt Ada. [116] Eva Naida and he will be happy. They can begin over again. But we will have the thing over us all our lives. It isn't fair. It isn't right. Herman People never think of others. They are always thinking of themselves. If David had only stopped to think of his own family . . . Eva Yes, Herman, why couldn't he think of us? We will be watched like criminals. Mrs. Davis All he tinks of is Ada. Ada! {Naida enters.) Naida {Ignoring all but Doctor Hotchkiss she goes up to him eagerly.) Doctor Hotchkiss? You did come! Mrs. Davis Ada, vat are you doing in my house? Naida (To Hotchkiss.) Have they started? Hotchkiss Yes. Naida Thank God ! Mrs. Davis Naida, you haflF no right here. Ven you left my house you left it for goot. Naida (To Hotchkiss.) What time did they start? Hotchkiss At eight. [1171 Naida At eight. And it's past ten. Do you think that it should take that long? HOTCHKISS Baker telephoned me when they started. He said every- thing was alright. Mrs. Davis Ve voult never pe vere ve are if it vassn't for you, Ada. You are de cause of all our misery. Naida It shouldn't take so long. Can anything have happened? Mrs. Davis Ada, you have no right to my poy after vat you haff done. Jacob Mama! Mrs. Davis Don't try to stop me. I vill say vat I haff on my heart. If Ada vass a goot voman she voult never haff done vat she hass. And if she had von scrap — von scrap — of decency in her she voult know dat she hass no holt on Davitt now. She has no right to him. Eva It would have been better if you had never married David, Naida. Then the outcome of your affairs would have been your own look-out. Why should we all be made to suffer for the selfishness of you two ? Herman If you only stopped to think of other people . . . Mrs. Davis You never treated me like a mudder. I vass alvays Mrs. Davis to you. You alvays treated me like de dirt under your feet. Oh, I am not a fool. I know ven beople are laughing at me. You alvays ridiculed me. You taught Davitt to do it. You taught Davitt to look down on hiss own mudder. Eva It is true, Naida. You never tried to become one of us. [118] Herman You never tried to make a friend of Eva . . . your hus- band's sister. Jacob Mama, Eva . . . ! Mrs. Davis And all the time you vere in de house you never put yourself out to be kint. You never did de tings vomen do — netting for de children, netting for papa . . . Jacob Lena . . . Mrs. Davis Or myself, or even Auntie. You vrere rude to all our friends. You hated us from de first day you met us, from de very first day. You made fun of us, and looked down on us, and despised us because ve are Jews! Jacob {Growing impatient.) Mama. Mrs. Davis Don't stop me! My heart is breaking. I curse de day dat Davitt ever saw you, Ada. I curse de day you vass born. I never vant to look into your face nor hear your name ass long ass I live! Jacob {Aroused at last.) Keep still ! Mrs. Davis Jacob ! Jacob Keep still, I say. Dis iss not time for quarreling. Doctor Hotchkiss, answer me, why iss Davitt coming here tonight? Naida {Quickly.) To see you, to see his mother, to see his own people before he goes. He is risking everything for that. [119] Jacob Do you hear? Mama, do you hear dat? Your son is risking his life, his freedom, his happiness, to come home again for von look at us, his own flesh ant blood. And here you are, quarreling, calling names, being bitter and unkind. Mama, pe humble before your son ... he has had much suffering. {There is a silence. All wait. Suddenly Naida calls out.) Naida There it is ! There's the car ! (Doctor Hotchkiss goes out. After a minute David enters. He is altered. He is pale and thin, his eyes haunted by a thousand imaginings. He looks about the group dully as a man who comes from the dark into the light.) Mrs. Davis Davitt ! David {Very low.) Mama . . . {His eyes travel slowly from one to the other, and he mumbles their names.) Papa . . . Herman . . . Eva . . . {His eyes rest on Naida at first dazedly, then curi- ously, finally hungrily, and piteously.) Naida . . . Naida {Low.) David ... Mrs. Davis Davitt, my Davitt. David Mama! You don't look well, mam. Papa, too — quite thin . . . And Eva ... All of you . . . If it had only been just myself. 1 120 ] Jacob Mama and I have prayed for you — every night. David Yes. I seem to be seeing your faces for the first time . . . What sweet faces they are ... so patient . . . Mama . . . I am so tired. Jacob Davitt, you haflE not asked about Auntie. David Yes, Auntie ? Where is she ? Jacob Auntie is sick, Davitt. She iss in bett. Mrs. Davis Come upstairs ant see Auntie, Davitt. She talks of notting put you, Davitt. Come, mitt mama. {As he takes her arm.) Dat's right. Lean on mama's arm, Davitt. Jacob (Js he and Mrs. Davis go out with David.) You vill pe surprised, Davitt — dere is a change in Auntie . . . {They go out . . . Eva weeps. Herman and she go out after the others. Doctor Hotchkiss enters.) Naida You have been so wonderful. How can I ever thank you ? Hotchkiss You have been the wonderful one. Naida Everything has gone alright? They got away alright — no one knew? Hotchkiss Only the Doctor. He has been so kind. Naida And our passage? Hotchkiss I have it. She is a sailing boat and carries a cargo. You [1211 and David will be the only passengers. Of course you realize, Mrs. Davis, what all this means? Naida That I will have to be careful? HOTCHKISS Always. On board you must be known as an invalid. You must never leave the cabin. Where is David now? Naida Upstairs. His aunt is ill . . . HOTCHKISS We must start at once. Baker has had some trouble with his engine. When we are ready to start I will telephone out from the garage. You needn't bother to answer. Naida Why doesn't he come down? HOTCHKISS Hurry. {He goes out left. David enters. He goes to Naida and takes her in his arms.) David Naida! Naida Oh, my dearest ! (They cling to each other passionately.) David, thank God for giving you to me again! David My wife, my dearest, dearest love! Naida Did you ever think that this would happen again — we are together — in each other's arms. David I never dared hope it. Let me see your face. Naida My face is close to