Plays Part 44

MADELINE: No. I haven't seen anyone to-day.

EMIL: They're held for the grand jury. They're locked up now. No bail for them. I've got the inside dope about them. They're going to get what this country can hand 'em; then after we've given them a nice little taste of prison life in America, they're going to be sent back home-to see what India can treat them to.

MADELINE: Why are you so pleased about this, Emil?

EMIL: Pleased? It's nothin' to me-I'm just telling you. Guess you don't know much about the Espionage Act or you'd go and make a little friendly call on your uncle. When your case comes to trial-and Judge Lenon may be on the bench-(whistles) He's one fiend for Americanism. But if your uncle was to tell the right parties that you're just a girl, and didn't realize what you were saying-

MADELINE: I did realize what I was saying, and every word you've just said makes me know I meant what I said. I said if this was what our country has come to, then I'm not for our country. I said that-and a-plenty more-and I'll say it again!

EMIL: Well-gee, you don't know what it means.

MADELINE: I do know what it means, but it means not being a coward.

EMIL: Oh, well-Lord, you can't say everything you think. If everybody did that, things'd be worse off than they are now.

MADELINE: Once in a while you have to say what you think-or hate yourself.

EMIL: (with a grin) Then hate yourself.

MADELINE: (smiling too) No thank you; it spoils my fun.

EMIL: Well, look-a-here, Madeline, aren't you spoiling your fun now? You're a girl who liked to be out. Ain't I seen you from our place, with this one and that one, sometimes all by yourself, strikin' out over the country as if you was crazy about it? How'd you like to be where you couldn't even see out?

MADELINE: (a step nearer the cell) There oughtn't to be such places.

EMIL: Oh, well-Jesus, if you're going to talk about that-! You can't change the way things are.

MADELINE: (quietly) Why can't I?

EMIL: Well, say, who do you think you are?

MADELINE: I think I'm an American. And for that reason I think I have something to say about America.

EMIL: Huh! America'll lock you up for your pains.

MADELINE: All right. If it's come to that, maybe I'd rather be a locked-up American than a free American.

EMIL: I don't think you'd like the place, Madeline. There's not much tennis played there. Jesus-what's Hindus?

MADELINE: You aren't really asking Jesus, are you, Emil? (smiles) You mightn't like his answer.

EMIL: (from the door) Take a tip. Telephone your uncle.

(He goes.)

IRA: (not looking at her) There might be a fine, and they'd come down on me and take my land.

MADELINE: Oh, no, father, I think not. Anyway, I have a little money of my own. Grandfather Morton left me something. Have you forgotten that?

IRA: No. No, I know he left you something. (the words seem to bother him) I know he left you something.

MADELINE: I get it to-day. (wistfully) This is my birthday, father. I'm twenty-one.

IRA: Your birthday? Twenty-one? (in pain) Was that twenty-one years ago? (it is not to his daughter this has turned him)

MADELINE: It's the first birthday I can remember that I haven't had a party.

IRA: It was your Aunt Isabel gave you your parties.

MADELINE: Yes.

IRA: Well, you see now.

MADELINE: (stoutly) Oh, well, I don't need a party. I'm grown up now.

(She reaches out for the old Hungarian dish on the table; holding it, she looks to her father, whose back is still turned. Her face tender, she is about to speak when he speaks.)

IRA: Grown up now-and going off and leaving me alone. You too-the last one. And-what for? (turning, looking around the room as for those long gone) There used to be so many in this house. My grandmother. She sat there. (pointing to the place near the open door) Fine days like this-in that chair (points to the rocker) she'd sit there-tell me stories of the Indians. Father. It wasn't ever lonely where father was. Then Madeline Fejevary-my Madeline came to this house. Lived with me in this house. Then one day she-walked out of this house. Through that door-through the field-out of this house. (bitter silence) Then Fred-out of this house. Now you. With Emil Johnson! (insanely, and almost with relief at leaving things more sane) Don't let him touch my corn. If he touches one kernel of this corn! (with the suspicion of the tormented mind) I wonder where he went? How do I know he went where he said he was going? (getting up) I dunno as that south bin's locked.

MADELINE: Oh-father!

IRA: I'll find out. How do I know what he's doing?

(He goes out, turning left. MADELINE goes to the window and looks after him. A moment later, hearing someone at the door, she turns and finds her AUNT ISABEL, who has appeared from right. Goes swiftly to her, hands out.)

MADELINE: Oh, auntie-I'm glad you came! It's my birthday, and I'm-lonely.

AUNT ISABEL: You dear little girl! (again giving her a hug, which MADELINE returns, lovingly) Don't I know it's your birthday? Don't think that day will ever get by while your Aunt Isabel's around. Just see what's here for your birthday. (hands her the package she is carrying)

MADELINE: (with a gasp-suspecting from its shape) Oh! (her face aglow) Why-is it?

AUNT ISABEL: (laughing affectionately) Foolish child, open it and see.

(MADELINE loosens the paper and pulls out a tennis racket.)

MADELINE: (excited, and moved) Oh, aunt Isabel! that was dear of you. I shouldn't have thought you'd-quite do that.

AUNT ISABEL: I couldn't imagine Madeline without a racket. (gathering up the paper, lightly reproachful) But be a little careful of it, Madeline. It's meant for tennis b.a.l.l.s. (they laugh together)

MADELINE: (making a return with it) It's a peach. (changing) Wonder where I'll play now.

AUNT ISABEL: Why, you'll play on the courts at Morton College. Who has a better right?

MADELINE: Oh, I don't know. It's pretty much balled up, isn't it?

AUNT ISABEL: Yes; we'll have to get it straightened out. (gently) It was really dreadful of you, Madeline, to rush out a second time. It isn't as if they were people who were anything to you.

MADELINE: But, auntie, they are something to me.