JAYSON--Yes, you can't take Martha with you this time, you know.

CURTIS--[With a laugh.] No? What makes you so sure of that? [As
they look mystified, he continues confidentially.] I'll let you in
on the secret--only you must all promise not to breathe a word to
Martha--until to-morrow. To-morrow is her birthday, you know, and
this is a surprise I've saved for her. [They all nod.] I've been
intriguing my damnedest for the past month to get permission for
Martha to go with me. It was difficult because women are supposed
to be barred. [Happily.] But I've succeeded. The letter came this
morning. How tickled to death she'll be when she hears! I know
she's given up hope. [Thoughtfully.] I suppose it's that has been
making her act so out-of-sorts lately.

JAYSON--[Worriedly.] Hmm! But would you persist in going--alone--
if you knew it was impossible for her--?

CURTIS--[Frowning.] I can't imagine it without her. You people
can't have any idea what a help--a chum--she's been. You can't
believe that a woman could be--so much that--in a life of that
kind--how I've grown to depend on her. The thousand details--she
attends to them all. She remembers everything. Why, I'd be lost. I
wouldn't know how to start. [With a laugh.] I know this sounds
like a confession of weakness but it's true just the same.
[Frowning again.] However, naturally my work must always be the
first consideration. Yes, absolutely! [Then with glad relief.] But
what's the use of rambling on this way? We can both go, thank
heaven!