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<pre>
The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Climbers, by Clyde Fitch
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
Title: The Climbers
A Play in Four Acts
Author: Clyde Fitch
Release Date: September 3, 2005 [EBook #16635]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CLIMBERS ***
Produced by David Garcia, Melissa Er-Raqabi and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net.
Produced from images provided by Kentuckiana Digital
Archive.
</pre>
<div class="outerbox">
<br />
<div class="innerbox">
<h1>THE CLIMBERS</h1>
<h2><i>A PLAY IN FOUR ACTS</i></h2>
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="innerbox">
<h3><i>By</i></h3>
<h2>CLYDE FITCH</h2>
<div class="figcenter">
<img src="images/fleur-de-lis.png"
alt="fleur-de-lis" title="fleur-de-lis" />
</div>
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="innerbox">
<div class='center'>
<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" summary="Front Matter">
<tr>
<td align='center'><span class="smcap">new york</span><br />
SAMUEL FRENCH<br />
<span class="smcap">publisher</span><br />
25 <span class="smcap">West</span> 45th <span class="smcap">Street</span></td>
<td align='center'><span class="smcap"> london</span><br />
SAMUEL FRENCH, <span class="smcap">Ltd.</span><br />
26 <span class="smcap">Southampton St.</span><br />
<span class="smcap"> Strand</span><br /></td></tr>
</table></div>
<p class="center">Reprinted by permission of Little, Brown & Co.</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br /></p>
<p><br /></p>
<p><br /></p>
<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Copyright</span>, 1905,<br />
<span class="smcap">By</span> LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY.<br />
<span class="smcap">all rights reserved</span>
</p>
<p><small>This play is fully protected by the copyright law, all requirements of
which have been complied with. In its present printed form it is dedicated
to the reading public only, and no performance of it, either professional
or amateur, may be given without the written permission of
the owner of the acting rights, who may be addressed in care of the
publishers, Little, Brown, and Company.</small></p>
<p><br /></p>
<p><br /></p>
<p><br /></p>
<p class="center">
TO<br />
CHARLES T. MATHEWS<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="smcap">in grateful recognition of his<br />
true friendship and loyal enthusiasm<br />
from the beginning</span><br />
<br />
C.F.<br />
</p>
<hr style="width: 65%;" />
<h2><i>THE CLIMBERS</i></h2>
<div class='center'>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="">
<tr><td align='left'>ACT I.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">In Late Winter.</span></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'><i> At the Hunters'.</i></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>ACT II.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Following Christmas Eve.</span></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'><i> At the Sterlings'.</i></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>ACT III.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Christmas Day.</span></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'><i> At the Hermitage, by the Bronx River.</i></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>ACT IV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Day After Christmas.</span></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'><i> At the Sterlings'.</i></td></tr>
</table></div>
<p class="center"><span class="smcap">New York: To-Day</span></p>
<hr style="width: 65%;" />
<h2><i>THE PEOPLE IN THE PLAY</i></h2>
<p class="center"><i><small>(Transcriber's Note: One character is listed as Dr. Steinart in the List
of Characters, but Dr. Steinhart in the body of the play.)</small></i></p>
<div class='center'>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="The People In The Play">
<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Richard Sterling</span>.</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Edward Warden</span>.</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Frederick Mason</span>.</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Johnny Trotter</span>.</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Godesby</span>.</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Dr. Steinart</span>.</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Ryder</span>.</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Servant</span><i> at the Hermitage.</i></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Jordan</span>.<i> Butler at the Sterlings'.</i></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Leonard</span>.<i> Footman at the Sterlings'.</i></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Master Sterling</span>.</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Servants</span>.</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap"> </span></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Mrs. Sterling</span> (<i>née Blanche Hunter</i>).</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Miss Hunter</span>.</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>.</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Jessica Hunter</span>.</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Clara Hunter</span>.</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>.</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>.</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Tompson</span>.<i> Mrs. Hunter's Maid.</i></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Marie</span>.<i> Clara Hunter's Maid.</i></td></tr>
</table></div>
<hr style="width: 65%;" />
<h4>Originally produced at the Bijou Theatre, New
York, January 21, 1901, with the following cast:—</h4>
<div class='center'>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Cast">
<tr><td align='left'>Richard Sterling</td><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'>Mr. Frank Worthing</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Edward Warden</td><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'>Mr. Robert Edeson</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Frederick Mason</td><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'>Mr. John Flood</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Johnny Trotter</td><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'>Mr. Ferdinand Gottschalk</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Dr. Steinart</td><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'>Mr. George C. Boniface</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Godesby</td><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'>Mr. J.B. Sturges</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Ryder</td><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'>Mr. Kinard</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Servant at the Hermitage</td><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'>Mr. Henry Warwick</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Jordan</td><td align='center'> <i>Servants</i> </td><td align='right'>Mr. Edward Moreland</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Leonard</td><td align='center'> <i>at the</i> </td><td align='right'>Mr. Henry Stokes</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>A Footman</td><td align='center'> <i>Hunters'</i> </td><td align='right'>Mr. Frederick Wallace</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Richard Sterling, Jr.</td><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'>Master Harry Wright</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'> </td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Mrs. Hunter</td><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'>Mrs. Madge Carr Cook</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Mrs. Sterling (<i>née</i> Blanche Hunter)</td><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'>Miss Amelia Bingham</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Jessica Hunter</td><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'>Miss Maud Monroe</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Clara Hunter</td><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'>Miss Minnie Dupree</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Miss Hunter</td><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'>Miss Annie Irish</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Miss Godesby</td><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'>Miss Clara Bloodgood</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Miss Sillerton</td><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'>Miss Ysobel Haskins</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Tompson</td><td align='center'> <i>Maids at</i> </td><td align='right'>Miss Lillian Eldredge</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Marie</td><td align='center'> <i>the Hunters'</i> </td><td align='right'>Miss Florence Lloyd</td></tr>
</table></div>
<hr style="width: 65%;" />
<h4>Produced at the Comedy Theatre, London,
September 5, 1903, with the following cast:—</h4>
<div class='center'>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Cast">
<tr><td align='left'>Richard Sterling</td><td align='right'> Mr. Sydney Valentine</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Edward Warden</td><td align='right'>Mr. Reeves-Smith</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Frederick Mason</td><td align='right'>Mr. J.L. Mackay</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Johnny Trotter</td><td align='right'>Mr. G.M. Graham</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Godesby</td><td align='right'>Mr. Horace Pollock</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Dr. Steinart</td><td align='right'>Mr. Howard Sturges</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Master Sterling</td><td align='right'>Miss Maidie Andrews</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Ryder</td><td align='right'>Mr. Henry Howard</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Jordan</td><td align='right'>Mr. Elgar B. Payne</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Leonard</td><td align='right'>Mr. Littledale Power</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Footman</td><td align='right'>Mr. Rivers Bertram</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Servant</td><td align='right'>Mr. George Aubrey</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'> </td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Mrs. Sterling</td><td align='right'>Miss Lily Hanbury</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Miss Hunter</td><td align='right'>Miss Kate Tyndall</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Mrs. Hunter</td><td align='right'>Miss Lottie Venne</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Jessica Hunter</td><td align='right'>Miss Alma Mara</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Clara Hunter</td><td align='right'>Mrs. Mouillot</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Miss Sillerton</td><td align='right'>Miss Florence Sinclair</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Tompson</td><td align='right'>Miss L. Crauford</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Marie</td><td align='right'>Miss Armstrong</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>Miss Godesby</td><td align='right'>Miss Fannie Ward</td></tr>
</table></div>
<hr style="width: 65%;" />
<h2>ACT I</h2>
<p class="direction"><i>A drawing-room at the Hunters', handsomely and
artistically furnished. The woodwork and
furniture are in the period of Louis XVI.
The walls and furniture are covered with
yellow brocade, and the curtains are of the
same golden material. At the back are two
large windows which give out on Fifth Avenue,
opposite the Park, the trees of which are seen
across the way. At Left is a double doorway,
leading into the hall. At Right, opposite, is a
door which leads to other rooms, and thence to
other parts of the house. In the centre, at back,
between the two windows, is the fireplace; on the
mantel are two vases and a clock in dark blue
ormolu. There is a white and gold piano on
the Right side of the room. The room suggests
much wealth, and that it has been done by a
professional decorator; the personal note of taste
is lacking.</i></p>
<p class="direction"><i>It is four o'clock in the afternoon. The shades of
the windows are drawn down. There are rows
and rows of camp-chairs filling the entire room.</i></p>
<p class="direction"><i>The curtain rises slowly. After a moment,</i>
<span class="smcap">Jordan</span>, <i>the butler, and</i> <span class="smcap">Leonard</span>, <i>a footman,
enter from the Left and begin to gather
together and carry out the camp-chairs. They
do this with very serious faces, and take great
pains to step softly and to make no noise. They
enter a second time for more chairs.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jordan</span>. [<i>Whispers to</i> <span class="smcap">Leonard</span>.] When are
they coming for the chairs?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Leonard</span>. [<i>Whispers back.</i>] To-night. Say, it
was fine, wasn't it!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jordan</span>. Grand!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>They go out with the chairs and immediately
reënter for more. They are followed in this
time by a lady's maid,</i> <span class="smcap">Tompson</span>; <i>she is not a
young woman. As she crosses the room she
stoops and picks up a faded flower which has
fallen from some emblem. She goes to the
window at Right, and peeps out. She turns
around and looks at the others. They all
speak in subdued voices.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Tompson</span>. Jordan, what do you think—can
we raise the shades now?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jordan</span>. Yes, of course—after they've left
the house it's all over as far as we here are concerned.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She raises both shades.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Tompson</span>. Phew! what an odor of flowers!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She opens one of the windows a little.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Marie</span>, <i>a young, pretty, French woman, enters
from the Right.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Marie</span>. Will I help you?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Tompson</span>. Just with this table, thank you,
Marie. [<i>They begin to rearrange the room, putting
it in its normal condition. They replace the
table and put back the ornaments upon it.</i>] Poor
Mr. Hunter, and him so fond of mince pie. I
shall never forget how that man ate mince pie.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She sighs lugubriously and continues her labor
with the room.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Leonard</span>. I hope as how it's not going to make
any difference with us.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jordan</span>. [<i>Pompously.</i>] Of course not; wasn't
Mr. Hunter a millionnaire?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Tompson</span>. Some millionnaires I've known
turned out poor as Job's turkey in their coffins!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Marie</span>. What you say? You tink we shall
'ave some of madame's or ze young ladies' dresses?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Tompson</span>. [<i>Hopefully.</i>] Perhaps.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Marie</span>. I 'ave already made my choice. I
like ze pale pink of Mees Jessie.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Leonard</span>. Sh! I heard a carridge.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Tompson</span>. Then they're coming back.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Marie</span> <i>quickly goes out Right.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jordan</span>. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Leonard</span>, <i>hurriedly, as he quickly
goes out Left.</i>] Take them last two chairs!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Leonard</span>, <i>with the chairs, follows</i> <span class="smcap">Jordan</span> <i>out
Left.</i> <span class="smcap">Tompson</span> <i>hastily puts back a last arm-chair
to its usual position in the room and goes
out Right.</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span> <i>enters Left, followed
by her three daughters</i>, <span class="smcap">Blanche</span>, <span class="smcap">Jessica</span>,
<i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span>, <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Master Sterling</span>, <i>who is
a small, attractive child, five years of age.
All are in the deepest conventional mourning,</i>
<span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span> <i>in widow's weeds and</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span>
<i>with a heavy, black chiffon veil; the</i> <span class="smcap">Boy</span> <i>is
also dressed in conventional mourning. As soon
as they enter, all four women lift their veils.</i>
<span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span> <i>is a well-preserved woman, with
a pretty, rather foolish, and somewhat querulous
face. Her figure is the latest mode.</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche
Sterling</span>, <i>her oldest daughter, is her antithesis,—a
handsome, dignified woman, young, sincere,
and showing, in her attitude to the others and
in her own point of view, the warmth of a
true, evenly-balanced nature.</i> <span class="smcap">Jessica</span> <i>is a
typical second child,—nice, good, self-effacing,
sympathetic, unspoiled.</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span> <i>is her opposite,—spoiled,
petulant, pretty, pert, and selfish.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>With a long sigh.</i>] Oh, I am so
glad to be back home and the whole thing over
without a hitch!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She sinks with a great sigh of relief into a big
chair.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Takes her son to</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>.]
Kiss grandmother good-by, and then Leonard
will take you home.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Good-by, dear. Be a good boy.
Don't eat too much candy.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Kisses him carelessly.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Master Sterling</span>. Good-by. [<i>Runs towards
the door Left, shouting happily.</i>] Leonard! Leonard!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Tearfully.</i>] My dears, it was
a great success! Everybody was there!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>The three younger women stand and look about
the room, as if it were strange to them—as if
it were empty. There is a moment's silence.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Tenderly.</i>] Mother, why don't you
take off your bonnet?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Take it off for me; it <i>will</i> be a
great relief.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Help me, Jess.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Irritably.</i>] Yes, <i>do</i> something,
Jessie. You've mortified me terribly to-day!
That child hasn't shed a tear. People'll think
you didn't love your father. [<i>The two are taking
off</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter's</span> <i>bonnet.</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>
<i>waits for an answer from</i> <span class="smcap">Jessica</span>; <i>none comes.</i>]
I never saw any one so heartless! [<i>Tearful again.</i>]
And her father adored her. <i>She</i>
was one of the things we quarrelled <i>most</i>
about!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Over</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter's</span> <i>head</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>exchanges
a sympathetic look with</i> <span class="smcap">Jessica</span> <i>to show she
understands.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. I'm sure <i>I've</i> cried enough. I've cried
buckets.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She goes to</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span> <i>as</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>and</i>
<span class="smcap">Jessica</span> <i>take away the bonnet and veil and
put them on the piano.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Kissing Clara.</i>] Yes, dear,
you are your mother's own child. And <i>you</i> lose
the most by it, too.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Leaning against the side of her mother's chair,
with one arm about her mother.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. Yes, indeed, instead of coming out next
month, and having a perfectly lovely winter,
I'll have to mope the whole season, and, if I don't
look out, be a wallflower without ever having
been a bud!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Half amused but feeling</i> <span class="smcap">Clara's</span>
<i>remark is perhaps not quite the right thing.</i>] Sh—</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>During</i> <span class="smcap">Clara's</span> <i>speech above,</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>has
taken</i> <span class="smcap">Jessica</span> <i>in her arms a moment and
kissed her tenderly, slowly. They rejoin</i>
<span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter, Blanche</span> <i>wiping her eyes,</i>
<span class="smcap">Jessica</span> <i>still tearless.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. And think of all the clothes we brought
home from Paris last month!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. My dear, don't think of clothes—think
of your poor father! That street dress
of mine will dye very well, and we'll give the
rest to your aunt and cousins.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Mother, don't you want to go upstairs?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jessica</span>. [<i>Sincerely moved.</i>] Yes, I hate this
room now.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Rising.</i>] Hate this room!
