Marsden
[In the tone like her father’s]
—is for you to marry that young Evans. He is a splendid chap, clean and boyish, with real stuff in him, too, to make a career for himself if he finds a helpmeet who will inspire him to his best efforts and bring his latent ability to the surface.
Nina
[Drowsily]
Sam is a nice boy. Yes, it would be a career for me to bring a career to his surface. I would be busy—surface life—no more depths, please God! But I don’t love him, Father.
Marsden
[Blandly—in the tone like her father’s]
But you like him, Nina. And he loves you devotedly. And it’s time you were having children—and when children come, love comes, you know.
Nina
[Drowsily]
I want children. I must become a mother so I can give myself. I am sick of sickness.
Marsden
[Briskly]
Then it’s all settled?
Nina
[Drowsily]
Yes.
