[In confusion—thinking bitterly]
In Gordon’s shoes! . . . I always was in Gordon Shaw’s shoes! . . . and why am I taking this young Gordon’s part? . . . what is he to me, for God’s sake? . . .
Nina
[Unheedingly]
If he marries her, it means he’ll forget me! He’ll forget me as completely as Sam forgot his mother! She’ll keep him away from me! Oh, I know what wives can do! She’ll use her body until she persuades him to forget me! My son, Ned! And your son, too!
[She suddenly gets up and goes to him and takes one of his hands in both of hers]
The son of our old love, Ned!
Darrell
[Thinking with a strange shudder of mingled attraction and fear as she touches him]
Our love . . . old love . . . old touch of her flesh . . . we’re old . . . it’s silly and indecent . . . does she think she still can own me? . . .
Nina
[In the tone a mother takes in speaking to her husband about their boy]
You’ll have to give Gordon a good talking to, Ned.
Darrell
[Still more disturbed—thinking]
Old . . . but she’s kept her wonderful body . . . how many years since? . . . she has the same strange influence over me . . . touch of her flesh . . . it’s danger-