When we've just had it done! Louis Kinge!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Louis <i>Quinze</i>, dear! She means
the associations now, mother.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Oh, yes, but that's weak and
foolish, Jessie. No, Blanche—[<i>Sitting again.</i>]—I'm
too exhausted to move. Ring for tea.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>rings the bell beside the mantel.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. [<i>Crossing to piano, forgets and starts
to play a music-hall song, but</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>
<i>stops her.</i>] Oh, yes, tea! I'm starved!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Clara, darling! As if you could
be hungry at such a time!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Jordan</span> <i>enters Left.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Tea, Jordan.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jordan</span>. Yes, madam.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He goes out Left.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Girls, everybody in town was
there! I'm sure even your father himself couldn't
have complained.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Mother!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Well, you know he always
found fault with my <i>parties</i> being too mixed. He
wouldn't realize I couldn't throw over all my old
set when I married into his,—not that I ever
acknowledged I was your father's inferior. I
consider my family was just as good as his, only
we were <i>Presbyterians</i>!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Mother, dear, take off your gloves.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. I thought I had. [<i>Crying.</i>]
I'm so heartbroken I don't know what I'm doing.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Taking off her gloves.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span> <i>comfort their mother.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jessica</span>. Here's the tea—</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Jordan</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Leonard</span> <i>enter with large, silver
tray, with tea, cups, and thin bread-and-butter
sandwiches. They place them on small
tea-table which</i> <span class="smcap">Jessica</span> <i>arranges for them.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. I'm afraid I can't touch it.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Taking her place behind tea-table and biting
eagerly into a sandwich.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jessica</span>. [<i>Dryly.</i>] Try.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>pours tea for them all, which they
take in turn.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Eating.</i>] One thing I was
furious about,—did you see the Witherspoons
<i>here</i> at the house?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. <i>I</i> did.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. The idea! When I've never
called on them. They are the worst social pushers
I've ever known.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She takes another sandwich.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. Trying to make people think they are
on our visiting list! Using even a funeral to get in!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. But I <i>was</i> glad the Worthings
were here, and I thought it <i>sweet</i> of old Mr. Dormer
to go even to the cemetery. [<i>Voice breaks a little.</i>]
He never goes to balls any more, and, they say,
catches cold at the slightest change of temperature.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She takes a third sandwich.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. A great many people loved father.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Irritably.</i>] They ought to've.
It was really foolish the way he was always doing
something for somebody! How good these sandwiches
are! [<i>Spoken very plaintively.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jessica</span>. Shall we have to economize now,
mother?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Of course not; how dare you
suggest such an injustice to your <i>father</i>, and <i>before</i>
the flowers are withered on his grave!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Again becoming tearful.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Jordan</span> <i>enters Left with a small silver tray,
heaping full of letters.</i></p>
<p>Has the new writing paper come?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Who takes the letters and looks
through them, giving some to her mother.</i>] Yes.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>reads a letter, and passes it to</i>
<span class="smcap">Jessica</span>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Is the black border broad
enough? They said it was the thing.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. If you had it any broader, you'd have
to get white ink to write with!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Sweetly.</i>] Don't be impertinent,
darling!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Reading another letter.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Miss Ruth Hunter</span>. <i>She is an unmarried
woman between thirty and forty years
of age, handsome, distinguished; an aristocrat,
without any pretensions; simple, unaffected,
and direct in her effort to do kindnesses
where they are not absolutely undeserved. She
enters the room as if she carried with her an
atmosphere of pure ozone. This affects all
those in it. She is dressed in deep mourning
and wears a thick chiffon veil, which she
removes as she enters.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. Oh! you're having tea!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Glad that they are.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Taking a second cup.</i>] I thought
the children <i>ought</i> to.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. Of course they ought and so ought you,
if you haven't.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Oh, I've <i>trifled</i> with something.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jessica</span>. Sit here, Aunt Ruth.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Will you have a cup, Aunt Ruth?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. Yes, dear, I'm feeling <i>very</i> hungry.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Sitting on the sofa beside</i> <span class="smcap">Jessica</span> <i>and pressing
her hand as she does so.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Hungry! <i>How can you!</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. Because I'm not a <i>hypocrite</i>!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Whimpering.</i>] I suppose that's
a slur at me!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. If the slipper fits! But I confess I
haven't eaten much for several days; I couldn't
touch anything this morning, and I begin to feel
exhausted; I must have food and, thank Heaven,
I want it. Thank you.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span>, <i>taking the cup from her.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. I think it's awful, Ruth, and I
feel I have a right to say it—I think you owed
it to my feelings to have worn a long veil; people
will think you didn't love your brother.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. [<i>Dryly.</i>] Will they? Let them! You
know as well as I do that George loathed the very
idea of crêpe and all display of mourning.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Feeling out of her element,
changes the subject.</i>] You stayed behind?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. Yes. I wanted to be the last there.
[<i>Her voice chokes; she tries to control herself.</i>] Ah!
you see my nerves are all gone to pieces. I <i>won't</i>
cry any more!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. I don't see how you could
bear it—staying; but you never had any heart,
Ruth.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. [<i>Mechanically, biting her lips hard to
keep the tears back.</i>] Haven't I?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. My darling husband always felt
that defect in you.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. George?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. He resented your treatment of
me, and often said so.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. [<i>Very quietly, but with determination.</i>]
Please be careful. Don't talk to me like this
about my brother, Florence—or you'll make me
say something I shall be sorry for.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. I don't care! It wore on him,
the way you treated me. I put up with it for his
sake, but it helped undermine his health.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. Florence, stop!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>In foolish anger, the resentment
of years bursting out.</i>] I <i>won't</i> stop! I'm alone
now, and the least you can do is to see that people
who've fought shy of me take me up and give me
my due. You've been a cruel, selfish sister-in-law,
and your own brother saw and hated you
for it!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. <i>Mother!</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. [<i>Outraged.</i>] Send your daughters out of
the room; I wish to answer you alone.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Frightened.</i>] No! what you
have to say to me I prefer my children to hear!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Clara</span> <i>comes over to her mother and puts her
arm about her.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. I can't remain quiet any longer. George—[<i>She
almost breaks down, but she controls herself.</i>]
This funeral is enough, with its show and worldliness!
I don't believe there was a soul in the church
you didn't see! Look at your handkerchief!
Real grief isn't measured by the width of a black
border. I'm ashamed of you, Florence! I never
liked you very much, although I tried to for your
husband's sake, but now I'm even more ashamed of
you. My dear brother is gone, and there need
be no further bond between us, but I want you to
understand the true reason why, from to-day, I
keep away from you. This funeral was revolting
to me!—a show spectacle, a social function, and
for <i>him</i> who you know <i>hated</i> the very thing.
[<i>She stops a moment to control her tears and her
anger.</i>] I saw the reporters there, and I heard
your message to them, and I contradicted it. I
begged them not to use your information, and they
were gentlemen and promised me not to. You are,
and always have been, a silly, frivolous woman.
I don't doubt you loved your husband as much
as you could any man, but it wasn't enough for me;
he was worth being adored by the best and noblest
woman in the world. I've stood by all these
years, trying with my love and silent sympathy to
be some comfort to him—but I saw the disappointment
and disillusionment eat away the very
<i>hope</i> of happiness out of his heart. I tried to help
him by helping you in your foolish ambitions,
doing what I could to give my brother's wife the
social position <i>his name</i> entitled her to!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. That's not true; I've had to
fight it out all alone!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. It was not my fault if my best friends
found you intolerable; <i>I</i> couldn't blame them.
Well, now it's over! George is at rest, please
God. You are a rich woman to do what you
please. Go, and do it! and Heaven forgive you
for ruining my brother's life! I'm sorry to have
said all this before your children. Blanche, you
know how dearly I love you, and I hope you have
forgiven me by now for my opposition to your
marriage.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Of course I've forgiven you, but
you were always unjust to Dick.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. Yes; I didn't like your husband then,
and I didn't believe in him, but I like him better
now. And I am going to put all my affairs in his
hands. I couldn't show—surely—a better proof
of confidence and liking than that: to trust him as
I did—your father. I hope I shall see much of
you and Jessica. As for you, Clara, I must be
honest—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. [<i>Interrupting her.</i>] Oh, I know you've
always hated me! The presents you gave the
other girls were always twice as nice as I got!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Sympathetically.</i>] Come here,
darling.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Clara</span> <i>goes and puts her arms about her mother's
neck.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. You are your mother's own child, Clara,
and I never could pretend anything I didn't feel.
[<i>She turns to</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Jessica</span>, <i>who stand
side by side.</i>] You two are all I have left in the
world of my brother. [<i>She kisses them, and lets
the tears come, this time without struggling.</i>] Take
pity on your old-maid aunt and come and see me,
won't you, <i>often</i>—[<i>Trying to smile away her
tears.</i>] And now good-by!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jessica and Ruth</span>. [<i>Taking her hands.</i>]
Good-by.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Ruth</span> <i>looks about the room to say good-by
to it; she cries and hurriedly begins pulling
down her veil, and starts to go out as</i>
<span class="smcap">Jordan</span> <i>enters Left and announces "Mr.
Mason!"</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span> <i>fluffs her hair a little and hopes
she looks becoming.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Mason</span> <i>is a typical New Yorker, well built, well
preserved, dignified, and good-looking,—a
solid man in every sense of the word.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. [<i>Meeting</i> <span class="smcap">Ruth</span>, <i>shakes hands with
her.</i>] Miss Hunter.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. I am just going, Mr. Mason.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. You must stay. I sent word to your
house this morning to meet me here.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Shakes hands with the others.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. I was here all night.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Will you have some tea? The
children were hungry.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. No, thank you. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span>.] Isn't
your husband here?</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Jordan</span>, <i>at a signal from</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>, <i>removes
the tea things.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. No, he left us at the door when we
came back.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. Didn't he get a letter from me this
morning asking him to meet me here?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Oh, yes, he did mention a letter at
breakfast, but my thoughts were away. He has
been very much worried lately over his affairs;
he doesn't confide in me, but I see it. I wish you
could advise him, Mr. Mason.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. I cannot advise your husband if he
won't <i>ask</i> my advice. I don't think we'll wait for
Mr. Sterling.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Gives chair to</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. I suppose you've come about
all the horrid business. Why not just tell us how
much our income is, and let all the details go. I
really think the details are more than I can bear
to-day.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. That can be certainly as you wish; but
I felt—as your business adviser—and besides I
promised my old friend, your husband—it was my
duty to let you know how matters stand with the
least possible delay.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Beginning to break down.</i>]
George! George!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Ruth</span> <i>looks at her, furious, and bites her lips
hard.</i> <span class="smcap">Jessica</span> <i>is standing with her back
toward them.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. Well, then—</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He is interrupted by</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>, <i>who sees</i>
<span class="smcap">Jessica</span>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Jess! How rude you are!
Turn around this minute! [<span class="smcap">Jessica</span> <i>does not move.</i>]
What do you mean! Excuse me, Mr. Mason!
Jess! Such disrespect to your father's will!
Turn around! [<i>Angry.</i>] Do you hear me?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jessica</span>. [<i>With her back still turned, her shoulders
shaking, speaks in a voice broken with sobs.</i>]
Leave me alone! Leave me alone—</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She sits in a chair beside her and leans her arms
upon its back and buries her face in her arms.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>With her hand on her mother's arm.</i>]
Mother! Don't worry her!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Go on, please, Mr. Mason,
and remember, <i>spare us the details.</i> What is our
income?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. Mrs. Hunter, there is no income.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Quietly, not at all grasping
what he means.</i>] No income! How is our
money—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. I am sorry to say there is <i>no</i>
money.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Echoes weakly.</i>] No money?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. Not a penny!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Realizing now what he means,
cries out in a loud, hard, amazed voice.</i>] What!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>With her hand on her shoulder.</i>]
Mother!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. I don't believe it!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Mason</span>.] My good friend, do you
mean that literally—that my brother died
without leaving <i>any</i> money behind him?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. For his wife and family?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. I mean just that.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. But how?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Yes, <i>tell us the details</i>—every
one of them! You can't imagine the shock this is
to me!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. Hunter sent for me two days before he
died, and told me things had gone badly with him
last year, but it seemed impossible to retrench
his expenses.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. <i>Are you listening, Florence?</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Yes, of course I am; your
brother was a very extravagant man!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. This year, with his third daughter
coming out, there was need of more money than
ever. He was harassed nearly to death with
financial worries. [<span class="smcap">Ruth</span> <i>begins to cry softly.</i>
<span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span> <i>gets angrier and angrier.</i>] And
finally, in sheer desperation, and trusting to the
advice of the Storrings, he risked everything he
had with them in the Consolidated Copper.
The day after, he was taken ill. You know what
happened. The Storrings, Hunter, and others
were ruined absolutely; the next day Hunter
died.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. Poor George! Why didn't he come to
me; he must have known that everything I had
was his!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. He was too ill when the final blow
came to realize it.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Angry.</i>] But his <i>life insurance</i>,—there
was a big policy in my name.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. He had been obliged to let that lapse.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. You mean I haven't even my
<i>life</i> insurance?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. As I said, there is nothing, except this
house, and that is—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Rises indignantly and almost
screams in angry hysterics.</i>] <i>Mortgaged</i>, I presume!
Oh, it's insulting! It's an indignity. It's—it's—Oh,
well, it's just like my husband, there!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Mother!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Ruth</span> <i>rises, and, taking</i> <span class="smcap">Mason's</span> <i>arm, leads him
aside.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span>.] Oh, don't talk
to me now! You always preferred your father,
and now you're punished for it! He has wilfully
left your mother and sisters paupers!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. How can you speak like that!
