here just now is very wise over your socialism, because he sees
that YOU are a fool about it. (Morell's perplexity deepens
markedly. Eugene follows up his advantage, plying him fiercely
with questions.) Does that prove you wrong? Does your complacent
superiority to me prove that I am wrong?

MORELL (turning on Eugene, who stands his ground). Marchbanks:
some devil is putting these words into your mouth. It is easy--
terribly easy--to shake a man's faith in himself. To take
advantage of that to break a man's spirit is devil's work. Take
care of what you are doing. Take care.

MARCHBANKS (ruthlessly). I know. I'm doing it on purpose. I told
you I should stagger you.

(They confront one another threateningly for a moment. Then
Morell recovers his dignity.)

MORELL (with noble tenderness). Eugene: listen to me. Some day, I
hope and trust, you will be a happy man like me. (Eugene chafes
intolerantly, repudiating the worth of his happiness. Morell,
deeply insulted, controls himself with fine forbearance, and
continues steadily, with great artistic beauty of delivery) You
will be married; and you will be working with all your might and
valor to make every spot on earth as happy as your own home. You
will be one of the makers of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth; and
--who knows?--you may be a pioneer and master builder where I am
only a humble journeyman; for don't think, my boy, that I cannot
see in you, young as you are, promise of higher powers than I can
ever pretend to. I well know that it is in the poet that the