hless?

OCEANA. That's the word, isn't it? That's what father taught me. Never
to think about personalities... to go after the truth! He used to quote
that saying of Nietzsche's: "To hunger after knowledge as the lion for
his food!"

MRS. MASTERSON. Oh, you read Nietzsche, do you? How could you get such
books?

OCEANA. We had a government steamer from New Zealand three times a year,
you know. That brought our mail.

MRS. MASTERSON. And your father permitted you to read these improper
things?

OCEANA. My father taught me to face the facts of my being. My father was
a fighter, you know.

MRS. MASTERSON. [Grimly.] Yes, I knew that.

OCEANA. Life had hurt him. Some day you must tell me about it... what it
was that happened to him here in Boston. He never would talk about it,
but I've often wondered. It must have been my mother. What did she do to
him before she died? [She pauses, expecting an answer.] Was it that she
was just conventional like you? [She pauses again.] It must have been
something dreadful... he felt so keenly about it. He burned it into my
very soul... his fear of civilization. And here I am... right in the
midst of it... I'm letting it get its claws into me! I'm wearing its
clothes... [She tears at them.] I'm breathing its air! I don't believe
I can stand it! [She paces the room restlessly.] My soul is suffocating,
as well as my body. I must have something to remind me of the sky, and
the open sea, and the great spaces. I must go back again to my home, to
my island! [Stretches out her arms to them appealingly.] Ah, can't some
of you understand about it? Can't some of you take pity on me? It's so
strange to me... so different from everything I've been used to! Aunt
Sophronia!

MRS. MASTERSON. [Takes a step reluctantly.] My dear!

ETHEL. [Springing forward.] No! No! They don't understand! They don't
really care.

MRS. MASTERSON. Ethel!

OCEANA. But you! Ethel!

ETHEL. [Rushes and flings herself at OCEANA'S feet, clutching her
dress.] Take me with you! Take me away to your island!

OCEANA. [Turning to FREDDY.] And you... won't you be my friend?

FREDDY. [Goes to her.] I will! [She holds out her hand to him; he
hesitates, gazing at her awe-stricken.] May I... may I take your hand?

OCEANA. Why certainly!

FREDDY. [With fervor.] Oceana!

[CURTAIN]

ACT II

SCENE: Same as Act I.

[At rise: DR. MASTERSON in easy-chair near the window; opens newspaper,
sighs, wipes glasses, pr