MASTERSON. This is outrageous!
OCEANA. You mean you don't teach your children about it? Why . . .
[She stares at them, perplexed.]
MRS. MASTERSON. You don't understand our ways, Anna . . .
OCEANA. No, no . . . I don't. I don't think I ever can. You'd let some
man come and make love to Ethel . . . and you'd never warn her?
ETHEL. They warned me to turn my toes out when I walked, and not to
eat fish with a knife.
MRS. MASTERSON. If this conversation is to go on, I insist that the
children shall leave the room.
OCEANA. Oh, I'm awfully sorry, Aunt Sophronia! Why, I didn't mean any
harm. It's all so real to me. [She gazes from one to the other, hoping
for some sign of a thaw.] Just think . . . these were the people that
I'd loved . . . that I'd grown up with all my life. I'd fished in
their canoes, I'd hunted with them and basked on the beach with them.
I'd watched the young men and girls dancing their love-dances in the
moonlit glades . . . [She pauses again.] Oughtn't I to talk about
THAT?
DR. MASTERSON. My dear girl . . .
OCEANA. [Stares at them; a sudden idea occurs to her.] Perhaps I ought
to explain to you . . . you're no doubt wondering. I'm a virgin
myself, you know.
MRS. MASTERSON. [Starting up.] OH!
LETITIA. Oceana!
OCEANA. But weren't you thinking of that?
MRS. MASTERSON. Why, of course not!
OCEANA. But Aunt Sophronia! You know you were!
MRS. MASTERSON. [Sputters.] Oh! OH!
OCEANA.
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