Part 48 (2/2)

AUNT ISABEL: He feels so deeply about these things-America-loyalty, he said if you didn't come with us it would be final, Madeline. Even-(breaks) between you and me.

MADELINE: I'm sorry, auntie. You know how I love you. (and her voice tells it) But father has been telling me about the corn. It gives itself away all the time-the best corn a gift to other corn. What you are-that doesn't stay with you. Then-(not with a.s.surance, but feeling her way) be the most you can be, so life will be more because you were. (freed by the truth she has found) Oh-do that! Why do we three go apart? Professor Holden, his beautiful trained mind; Aunt Isabel-her beautiful love, love that could save the world if only you'd-throw it to the winds. (moving nearer HOLDEN, hands out to him) Why do-(seeing it is not to be, she turns away. Low, with sorrow for that great beauty lost) Oh, have we brought mind, have we brought heart, up to this place-only to turn them against mind and heart?

HOLDEN: (unable to bear more) I think we-must go. (going to MADELINE, holding out his hand and speaking from his sterile life to her fullness of life) Good-bye, Madeline. Good luck.

MADELINE: Good-bye, Professor Holden. (hesitates) Luck to you.

(Shaking his head, stooped, he hurries out.)

MADELINE: (after a moment when neither can speak) Good-bye-auntie dearest. Thank you-for the birthday present-the cake-everything. Everything-all the years.

(There is something AUNT ISABEL would say, but she can only hold tight to MADELINE's hands. At last, with a smile that speaks for love, a little nod, she goes. EMIL comes in.)

EMIL: You better go with them, Madeline. It'd make it better for you.

MADELINE: Oh no, it wouldn't. I'll be with you in an instant, Emil. I want to-say good-bye to my father.

(But she waits before that door, a door hard to go through. Alone, EMIL looks around the room. Sees the bag of corn, takes a couple of ears and is looking at them as MADELINE returns. She remains by the door, shaken with sobs, turns, as if pulled back to the pain she has left.)

EMIL: Gee. This is great corn.

MADELINE: (turning now to him) It is, isn't it, Emil?

EMIL: None like it.

MADELINE: And you say-your corn is getting better?

EMIL: Oh, yes-I raise better corn every year now.

MADELINE: (low) That's nice. I'll be right out, Emil.

(He puts the corn back, goes out. From the closet MADELINE takes her hat and wrap. Putting them on, she sees the tennis racket on the table. She goes to it, takes it up, holds it a moment, then takes it to the closet, puts it carefully away, closes the door behind it. A moment she stands there in the room, as if listening to something. Then she leaves that house.)

(CURTAIN)

<script>