More Portmanteau Plays Part 55

I suppose he told you to ask that dirty tramp in here.

JONATHAN

No, sir. He didn't see the tramp.

[_Hank is heard whistling._

_John crosses to one of the windows and opens it._

JOHN (_calling_)

You get away from there. Move on.

HANK'S VOICE

I guess the roadside's free, mister.

JOHN

We'll see about that.

[_Hank whistles._

JOHN

Jonathan, I won't have you waste your time on this stuff. I've been pretty lenient with you and I've allowed you to keep your toys because Emily spoiled you; but you're too big for such things and I'm going to put my foot down right now. I'm not going to have this silly stuff around.

JONATHAN

Uncle Nathaniel doesn't think it's silly.

JOHN

I'll decide what is and is not good for you.

JONATHAN

The same thing isn't good for everybody.

JOHN

Don't talk back to me, young man.

JONATHAN

I've got a right to think.

JOHN

Jonathan!

JONATHAN

If my mother was living, she wouldn't call everything I like to do silly.

JOHN

Your mother didn't know what was good for you.

JONATHAN

My mother was the best woman in the world.

JOHN

That will do, Jonathan. Your mother was my sister and I am not saying anything against her. But I do say that stuff must go.

[_He starts for the door._

JONATHAN

If this theatre goes, I go, too. I'm not--

[_John walks over to the theatre and sweeps the whole structure onto the floor._

JOHN

Now.

JONATHAN

You dirty coward, you--

[_John turns upon the boy and strikes him across the face._

_In mingled rage and humiliation Jonathan sobs wildly once or twice, then controls himself and glares violently at his uncle._

JOHN

I'll let you think about it. I'll leave you here with your toys like a girl-baby.

[_He goes out the door, closing it and turning the key in the lock._

_Jonathan runs to the door._

JONATHAN

You let me out of here! You let me out of here!