yours, David. David This is worth everything. [122] Naida Oh, let us sit down until the car is ready. David Just to hear your voice again . . . to be able to touch you . . . Naida (Sitting beside him.) Yes ... I can't take my eyes from your face. David, lately, for the last months and since I have been in this house again — I have felt life stripped of everything, of all its illu- sions and narrowness. There are just the bare truths left — just our love — and our duty. David How your eyes glow, Naida. Naida ^ I am ready to sacrifice anything for that, David. David Yes, that is what I wanted to talk to you about — sacrifice. Naida, do you realize the kind of life we are going into? Naida Yes, yes, I do realize. David It will be entirely different from the life we have always known. We will be cut off entirely from human associations. We will have to deprive ourselves of a great deal. We will be watched, and we will be watching. Naida I am not afraid. David We will have very little money. There will be small privations — these are harder to bear almost than big ones. Naida I know. I know. I will make our home, I don't care where it is or what it is. I will give my whole life for it, David. Don't you see ? It is what I wanted all along — You ! Only you ! Oh, I can't hope to prove it to you all at once [123] . . . but you will see — little by little . . . (The telephone bell rings.) David {Startled.) What is that? Naida It is Doctor Hotchkiss. It means that it is time for us to go. Oh, my God, how good you are to me! {She takes his arm.) You are my child, my sick child. I will nurse you, until you are well again. I will keep everything away from your heart untfl it is brave again. David, do you trust in me now ? Eva {Entering.) David. David, I want to speak to you . . . David ( Turning. ) Eva. Eva David, Auntie is worse all at once. A great change has come over her. Mama is telephoning for the doctor again. Naida {Grozving white.) Auntie ! David {Going toward Eva.) Auntie is worse you say, Eva? Eva She called your name — tAvice. David She called for me! Naida {Going to David — fearfully.) David, we must hurry. Eva David, I am afraid she is going to die. [124] NAroA David I will be right up, Eva. I am coming right up. Eva {Going right.) I will tell her. {She goes out.) {Pleading.) David ... David I must see Auntie. I cannot go without seeing her. Naida But we must go now. You heard the telephone bell. That was the signal from Doctor Hotchkiss. David I cannot go without seeing her first. Naida {Following him.) She is an old woman. She herself would forgive you. Oh, David, don't spoil it all now. Don't kill our lives now — now just as we are beginning! David Her poor old heart is not dead. She called me twice. Naida And I am calling you! David Yes, Naida, you . . . {The telephone rings again.) Naida There is Doctor Hotchkiss again . . . David How can I run away like this and leave her? She was living out her old days. She was happy in her own way. With her knitting and her flowers. She had peace. And then I took it all away from her. I know her old heart. I know how she has suffered. Almost as much as you, Naida. [125] Naida David, Stop! You are doing now just what caused all this terrible thing? You are listening to your ancestors. David Yes, Naida, you are right. That is what I am doing. Naida Oh, come, dear. We are in the right. Come! David You are right, Naida. I am chained to my ancestors. I am bound to all those who owned my past and who share my present. I have brought shame and disgrace and suffer- ing upon my own people, Naida. I have wanted to die. I have wanted to die and pay for my crime. There was only one thing that made me want to live . . . my love for you. Don't you see? I couldn't see you, couldn't be near you. I couldn't hear your voice, couldn't see your eyes. Naida You felt that you should pay? David Yes, I felt that. I still feel it. Naida And you wanted to be free — you wanted to go away — just because of me? David Yes, yes, don't you see ? The wanting you was so terrible I forgot everything ... it excluded ever5i:hing. Naida Then I was just another — sin? David Don't say that! Naida I was calling you in spite of your sense of duty. David Naida . . . Just as I am calling you now. [126] Naida And- out there you would never forget. You would never forgive me. It would have been a mistake. Another mistake. {After a moment Naida turns to go back.) David Naida, what are you doing? Why do you turn away from me like that? Naida Oh, David, isn't the truth clear to j'ou now? It is to me. For the first time I see it. You and I have never really been one. We could never really be one. I came into your life, something strange and new. You saw in me all the wild things you had missed and that was why you reached so eagerly for me, why for a time you thought you were so happy. David We were happy. Naida But we never really understood each other. We never spoke the same language, dear, never asked the same things of life, never even agreed about the things which are most important. You tried, I tried, but we were helpless against it. From the beginning it was there — and that was why we clung to each other so desperately, so passionately, trying to hide it from each other. What have I done for you? In spite of all my love, in spite of all my hopes and dreams for you, what have I brought you? Simply perplexity and trouble and miserable unhappiness. First I stood between you and your work. Then I stood between you and your family. Now, just now, I have been standing between you and your highest self. No, no, no, my dearest, don't lie to yourself, don't pretend any more. This is the truth. We must see it. We must both look at it bravely. Tonight — no matter what happens — I must go back without you. You must stay here — with them. [127 David Naida . . . {They clasp hands and stand a moment looking into each other s eyes.) Naida Sometimes there is a kind of happiness in the truth, David Even a terrible truth. -^ (Naida goes back. David stands a moment looking at her. Mrs. Davis calls off right.) Mrs. Davis David ! David ! CURTAIN [128] ■ir ''IS 930 898 4