The Naturewoman | Page 5

as it concerns any one of you. And I tell you, you have simply got to let me know about that will.
MRS. MASTERSON. My dear . . .
ETHEL. Do I understand that it is your intention to threaten to go to law, unless Oceana gives us a part of grandfather's property?
MRS. MASTERSON. Ethel, I refuse . . .
DR. MASTERSON. You might as well tell the child, Sophronia. It's perfectly certain, Ethel, that your grandfather was not of sound mind when he made the will.
ETHEL. It's perfectly certain that he hated you and mother and Aunt Letitia and me and Freddy . . . every one of us; and that he had hated us for years and years; and that he left his money to Oceana to spite us all.
MRS. MASTERSON. That's precisely it, Ethel . . .
ETHEL. And I, for one, knowing that he hated me, don't want his money. And what is more, I refuse to touch his money.
DR. MASTERSON. Not being of age, my dear, you can't . . .
ETHEL. I am near enough of age to possess my self-respect. And I shall refuse to touch one penny.
DR. MASTERSON. My child, there are a good many pennies in a half million dollars.
MRS. MASTERSON. And when you are of age, Ethel, you'll appreciate . .
ETHEL. I shall be of age two years from now, and then I shall return to Oceana every penny of grandfather's money that may have been gotten for me.
LETITIA. Ethel!
MRS. MASTERSON. It seems to me this is a strange way for a young girl to be speaking to her parents!
ETHEL. I can't help it, mother. I am meek and patient . . . I try to let you have your way with me in everything. But this is a matter of principle, and I can't let myself be sat on.
MRS. MASTERSON. Sat on! Is that your view of your mother's attitude towards you?
ETHEL. You know, perfectly well, mother; that it's impossible for anybody to preserve any individuality in contact with you . . . that as a matter of fact, neither father nor Letitia nor Freddy nor myself have preserved a shred of it. Grandfather said that to you himself, the last time you ever saw him . . . I know it, for I've heard father say it a hundred times.
DR. MASTERSON. Well!
MRS. MASTERSON. It seems to me there's more than a trace of individuality in this present outburst, Ethel.
ETHEL. Yes, but it's the first time, mother.
LETITIA. Some one is coming. [Turns to door.] Oh! Henry!
HENRY. [Enters; a handsome, powerfully-built man; smooth shaven, immaculate, reserved in manner.] Well, has the sea-witch arrived?
MRS. MASTERSON. Not yet.
DR. MASTERSON. Freddy's gone to meet her with the limousine.
HENRY. I see. And the steamer?
MRS. MASTERSON. It was to have docked two hours ago.
HENRY. Well, that means that I won't see her till tomorrow evening. I've got to run down to Providence to-night.
LETITIA. What's the matter?
HENRY. Nothing important . . . just a business matter that requires my presence. Make my apologies; and goodbye, my dear.
[Kisses LETITIA.]
LETITIA. Henry, I wish you'd wait a moment.
HENRY. What for, my dear?
LETITIA. Mother has something to say . . .
MRS. MASTERSON. I want to talk to you about this idea of going to the country in the winter-time.
HENRY. Oh! There's no use talking about that, Mrs. Masterson. I see I can't have my way, so there's no more to be said. I'm not the sort of man to sulk.
MRS. MASTERSON. But such an idea, Henry! For a delicate woman like Letitia . . .
HENRY. I know . . . I know. I'd have taken care of her . . . but that doesn't interest her. And, of course, I can't take the children away from her, and there's not much fun in the country alone. So what's the use? I give up . . . as I give up everything. Good-bye, all.
[Exit.]
LETITIA. I declare - such a trial! A husband who's lost his interest in life!
MRS. MASTERSON. It's that new cook of yours, Letitia.
LETITIA. Every cook is worse.
MRS. MASTERSON. What he needs is some liver-pills. Quincy, you should attend to it! [Rises.] Well, I'm going upstairs. You'll stay to dinner, Letitia?
LETITIA. Yes, I want to lie down for a while.
DR. MASTERSON. And I'll beat myself a game of billiards.
[Exit With LETITIA and MRS. MASTERSON.]
ETHEL. [Drops her book to floor, springs up and paces the room.] Oh! If only I might change places with Oceana! If I could get away to some South Sea island, and be my own mistress and live my own life. [Takes photograph.] Oceana! I'm wild to see you! I want to see you dancing. Your Sunrise Dance . . . and to your own music! [Begins to hum the Sunrise Dance.] Oceana! Oceana!
[A step in the hall, she turns.]
FREDDY. [Enters