Julie

Death makes you do that.

Gard

A man don't get much out of life, when you look at it.

Julie

Some men get a lot.

Gard

A lot, maybe. But not what he wants. I never did. What I wanted the most. And still want. And still aim to get.

Julie

(Getting up, knowing his meaning)

I'll go now.

Gard

(Rising to prevent her)

Not for a minute.

(It comes close to being a command,
instead of a plea)

I want to talk to you.

Julie

(Impatient, nettled)

Tomorrow. Not now.

Gard

You've kept outa my way for a year.

Julie

I don't have to see people I don't want to.

Gard

You're in the same room with me now -- and you'll see
me. You'll hear what I got to say.

Julie

You're a guest in this house!

Try to behave like one.

Gard

I'll behave the way I am.

Julie

You're disgusting.

and

Gard

I'm a man and you're a woman.

It's you I want, you know it!

What's disgusting about it.

Julie

Your wife is lying there dead!

4 - 4

Mr. Sawters (Cont'd)

I was wonderin' --
(He stops)

Mrs. Sawters
(Nodding, smiling indulgently)

Dave, you're as easy to read as a book with big printing.
You're wondering if Clabe's coming home to stay.

Mr. Sawters

Well, ain't you?

Mrs. Sawters
Certainly. But I'm not pulling a long face about it.

Mr. Sawters
Anh, it's borryin' trouble to worry, I reckon. He'll
do what he wants to, I guess.

Mrs. Sawters
(With a significance even Mr. Sawters
can't miss)

Maybe so. Maybe not. He hasn't always done it, I notice.

Mr. Sawters
No. But this time he -- shorely by this time he
must be growed up and in his right mind.

(With enthusiasm)

Why, if he stays -- we could break out that bottom land
next year. We still could get into them stumps and
burn 'em all out now 'fore winter sets in. And next
spring Clabe 'd have him the richest cornland you ever
laid eyes on!

Mrs. Sawters

Clabe would?

Mr. Sawters
Sure. It's most of it his Indian allotment, anyway. And
it's never been tetched.

Mrs. Sawters
More land, more work.

Mr. Sawters
Who's afraid of a little work? By God, you're gonna
see some changes around here!

Mrs. Sawters
(Pleased at his tone, but unable to
refrain from chiding him a little)

You're singing a brand new song this fall, it looks like.
I can remember back -- oh, not so long ago -- not even
a month ago, you --

4 - 8

Julie

Gard's drunk -- that's what the matter is.

Mr. Sawters

(Puzzled)

Drunk? I never knowed Gard was a drinkin' man.

Julie

You know it now.

Bina

Is _that_ why you was so late?

Julie

I couldn't get him started. I've been after him since
before noon. At first, he wasn't coming at all. Then
he wasn't going to let me come. Finally, I threatened
to walk across the lake.

Mrs. Sawters

(Sardonically)

You wouldn't have got far.

Julie

It brought him to his senses -- what little he's got left.

Mr. Sawters

I better go see.

Julie

You'd better stay out of his way.

Mr. Sawters

I never seen a drunk yet I couldn't handle.

Mrs. Sawters

Dave, you stay right here. I won't fall without falling out of the cold.
I guess he can get to the house without falling down.

Julie

No telling what he's liable to --!

(Sick at heart)

Oh.

Julie

Mrs. Sawters

It's all right, I'll take your things off.

(She helps her out of her coat)

Sit down here by the stove. You must be cold.

Julie

Cold, yes.

(She sits)

(Gard pushes the sliding doors open.)

He is xx in an ugly mood, but now
and then his subconscious hurt and
bitterness breaks through his sullenness)

Mr. X

Mr. Sawters

Happy Thanksgiving, Gard.

(Eying the room - deliberately)

The same to you.

(To the others)

And you, too. All of you.

Includin' Julie.

Mr. Sawters

Come on in.

Gard

Where's Clabe? The pride of the west? I want to see what
he looks like. I want to see the color of his hair.

Trust him out.

Gard

Mr. Sawters

No, I don't come yet. Take off your coat and make yourself
at home. It's Thanksgiving Day, you know. I was gonna
offer you some port wine, but I reckon you don't need it.

Gard

No, and I don't want it, neither. I brung my own.

(He pulls a jug out from under his coat)

And it ain't port wine.

Julie

Gard!

Gard

(Staring at her, his eyes half-
closed)

Mrs. Gard Dunham, my lovin' wife. My fine high-toned woman,

Wife. MXXXM None like her on land or sea. She XX knows the right fork to use -- for she learned it at the Seminary. She knows how to treat a man when she's tied up to him legal. Yeah, you ort to know her, folks -- the way I know her.

(Sick with annoyance and disgust, Julie
rises, goes quietly out of the room, After
a second, Gard goes over, finds a glass, pours
out a big XXXXX drink)

through the
Sliding doors,

Bina

Paw, you orten't to let him have any more.

Mr. Sawters

Let him have all he wants. 'S good for him.

Bina

(Appalled)

Well,

I never saw the beat and equal!

(She goes out)

Gard

They say 'f you drink enough of this, ever' thing goes
black on you.

(He lifts his glass)

Come on, black.

(He pours down half the glass)

Mrs. Sawters

(With grim amusement)

I don't think he'll have to wait long.

Mr. Sawters

That's the idy.

(He has got Gard's coat off by this
time and helps him into a chair)

We looked for you over here at thrashin' time, Gard.

We could shore a-used you.

(No answer)

I had a hard time gettin' fall plowing done, and winter
wheat in, too.

Gard

I got eighty acres over there to take keer of. They need
all the attention they can get.

Mr. Sawters

Yeah, need it, all right.

Gard

(After a moment)

If you mean they need it and don't get it, it's my
business. I ain't beholdin' to nobody.

Mr. Sawters

(Gently)

Now look, Gard, I don't want no quarrel with you.

Gard

Keep out of my affairs, then.