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[Instantly repelled—thinking with scornful jealousy]

Ha! the hero again! comes to her bed! puts horns on poor Sam! becomes the father of his child! I’ll be damned if hers isn’t the most idiotic obsession I ever

[Her voice suddenly becoming flat and lifeless]

And then Sam’s mother told me I couldn’t have my baby. You see, Doctor, Sam’s great-grandfather was insane, and Sam’s grandmother died in an asylum, and Sam’s father had lost his mind for years before he died, and an aunt who is still alive is crazy. So of course I had to agree it would be wrong—and I had an operation.

[Who has listened with amazed horror—profoundly shocked and stunned]

Good God! Are you crazy, Nina? I simply can’t believe! It would be too hellish! Poor Sam, of all people!

[Bewilderedly]

Nina! Are you absolutely sure?

[Immediately defensive and mocking]

Absolutely, Doctor! Why? Do you think it’s I who am crazy? Sam looks so healthy and sane, doesn’t he? He fooled you completely, didn’t he? You thought he’d be an ideal husband for me! And poor Sam’s fooling himself too because he doesn’t know anything about all this—so you can’t blame him, Doctor!