[_Humorlessly._] It wasn't what I called him. It was what I
told him.
MARTIN. Precisely. The greater the truth the greater the libel. Ken
Holden, you see, wanted to be an adult lion among the little
monkeys, and you informed him that he was still an infant drawing
sustenance from parental sources.
TED. [_Sensing_ MARTIN'S _friendliness approaches him like a
friendless dog._] You understand, don't you, how he provoked me?
MARTIN. Perfectly.
TED. [_Sees sketch._] Why, that's me you're drawing!
MARTIN. Glad you recognized it. Some people don't recognize
themselves in profile.
TED. It's a good profile. The face is good.--But why the uniform?
MARTIN. Clothes make the man. I wanted to see if a uniform would
make a soldier.
TED. I never wore a uniform. I detest them. I'd rather be shot than
wear one.
MARTIN. That's an old Spanish custom.
TED. Spanish?
MARTIN. Custom. To shoot men who do not like to wear uniforms.
TED. But why do you draw me as a soldier? What did I do to suggest
that? What made you do it?
MARTIN. Something in Kate's eyes, while you were posing for her,
suggested it. She seemed to think your outfit lacked something.
Well, what it lacked I have seen on parade grounds at West Point.
There it is. [_Holds up drawing._]
TED. [_Backs away._] Why do you torment me?
MARTIN. I'm sorry. [_He rips cardboard across and throws the halves
into wastebasket.
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