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[Thinking fiercely]

Now’s my chance!

[Tonelessly]

They did say it ! Sam’s own father did—my husband! And I said it to myself! And I did all I could, all my husband could think of, so’s I wouldn’t—but we didn’t know enough. And right to the time the pains come on, I prayed Sammy’d be born dead, and Sammy’s father prayed, but Sammy was born healthy and smiling, and we just had to love him, and live in fear. He doubled the torment of fear we lived in. And that’s what you’d be in for. And Sammy, he’d go the way his father went. And your baby, you’d be bringing it into torment.

[A bit violently]

I tell you it’d be a crime—a crime worse than murder!

[Then recovering—commiseratingly]

So you just can’t, Nina!

[Who has been listening distractedly—thinking]

Don’t listen to her! feeling of death! what is it? she’s trying to kill my baby! oh, I hate her!

[Hysterically resentful]

What do you mean? Why don’t you speak plainly?

[Violently]

I think you’re horrible! Praying your baby would be born dead! That’s a lie! You couldn’t!