The First Man

CURTIS-[Indignantly.]Martha![Then in a hurt tone.] You have broken the promise we made when they died. We were to keep their memories inviolate. They were to be always-our only children.

MARTHA-[Gently.]They forgive me, Curt. And you will forgive me, too-when you see him-and love him.

CURTIS-Him?

MARTHA-I know it will be a boy.

CURTIS-[Sinking down on the couch beside her-dully.]Martha! You have blown my world to bits.

MARTHA-[Taking one of his hands in hers-gently.]You must make allowances for me. Curt, and forgive me. I AM getting old. No, it's the truth. I've reached the turning point. Will you listen to my side of it, Curt, and try to see it-with sympathy-with true understanding-[With a trace of bitterness.]-forgetting your work for the moment?

CURTIS-[Miserably.]That's unfair, Martha. I think of it as OUR work-and I have always believed you did, too.

MARTHA-[Quickly.]I did, Curt! I do! All in the past is our work. It's my greatest pride to think so. But, Curt, I'll have to confess frankly-during the past two years I've felt myself- feeling as if I wasn't complete-with that alone.

CURTIS-Martha![Bitterly.] And all the time I believed that more and more it was becoming the aim of your life, too.

MARTHA-[With a sad smile.]I'm glad of that, dear. I tried my best to conceal it from you. It would have been so unfair to let you guess while we were still in harness. But oh, how I kept looking forward to the time when we would come back-and rest-in our own home! You know-you said that was your plan-to stay here and write your books-and I was hoping-

CURTIS-[With a gesture of aversion.]I loathe this book-writing. It isn't my part, I realize now. But when I made the plans you speak of, how could I know that then?

MARTHA-[Decisively.]You've got to go. I won't try to stop you. I'll help all in my power-as I've always done. Only-I can't go with you any more. And you must help me-to do my work-by understanding it.[He is silent, frowning, his face agitated, preoccupied. She goes on intensely.] Oh, Curt, I wish I could tell you what I feel, make you feel with me the longing for a child. If you had just the tiniest bit of feminine in you-![Forcing a smile.] But you're so utterly masculine, dear! That's what has made me love you, I suppose-so I've no right to complain of it.[Intensely.] I don't. I wouldn't have you changed one bit! I love you! And I love the things you love-your work-because it's a part of you. And that's what I want you to do-to reciprocate-to love the creator in me-to desire that I, too, should complete myself with the thing nearest my heart!

CURTIS-[Intensely preoccupied with his own struggle-vaguely.]But I thought-

MARTHA-I know; but, after all, your work is yours, not mine. I have been only a helper, a good comrade, too, I hope, but- somehow-outside of it all. Do you remember two years ago when we were camped in Yu

CURTIS-[Starting as if awaking from a sleep.]Understand? No, I can't understand, Martha.

MARTHA-[In a gasp of unbearable hurt.]Curt! I don't believe you heard a word I was saying.

CURTIS-[Bursting forth as if releasing all the pent-up struggle that has been gathering within him.]No, I can't understand. I ca

MARTHA-Curt!

CURTIS-I've depended on you. This is the crucial point-the biggest thing of my life-and you desert me!

MARTHA-[Resentment gathering in her eyes.]If you had listened to me-if you had even tried to feel-

CURTIS-I feel that you are deliberately ruining my highest hope. How can I go on without you? I've been trying to imagine myself alone. I can't! Even with my work-who can I get to take your place? Oh, Martha, why do you have to bring this new element into our lives at this late day? Haven't we been sufficient, you and I together? Isn't that a more difficult, beautiful happiness to achieve than-children? Everyone has children. Don't I love you as much as any man could love a woman? Isn't that enough for you? Doesn't it mean anything to you that I need you so terribly-for myself, for my work-for everything that is best and worthiest in me? Can you expect me to be glad when you propose to introduce a stranger who will steal away your love, your interest-who will separate us and deprive me of you! No, no, I ca

MARTHA-If you were human you would think of my life as well as yours.

CURTIS-I do! It is OUR life I am fighting for, not mine-OUR life that you want to destroy.

MARTHA-Our life seems to mean your life to you, Curt-and only your life. I have devoted fifteen years to that. Now I must fight for my own.

CURTIS-[Aghast.]You talk as if we were enemies, Martha![Striding forward and seizing her in his arms.] No, you don't mean it! I love you so, Martha! You've made yourself part of my life, my work-I need you so! I can't share you with anyone! I won't! Martha, my own! Say that you won't, dear?[He kisses her passionately again and again.]

MARTHA-[All her love and tenderness aroused by his kisses and passionate sincerity-weakening.]Curt! Curt![Pitiably.] It won't separate us, dear. Can't you see he will be a link between us- even when we are away from each other-that he will bring us together all the closer?