Surely you know father must have suffered more
than we could when he realized he was leaving
nothing for you.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jessica</span>. Yes, and it was for us too that he lost
all. It was our extravagance.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Hush! How dare <i>you</i> side
against me, too?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. Florence—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Well, Ruth, what do you think
of your brother now?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>To her mother.</i>] Don't!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. By whom were the arrangements for
to-day made?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. My son-in-law had most pressing
business, and his friend—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. The friend of all of us—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Yes, of course, Mr. Warden
saw to everything.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. He will be here any moment!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. When he comes, will you send him on
to me, please?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. Yes.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. Very well. Good-by. [<i>Shakes hands
with</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span>.] I am very sorry to have been
the bearer of such bad news.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Shaking hands with him.</i>]
Please overlook anything I may have said; at such
a moment, with the loss of all my money—and
my dear husband—I don't know <i>what</i> to say!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. Naturally. [<i>To the others.</i>] Good-by.
[<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Ruth</span>, <i>who follows him.</i>] I'll come to see you
in the morning.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>As they shake hands.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. And I can then tell you what I settle
here now. [<span class="smcap">Mason</span> <i>goes out Left.</i>] Florence, I'm
very sorry—</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Interrupted.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Oh! <i>You!</i> Sorry!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. Yes, very, very sorry,—first, that I
spoke as I did just now.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. It's too late to be sorry for
that now.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. No, it isn't, and I'll prove to you I mean
it. Come, we'll talk things over.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Go away! I don't want you
to prove anything to me! [<span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span> <i>and</i>
<span class="smcap">Clara</span> <i>sit side by side on the sofa.</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>and</i>
<span class="smcap">Jessica</span> <i>are in chairs near the table.</i> <span class="smcap">Ruth</span> <i>sits
beside</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. <span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span> <i>has something
the manner of porcupines and shows a set determination
to accept nothing by way of comfort
or expedient.</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>looks hopeful and ready
to take the helm for the family.</i> <span class="smcap">Jessica</span> <i>will back
up</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span>.] My happiness in this world is
over. What have I to live for?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. Your children!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Beggars like myself!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. But your children will work for you.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. Work! I see myself.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> So do I.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. My children work! Don't be
absurd!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jessica</span>. It is not absurd! I can certainly earn
my own living somehow and so can Clara.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. Doing <i>what</i>, I should like to know!
I see myself!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Jess is right. I'll take care of this
family—father always said I was "his own child."
I'll do my best to take his place.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. I will gladly give Jessica a home.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Whimpers.</i>] You'd rob me of
my children, too!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jessica</span>. Thank you, Aunt Ruth, but I must
stay with mother and be Blanche's right-hand
man!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. I might go on the stage.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. My dear, smart people don't
any more.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. I'd like to be a sort of Anna Held.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jessica</span>. I don't see why I couldn't learn typewriting,
Blanche?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Huh! Why, you could never
even learn to play the piano; I don't think you'd
be much good at typewriting.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. You want to be a typewriter, because
in the papers they always have an old gentleman
taking them to theatres and supper! No, sir, if
there is to be any "old man's darling" in this
family, <i>I'll</i> be <i>it</i>!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. [<i>Dryly.</i>] You'll have to learn to spell
correctly first!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. [<i>Superciliously.</i>] Humph!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jessica</span>. There are lots of ways nowadays for
women to earn their living.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. Yes, typewriting we will consider.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Never!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>No one pays any attention to her except</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span>,
<i>who agrees with her.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. Jess, you learned enough to <i>teach</i>,
didn't you?—even at that fashionable school
your mother sent you to?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jessica</span>. Oh, yes, I think I could teach.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Never!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Still no one pays any attention except</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span>
<i>who again agrees with her.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. No, indeed! <i>I</i> wouldn't teach!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. If we only knew some nice elderly
woman who wanted a companion, Jess would be
a godsend.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. If she was a nice <i>old</i> lady with lots of
money and delicate health, I wouldn't mind that
position myself.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. Clara, you seem to take this matter
as a supreme joke!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>With mock humility.</i>] May <i>I</i>
speak? [<i>She waits. All turn to her. A moment's,
silence.</i>] <span class="smcap">May</span> I speak?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. Yes, yes. Go on, Florence; don't you
see we're listening?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. I didn't know! I've been
so completely ignored in this entire conversation.
But there is one thing for the girls—the easiest
possible way for them to earn their living—which
you don't seem for a moment to have
thought of!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She waits with a smile of coming triumph on her
face.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. Nursing!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Disgusted.</i>] No!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. Manicuring?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. <i>Darling!</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Designing dresses and hats?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. No!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jessica</span>. Book-keeping?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. No.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. Then what in the world is it?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Marriage!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. Oh, of course!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. Humph!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Jessica</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>exchange glances.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. That young Mr. Trotter would
be a fine catch for Jess.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jessica</span>. Who loathes him!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Don't be old-fashioned! He's
very nice.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. A little cad, trying to get into society—nice
occupation for a <i>man</i>!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jessica</span>. Mother, you can't be serious.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. Why wouldn't he do for <i>me</i>?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. He <i>would</i>! The very thing!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. We'll see, darling; I think
Europe is the place for you. I don't believe all
the titles are gobbled up yet.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. Jess, I might get you some women
friends of mine, to whom you could go mornings
and answer their letters.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. I should not allow my daughter
to go in that capacity to the house of any woman
who had refused to call on her mother, which is
the way most of your friends have treated me.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. Do you realize, Florence, this is a question
of bread and butter, a practical suggestion of
life, which has nothing whatever to do with the
society columns of the daily papers?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. I do <i>not</i> intend that my daughters
shall lose their positions because their father
has been—what shall we call it—criminally
negligent of them.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. [<i>Rising.</i>] How dare you! You are to
blame for it all. If you say another word injurious
to my brother's memory, I'll leave this house
and let you starve for all I'll do for you.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Aunt Ruth, please, for father's
sake—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. Well, this house is ours, anyway!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. That is what <i>I've</i> been thinking
of. The house is yours. It's huge. You don't
need it. You must either give it up altogether—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Interrupts.</i>] <i>What! Leave it?
My house! Never!</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Or—let out floors to one or two
friends,—bachelor friends. Mr. Mason, perhaps—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. [<i>Interrupts, rising, furious.</i>] Take in
<i>boarders</i>!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Who has listened aghast, now
rises in outraged dignity; she stands a moment
glaring at</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span>, <i>then speaks.</i>] Take—[<i>She
chokes.</i>] <i>That</i> is the <i>last straw</i>!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>And she sweeps from the room Right.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. Mama! Mama!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She goes out after her mother.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<i>The other three women watch the two leave the
room, then turn and look at each other.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. We'll manage somehow, only I think
it would be easier for us to discuss all practical
matters by <i>ourselves</i>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. And I want you to understand this,
girls,—I represent your dear father; half of
everything I have is yours, and you must promise
me always to come to me for everything.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Sterling</span> <i>enters suddenly Left.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He is a man of thirty-eight or forty, a singularly
attractive personality; he is handsome
and distinguished. His hair is grayer than
his years may account for and his manner
betrays a nervous system overtaxed and barely
under control. At the moment that he enters
he is evidently laboring under some especial,
and only half-concealed, nervous strain. In
spite of his irritability at times with his wife,
there is an undercurrent of tenderness which
reveals his real love for</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Oh, you're all here! Have I missed
old Mason?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. Yes, but Blanche will tell you what he
had to say. I'm going upstairs to try and pacify
your mother. We mustn't forget she has a hard
time ahead of her.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She goes out Right with</i> <span class="smcap">Jessica</span>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. I suppose Mason came about the
will and your father's affairs?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Yes, you ought to have been here.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>Irritably.</i>] But I couldn't—I told
you I couldn't!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Do you realize, dear, that you
haven't been able to do <i>anything for me</i> for a long
time? Lately, even I hardly ever <i>see</i> you—I stay
home night after night alone.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. That's your own fault, dear; Ned
Warden's always ready to take you anywhere you
like.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>With the ghost of a jest.</i>] But do you
think it's quite right for me to take up all Mr.
Warden's time?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Why not, if he likes it?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. And don't you think people will
soon talk?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Darling! People always talk, and
who cares!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. It's months since you showed me
any sign of affection, and now when my heart is
hungrier than ever for it,—you know how I loved
my father,—I long for sympathy from <i>you</i>, and
you haven't once thought to take me, your wife,
in your arms and hold me close and comfort me.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. I'm sorry, old girl, I'm really sorry.
[<i>Embracing her affectionately.</i>] And surely you
know I don't love any other woman in the world
but you. [<i>He kisses her.</i>] It's only because I've
been terribly worried. I don't want to bother you
with business, but I've been in an awful hole for
money. I tried to make a big coup in Wall Street
the other day and only succeeded getting in deeper,
and for the last few days I've been nearly distracted.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Why didn't you tell me?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. I thought I'd get out of it with this
Consolidated Copper without worrying you.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. You were in that, too?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. How do you mean I, "too"?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Mr. Mason has just told us <i>father</i>
lost everything in it.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>Aghast.</i>] You don't mean your
father hasn't left any money?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Nothing.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>Forgetting everything but what this
means to him.</i>] Nothing! But I was counting on
your share to save me! What did the damned
old fool mean?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Dick!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Forgive me, I didn't mean to say
that.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Oh, <i>who are you</i>! <i>What</i> are you!
You are not the man I thought when I married
you! Every day something new happens to
frighten me, to threaten my love for you!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. No, no, don't say that, old girl.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He tries to take her hand.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. What right have you to criticise
my father, to curse him—and to-day!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. I don't know what I'm saying,
Blanche. Try to forgive me. I wouldn't have
thought of such a thing as his money to-day if
it wasn't the only thing that can save me from—disgrace.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>His voice sinking almost to a whisper and the
man himself sinking into a chair.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Disgrace! How? What disgrace?</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Going to him.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. I can't explain it; you wouldn't
understand.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. You must explain it! <i>Your</i> disgrace
is <i>mine</i>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>Alarmed at having said so much,
tries to retract a little.</i>] Disgrace was too strong a
word—I didn't mean that. I'm in trouble. I'm
in trouble. Good God, can't you see it? And
if you love me, why don't you leave me alone?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. How can I go on loving you without
your confidence?—without ever being suffered
to give you any sympathy? Doll wives are out of
fashion, and even if they weren't, I could never
be one.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>Laughing.</i>] My dear, I'd never
accuse you of being stuffed with sawdust.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Oh, and now you joke about it.
Take care, Dick.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. What's this, a threat?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Yes, if you like to call it that. You've
been putting me more and more completely out
of your life; take care that I don't finish your work
and go the last step.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>Seizing her roughly by the wrist.</i>]
The last step! What do you mean by that?
[<i>Holding her hand more roughly.</i>] <i>You dare</i> to be
unfaithful to me!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. What! You could think I meant
that! Ugh! How could you?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Well, what did you mean then? Eh?</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Pulling her up close to him, her face close to
his. She realizes first by the odor, then by a
searching look at his face, that he is partly
under the influence of liquor.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>With pathetic shame.</i>] Let me go!
I see what's the matter with you, but the reason is
no excuse; you've been drinking.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>Dropping her hand.</i>] Ugh! The
usual whimper of a woman!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Ruth</span> <i>reënters Right.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. Well, Blanche, dear, your mother's in
a calmer frame of mind, and I must go. Dick,
can you lunch with me to-morrow?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>Hesitating, not caring about it.</i>]
Er—to-morrow?—er—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. Oh, only for business. I must have a
new business man now to do all that <i>he</i> did for me,
and I'm going to try to make up to you for not
having been always your—<i>best</i> friend, by putting
my affairs in <i>your</i> hands.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Serious, uneasy, almost frightened.</i>]
Aunt Ruth—</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She stops.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. What, dear?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Nothing.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She gives</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span> <i>a searching, steady look and
keeps her eyes upon him, trying to read his
real self.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. [<i>Continues to</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span>.] Mr. Mason is
coming to me in the morning, and if you will lunch
with me at one, I will then be able to give all the
papers over to you.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Sterling</span>, <i>who up to this time has been almost
dumbfounded by this sudden good fortune, now
collects himself, and speaks delightedly but
with sufficient reserve of his feelings.</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span>
<i>does not take her eyes from</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling's</span> <i>face.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Aunt Ruth, I thank you from the
bottom of my heart, and I will do my best.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Quickly.</i>] Promise her, Dick, before
me—give her your word of honor—you will
be faithful to Aunt Ruth's trust.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He answers</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche's</span> <i>look steadily with a
hard gaze of his own.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. His acceptance of my trust is equal to
that, Blanche.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. It is of course, isn't it, Dick?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Of course.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>is not content, but has to satisfy herself
with this.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. To-morrow at one, then.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She starts to go.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Jordan</span> <i>enters Left.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jordan</span>. Mr. Warden.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. I can't wait. Good-by.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She goes out Left.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. We will see Mr. Warden.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jordan</span>. Yes, madam.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He goes out Left.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Blanche, go to your mother and
ask her to see Ned to thank him. I want a
minute's talk with him if you don't mind.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Pathetically.</i>] What difference does
it make, Dick, if I <i>do</i> mind?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Don't say that, old girl, and don't
think it.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Dick, you <i>are</i> honest, aren't you?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>Without flinching.</i>] What a question,
Blanche!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Jordan</span> <i>enters Left announcing "Mr. Warden."</i>
<span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>enters, and</i> <span class="smcap">Jordan</span> <i>goes out.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Edward Warden</span>, <i>though in reality scarcely
younger than</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span>, <i>looks at least ten
years his junior. He is good-looking, practical,
a reasoning being, and self-controlled. He is a
thorough American, with the fresh and strong
ideals of his race, and with the feeling of
romance alive in the bottom of his heart.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>In enormous relief, greets him
joyfully.</i>] Ned, what do you think! The greatest
news going!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Dick!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Excuse me, Blanche, I forgot; but
Ned will know how I can't help being glad.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>goes to</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Sterling</span>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Shaking</i> <span class="smcap">Ned's</span> <i>hand.</i>] And Mr.
