More Portmanteau Plays Part 42

_Nathaniel smiles and crosses to the piano and lifts the cloth that covers the theatre; then he looks at the placard and laughs joyously._

NATHANIEL

"Zen.o.bia." " Alexander Jefferson, Sr."

JOHN

He pretends that's his name--Alexander Jefferson, Sr!

NATHANIEL

People like to have other names. Look at all artists--like writers, pugilists, and actors, and base ball players. And the Sr. Is an effort to appear older.

JOHN

Well, I'm breaking him of all that nonsense. I allow him only a certain number of hours for play. Emily used to spoil him and it's been a task to conquer him.

NATHANIEL

Jonathan is fourteen. When I was fourteen--What are Jonathan's tastes?

JOHN

He reads all the time and he wants to write plays and poetry; but I am conquering that silliness.

NATHANIEL

I think I am going to like my nephew. John, I'll come into the house shortly. I think I'll look at this toy a moment and I'll get Aunt Let.i.tia to show me some of Emily's things. A mere matter of sentiment.

JOHN

Now don't put any foolishness into the boy's head.

NATHANIEL

I promise you I sha'n't try to change the boy's head, brother.

JOHN

I play golf from five to six.

NATHANIEL

Oh, you've taken up athletics?

JOHN

The doctor's advice. Will you join me?

NATHANIEL

Thank you, no.

JOHN

Very well. I'll see you at dinner.

NATHANIEL

Thank you. (_John goes out. Nathaniel looks musingly at Let.i.tia who has been sitting silently on Emily's trunk, knitting, Nathaniel crosses to her and sits on a stool at her feet_) Does John always talk to you so much, little church mouse?

LEt.i.tIA

I have been a poor relation for thirty-five years, my boy, and to be a successful poor relation, one must learn the art of silence.

NATHANIEL

No wonder I ran away!

LEt.i.tIA

But you should have written to me.

NATHANIEL

Perhaps--I should--yes--I should have written, but I didn't. You see, Aunt Letty, I was a sensitive boy. All my life I had dreamed of doing my own work. I saw Henry disappointed in life, I saw Emily made miserable enough through the traditions of the family. John couldn't understand me and I couldn't understand him. There was no common meeting-ground. John was the head of the family and so deeply was the idea of submission to rule ingrained in me that I could think of only one way out of my restraint. I wouldn't study engineering, and I wouldn't continue at Somerset School.

Well, I ran away from my ancestral castle to find my way in a new world. I think I have found it.

LEt.i.tIA

Jonathan doesn't want to study engineering, either.

NATHANIEL (_Looks closely at her a moment and then smiles_)

As Ibsen would say--Ghosts! (_He walks toward the window_) Poor John!

LEt.i.tIA

Poor Jonathan!

[_At this moment Jonathan enters the room. He is a slender boy of fourteen with a deep problem in his eyes. When he smiles before his elders, which is seldom, he seems always prepared to restrain the smile. His voice is just changing and this adds to his reticence. He has a tremendous capacity for expressing wonderment and, as usual with one of his type, he is capable of great displays of temper. He gives the impression of thinking about everything he sees. He is at the age of wonder and only custom prevents the world from becoming the promised land of visions and enchantments._

NATHANIEL

Poor Jonathan!

[_He turns and sees the boy._