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STRANGE INTERLUDE

how he felt it, that I wasn't afraid and that child wasn't
cursed and so he needn't fear and I could save him-

(Then scornfully.)
But I was too afraid of God then to have ever done it!

{Then very simply.)

He loved children so, my poor husband did, and the way
they took to him, you never saw anything like it, he was a
natural born father. And Sammy's the same.

NINA

(As from a distance — strangely!)
Yes, Sammy's the same. But Fm not the same as you.

(Defiantly.)
I don't believe in God the Father!

MRS. EVANS
(Strangely)
Then it'd be easy for you.

(With a grim smile.)

And I don't believe in Him, neither, not any more. I used
to be a great one for worrying about what's God and what*s
devil, but I got richly over it living here with poor folks that
was being punished for no sins of their own, and me being
punished with them for no sin but loving much.

(With decision)

Being happy, that's the nearest we can ever come to know-
ing what's good! Being happy, that's good! The rest is just
talk!

(She pauses - then zoith a strange austere stem
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	STRANGE INTERLUDE how he felt it, that I wasn't afraid and that child wasn't cursed and so he needn't fear and I could save him- (Then scornfully.) But I was too afraid of God then to have ever done it! {Then very simply.) He loved children so, my poor husband did, and the way they took to him, you never saw anything like it, he was a natural born father. And Sammy's the same. NINA (As from a distance — strangely!) Yes, Sammy's the same. But Fm not the same as you. (Defiantly.) I don't believe in God the Father! MRS. EVANS (Strangely) Then it'd be easy for you. (With a grim smile.) And I don't believe in Him, neither, not any more. I used to be a great one for worrying about what's God and whats devil, but I got richly over it living here with poor folks that was being punished for no sins of their own, and me being punished with them for no sin but loving much. (With decision)* Being happy, that's the nearest we can ever come to know- ing what's good! Being happy, that's good! The rest is just talk! (She pauses - then zoith a strange austere stem 112