She hears Edmund descending the stairs in the front hall. As he nears the bottom he has a fit of coughing. She springs to her feet, as if she wanted to run away from the sound, and goes quickly to the windows at right. She is looking out, apparently calm, as he enters from the front parlor, a book in one hand. She turns to him, her lips set in a welcoming, motherly smile.

MARY

Here you are. I was just going upstairs to look for you.

EDMUND

I waited until they went out. I don’t want to mix up in any arguments. I feel too rotten.

MARY

Almost resentfully.

Oh, I’m sure you don’t feel half as badly as you make out. You’re such a baby. You like to get us worried so we’ll make a fuss over you.

Hastily.

I’m only teasing, dear. I know how miserably uncomfortable you must be. But you feel better today, don’t you?

Worriedly, taking his arm.

All the same, you’ve grown much too thin. You need to rest all you can. Sit down and I’ll make you comfortable.

He sits down in the rocking chair and she puts a pillow behind his back.

There. How’s that?

EDMUND

Grand. Thanks, Mama.

MARY

Kisses him—tenderly.

All you need is your mother to nurse you. Big as you are, you’re still the baby of the family to me, you know.

EDMUND

Takes her hand— with deep seriousness.

Never mind me. You take care of yourself. That’s all that counts.

MARY

Evading his eyes.

But I am, dear.

Forcing a laugh.

Heavens, don’t you see how fat I’ve grown! I’ll have to have all my dresses let out.

She turns away and goes to the windows at right. She attempts a light, amused tone.

They’ve started clipping the hedge. Poor Jamie! How he hates working in front where everyone passing can see him. There go the Chatfields in their new Mercedes. It’s a beautiful car, isn’t it? Not like our secondhand Packard. Poor Jamie! He bent almost under the hedge so they wouldn’t notice him. They bowed to your father and he bowed back as if he were taking a curtain call. In that filthy old suit I’ve tried to make him throw away.

Her voice has grown bitter.

Really, he ought to have more pride than to make such a show of himself.

EDMUND

He’s right not to give a damn what anyone thinks. Jamie’s a fool to care about the Chatfields. For Pete’s sake, who ever heard of them outside this hick burg?

MARY

With satisfaction.

No one. You’re quite right, Edmund. Big frogs in a small puddle.