FAITH. [With a faint smile] My baby wasn't beastly; but I--I got upset.
JOHNNY. Well, I should think so!
FAITH. My friend in the manicure came and told me about hers when I was
lying in the hospital. She couldn't have it with her, so it got
neglected and died.
JOHNNY. Um! I believe that's quite common.
FAITH. And she told me about another girl--the Law took her baby from
her. And after she was gone, I--got all worked up-- [She hesitates, then
goes swiftly on] And I looked at mine; it was asleep just here, quite
close. I just put out my arm like that, over its face--quite soft--
I didn't hurt it. I didn't really. [She suddenly swallows, and her lips
quiver] I didn't feel anything under my arm. And--and a beast of a nurse
came on me, and said "You've smothered your baby, you wretched girl!"
I didn't want to kill it--I only wanted to save it from living. And when
I looked at it, I went off screaming.
JOHNNY. I nearly screamed when I saved my first German from living. I
never felt the same again. They say the human race has got to go on, but
I say they've first got to prove that the human race wants to. Would you
rather be alive or dead?
FAITH. Alive.
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