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MARTHA-For over two months.[There is a ring from the front door bell in the hall.]
LILY-[Jumping up.]I'll bet that's we Jaysons now.[She runs to the door in the rear and looks down the hall to the right.] Yes, it's Esther and husband and Aunt Davidson.[She comes back toMARTHA laughing excitedly. The MAID is seen going to the door.] The first wave of attack, Martha! Be brave! The Young Guard dies but never surrenders!
MARTHA-[Displeased but forcing a smile.]You make me feel terribly ill at ease when you put it that way, Lily.[She rises now and goes to greet the visitors, who enter. MRS. DAVIDSON is seventy-five years old-a thin, sinewy old lady, old-fashioned, unbending and rigorous in ma
ESTHER-Let's wait. They ought to be here any moment.
LILY-[Maliciously.]Just think, Martha had forgotten you were coming. She was going motoring with Bigelow.[There is a dead silence at this-broken diplomatically by SHEFFIELD.]
SHEFFIELD-Where is Curt, Martha?
MARTHA-Hard at work in his study. I'm afraid he's there for the day. SHEFFIELD-[Condescendingly.]Still plugging away at his book, I suppose. Well, I hope it will be a big success.
LILY-[Irritated by his smugness.]As big a success as the brief you're writing to restrain the citizens from preventing the Traction Company robbing them, eh Mark?[Before anyone can reply, she turns suddenly on her aunt who is sitting rigidly on her chair, staring before her stonily like some old lady in a daguerreotype-in a loud challenging tone.] You don't mind if I smoke, Aunt?[She takes a cigarette out of case and lights it.]
ESTHER-[Smiling.]Lily!
MRS. DAVIDSON-[Fixes LILY with her stare-in a tone of irrevocable decision.]We'll get you married, young lady, and that very soon. What you need to bring you down to earth is a husband and the responsibility of children.[Turning her glance to MARTHA, a challenge in her question.] Every woman who is able should have children. Don't you believe that, Martha Jayson?[She accentuates the full name.]
MARTHA-[Taken aback for a moment but restraining her resentment- gently.]Yes, I do, Mrs. Davidson.
MES. DAVIDSON-[Seemingly placated by this reply-in a milder tone.]You must call me aunt, my dear.[Meaningly.] All the Jaysons do.
MARTHA-[Simply.]Thank you, aunt.
LILY-[As if all of this aroused her irritation-in a nervous fuming.]Why don't the others come, darn 'em? I'm dying for my tea.[The door from the study is opened and CURT appears. They all greet him.]
CURTIS-[Absent-mindedly.]Hello, everybody.[Then with a preoccupied air to MARTHA.] Martha, I don't want to interrupt you- but-
MARTHA-[Getting up briskly.]You want my help?
CURTIS-[With the same absent-minded air.]Yes-not for long-just a few notes before I forget them.[He goes back into the study.]
MARTHA-[Seemingly relieved by this interruption and glad of the chance it gives to show them her importance to CURT.]You'll excuse me for a few moments, all of you, won't you?[They all nod.]
MRS. DAVIDSON-[Rather harshly.]Why doesn't Curt hire a secretary? That is no work for his wife.
MARTHA-[Quietly.]A paid secretary could hardly give the sympathy and understanding Curt needs, Mrs. Davidson.[Proudly.] And she would have to study for years, as I have done, in order to take my place.[To LILY.] If I am not here by the time the others arrive, will you see about the tea, Lily-?
LILY-[Eagerly.]Sure. I love to serve drinks. If I were a man, I'd be a bartender-in Mexico or Canada.
MARTHA-[Going toward the study.]I'll be with you again in a minute, I hope.[She goes in and shuts the door behind her.]
ESTHER-[Pettishly.]Even people touched by a smattering of science seem to get rude, don't they?
MRS. DAVIDSON-[Harshly.]I have heard much silly talk of this being an age of free women, and I have always said it was tommyrot.[Pointing to the study.] She is an example. She is more of a slave to Curt's hobbies than any of my generation were to anything but their children.[Still more harshly.] Where are her children?
LILY-They died, Aunt, as children have a bad habit of doing.[Then meaningly.] However, I wouldn't despair if I were you.[MRS. DAVIDSON stares at her fixedly.]
ESTHER-[Betraying a sudden frightened jealousy.]What do you mean, Lily? What are you so mysterious about? What did she say? What-?
LILY-[Mockingly.]Mark, your frau seems to have me on the stand. Can I refuse to answer?[There is a ring at the bell. LILY jumps to her feet excitedly.] Here comes the rest of our Grand Fleet. Now I'll have my tea.[She darts out to the hallway.]
ESTHER-[Shaking her head.]Goodness, Lily is trying on the nerves.[JAYSON, his two sons, JOHN and DICK, and JOHN's wife, EMILY, enter from hallway in rear. JAYSON, the father, is a short, stout, bald-headed man of sixty. A typical, small-town, New England best-family banker, reserved in pose, unobtrusively important-a placid exterior hiding querulousness and a fussy temper. JOHN JUNIOR is his father over again in appearance, but pompous, obtrusive, purse-and-family-proud, extremely irritating in his self-complacent air of authority, emptily assertive and loud. He is about forty. RICHARD, the other brother, is a typical young Casino and country club member, college-bred, good looking, not unlikable. He has been an officer in the war and has not forgotten it. EMILY, JOHN JR.'s wife, is one of those small, mouse-like women who conceal beneath an outward aspect of gentle, unprotected i