Warden knows nothing could make me "<i>glad</i>"
to-day. Thank you for all your kindness—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Don't thank me; it was nothing.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Yes, please let me thank you all I
can; it won't be half what I feel, but I want to
know that you know even my silence is full of
gratitude for all you've done for my mother, sisters,
and me.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Yes, we're all immensely indebted
to you, Ned, old man.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. I will tell mother. I know she
wants to see you.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She goes out Right.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>Speaking with suppressed excitement
and uncontrollable gladness, unable to keep
it back any longer.</i>] Ned, my wife's aunt,
Miss Hunter, has put all her business in my
hands.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Made you her agent?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Yes! What a godsend! Hunter
didn't leave a cent.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>A moment's pause of astonishment.</i>]</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. What do you mean?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. It seems he's been losing for a long
time. Everything he had he lost in the copper
crash.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. But this is awful! What will Mrs.
Hunter and her two young daughters do?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. I don't know. I hadn't thought of
that.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. You'll have to think of it.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. I?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Of course you'll have to help them.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. I can't! Look here, I didn't tell
you the truth about my affairs last week, when I
struck you for that loan.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. You don't mean to say you weren't
straight with me?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Oh, I only didn't want to frighten
you till I'd got the money; if you had made me the
loan, I'd have owned up afterwards all right
enough.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Owned up what?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. That I told you a pack of lies—that
I haven't any security!—that I haven't
anything but <i>debts</i>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Strongly.</i>] Good things to borrow
on! Look here, Dick, how long have we been
friends?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Since that day at boarding school
when you took a licking for something I did.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. What I mean is we were pals at
school, chums at college, stanch friends for
twenty years.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Hell! Are we as old as all that?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Inseparable friends till the last two
years.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Sterling's</span> <i>eyes shift.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. I've been overworked lately, and
everything has gone wrong!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Comes up to him, and speaks firmly
but still friendly.</i>] You <i>yourself</i> have <i>gone wrong</i>!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>On the defensive.</i>] What do you
mean?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Why did you take your business out
of my hands?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. The law didn't pay me enough. I
thought I'd try a little amateur stockbroking.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Smiling insincerely.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. You didn't want <i>me to know</i> what
you were doing!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Rats!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. You didn't want me to know what
funds—<i>whose</i> funds—you were using—<i>mis</i>using.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>Ugly.</i>] What!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Whose money you were gambling with!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Have you been spying on me?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Your <i>wife's</i> money!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Well, she's <i>my</i> wife, and you don't
know what you're talking about!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He turns from him and picks up a book from the
table upside down and pretends to read it.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. You stole from me once when you
were a boy!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. No! I didn't!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Throwing the book down.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. You lie! Do you hear me? <i>You
lie!</i> [<i>He waits a second.</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span> <i>does nothing.</i>]
I was never sure till to-day! I fought against ever
thinking it, believing my suspicions were an injustice
to you, but little things were always disappearing
out of my rooms—finally, even money.
Lately, that old suspicion has come back with a
fuller force, and to-day it became a certainty.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. How to-day?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Because if it weren't true, you'd
have knocked me down just now when I called
you first a thief and <i>twice</i> a liar!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He stands squarely facing him.</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span> <i>stands
facing him also, surprised, taken off his guard.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Oh, come, you're joking! [<span class="smcap">Warden</span>
<i>makes an angry exclamation.</i>] Why're you telling
me all this now?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Because I want you to be careful.
I want you to know some one is watching you!
Some one who knows what you've come to! Some
one who knows you can't resist temptation! Some
one who knows money not yours <i>has</i> stuck to your
fingers!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. You mind your own business.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. I'll mind <i>yours</i> if it's necessary to
protect people who are dear to me!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Sterling</span> <i>looks at him with a sudden suspicion.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>Insinuatingly.</i>] I didn't know you
were particularly attached to Mrs. Hunter.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. I'm not.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Or to her two unmarried daughters!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Nor am I!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>With whispered intensity.</i>] By God,
if you are in love with my wife!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. If you thought that out loud, I'd
knock you down!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Huh! you talk as if you thought I
were a coward!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. No, not a <i>physical</i> coward—I've seen
you do too many plucky things—but a <i>moral</i>
coward—yes, you are one!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Straight to him, standing close and looking him
squarely in the eyes.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>Wavering.</i>] Oh, you're too damned
preachy!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span> <i>enters Right with</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span>. <span class="smcap">Mrs.
Hunter</span> <i>shakes hands with</i> <span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>silently,
happy in the feeling that she is in great affliction,
and satisfied with the appearance and
impression she is making. She carries her
handkerchief, with its black border, ready in
her hand.</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span> <i>has silently shaken hands
with</i> <span class="smcap">Warden</span>, <i>after her mother. She afterwards
goes to</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span> <i>and hands him several
of the letters of condolence. She then goes to
the window at Left, pulling aside the curtain,
and stands looking out, rather bored, wishing
she could go out and take a walk.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. We will never forget your
kindness. Will the evening papers have anything
in, do you think?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. No, not before morning.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Sighs.</i>] Every one was there.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Where's Blanche?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Upstairs. She said she was
going after Aunt Ruth.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>Frightened.</i>] After Aunt Ruth?
[<i>Strongly.</i>] What for?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. I don't know. [<i>Whimpering.</i>]
I'm not considered in the family any
longer!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. I shall stop and take her
home.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Jordan</span> <i>enters.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jordan</span>. Will you see visitors, madam?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. No.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He goes out Right.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. "No"? Yes, we will! I need
to see some one, or I shall break down. Go upstairs,
Clara!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. No, <i>why</i> need I?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. You're not out yet.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. I don't care! At this rate I'll never
get "out." Who are they, Jordan?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jordan</span>. Miss Sillerton, Miss Godesby, and
Mr. Trotter, miss.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. I must go, Mrs. Hunter.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Relieved.</i>] So sorry. Could
you go straight to Mr. Mason? He wishes to see
you?</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Shaking hands.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Certainly.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Thank you.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>inclines his head to</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. [<i>Lightly.</i>] Good-by!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>goes out Left.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter.</span> I don't think we ought to receive
Mr. Trotter.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. Pshaw! why not? If there's really
any idea of my mar—</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She stops short, silenced by a look from her
mother and an indication toward</i> <span class="smcap">Jordan</span>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Show them up, Jordan. [<span class="smcap">Jordan</span>
<i>bows and goes out.</i>] How do I look, dear?</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Arranges her handkerchief.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. [<i>Looking in the mirror.</i>] How do I?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>With her back to</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span>.] I
asked you first how <i>I</i> looked!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. [<i>Not observing.</i>] Oh, you're all right,
how am I?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Not looking at</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span>.]
Charming! We'll go upstairs and come down
again; I don't think it nice to be found here as if
we were expecting visitors.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>They go out Right.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Jordan</span> <i>steps into the room to announce the
visitors, and seeing no one there, bows as the
three pass him.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jordan</span>. The ladies will be down at once.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He goes out Right.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<i>The three turn, looking about the room
with curiosity, as if the funeral might have
made some difference in the house.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span> <i>is a handsome, attractive
woman, most fashionably dressed and perfectly
conventional in character and intelligence.</i>
<span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span> <i>is a little slow, more
assertive, sharper of tongue, more acutely
intelligent, and equally smartly dressed. She
has still a remnant of real, sincere feeling
buried under a cynical mask which her life
in a fast set has developed for her self-preservation.</i>
<span class="smcap">Trotter</span> <i>is a foolish young
person, meaning well enough according to
his lights, which are not of the biggest and
brightest.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. Classy house altogether!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. Mrs. Hunter went to the
most expensive decorator in town, and told him, no
matter what it cost, to go ahead and do his <i>worst</i>!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>They all laugh and seat themselves comfortably.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. Say! The youngest daughter is a
good looker—very classy.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. That's the one we told you
about, the one we want you to marry.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Yes, with your money and her
cleverness, she'll rubber neck you into the smartest
push in town!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. You've promised I shall know the
whole classy lot before spring.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. So you will if you do as we
tell you. But you mustn't let society see that you
<i>know</i> you're getting in; nothing pleases society
so much as to think you're a blatant idiot. It
makes everybody feel you're their equal—that's
why you get in.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. I've got a coach and can drive four-in-hand.
I've an automobile drag, and the biggest
private yacht in the world building. I'm going to
have the most expensive house in Long Island,
where the oysters come from, and I've bought a
lot in Newport twice as big as the swellest fellow's
there. I've got a house in London and a flat in
Paris, and I make money fly. I think I ought to
be a cinch as a classy success.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Don't be a yap; flag Clara
Hunter and you're all right!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. Her father's position was the
best in this country!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. But he's dead.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Sitting.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. A good thing for you, for he
would never have stood for you!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. He'd have had to—or do without
me as a son-in-law—I wouldn't marry the Venus
of Milo if her father didn't think I was good
enough. I'm no Dodo bird!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. It's up to you now, Trotter!
Go in and win.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Tompson</span> <i>Right; a decided change
takes place in all their manners.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Tompson</span>. Madam will be down at once,
miss.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. Thank you.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Tompson</span> <i>goes out Right.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Only stay a minute or two,
Trotty—we're doing our best for you, but we
must look out for ourselves, too, and we've come
here to-day on business.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. How'll we ever get the subject
on to clothes?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Humph! Do you think you
can talk five minutes with Mrs. Hunter and not
hit that topic? It's a bull's eye!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. I don't see where I'm going to come
into this classy conversation.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. You see, Trotty, they brought
over piles of clothes from Europe this year, and
we want to get hold of them before any one else
has a chance—get 'em cheap before they have an
idea anybody else'll buy them.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. Who buy what?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. <i>We</i>—buy their winter clothes.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. For Heaven's sake!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Laugh, you silly! I heard
the Reed girls planning to come to-morrow.
They didn't dare come to-day. Those girls
haven't any sand! They're always getting
left.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. You two <i>are</i> Dodo birds!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. I say, Eleanor, you're such a
lobster about prices and Mrs. Hunter's no idiot,
we'd better agree on some sort of a signal! Listen!
if you like a gown very much, ask the price, then
say to me, "My dear, your hat pin is coming out."
And if I think it's a bargain, I'll say, "So it is,
thank you; won't you put it in for me?" And if
I think Mrs. Hunter's trying to stick you, I'll
say "No, it isn't; it's always like that."</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. All right.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span> <i>enter Right. The
manner of</i> <span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>
<i>changes immediately. They speak with rather
subdued voices, in the tone of conventional
sympathy which is usually adopted on such
occasions.</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span> <i>also assumes the
manner of a martyr to grief.</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span> <i>is casual
and hard.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. [<i>Shakes hands with</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs.
Hunter</span>.] Dear Mrs. Hunter.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She kisses her.</i></p>
<p>Clara, dear.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She kisses her.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span> <i>goes to</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span> <i>and
shakes hands while</i> <span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span> <i>crosses
to</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span>; <i>Trotter shakes hands with</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs.
Hunter</span> <i>as</i> <span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span> <i>goes to</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. I hope you don't think my coming
an intrusion.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Not at all.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. I felt we must stop in for a
few minutes to give you our love and sympathy
and find out how you are.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. I've been through a terrible
strain. My loss is even greater than I could ever
possibly imagine.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. [<i>Who misinterprets her mother's remark.</i>]
Yes, indeed, I should say it was!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span> <i>stops her with a warning
look.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. But every one has been most
kind. <i>Lady Hopeton</i> sent me a beautiful long
letter to-day.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. And I'm glad to find you looking
so well. Black <i>suits</i> you!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She exchanges a knowing glance with</i> <span class="smcap">Miss
Sillerton</span>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Oh, I don't know, Julia; I've
always thought black very <i>trying</i> for me.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Oh, <i>no! every one's</i> saying
<i>just</i> the reverse!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. But—I suppose clothes don't
interest you, Mr. Trotter?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. Oh, yes, they do, out of sight!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. Well, I wish you could have seen the
beautiful things we brought over with us!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. Julia and I were just speaking
about it, and pitying you from the bottom of our
hearts.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span> <i>again
exchange surreptitious glances.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Every one's been most kind.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>There is an awkward pause for a moment, no one
knowing quite what to say. Both</i> <span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>
<i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span> <i>have started the conversation
in the direction of clothing and are fearful of the
topic being changed. As the pause becomes embarrassing,
they look helplessly from one to the other,
and all five, suddenly and at once, make an ineffectual
effort to say something—or nothing.
Out of the general confusion</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>
<i>comes to the front, mistress of the situation.</i>] Are
you going to stay in New York this winter, Mr.
Trotter?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. Yes, I'm negotiating for one of the
biggest classy building plots on upper Fifth
Avenue.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>.] I saw in the
papers you were at the dance last night.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span> <i>nods and motions surreptitiously
to</i> <span class="smcap">Trotter</span> <i>to go. He, however, doesn't
understand.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>With interest again in life.</i>]
Oh, <i>were you?</i> What did you wear?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Oh, dowdy old things. I
haven't bought my winter frocks yet.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She repeats this casually as if to herself.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span> <i>motions to</i> <span class="smcap">Trotter</span> <i>to go,
but he has forgotten and still doesn't understand.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. What?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. You warned us not to let you
forget your engagement!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. What engagement?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. How do we know! we only
know you said you <i>had</i> to go!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. Never said so! Oh! [<i>As it dawns
upon him.</i>] Oh, yes! of course. [<i>He rises.</i>] Very
sorry—must be off. Only dropped in—er—that
is, came in to express my respectful sympathy.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Shaking hands with</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Who rises.</i>] I hope you will
come and see us again.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. Do! It'll be a godsend! We'll be
dull as ditchwater here this winter!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. I shall be delighted to call again.
