Part 5

INSPECTOR

We must have meat!

BOY

(Proudly.)

And my father’s going to bring us some venison.

DOCTOR

Your father?

BOY

He’s gone to the mountains--to hunt and fish. (Leans against his mother.)

INSPECTOR

(To the Boy.)

Hush!

DOCTOR

(Triumphantly.)

Ha! Hunt and fish!

INSPECTOR

Yes, hunt and fish. Why not?

DOCTOR

(Sarcastically.)

My dear lady, I see that you really ARE interested in animals.

INSPECTOR

(Angrily.)

Oh, I know what you mean! But let me tell you something: When my husband hunts, he gives an animal a chance for its life. And if he kills, he kills quick. But you--you mutilate in the name of science. You tie down your victims--and torture!

DOCTOR

I use ether and chloroform. But your husband--when he pulls a trout from the stream, it dies of suffocation.

INSPECTOR

(To the Boy, irritably.)

Don’t lean against me like that!