White
Yes. War is full of ironies. I see that: Wallace can’t. It’s so full of mixed motives, good and bad. Yes. I’ll grant all that. Only America has gone in. The whole tide was against us, dear. It is sweeping over the world: a brown tide of khaki sweeping everything before it. All my life I’ve fought against the current. (Wearily) And now that I’ve gone in, too, my arms seem less tired. Yes; and except for the pain I’ve caused you, I’ve never in all my life felt so—so happy.
(Then she understands. She slowly turns to him, with tenderness in her eyes.)
Hilda
Oh, now, Will, I do understand. Now I see the real reason for what you’ve done.
White
(Defensively)
I’ve given the real reason.
Hilda
(Her heart going out to him)