Good-by. [<i>He bows to Clara. In his embarrassment
he starts to shake hands all over again, but,
realizing his mistake, laughs nervously.</i>] Oh, I
have already.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. Good-by, Trotter.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Don't forget we're booked
with you at Sherry's.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. Whose treat?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Oh! <i>Yours</i>, of course—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. I say, why can't I stay? I won't
interfere.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Oh, do stay, Mr. Trotter!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Oh, do stay!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Suggesting by her tone that he mustn't dare to
remain.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. Good!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Trotter</span> <i>remains, and they all settle themselves
again for a long stay.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. By the way, you were speaking
just now of your winter frocks. It occurs to me—of
course I don't know as I really want to dispose
of them, but—er—</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She hesitates purposely.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Oh, <i>would</i> you? [<i>Rising, she
takes a chair nearer to</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>.] You <i>dear</i>
thing!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. The dresses are no use to us
now, and when <i>we're</i> out of mourning—<i>they'll</i>
be out of style. You could wear Jess' things
perfectly, Julia.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. And even something of yours
could be made over for us.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. But I'm so much older than
you!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. [<i>Thoughtlessly.</i>] Yes, but you
never dress appropriately to your age.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. [<i>Laughing delightedly.</i>] That's pretty
good!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. [<i>Saves herself.</i>] You know
what I mean, you always <i>look</i> so <i>youthful</i>, you
<i>can't</i> dress any older.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Rising.</i>] Clara, dear, go upstairs
and have Tompson bring down my Worth
dress and Jess' Doucet and your Paquin. [<i>She
goes with</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span> <i>to the door, Right, and then whispers
to her.</i>] If you remember, don't tell what we
paid—we ought to get nearly double out of these
girls—and warn Tompson not to be surprised at
anything she hears.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span> <i>exchange
glances.</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span> <i>goes out Right.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. It seems as if I had no further
interest in clothes, anyway.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Don't say that. Every one
I've seen this afternoon is wildly enthusiastic
over your mourning.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Well, I went straight to Madame
O'Hoolihan and gave her carte blank!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. I wouldn't like to be the ice
man when your bill comes in!—and clothes
abroad are so much cheaper.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Thoughtlessly.</i>] Oh, <i>half!</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. [<i>Quickly.</i>] You see you'll be
doing us a really great favor letting us have
some of your things!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Realizing her nearly fatal
error.</i>] Oh! Oh, yes—but—er—I must say
that <i>we</i> found prices while in Paris <i>this year</i>
rather <i>atrocious!</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Clara</span> <i>reënters Right.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. [<i>Sighs.</i>] O dear! It breaks my
heart not to wear my ball dress, my dear Julia;
it was designed specially for me. I told Marie
to put it on, mama; my clothes fit her perfectly,
and I thought it would show so much better what
it is.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Here they are.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Rises as</i> <span class="smcap">Tompson</span> <i>enters Right.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Tompson</span>. Mrs. Hunter's reception gown.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Displaying it.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. Oh, this <i>is</i> a beauty!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She takes the costume and drapes it over a
chair.</i> <span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>
<i>come closer to examine.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Tompson.—[<i>Taking her to
one side, whispers.</i>]—I forget; do you remember
what I paid for this dress?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Tompson</span>. [<i>Whispers back.</i>] One hundred and
sixty dollars, madam.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Oh, yes. Don't say anything.
[<i>Returning to the others.</i>] Do you
like it?</p>
<table style="margin-left: 0;" summary='dialogue'>
<tr><td>
<span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. Perfectly lovely!<br /> <br />
<span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Immensely. It's great!
</td><td class='bl'> [<i>At the same time.</i></td></tr></table>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Hesitates.</i>] I forget just what I
paid for it, but I believe it was two hundred dollars.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Clara</span> <i>half exclaims in astonishment, but on
being pinched surreptitiously on the arm by</i>
<span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span> <i>she grasps the situation and
starts in to do her share.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. Oh, no, mama! I'm sure it was more
than that!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Well, perhaps it was two—twenty
or two—twenty-five.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. That's cheap, isn't it?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Shut up.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Tompson's</span> <i>face is always a perfect blank,
showing no expression or surprise; she has
lived with</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span> <i>for many years and
"knows her business."</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. [<i>In a very different tone of
voice, influenced by the big price.</i>] Of course, I
see it's made of the best material. But it isn't
my color.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. It's the very latest shade.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Yes, I know; but I think as
you said a little while ago, perhaps it is a trifle
too old for me.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. I might let you have it for a
little less; say one hundred and eighty.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Thank you very much. I'll
think it over.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. What's the other?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. This is a dinner dress of Jess'.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Holding it up to her own waist.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. [<i>Carried away by the dress.</i>]
Oh, lovely,—perfectly charming,—an adorable
gown!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span> <i>pulls her arm and tries to make
her less enthusiastic.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>.]
Excuse me.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She takes</i> <span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span> <i>to one side and whispers
in her ear.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. [<i>Aloud.</i>] I can't help it.
I'm crazy about the dress!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Meanwhile</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Tompson</span> <i>have
whispered together.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. They said themselves this was
the most successful frock they turned out this
autumn.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. And how much is <i>this</i> one?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Very quickly, trying not to
speak consciously.</i>] This was two hundred and
seventy-five.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Clara</span> <i>bites her lips in surprise and winks
visibly to</i> <span class="smcap">Tompson</span>, <i>who gives no sign and is
otherwise imperturbable.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>, <i>looking
hard at her.</i>] My dear, your hat pin is coming out!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. [<i>Looking hard at her.</i>] No,
it isn't; it's always like that.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. [<i>Going closer to her, whispers.</i>]
Which does that mean? I forget!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. It's a <i>gouge</i>!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. I can't help it; I can't
resist.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Hunter</span>. [<i>Whispers to</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span>.] She's
going to take it; I wish I'd asked more.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. Mrs. Hunter, I'll <i>take</i> the
dinner dress! I'm crazy about it!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. I'm glad to have you have it;
I'm glad to be able to do you, in a way, a favor.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Marie</span> <i>at this moment enters dressed in the
most exquisite ball dress of the very latest
fashion and looks extremely lovely.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. Here's mine! I could cry to think
I'll never wear it!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Marie</span>. <i>Voila</i>, madame!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>A short silence, while the women sit down and
drink in the gown.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. [<i>In a subdued voice of awed
admiration.</i>] Beautiful!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Great!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>.] <i>I'm</i> stuck on
the <i>girl</i>; introduce me. She's out of sight!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span> <i>sighs long and loud,—a sigh of
appreciation and admiration.</i> <span class="smcap">Marie</span> <i>stands
in the centre of the stage facing the
audience.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. May we see her back?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. Her <i>entire</i> back, if she turns around!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Turn around, Marie.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Marie</span>. <i>Oui</i>, madame.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She turns her back—the dress is cut extremely
in the back.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. Oh!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Rather!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. The way everything is made
this year.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. I'm afraid my back is rather
full of bones.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. They told us in Paris, bones were
coming in! [<i>She takes a large American beauty
rose from a vase on the piano and slips it down</i>
<span class="smcap">Marie's</span> <i>back so that the dress seems much less
décolleté.</i>] There, never too late to mend!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. How much is this one?</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span> <i>examine
the dress.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. [<i>Whispers to</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>.] You paid
two hundred for it!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Three hundred dollars. It is
really superb.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. [<i>Pulling</i> <span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>
<i>around quickly.</i>] My dear, your hat pin is coming
out!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Don't be absurd!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. What?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. It's my turn, sit down; you
got the last! You won't mind my being frank,
Mrs. Hunter?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>On the defensive.</i>] Certainly
not.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. I think the price is too much.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. Oh, go on, pay it!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Will you sign the check?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. <i>Excuse me!</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. I'd give twice that if only I could wear
it to one ball this winter!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. I wouldn't part with it for a
penny less. I couldn't afford to.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>The manners and voices of all become a little
strained.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. That is of course your affair.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Politely.</i>] We needn't keep
Marie any longer, at any rate, need we? You
can go, Marie, and you too, Tompson.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Clara</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span> <i>help place the other
dresses on</i> <span class="smcap">Tompson's</span> <i>arms.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>, <i>on the
opposite side of the room, in a lowered voice.</i>] I'll
take it; I'm willing to pay that.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Don't you dare interfere! I
want the gown, but I know she'll come down,—if
she doesn't, I'll make a bluff at going. Then
if she sticks to her price, I'll come back and
pay it.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>They turn to</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. Oh, Mrs. Hunter, may I see
my dress just one more minute?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Certainly.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She and</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span> <i>come back with the dress.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Marie</span>. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Tompson</span> <i>by the door at Right.</i>]</p>
<p><i>Vite!</i> Come! Come! Jordan 'ave stole ze
photograph machine of Mees Clara, and he make
now one pigsher of me in ze dress!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Smiling mischievously, delighted, she goes
out Right.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. Thank you.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She leaves her dress.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Take this too, Tompson.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Tompson</span>. Yes, madam.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span> <i>speaks to</i> <span class="smcap">Tompson</span>, <i>aside, and</i>
<span class="smcap">Clara</span>, <i>near them, watches the two visitors out
of the corner of her eye.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. [<i>Aside to</i> <span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>.]
I'll leave my muff; that'll be a good excuse to come
back.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. [<i>Also in a lowered voice to</i> <span class="smcap">Miss
Godesby</span>.] Dodo!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Tompson</span> <i>goes out Right.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span> <i>come back.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. You really couldn't take less
than three hundred?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. I wish I could if only for your
own sake; but I really couldn't in justice to myself.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. I'm very sorry—and I'm
afraid we must be going now.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Not believing they will go.</i>]
Oh, must you? Well, it was very kind of you to
come.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span> <i>leaves her muff upon the table
at the Left.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. [<i>Shakes hands with</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs.
Hunter</span>.] Good-by.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She goes on to</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span>.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span> <i>comes to shake hands with</i>
<span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. I think you're making a mistake
not to take the dress, Julia dear.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Perhaps, but I really can't
go more than two hundred and fifty.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span> <i>looks surreptitiously at</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span>,
<i>who slyly shakes her head to her
mother.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Oh, quite impossible!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Good-by.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Good-by.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Good-by, Clara.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Frightened.</i>] Would you like
to see the dress off?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Oh, my dear, it was as <i>off</i> as I
would ever like to see it. Good-by.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Good-by. [<span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span> <i>and</i>
<span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span> <i>get to doorway Left.</i>] You <i>won't</i>
take it?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. <i>Can't!</i> Good-by.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. [<i>Dryly.</i>] You're forgetting your muff!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. Rubber!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. [<i>Coming back for it.</i>] How
stupid!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She goes away to the door again in silence,
which is full of suspense for all of them. As
she reaches the door</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span> <i>speaks.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Look here, Julia, don't say
another word; you shall have the dress for two
hundred and fifty.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. [<i>Rushing back, followed by
all the others.</i>] You dear! I'm afraid you think
I've been rather nasty!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Oh, no, of course business is
business, and I'd <i>rather you</i> had it than see it
wasted on some of our other friends who'd be
sights in it!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. Good-by. [<i>Kisses her this
time.</i>] I haven't said half I feel; you've been in
my thoughts all these last few days.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Thank you, dear.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Kisses her.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Shall we send around for the
dresses in the morning?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Or I'll send them.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. No, we won't trouble you.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. Good-by!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter and Clara</span>. Good-by!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span> <i>go out
Left, followed by</i> <span class="smcap">Trotter</span>, <i>who has joined in
all the good-bys, and upon whom</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span> <i>has
more or less continuously kept her "weather
eye."</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. I'm perfectly sure if I'd stuck
to three hundred, Julia Godesby would have sent
around when she got home and paid it!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. I'm glad you didn't run the risk though,
for we'll need every cent we can get now.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She runs her fingers rapidly over the piano keys.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>reënters Right.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Why, I thought you'd gone
long ago.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Jess begged me to stay with her.
Try to understand her, mother; I think she will
miss father more than any of us.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Jordan</span> <i>enters Left.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jordan</span>. Mr. Warden has come back, madam.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>enters Left.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Forgive my intruding so soon again,
but did Mr. Mason leave a letter case of Mr.
Hunter's here?</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>begins looking for the case.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. I haven't seen it; I'll ask the
servants to look. Excuse me, I'm quite tired out;
we've been receiving a long visit of condolence.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She goes out, Right, with</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span>, <i>who links her
arm in her mother's.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Finding the case, which has fallen
beneath the table.</i>] Here it is. Dear old pocket-book—</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Her voice breaks on the last word, and turning
her face away to hide her tears, she hands him
the well-worn letter case.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Mrs. Sterling, I'm glad they left us
alone, because Mr. Mason said he hadn't been
able to manage it—to see you alone—and yet he
wanted <i>you only</i> to examine these. They are
private papers of Mr. Hunter; he thought they
ought not to be destroyed without being read, and
yet <i>he</i> hesitated to read them. We thought that duty
devolved best upon <i>you</i>. [<i>He hands back the letter
case.</i>] Shall I wait and take back the case to Mr.
Mason with the papers you wish him to have?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Oh, no, I will send them; I mustn't
keep you while I read them. I'm always taking
more of your time than I ought.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Speaks with sincerity, but without
any suggestion of love-making.</i>] But never as much
as I want to give you! Don't forget, Mrs. Sterling,
what you promised me at your wedding,—that
your husband's best man should be your best
friend.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. And nobody knows what it means to
a woman, even a happily married woman like me—[<i>This
is spoken with a slight effort, as if
she is persuading herself that she is a happily
married woman.</i>]—to have an honest friend like
you. It's those people who have failed that say
there is no such thing as a platonic friendship.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. We'll prove them wrong.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. We will. Good-by, and thank you.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. And thank <i>you</i>! [<i>Starting to go, he
turns.</i>] Shall I bring that Russian pianist around
to play for you some day next week?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Do—I want some music.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Only let me know what day. [<i>He
goes out Left.</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>sits by the table and opens
the case. She looks first at a memoranda and
reads what is on the outside.</i>] A business memoranda.
Lists of bonds. [<i>She opens and looks at
the next paper only a second, and then closes it.</i>]
This, Mr. Mason will understand better than I.
[<i>She puts it back in the pocket case. She finds a
photograph in the case.</i>] My picture!—[<i>She looks
for others, but finds none.</i>]—and <i>only</i> mine! Oh,
father!... [<i>She wipes away tears from her eyes
so as to see the picture, which is an old one.</i>]
Father, I returned <i>your</i> love. [<i>She reads on the
back of photograph.</i>] "Blanche, my darling
daughter, at fourteen years of age!" That's
mine! that's my own! [<i>And she puts the picture
away separately. She takes up a small packet of
very old love-letters tied with faded old pink tape.</i>]
Old letters from mother; they must be her love-letters.
She shall have them,—they may soften her.
