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[Strangely]

We’re always desiring death for ourselves or others, aren’t we—while we while away our lives with the old surface ritual of coveting our neighbor’s ass?

[Frightenedly]

You’re talking like the old Nina now—when I first loved you. Please don’t! It isn’t decent—at our age!

[Thinking in terror]

The old Nina! am I the old Ned? then that means? but we must not meddle in each other’s lives again!

[Strangely]

I am the old Nina! And this time I will not let my Gordon go from me forever!

[Appears in the doorway of the cabin—excited and irritated]

Madeline’s listening in now. It went dead on me.

[Raising the binoculars as he goes to the rail, he looks up the river]

Last I got, Gordon third, Navy and Washington leading. They’re the ones to fear, he said—Navy especially.

[Putting down the glasses—with a groan]

Damned haze! My eyes are getting old.

[Then suddenly with a grin]

You ought to see Charlie! He started throwing Scotch into him as if he were drinking against time. I had to take the bottle away from him. It’s hit him an awful wallop.