Another Part of the Forest, Act 2 Summary

The following evening, as Marcus entertains a pair of professional musicians, Oscar comes in with the trashy Laurette. Conversation reveals he wants to marry her and move to New Orleans with her, that Laurette is a prostitute, and that she doesn't really love him. John and Birdie come in, and as John is taken out to listen to the music, Ben takes a moment to ensure that Birdie knows she is only to thank Marcus for a loan of five thousand, saying that the other five thousand will be kept for her in case she needs it. He also gives Laurette some punch, adding some brandy to "make it mean more".

A quarrel almost breaks out between John (who recalls the Civil War with fondness), and Marcus (who responds with deep contempt to...