Requiem for a Nun

REQUIEM FOR A NUN 211

As though not aware that he had done so, he sets his untasted glass back on

the tray, splashes water from the pitcher into a tumbler and hands the

tumbler to Stevens as Stevens empties his glass and lowers it, taking the

tumbler. Temple has not touched hers either.

Now maybe Defense Attorney Stevens will tell us what he wants here.

STEVENS

Your wife has already told you. To say good-bye.

GOWAN

Then say it. One more for the road, and where's your

hat, huh?

He takes the tumbler from Stevens and turns back to the

table.

TEMPLE

(sets her untasted glass back on the tray)

And put ice in it this time, and maybe even a little water. But first,

take Uncle Gavin's coat.

GOWAN

(takes bottle from his pocket and makes a highball for

Stevens in the tumbler)

That wont be necessary. If he could raise his arm in a white courtroom

to defend a murdering nigger, he can certainly bend it in nothing but a

wool overcoat -at least to take a drink with the victim's mother.

(quickly: to Temple)

Sorry. Maybe you were right all the time, and I was wrong. Maybe we've

both got to keep on saying things like that until we can get rid of them,

some of them, a little of them-

TEMPLE

All right, why not? Here goes then.

(she is watching, not Gowan but Stevens, who watches her in

return, grave and soberly)

Dont forget the father too, dear.

GOWAN

(mixing the drink)

Why should 1, dear? How could 1, dear? Except that the child's father is

unfortunately just a man. In the eyes of the law, men are not supposed

to suffer: they