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340 Well, what have you got to say? Your mother and I are waiting.

[Furiously, taking a threatening step toward him]

Shut up, you! Don’t take that tone with me or I’ll forget your age—

[Contemptuously]

and give you a spanking!

[Thinking hysterically]

Spanking! the son spanks the father!

[Laughing hysterically]

Oh, Gordon, don’t make me laugh! It’s all so funny!

[Jumps from his chair and goes to her—solicitously]

Nina! Don’t mind him! He doesn’t realize—

[Maddened, comes closer]

I realize a lot! I realize you’ve acted like a cur!

[He steps forward and slaps across the face viciously. staggers hack from the force of the blow, his hands to his face. screams and flings herself on, holding his arms]

[Piteously—hysterically]

For God’s sake, Gordon! What would your father say? You don’t know what you’re doing! You’re hitting your father!