MRS. BORNEMAN

Both Karen and —
PROFESSOR {fiercely)

Don't mention that name to me ! — But, then, I
could n't guess what was still in store for me. Yes,
indeed, it would have been much better if I had shut
myself up quietly with my sorrow and my shame. —
There I was, ready to caU a perfect stranger to
account in the name of morality and my trampled
rights as a father. Full of indignation as I was, I
spoke with authority and threatened him violently,
as if he were a cowardly scamp who had seduced a
young girl — and with a word, only one word, that
man struck me such a blow that all of a sudden I
felt little and almost compelled to ask his pardon
for my impertinence.
MRS. BORNEMAN

But, merciful heavens, what could he say that was
worse than what we already knew.''

PROFESSOR

What he could say ? He looked at me as if he had n't
understood, and said — (he carmot get his lips to
shape the words)

MRS. BORNEMAN

But what did he say.''

PROFESSOR

" Your daughter was not a virgin when I became

acquainted with her." That was all he said.
[The pause that follows is tense with emotion. Mrs.
ACT iv] KAREN BORNEMAN 75

Borneman sits down, overwhelmed, hut preserving her
outward composure.