[<i>She takes up a slip of paper and reads on the outside.</i>]
This is something for Mason, too. [<i>She puts
it back in the case. She takes up a sealed envelope,
blank.</i>] Nothing on it, and sealed. [<i>She looks at it a
moment, thinking.</i>] Father, did you want this
opened? If you didn't, why not have destroyed
it? Ah! I needn't be afraid; <i>you</i> had nothing to
hide from the world. [<i>Tearing it open, she reads.</i>]
"I have discovered my son-in-law, Richard Sterling,
in irregular business dealing. He is not honest.
I will watch him as long as I live; but when you
read this, Mason, keep your eye upon him for my
daughter's sake. He has been warned by me—he
may never trip again, and her happiness lies
in ignorance." [<i>She starts, and looks about
her to make sure she is alone. She then sits staring
ahead for a few seconds; then she speaks.</i>]
My boy's father dishonest! Disgrace—he owned
it—threatening <i>my</i> boy! It mustn't come!
It mustn't! <i>I'll</i> watch now. [<i>She goes to the fireplace,
tearing the paper as she crosses the room,
she burns the letter; then she gathers up the other
letters and the pocket case.</i>] He must give me his
word of honor over Richard's little bed to-night
that he will do nothing to ever make the boy
ashamed of bearing his father's name!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She watches to see that every piece of the paper
burns, as</i></p>
<p class="center">THE CURTAIN FALLS</p>
<hr style="width: 65%;" />
<h2>ACT II</h2>
<p class="direction"><i>Christmas Eve; fourteen months later; the
dining room of the Hunters' house, which is
now lived in jointly by the</i> <span class="smcap">Sterlings</span> <i>and</i>
<span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span> <i>and her daughters. It is
a dark wainscoted room, with curtains of
crimson brocade. It is decorated with laurel
roping, mistletoe, and holly, for Christmas.
It is the end of a successful dinner
party, fourteen happy and more or less
congenial persons being seated at a table, as
follows:</i> <span class="smcap">Warden, Ruth, Mason, Clara,
Trotter, Mrs. Hunter, Blanche, Sterling,
Miss Sillerton, Mr. Godesby, Jessica,
Doctor Steinhart</span>, <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Miss Godesby.</span> <i>The
room is dark on all sides, only a subdued light being
shed on the table by two large, full candelabra
with red shaded candles. As the curtain rises
the bare backs of the three women nearest the
footlights gleam out white. Candied fruit and
other sweetmeats are being passed by four men
servants, including</i> <span class="smcap">Jordan</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Leonard</span>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. My dear Blanche, what delicious candy!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. Isn't it!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Half of the candy offered one
nowadays seems made of <i>papier-mâché</i>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>.] Julia,
do tell me how Mr. Tomlins takes his wife's
divorce?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. He takes it with a grain of salt!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. But isn't he going to bring a
counter suit?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. No.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. I hope not. I am an old-fashioned
woman and don't believe in divorce!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Really! But then you're not
married!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. What is the reason for so
much divorce nowadays?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. Marriage is the principal one.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. <i>I</i> don't believe in divorce, either.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. My dear, no woman married
to as handsome a man as Mr. Sterling would.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. You people are all out of date!
More people get divorced nowadays than get
married.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Too many people do—that's the
trouble. I meant what I said when I was married—"for
better, for worse, till death us do part."—What
is the opera Monday?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. Something of Wagner's. He's a
Dodo bird! Bores me to death! Not catchy
enough music for me.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. You'd adore him if you went
to Bayreuth. Which was that opera, Clara, we
heard at Bayreuth last summer? Was it <i>Faust</i>
or <i>Lohengrin</i>! They play those two so much
here I'm always getting them mixed!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. Wagner didn't write <i>Faust</i>!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Didn't he? I thought he had;
he's written so many operas the last few seasons!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. I like <i>Tannhäuser</i>, because as soon
as you hear the "twinkle, twinkle, little stars"
song, you can cheer up and think of your wraps
and fur boots.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. My favorite operas are <i>San Toy</i>
and the <i>Roger Brothers</i>, though I saw <i>Florodora</i>
thirty-six times!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Mother would have gone with you
every one of those thirty-six <i>Florodora</i> times.
She's not really fond of music.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Not fond of music! Didn't
I have an opera box for four years?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. Why doesn't Conried make some
arrangement with Weber and Fields and introduce
their chorus into <i>Faust</i> and <i>Carmen</i>?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Dr. Steinhart</span>. Great idea! [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Miss
Godesby</span>.] Did you get a lot of jolly
presents?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Not half bad, especially two
fine French bulls!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>All are laughing and talking together.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. What did you get, Mr. Warden?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Three copies of "David Harum,"
two umbrellas, and a cigar case too short for
my cigars.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby.</span> Give it to me for cigarettes.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden.</span> It's too long for cigarettes. Then I
had something that's either a mouchoir or a handkerchief
case, or for neckties, or shaving papers,
or something or other.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter.</span> Yes, I know, I got one of those, too.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Dr. Steinhart.</span> So did I!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> I must start the women; we are
coming back here to arrange a surprise for you
men.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She nods her head in signal to</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span>, <i>and
rises. All rise.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> One moment please. One toast
on Christmas night! Ned, give us a toast.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">All the Women.</span> [<i>But not in unison.</i>] Oh, yes!
A toast! [<i>Ad lib.</i>]</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden.</span> [<i>Holding up his glass.</i>]</p>
<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">Here's to those whom we love!<br /></span>
<span class="i0">And to those who love us!<br /></span>
<span class="i0">And to those who love those whom we love<br /></span>
<span class="i0">And to those who love those who love us!<br /></span>
</div></div>
<p><span class="smcap">All the Men.</span> [<i>Not in unison.</i>] Good!
Bravo! Bully toast! [<i>Ad lib.</i>]</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Every one drinks.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> One more toast, Dick. [<i>To the
others.</i>] Christmas Day is our boy's birthday.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> Surely! a toast to Richard!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> Long life to Master Sterling, the
best boy in the world, and to all his good friends
at this table.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">The Men.</span> Hear! Hear!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>All the women speak their next speeches at the
same time.</i></p>
<table style="margin-left: 0;" summary='dialogue'>
<tr><td>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Laughing.</i>] Of course! I've dropped my handkerchief.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Ned</span> <i>dives under the table for it.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. O dear, my fan!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. What a bore! I've dropped a glove!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Steinhart</span> <i>goes under the table for it.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara.</span> Both my gloves gone—I'm so sorry!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Godesby</span> <i>goes under the table for them.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter.</span> Dick, please, I've dropped my smelling bottle.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Trotter</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span> <i>go under the table for it.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> My gloves, please, I'm so sorry!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Mason</span> <i>goes under the table for them.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<i>The speeches of the women are simultaneous, followed<br/>
by the movements of the men also, all at the same time. </i></p>
</td><td class='bl'> [<span class="smcap">All</span> <i>together</i></td></tr></table>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> Please don't bother; the servants—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Leonard, Jordan</span> <i>and, two extra men start to hunt under the table, too.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby.</span> Women ought to have everything they own fastened to them
with rubberneck elastics.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>The men, somewhat flustered, all rise with the various articles, and
offer them to their respective owners.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<i>All the women thank the men profusely,
and apologize at the same time.</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span>
<i>takes</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span> <i>out at back, followed
by all the other couples, all talking.</i> <span class="smcap">Ruth</span>
<i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Mason</span> <i>lag behind.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span>, <i>who with</i> <span class="smcap">Warden</span>
<i>waits for</i> <span class="smcap">Ruth</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Mason</span> <i>to pass.</i>] I want just
a minute with Mr. Mason, Blanche. [<span class="smcap">Blanche</span>
<i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>pass out before her.</i> <span class="smcap">Ruth</span> <i>is
alone with</i> <span class="smcap">Mason</span>. <i>She speaks as if she were
carrying on a conversation that had been interrupted.
She speaks in a lowered voice, indicating the private
nature of what she has to say.</i>] I sent him imperative
word yesterday I must have the bonds. I
told him I wanted one to give to his wife for Christmas.
He pretends to-day he didn't receive this
letter, but he must have.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason.</span> This makes the third time there has
been some excuse for not giving you the bonds?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> Yes, and this letter he says he didn't
get was sent to his office by hand.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason.</span> I'll speak to him before I leave.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>They go out at back.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<i>As they pass out,</i> <span class="smcap">Jordan</span> <i>stands by the doorway
holding the curtains back. The other three men
stand stiffly at the Right. As</i> <span class="smcap">Mason</span> <i>and</i>
<span class="smcap">Ruth</span> <i>go out, the</i> <span class="smcap">Servants</span> <i>relax and exchange
glances, each giving a little laugh out loud,
except</i> <span class="smcap">Jordan</span>. <i>During the following dialogue
they empty the table preparatory to arranging
the room for the Christmas tree.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jordan.</span> Sh! A very dull dinner, not an
interesting word spoke.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">First Footman.</span> The widder seemed chipper
like!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Leonard.</span> And did you get on to the old
lady's rig-out; mourning don't hang very heavy
on her shoulders.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>One chair is moved back.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jordan.</span> [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">First Footman</span>.] Get the coffee.
[<i>He goes out Right. To</i> <span class="smcap">Leonard</span>.] Get the
smoking lay-out!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Leonard</span> <i>goes out Right and brings back a
silver tray laden with cigarettes, cigar boxes,
and a burning alcohol lamp.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Leonard.</span> If you ask me, I think she's going
to put a bit more on the matrimonial mare if
she gets the chance.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jordan.</span> It's none of your business. You're
<i>Mrs. Sterling's</i> servant now.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Leonard.</span> Good thing, too; it was a happy
day for us when <i>they</i> moved in.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">First Footman.</span> [<i>Reënters with the coffee.</i>]
Say, did you see how that young feller over there
[<i>Motioning to the lower right-hand corner of the
table.</i>] shovelled the food in?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Leonard.</span> And the way he poured down the
liquid—regular hog! My arm's tired a-filling
of his glass.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>And he drinks a glass of champagne which
has been left untouched by a guest.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jordan.</span> He ain't nobody; he hasn't any money;
he was just asked to fill up. He's one of these
yere singing chaps what's asked to pass the time
after dinner with a song or two <i>gratis</i>. This
dinner'll last him for food for a week!</p>
<p class="direction"><i>Their manners suddenly change as the men
reënter and take seats about the two ends of
the table.</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span>, <span class="smcap">Mason</span>, <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Doctor</span>
<i>down Left form one group. The other men are
in a group between the window and the other
end. On entering</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span> <i>speaks.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> Jordan, for heaven's sake, give
us something to see by! You can't tell which
end of your cigar to light in this confounded
woman's candle-light. If I had my way, I'd have
candelabras made of Welsbachs!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter.</span> Bright idea, Sterling.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Sterling</span>, <i>laughing, joins his group, who
laugh gently with him.</i> <span class="smcap">Jordan</span> <i>turns on
the electric light. The servants pass the
coffee, liqueurs, and the cigars and cigarettes.
Meanwhile the following dialogue takes place,
the men beginning to talk at once on their
entrance.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> Mr. Mason, I'd like to ask your
honest opinion on something if you'll give it me.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason.</span> Certainly.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> This Hudson Electric Company.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Dr. Steinhart.</span> Oh! Dropped fearfully to-day.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> But that can happen easily with
the best thing. To-morrow—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason.</span> [<i>Interrupting.</i>] To-morrow it will drop
to its <i>very bottom</i>!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> I don't believe it.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Dr. Steinhart.</span> Surely, Mr. Mason, the men
who floated that are too clever to ruin <i>themselves</i>?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason.</span> They're out of it.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Out of it!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. They got out last week quietly.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. But—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. Mark my words, the day after to-morrow
there'll be several foolish people ruined, and <i>not
one of the promoters of that company will lose a
penny</i>!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. I don't believe it!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>The crowd at the other end of the table, who
have been listening to a tale from</i> <span class="smcap">Trotter</span>,
<i>laugh heartily.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. [<i>Delighted with his success.</i>] I'm no
Dodo bird!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>leaves this group casually and joins
the other.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span>.] Don't tell me <i>you're</i>
in it?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>Ugly.</i>] Yes, I am in it!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. Not <i>much?</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Yes, <i>much!</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Much what?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Oh, nothing; we were just discussing
stocks.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. And up there they're discussing
Jeffreys and Fitzsimmons.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. Listen, Dick, after a lifelong experience
in Wall Street, I defy any broker to produce one
customer who can show a profit after three consecutive
years of speculation.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Oh, you're too conservative; nothing
venture, nothing have. Excuse me, I think
Jeffreys and Fitzsimmons more amusing topics.
Come along.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Sterling</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Dr. Steinhart</span> <i>join the other
group Right.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Warden</span>.] You're Sterling's broker.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. No, not for over a year.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. Then you can't tell me how deep he
is in this Hudson Electric swindle?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Is he in it at all?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. Yes, he says, deep.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. I suspected it yesterday.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. But what with—his wife's money?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. That went fourteen months ago. I
put him on his feet then, gave him some
tips that enabled him to take this house with
her mother, so that with his regular law business
he ought to have done very well, but
his living could not leave one cent over to
speculate with.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. [<i>To himself.</i>] Good God!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. I know what you're afraid of.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. No!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Yes. The reason I'm no longer
his broker is he was ashamed to let me know
about his dealings.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. But you don't mean you think he'd
actually <i>steal</i>!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. His <i>aunt's</i> money? Why not? <i>He
did his wife's!</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. Does he handle any one else's affairs?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. I know he takes care of that Godesby
woman's property.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. And she wouldn't hold her tongue if
a crash came!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Not for a minute! Is Miss Hunter
suspicious?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. Yes. Does Sterling realize that to-morrow
he will most probably be a ruined cheat?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Very likely.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. If he made up his mind to-night it
was all up with him, he might do—what?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Run away with whatever money he
has left, or kill himself. I don't know if he's
enough of a coward for that or not. There's <i>one</i>
hold on him—he loves his wife.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. Which will make him all the more
ashamed of discovery. Do you believe she
suspects?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Not a bit. She loves him too
dearly.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. Can <i>we</i> do anything?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Nothing but watch him closely till
the people go. Then force him to make a clean
breast of it, so we can all know where we stand;
how we can best protect his aunt from ruin and
his wife and boy from public disgrace.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. He is watching us.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. He knows I know him; we must be
careful. He's coming toward us. [<i>He then speaks
in a different tone, but no louder.</i>] You're certain of
the trustworthiness of your information?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. Absolutely. Every man left in that
concern will be ruined before the 'Change closes
after to-morrow. [<span class="smcap">Sterling</span> <i>has joined them in
time to hear the end of</i> <span class="smcap">Mason's</span> <i>speech.</i> <span class="smcap">Mason</span>
<i>continues.</i>] I am telling Warden what I told you
about the Hudson Electric Company.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Can't you talk of something pleasanter?</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>reënters at back. On her entrance
all the men rise. The servants finish preparing
the room for the tree.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. I'm very sorry—I really can't let
you men stay here any longer.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">All the Men</span>. Why not? How's that? [<i>Ad lib.</i>]</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. You know we want to get this room
ready for Santa Claus! Dick! [<i>She goes to her
husband. All the men go out at back in a group led
by</i> <span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Mason.</span> <i>They are all talking and
laughing.</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>is left alone with her husband.</i>]
What is this Aunt Ruth has been telling me about
not being able to get some bonds from you?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Oh, nothing. I forgot to send them
up to her, that's all.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. But she says she sent three times.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. One time too late to get into the
vault; and the other, her letter was mislaid—I
mean not given to me.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. You haven't broken your word to
me?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. What if I had?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. I would let the law take its course.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. You must love me very little.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. I <i>live</i> with you. First you robbed
me of my respect for you; then you dried up my
heart with neglect.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. And our boy?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Your blood runs in his veins; your
shame and disgrace would be a fearful warning to
him. It might kill <i>me</i>; but never mind, if it
<i>saved him</i>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Oh, well, I haven't broken my word!
