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that?
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SYLVIA, incredulously: I can’t imagine.... Could he be trying to ... Breaks off.
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HYMAN: What.
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SYLVIA: ... Make you think I’ve gone crazy?
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HYMAN: No, you mustn’t believe that. I think maybe... you see, he mentioned my so-called reputation with women, and maybe he was just trying to look... I don’t know-competitive. How did this start? Was there some reason?
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SYLVIA: I think I made one mistake. He hadn’t come near me for like—I don’t remember anymore—a month maybe; and... I was so young... a man to me was so much stronger that I couldn’t imagine I could ... you know, hurt him like that.
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HYMAN: Like what?
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SYLVIA: Well... Small laugh. I was so stupid, I’m still ashamed of it... I mentioned it to my father-who loved Phillip—and he took him aside and tried to suggest a doctor. I should never have mentioned it, it was a terrible mistake, for a while I thought we’d have to have a divorce ... it was months before he could say good morning, he was so furious. I finally got him to go with me to Rabbi Steiner, but he just sat there like a ... She sighs, shakes her head. —I don’t know, I guess you just gradually give up and it closes over you like a grave. But I can’t help it, I still pity him; because I know how it tortures him, it’s like a snake eating into his heart.... I mean it’s not as though he doesn’t like me, he does, I know it.—Or do you think so?
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HYMAN: He says you’re his whole life.
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She is staring, shaking her head, stunned.
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SYLVIA, with bitter irony: His whole life! Poor Phillip.
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HYMAN : I’ve been talking to a friend of mine at the hospital, a psychiatrist. I want your permission to bring him in; I’ll call you in the morning.
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SYLVIA, instantly: Why must you leave? I’m nervous now.
    Can’t you talk to me a few minutes? I have some yeast cake. I’ll make fresh coffee...
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HYMAN: I’d love to stay but Margaret’ll be upset with me.
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SYLVIA: Oh. Well call her! Ask her to come over too.
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HYMAN: No-no...
    SYLVIA, a sudden anxiety burst, colored by her feminine disappointment: For God’s sake, why not!
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HYMAN: She thinks something’s going on with us.
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SYLVIA, pleased surprise-and worriedly: Oh!
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HYMAN: I’ll be in touch tomorrow...
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SYLVIA: Couldn’t you just be here when he comes. I’m nervous—please—just be here when he comes.
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Her anxiety forces him back down on the bed. She takes his hand.
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HYMAN: You don’t think he’d do something, do you?
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SYLVIA: I’ve never known him so angry.—And I think there’s also some trouble with Mr. Case. Phillip can hit, you know. Shakes her head. God, everything’s so mixed up! Pause. She sits there shaking her head, then lifts the newspaper. But I don’t understand-they write that the Germans are starting to pick up Jews right off the street and putting them into...
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HYMAN, impatience: Now Sylvia, I told you...
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SYLVIA: But you say they were such nice people—how could they change like this!
    HYMAN: This will all pass, Sylvia! German music and literature is some of the greatest in the world; it’s impossible for those people to suddenly change into thugs like this. So you ought to have more confidence, you see?—I mean in general, in life, in people.
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She stares at him, becoming transformed.
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HYMAN: What are you telling me? Just say what you’re thinking right now.
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SYLVIA, struggling: I ... I ...
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HYMAN: Don’t be frightened, just say it.
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SYLVIA, she has become terrified: You.
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HYMAN: Me! What about me?
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SYLVIA: How could you believe I forgot we had relations!
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HYMAN, her persistent intensity unnerving him: Now stop that! I was only trying to understand what is happening.
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SYLVIA: