S. EVERITT

There! And I was almost happy!

EVERITT

For goodness sake, read it!

MRS. EVERITT

From your bank.... I don't understand it.

EVERITT

It's simple enough. They won't make me another loan.

MRS. EVERITT

Well?

EVERITT

Between the unions and the new inspection--well, I can't finish the
Broadway contract on time, and I'm done.

MRS. EVERITT

Done?

EVERITT

Done. Smashed. I might save ten thousand dollars, that's all. My life's
work....

MRS. EVERITT

You mean money?

EVERITT

I mean the lack of it.

MRS. EVERITT

Is that all? Thank heaven!

EVERITT

All! But do you realize it means giving up the house, and beginning all
over again on ten thousand dollars?

MRS. EVERITT

I don't care. I was never happy there anyhow. And now I could be happy
doing my own work in a tenement.

EVERITT

I think I could be happy as a carpenter again by the day. But the
children. It's going to be hard for them. Walter's architecture.

WALTER

Father!

EVERITT

Good gracious! Where did you come from?

WALTER

I came back from the office.... I heard what you were saying. So that's
all right. But you needn't worry about my architecture. I was telling
mother to-night. I don't like it--it isn't my work. I only wanted you to
feel as I do about it. Just feel that I really want to paint--to be an
artist. Even if I have to work at something else for a long time, I'll
feel easier, knowing you realize what I want. I love color so. And I want
to let my imagination _go_. I'll help in any way I can, naturally. I'm
glad too. I mean, I had rather live in the country like this than in New
York.

EVERITT

Good Lord! (_Alice appears in the doorway holding Harold_)

WALTER

It seems to me that none of us has been really satisfied, so it isn't so
bad after all. We can begin on something real to us all. Mother said she
would be happy in a tenement. Well, maybe she would, but why not come up
here?

MRS. EVERITT

Oh, _Charles_!

EVERITT

Well ... but Alice.

ALICE

Mother.

MRS. EVERITT

You, too! What is it? What's the matter with Harold?

ALICE

Nothing. He wouldn't go to sleep, and wouldn't. He said he wanted to sit
in your lap. I never saw him so. I had to bring him.

MRS. EVERITT

Give him to me, dear.

ALICE

And I knew something was going on down here... I could _feel_ it. I don't
know what it was, but there's one thing I do know.

MRS. EVERITT

What?

ALICE