SILAS:  What is it they want to buy—­these fellows that are figuring on making something out of—­expanse? (a gesture for expanse, then a reassuring gesture) It’s all right, but—­just what is it?

SMITH:  I am prepared to make you an offer—­a gilt-edged offer for that (pointing toward it) hill above the town.

SILAS:  (shaking his head—­with the smile of the strong man who is a dreamer) The hill is not for sale.

SMITH:  But wouldn’t you consider a—­particularly good offer, Mr Morton?

(SILAS, who has turned so he can look out at the hill, slowly shakes his head.)

SMITH:  Do you feel you have the right—­the moral right to hold it?

SILAS:  It’s not for myself I’m holding it.

SMITH:  Oh,—­for the children?

SILAS:  Yes, the children.

SMITH:  But—­if you’ll excuse me—­there are other investments might do the children even more good.

SILAS:  This seems to me—­the best investment.

SMITH:  But after all there are other people’s children to consider.

SILAS:  Yes, I know.  That’s it.

SMITH:  I wonder if I understand you, Mr Morton?

SILAS:  (kindly) I don’t believe you do.  I don’t see how you could.  And I can’t explain myself just now.  So—­the hill is not for sale.  I’m not making anybody homeless.  There’s land enough for all—­all sides round.  But the hill—­

SMITH:  (rising) Is yours.

SILAS:  You’ll see.

SMITH:  I am prepared to offer you—­

SILAS:  You’re not prepared to offer me anything I’d consider alongside what I am considering.  So—­I wish you good luck in your business undertakings.

SMITH:  Sorry—­you won’t let us try to help the town.

SILAS:  Don’t sit up nights worrying about my chokin’ the town.

SMITH:  We could make you a rich man, Mr Morton.  Do you think what you have in mind will make you so much richer?

SILAS:  Much richer.

SMITH:  Well, good-bye.  Good day, sir.  Good day, ma’am.

SILAS:  (following him to the door) Nice horse you’ve got.

SMITH:  Yes, seems all right.

(SILAS stands in the doorway and looks off at the hill.)

GRANDMOTHER:  What are you going to do with the hill, Silas?

SILAS:  After I get a little glass of wine—­to celebrate Felix and me being here instead of farther south—­I’d like to tell you what I want for the hill. (to FEJEVARY rather bashfully) I’ve been wanting to tell you.

FEJEVARY:  I want to know.

SILAS:  (getting the wine from the closet) Just a little something to show our gratitude with.

(Goes off right for glasses.)

GRANDMOTHER:  I dunno.  Maybe it’d be better to sell the hill—­while they’re anxious.

FEJEVARY:  He seems to have another plan for it.