How we cite our quotes: (Name of Play, Act #)
Quote #10
ORIN: Hello, Peter. You know I'm glad to see you without any polite palaver. Vinnie is the same old bossy fuss-buzzer—you remember, always trying to teach me manners.
PETER: You bet I remember! But say, hasn't she changed, though? I didn't know her, she's grown so fat! And I was just telling her how well she looked in color. Don't you agree?
ORIN: Did you ask her why she stole Mother's colors? I can't see why—yet—and I don't think she knows herself. But it will prove a strange reason, I'm certain of that, when I do discover it. […]
LAVINIA: Stop talking like a fool! You're a naughty boy, do you know it? […] Why don't you go and find Hazel? Here. Let me look at you. I want you to look your best when she sees you. Don't stand like a ramrod! You'd be so handsome if you you'd only shave off that silly beard and not carry yourself like a tin soldier!
ORIN: Not look so much like Father, eh? More like a romantic clipper captain, is that it? Don't look so frightened, Vinnie. (The Haunted, Act 1.ii)
Now we've got both Orin and Lavinia looking and acting like the parent that they each hated so much, and Lavinia treating Orin like a child. Add to all that the sexual innuendo about Adam Brant, and you can't help but feel sorry for Peter, trying to make sense of all this Oedipal and Electra complex stuff. He just thinks Lavinia looks healthy and pretty. He has no idea.