So you needn't worry. I've been honest enough.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>With a long sigh of relief.</i>] Oh!
I hope so!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Appearing in doorway at
back.</i>] The men are in the drawing-room—shall
we come <i>here</i>?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Yes, we'll bring the others, mother.
Come, Dick.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She goes out with</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span> <i>at back.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>Goes to door Right, opens it, and
calls.</i>] Leonard!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Leonard</span> <i>enters Right</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Leonard</span>. Yes, sir?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Go up to my library at the top of
the house, get a railroad guide you will find there,
and bring it down and put it on the table in the
hall just outside the drawing-room door.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Leonard</span>. Yes, sir.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Then go to my room and pack my
bag and dressing case. Do you understand?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Leonard</span>. Yes, sir.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>The women are heard singing "Follow the Man
from Cook's," and gradually coming nearer.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Be quick, and say nothing to any one.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Leonard</span>. Yes, sir.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He goes out quickly Right.</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span> <i>goes up
stage and stands beside the door at back as the
women dance in, singing "Follow the Man
from Cook's." They are led by</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span>, <i>with</i>
<span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span> <i>on the end.</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Ruth</span>
<i>follow alone, not dancing. The others dance
around the chairs and</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span> <i>jumps on and
off one of them; this stops the rest, who balk
at it.</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span> <i>goes out at back. The</i> <span class="smcap">Servants</span>
<i>enter Right.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. I don't care for this dinner party at
all. The women are all the time being chased
away from the men! I prefer being with Mr.
Trotter. Don't you, mama?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. He doesn't seem able to give
a dinner party any more without you to chaperone,
Mrs. Hunter.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Mother, how can you?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Oh, I don't know as it's <i>chaperoning</i>!
I like Mr. Trotter very much.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. But he's such a little cad.
I tried to give him a lift, but he was too heavy for
me.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. Oh, well, you ought just to pretend it's
the money in his pocket makes him so heavy;
then you'd find him dead easy.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Meanwhile the</i> <span class="smcap">Servants</span> <i>have arranged the
table, taken out the extra leaves and made it
square, and left the room. They now reënter,
bringing in a gorgeously decorated and lighted
Christmas tree. There is at once a loud
chorus of delighted approval from the women.
The</i> <span class="smcap">Servants</span> <i>place the tree in the centre
of the table. The women who are sitting rise
and come near to examine the tree.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. What a beautiful tree, Blanche!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. The boy is to have it to-morrow
morning—it's really <i>his</i> tree! [<span class="smcap">Tompson</span> <i>brings
in a large basket containing seven small stockings
and six small boys' socks—very small stockings
and very small socks. They are made of bright and
different colors and are stuffed into absurd, bulgy
shapes.</i>] There's a name on each one. Come
along now!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Taking out a little sock. The women crowd around
the basket and each hangs a sock on the tree,</i> <span class="smcap">Miss
Godesby</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span> <i>standing on chairs.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. [<i>Reading the name on her sock.</i>] Oh!
mine's for Mr. Mason. What's in it, Blanche?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. I really can't tell you. I asked the
clerk where I bought it what it was for, and he
said he didn't know; it was a "Christmas present."</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. [<i>Laughing.</i>] Oh, I know the
kind! Mine's for Howard Godesby. What's
his present?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. A silver golf marker.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. But he doesn't play golf!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Well, he ought to; it'll keep him
young.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. It will be all right, anyway, Julia!
<i>You</i> can give it away to some one next Christmas.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. What's in Mr. Trotter's?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Oh, that present has almost been
my death! Men are so hard to find things for!
I had put in a gold pencil for his key chain, but
to-night while we were eating our oysters, I saw
him show a beauty that his mother had given him
this morning! So I whispered to Jordan between
the soup and fish to change Mr. Ryder's name to
Mr. Trotter's stocking, and put Mr. Trotter's
name on the one that had a cigarette case in it.
I sneaked a message down to Dick on my dinner
card—was it all right?—and he sent back word
during the game that Trotter only smoked cigars; so
before the ices were passed I shuffled Mr. Trotter's
and Mr. Mason's names,—I'd given Mason the
cigar case,—and just as Jordan signalled to me the
transfer had been successfully effected, I heard
Trotter casually observe he'd been obliged to
give up smoking entirely—<i>doctor's orders</i>!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>They laugh punctiliously, rather bored by</i>
<span class="smcap">Blanche's</span> <i>long account.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. Isn't the tree stunning?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. [<i>Getting down from her chair.</i>] It
makes the table look like one of Mr. Trotter's
"informal little dinners."</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. They say he has one of those
men who arrange shop windows decorate his
dinner table for him!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. The only time I ever dined with
him I was really ashamed to go home with my
dinner favor—it was so gorgeous! And there
were such big bunches of violets in the finger
bowls there wasn't room for your little finger.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. You never saw such a lot of
decoration! The game have ribbon garters on
their legs, and even the raw oysters wear corsage
bouquets! [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter.</span>] I hope you don't
mind what we're saying, Mrs. Hunter?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. [<i>Offended.</i>] I must say I do
mind very much.—[<i>A pause.</i>]—because—[<i>A
second pause.</i>]—well, I am going to marry Mr.
Trotter—[<i>All, not believing her, laugh merrily.</i>]
You are all very rude!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Not on the level! Not <i>Trotter</i>!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Sillerton</span>. Not <i>really</i>!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. No, no, of course not!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She rings bell.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. But I <i>am</i>! And I thought
here at my daughter's table, among my own friends
(I was allowed to name the guests to-night), I
could count on good wishes and congratulations.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>There is a dead silence.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<i>The musicians, a band of Neapolitan players,
enter and take their places in a recess at Left.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>To the musicians.</i>] You may play.
[<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Jordan</span>, <i>who has brought in the Neapolitans.</i>]
We are ready, Jordan.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Jordan</span> <i>goes out at back.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Ruth</span> <i>goes to</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche.</span></p>
<p class="direction">[<i>The guitars and mandolins begin a popular song.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter.</span>] Oh, well,
Mrs. Hunter, we were only codding! There's
lots of good in Trotter, and I'm sure you'll bring
it out. Good luck!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Shaking her hand.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span>, <i>aside.</i>] You won't allow
this!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Certainly not. [<span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>crosses to
her mother and they go to one side together;</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span>
<i>speaks in a lowered voice.</i>] You've amazed and
shocked me! I will not tolerate such a thing;
we'll talk it over to-night.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She leaves her and returns to her guests</i>, <span class="smcap">Mrs.
Hunter</span> <i>standing where she is left, biting
her lips and almost crying with rage and
mortification.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. [<i>Before the musicians, to</i>
<span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>as she joins her.</i>] I'm crazy about these
men, Mrs. Sterling; they play so awfully well—especially
that one with the lovely legs!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Jordan</span> <i>pulls aside the curtains at back and
all the men reënter except</i> <span class="smcap">Warden</span>. <i>They
all join hands and dance around the tree,
singing with the musicians; they break, and
go up to a side table, where everything to
drink is displayed.</i> <span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>enters at this
moment and motions to</i> <span class="smcap">Mason</span> <i>and leads him
down stage.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. There was a railway guide in the
hall—that's what he went there for; he's <i>going
to run away to-night</i>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. How'll we prevent it?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. First, we must break up this
party!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. How?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. I haven't quite thought yet. Go back
to the others; send Jordan to me; don't lose sight
of Dick. Jordan! [<i>He takes him aside.</i>] I want
you to go out of this room for a minute, pretend
to go upstairs, then come back and tell Mrs.
Sterling, loud enough for the others to hear you,
that Master Richard is very ill, and say the maid
is frightened.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jordan</span>. [<i>Hesitating.</i>] But—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Quickly and firmly.</i>] Do as I tell
you. I am responsible for whatever happens.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Jordan</span> <i>goes out at back. The men and women
are laughing and talking about the sideboard.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Come now, everybody! Let's have
the presents. Dick, you know you are to be
Santa Claus.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Sterling</span> <i>looks nervously at his watch.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Just a minute, dear! Ned! [<i>Takes</i>
<span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>to one side. The women move about
the tree, hunting for their own names on the stockings
on the table at the foot of the tree.</i>] Ned, I've
been suddenly called out of town on business—must
catch the eleven-twenty train. I don't want
to break up the party, so you empty the tree,
and when the time comes for me to go, I'll slip
out.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. And when your guests go?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Oh, then you can explain for me.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Jordan</span> <i>enters at back.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jordan</span>. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span>.] Beg pardon, madam,
but Master Richard is very ill.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Alarmed.</i>] Richard!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jordan</span>. Yes, ma'am, and Droves is very
frightened, ma'am.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. Richard ill?</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>All give exclamations of surprise and regret and
sympathy.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. My little boy ill? Excuse me, I
must go to him.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She hurries out at back.</i> <span class="smcap">Ruth</span> <i>speaks to the
musicians, who stop playing.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>Moved.</i>] My boy ill—why, I can't—I
can't—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. "Can't" what?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. How can I go away?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Surely you won't let business take
you away from your boy who may be dying.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. No! I won't go! I'll face it out!
I can't leave my boy like this—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. [<i>Coming to</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling.</span>] I'm going to
take these women away; tell Blanche not to give
them a thought. Their evening up to now has
been charming.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>During</i> <span class="smcap">Ruth's</span> <i>speech</i>, <span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>has spoken
aside with</i> <span class="smcap">Mason.</span></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Aside to</i> <span class="smcap">Mason.</span>] Don't let Miss
Hunter go.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. [<i>To the other guests.</i>] Come to the
drawing-room.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>. I was crazy to see what was in
my stocking.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>All pass out talking, expressing conventional
sympathy on account of</i> <span class="smcap">Richard</span>, <i>but evidently
resenting the breaking up of the party.</i>
<span class="smcap">Sterling</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>are left alone in the
room.</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span> <i>moves to go up to back;</i>
<span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>interrupts him.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling.</span>] Where are you
going?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. To my boy and my wife.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Wait a minute; I want to speak to
you.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Speak to me later; I can't wait now.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Off stage, at back, excitedly.</i>]
Jordan! [<i>She enters, excited, half hysterical.</i>]
Jordan! Where is Jordan? It was a lie! What
did he mean? Richard is sleeping sweetly. The
maid knows nothing of being alarmed! Where
is Jordan?</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She starts to go toward the door Right.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Stops her.</i>] Mrs. Sterling, he had
nothing to do with it! <i>I</i> told Jordan to say what
he said.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>turns and looks at</i> <span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>in astonishment.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>Stunned and at once suspicious.</i>]
What?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. But—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Forgive me for so cruelly alarming
you; it was the only way I could think of for getting
rid at once of your guests!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>Angry.</i>] You'll interfere once too
often in the affairs of this house.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Indignant.</i>] But what excuse can
you make, Mr. Warden?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Will you be so good as to ask Miss
Hunter and Mr. Mason to come here? They
will explain what I have done, partly, and your
husband will tell you the rest when you come
back.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Sterling</span> <i>sneers aloud.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. I don't understand, I don't understand.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She goes out at back.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Well, I <i>do</i> understand, at least
enough.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Good! That spares me a very disagreeable
speech.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. No, it doesn't! Come out with it!
What is it you want? What is it you've found out?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. From betraying a trust, you've come,
in less than two years, to an outright embezzlement.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Speak out—give us facts!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. You've stolen your aunt's fortune.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. <i>Prove that!</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. It's <i>her money</i> that's lost in the Hudson
Electric Company!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling. Prove it!</span></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Easy enough, to-morrow.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. You've got to excuse your action
<i>to-night</i> or <i>be kicked</i> out of my house!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Strong.</i>] Isn't what I say the
truth?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>Equally strong.</i>] No! And now
get out!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Looks at his watch.</i>] I'll not leave
this house till it's too late for you to take that
eleven-twenty.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>More ugly.</i>] Yes, you will and
mighty—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. <i>No, I'll not!</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He is interrupted by the entrance of</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche,
Ruth</span>, <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Mason.</span></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche.</span>] I <i>hope</i> you forgive
me now—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Pathetically.</i>] You did right; I
thank you.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>Heartbroken.</i>] Blanche—without
hearing a word from me!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. No, I've come now to hear what
<i>you</i> have to say.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>A deep-toned clock strikes eleven.</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span>, <i>at
the second stroke, takes out his watch with
a hurried movement.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Quickly.</i>] Eleven o'clock.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. I wish Warden to leave the room.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Firmly.</i>] And I wish him to stay.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>A short pause.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Well, of what am I accused?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Nobody wants to accuse you. We
want you to make a clean breast of it.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Don't you talk to me; let my wife
do the talking if you want me to answer.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Sit down, Aunt Ruth. [<span class="smcap">Ruth</span> <i>sits by
the table</i>, <span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>stands at back.</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span> <i>stands
at Right and</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Mason</span> <i>sit near the
centre.</i>] Aunt Ruth asks you to give her a true
account of her trust in you. Mr. Mason is here
as her friend and my father's.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. I haven't said I betrayed her trust.
