CURTIS—You bet she has. [He goes over and puts his hand on his wife's shoulder affectionately.] Martha's more efficient than a whole staff of assistants and secretaries. She knows more about what I'm doing than I do half the time. [He turns toward his study.] Well, I guess I'll go in and work some.
MARTHA—[Quietly.] Do you need me now, Curt?
BIGELOW—[Starting up.] Yes, if you two want to work together, why just shoo me—
CURTIS—[Puts both hands on his shoulders and forces him to his seat again.] No. Sit down, Big. I don't need Martha now. [Coming over to her, bends down and kisses her—rather mockingly.] I couldn't deprive Big of an audience for his confessions of a fond parent.
BIGELOW—Aha! Now it's you who are mocking at something you know nothing about. [An awkward silence follows this remark.]
CURTIS—[Frowning.] I guess you're forgetting, aren't you, Big? [He turns and walks into his study, closing the door gently behind him.]
MARTHA—[After a pause—sadly.] Poor Curt.
BIGELOW—[Ashamed and confused.] I had forgotten—
MARTHA—The years have made me reconciled. They haven't Curt. [She sighs—then turns to BIGELOW with a forced smile.] I suppose it's hard for any of you back here to realize that Curt and I ever had any children.
BIGELOW—[After a pause.] How old were they when—?