And
when I had satisfied myself as to that, I would have found my mate. I
would say to him, "I wish you to be the father of my child." [She sits
again, brooding.] I would not exact pledges of him. I would say to
him, "I do not ask you to take care of me; I do not ask you to take
care of my child. You may go away when you wish . . . that rests with
you; but _I_ wish the child." [She pauses.] Do you see?
FREDDY. Yes, I see. [He gazes at her, frightened.] And you . . . you
do not feel that way about me?
OCEANA. Not the least little bit, Freddy.
FREDDY. And if I waited ever so long?
OCEANA. I do not believe that I should ever feel it, [She puts her
hand upon his arm.] My dear, dear boy! Learn to look at it as I do.
Face it like a man. It is one of those things that we cannot help . .
. that we do not even understand. It is the chemistry of sex; it is
Nature's voice speaking to us. It means no disgrace to you that I do
not love you . . . it means no inferiority, no defeat. It is the
signal that Nature gives us, that we wait for, and dare not disregard.
You dare not ask me to disregard it! [He is gazing into her eyes like
one entranced.] You must let me teach you . . . you must let me help
you. You must not let this mean misery and despair. Take hold of
yourself. Perhaps you and Ethel can go back with me to my island . . .
for I think that I am going. [He continues to gaze at her, speechless
with admiration.
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