More Portmanteau Plays Part 77

I am sorry. I try to avoid meals with John as much as possible.

LEt.i.tIA

You've been here eight weeks and John and I know nothing of you. For me it is enough that you are here; but John is the head of the family and he feels that you ought to treat him with greater deference.

NATHANIEL

It is revolting to me to have a tsar in the family.

LEt.i.tIA

Your father and your father's father and grandfather were rulers of the Clay family.

NATHANIEL

I don't question that.

LEt.i.tIA

You can't change John.

NATHANIEL

I don't want to change John.

LEt.i.tIA

Then why not tell him something about yourself?

NATHANIEL

It is none of John's affairs how or why I live. It is none of his affair how or why or when I shall marry Mlle. Perrault.

LEt.i.tIA

Perhaps not.

NATHANIEL

When I tell him anything, Aunt Letty, it will be one thing--I have stayed here because I love Jonathan, because he needs me. And I have listened to the boy's fears and to his hopes as they came out of his poor tortured little soul in his delirium. I have watched him during his convalescence, and I see in him a growing man in prison. John sees in him only the potential head of the family; but he is my flesh and blood as much as he is John's and I intend to set him free.

LEt.i.tIA

My beloved Nathaniel, John will not give Jonathan up to you.

NATHANIEL

I don't want Jonathan unless he wants to come to me, but I do want Jonathan's freedom.

LEt.i.tIA

Isn't he a bit young to have _freedom_.

NATHANIEL

Aunt Let.i.tia, I don't mean a silly license.--I mean freedom. If you are cultivating a peach-tree you don't expect oranges on it even if it could wish to be an orange tree, but you can help to make it bear better peaches.

Jonathan isn't a mechanical business person. His bent is in another direction.

LEt.i.tIA

What are you going to do?

NATHANIEL

Frankly, I do not know.

[_Up to window._

All I know now is that I shall stay here until I find a plan.

[_Jonathan enters._

JONATHAN

Where is Uncle John?

NATHANIEL

He has gone for a stroll.

LEt.i.tIA

What do you want, my dear?

JONATHAN

Uncle John sent word that he wanted to see me here at 7:30.

[_Let.i.tia and Nathaniel look at each other._

_Jonathan takes out a large silver watch._

It's 7:29 now.

NATHANIEL

John will be on time--count sixty slowly--