Professor Leeds
[Heatedly]
Don’t misunderstand me, Charlie! I’d be the first to ac- knowledge—
[A bit pathetically]
It isn’t Gordon, Charlie. It’s his memory, his ghost, you might call it, haunting Nina, whose influence I have come to dread because of the terrible change in her attitude toward me.
[His face twitches as if he were on the verge of tears—he thinks desperately]
I’ve got to tell him . . . he will see that I acted for the best . . . that I was justified. . . .
[He hesitates—then blurts out]
It may sound incredible, but Nina has begun to act as if she hated me!
Marsden
[Startled]
Oh, come now!
Professor Leeds
[Insistently]
Absolutely! I haven’t wanted to admit it. I’ve refused to believe it, until it’s become too appallingly obvious in her whole attitude toward me!
[His voice trembles]
Marsden
[Moved—expostulating]
Oh, now you’re becoming morbid! Why, Nina has always idolized you! What possible reason—?