I told her she should <i>have</i> the bonds she wants
to-morrow.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. But <i>will</i> she? That's what I want
to know. I ask you if you haven't her bonds,
to tell us here now,—tell <i>us</i>, who have been and
must be still the best friends, perhaps the only
friends, you can have. Tell us where we all
stand—are we the only ones to suffer or are there
others who will perhaps be less generous in their
treatment of you? Tell us now while there is
time perhaps to save us from public scandal, from
the disgrace which would stamp your wife as the
wife of a thief, and send your boy out into the world
the son of a convict cheat. [<i>She breaks down, but
in a moment controls herself. There is no answer.</i>
<span class="smcap">Sterling</span> <i>sinks into a chair, his arms on the table,
his head on his arms. A moment's silence.</i>] You
<i>love</i> me—I know that. I appeal to your love;
let your love of me persuade you to do what I ask.
I ask it for your sake and for <i>mine</i>! Tell us here
the truth now—it will spare me much to-morrow,
perhaps—me whom you love—for love of me—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>In an agony.</i>] I'm afraid I'll lose
you—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. No, I'll promise to stand by you if
you'll only tell <i>us all</i> the truth.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>In a low, shamed voice.</i>] I'll
tell <i>you</i>, but not <i>now</i>—not before all these
others.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>looks up questioningly to</i> <span class="smcap">Mason.</span>
<span class="smcap">Mason</span> <i>shakes his head.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. It <i>must</i> be <i>now</i>, Dick.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. No! no! I can't look you in the
face and tell it! Let me tell it to you <i>alone</i>, later,
in the dark.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>looks up questioningly to</i> <span class="smcap">Mason</span>. <i>He
shakes his head.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. It must be now.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. No, no, I'm too ashamed, I can't
face you; in the dark I'll make a clean breast of
it—let me tell you in the dark.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>moves and puts his hand on the electric-light
button beside the doorway at back.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. In the DARK, then, <i>tell it</i>!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He presses the button and all the lights go out.
The stage is in complete darkness; only the
voices are heard from the different places in
which the actors are last seen.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Quickly.</i>] Remember, to help you
to help ourselves, we must know everything. Go
on.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. It began fourteen months ago,
after Ned Warden put me on my feet; I got a
little ahead—why not get way ahead? There were
plenty of men around me making their fortunes!
I wanted to equal them—climb as high as they;
it seemed easy enough for them, and luck had
begun to come my way. We're all climbers of
some sort in this world. I was a climber after
wealth and everything it brings—</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He stops a moment.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Her voice comes throbbing with
pathetic emotion through the darkness.</i>] And <i>I</i>
after <i>happiness</i> and all it brings.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>Deeply moved, his voice trembles for
a moment, but only for a moment.</i>] Don't, Blanche,
or I can't finish. Well, I borrowed on some of
Aunt Ruth's bonds and speculated—I made a
hundred thousand in a week! I put back the
bonds. But it had been so easy! I could see
those bonds grinning at me through the iron side
of the vault box. They seemed to smile and beckon,
to <i>beg</i> me to take them out into the air again!
They grew to be like living things to me, servants
of mine to get me gold—and finally I determined
to make one bigger coup than ever! I took
Aunt Ruth's bonds out and all the money available
in my trust, and put it <i>all</i> into this new company!
It seemed so safe. I stood to be a prince among
the richest! And, for a day or so, I've known
nothing short of a miracle could save me from
being wanted by the police! To-night I gave up
even the miracle. That's all. It's no use saying
I'm sorry.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>A moment's pause.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. Have others suffered besides Miss
Hunter?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. There is some money of Aunt
Ruth's left—stock I couldn't transfer. But I
used the money of others—Miss Godesby and
Ryder's.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. Miss Ruth, a large part of your fortune
is gone, used unlawfully by this man. Will
you resort to the law?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. [<i>Very quietly.</i>] No!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>In a voice broken with emotion and
gratitude.</i>] Aunt Ruth!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. We can't hope Miss Godesby and
Ryder will be as lenient! You must go to them
in the morning—tell them everything, put yourself
at their mercy, ask for time and their
silence.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. <i>Never!</i> I couldn't do it.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. It is the only honorable way out of your
dishonorable action—the least you can do!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Confess to their faces, and probably
to no good? Eat the dust at their feet, and most
likely be clapped into prison for it? <i>No, thank you!</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Suppose <i>I</i> went to them?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. You?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. No! Why should <i>you</i>!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Yes! Why not? They might keep
silent for <i>her</i>!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. I would do it for my boy's sake.
Yes, <i>I'll</i> go.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. <i>Yes!</i> <i>You</i> go, Blanche.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. No, you <i>shan't</i> go—you shan't humiliate
yourself in his place!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. Certainly not; and if your husband is
willing, we are not willing! <i>He</i> must go.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. But if he <i>won't</i>?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. He <i>must</i>!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. You must demand his going, Blanche,
and I demand it, too, as something due to me.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Very well. I demand it. Will you
go?</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>A moment's silence.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Why don't you speak? [<i>He presses
the electric button and all the lights come on.</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span>
<i>is at the doorway at back, about to steal out.
There is an exclamation aloud from all of surprise
and disgust. The clock strikes the quarter;</i>
<span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>catches hold of</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling's</span> <i>arm.</i>]
What's your hurry, Dick? There goes the quarter
hour; you could never catch the eleven-twenty.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Damn you!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Facing</i> <span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>squarely, as</i></p>
<p class="center">THE CURTAIN FALLS QUICKLY</p>
<hr style="width: 65%;" />
<h2>ACT III</h2>
<p class="direction"><i>At "The Hermitage," on the Bronx River, the
next afternoon. The house is on the Left, and
on the Right and at the back are the green lattice
arches. Snow lies thick everywhere, on the
benches at the Right and on the little iron
table beside it, on the swing between two trees at
the Right, in the red boxes of dead shrubs, on
the rocks and dried grass of a "rookery" in the
centre, and on the branches of the trees.</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span>
<i>comes out from the house, followed by</i> <span class="smcap">Trotter</span>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. Come on and let mama rest awhile—naturally
she's excited and tired out, being married
so suddenly and away from home. [<i>She stops
beside the swing, taking hold of its side rope with
her hand.</i>] It isn't every mother who can elope
without her oldest child's consent and have her
youngest daughter for a bridesmaid.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Laughing.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. I hope Mrs. Sterling will forgive
me. Perhaps she will when she sees how my
money can help your mother and me to get right
in with all the smarties!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. Oh, don't you be too sure about your
getting in; it isn't as easy as the papers say! But,
anyway, that wouldn't make any difference to
Blanche. She was never a climber like mama
and me. I suppose that's why she is asked to
all sorts of houses through Aunt Ruth that wouldn't
let mama and me even leave our cards on the
butler!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. I thought your mother could go
anywhere she liked.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. Oh, no, she couldn't! if she made you
think that, it was only a jolly! Blanche is the
only one of us who really went everywhere. Come
along, "<i>Poppa</i>," give me a swing! I haven't had
one for years!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She sweeps off the snow from the seat of the
swing with her hand.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. Your mother certainly did represent—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. [<i>Sitting in the swing.</i>] Oh, well, now
don't blame mama! She couldn't help herself;
she always thought you <i>dreadfully handsome</i>!
Swing me!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. I don't care, anyway. I'm deucedly
proud of your mother,—I mean of <i>my wife</i>,—and
I'd just as lief throw up the whole society business
and go off and live happily by ourselves.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. O dear! I think mama would find
that awfully dull. Go on, swing me! [<span class="smcap">Trotter</span>
<i>swings her.</i>] Of course, you'll find mama a little
different when you see her all the time. You
really won't see much more of her, though, than you
do now. She doesn't get up till noon, and has her
masseuse for an hour every morning, her manicure
and her mental science visitor every other day,
and her face steamed three times a week! She
has to lie down a lot, too, but you mustn't mind
that; you must remember she isn't our age!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. [<i>Swings her.</i>] She <i>suits</i> me!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. That's just what <i>I feel</i>! You'll take
care of her, and me, too, all our lives, and that's
what makes me so happy. I'm full of plans!
We'll go abroad soon and stay two years. [<i>He has
stopped swinging her.</i>] Go on, swing me!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. [<i>Holding the swing still.</i>] Say! if
you think you are going to run me and the whole
family, you're a Dodo bird! Remember that
you're my daughter; you must wait a little if
you want to be a mother-in-law.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Sleigh-bells are heard in the distance, coming
nearer.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. Good gracious! If you ask <i>me</i>, I
think mama has got her hands full. What's
become of Miss Godesby and her brother?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. When you went upstairs with your
mother, they went down the road.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. You know originally the idea was <i>I</i>
was to marry you.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. Really—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. [<i>Laughingly.</i>] Yes, and mama cut me
out.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. Oh, well, it can't be helped; we
can't marry everybody.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. [<i>Noticing the bells.</i>] <i>Somebody else
arriving!</i> That's queer—nobody comes here
in the winter; that's why we chose it, because it
would be quiet! Let's play this game.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Going to an iron frog on a box which stands
near the house.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. Perhaps it's Mrs. Sterling.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. No; if she was coming at all, she'd have
come in time for the wedding. [<i>She takes up the
disks which lie beside the frog.</i>] I should hate to
get married like you and mama—no splurge and
no presents! Why, the presents'd be half the fun!
And think of all those you and she've given in
your life, and have lost now a good chance of
getting back.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Throws a disk into the frog's open mouth.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. <i>I'll</i> give your mother all the presents
she wants. I can afford it; I don't want anybody
to give us anything!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. You talk like Jess! [<i>Throws another
disk.</i>] You know Jess earns her own living. She
goes around to smart women's houses answering
their invitations and letters for 'em. She calls it
being a visiting secretary, but I tell her she's a
<i>co-respon-dent</i>!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Throws a disk.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Mason</span> <i>enter from behind the
house quickly, with a manner of suppressed
excitement. They are surprised to find</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span>
<i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Trotter.</span></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Why, here they are!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. No, only Miss Clara and Trotter.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Lucky I met you—you must take
me back in your sleigh.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. Yes, the riding's beastly.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. Hello! I say, were you invited?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. Merry Christmas!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. We came to see the Godesbys.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. They've gone down the road.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. Sterling isn't here, is he?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. No, haven't seen him.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. Do you know <i>why</i> we're here?</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Mason</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>are embarrassed.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. Yes—er—er—a—many happy returns,
Mr. Trotter.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. It's a great day for me, Mr. Mason!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Wish you joy, Trotter!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Embarrassed and not going near him.</i> <span class="smcap">Trotter</span>
<i>rushes eagerly to him and grasps his hand
warmly.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. Thank you, old man! I say! <i>Thank
you!</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. Miss Clara, would you do me the
great favor of going down the road and hurrying
the Godesbys back if you see them?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. Yes, I don't mind; come along, Trotty!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. You must excuse Trotter. I want
a talk with him if he will give me five minutes.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. Oh, certainly.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She goes out Left behind the house.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Mason.</span>] Will you see Mrs.
Hunter?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. I beg your pardon, Mrs. <i>Trotter</i>!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Politely.</i>] I beg yours. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Mason</span>.]
See Mrs. Trotter.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. [<i>Aside to</i> <span class="smcap">Warden.</span>] You're going to
ask <i>him</i> to go on Dick's note for Ryder?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>In a low voice.</i>] Yes.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. You're a wonder! As if <i>he</i> would!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. <i>Somebody must</i>, and there's nobody
else. That boy and that mother have got to be
saved!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. I'm sorry my name's no good for us.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. And mine mustn't be used.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. No, indeed! The minute that was
done, there'd be a new complication, and more
trouble would tumble down on Mrs. Sterling's
head. Good luck.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Shakes his hand and enters the house.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. What's up? <i>You</i> haven't come to
kick about my wedding, have you? I wouldn't
stand for that, you know!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. It's not that, Mr. Trotter. Your
wife's son-in-law, Sterling, has turned out a
blackguard; he has had intrusted to him Miss
Ruth Hunter's money and several other people's,
and he's used it all for speculation of his own.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. Then he's a damned thief!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He sits on the bench with the manner that he
has settled the subject.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. So he is, and he's ruined.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. Well, prison is the place for <i>him</i>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. We won't argue that, but how about
his family—they get punished for what he has
done; they must share his disgrace.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. Oh, well, my wife is out of all that
now—<i>she's Mrs. Trotter</i>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Yes, but <i>her own daughter</i> suffers.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. [<i>On the defensive.</i>] She isn't very
chummy with her classy eldest daughter.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Never mind that; you know without
my telling you that Mrs. Sterling is a fine woman.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. She's always snubbed me right and
left, but, by George, I must own she is a fine
woman.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. That's right! [<i>Clapping him on the
back and putting his arm around his shoulder.</i>]
Look here—help us save her!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. How?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Indorse a note of Sterling's to give
Ryder to keep him quiet.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. I'd have to ask my wife.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. No! Don't start off like that!
Keep the reins in your own hands at the very beginning,—make
her realize from this very day
that you're raised up on the cushion beside her;
that she's sitting lower down admiring the scenery,
while you do the driving through life!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. [<i>Half laughing.</i>] Ha! I guess
you're right. Box seat and reins are good enough
for me!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Good boy! Then we can count on
you to sign this note?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. Where's <i>my</i> security?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. I can get you security if you want it.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. Of course I want it! And I say,
where are <i>you</i>? Why aren't <i>you</i> in it?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. There are reasons why my name
had better not appear; you are in the family.
But I'll tell you what I'll do, Trotter; I'll secure
<i>you</i> with a note of my own—only you must keep
it dark; you mustn't even let Mason know.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. All right, perhaps I'm a Dodo bird,
but I'll do it. Say, I seem to have married a
good many of this classy family!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Trotter, no one's done you justice!
And, by George! you deserve a better fate—er—I
mean—my best wishes on your wedding day.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Trotter</span> <i>shakes his hand delightedly.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. Great day for me! What I wanted
was style and position, and some one classy who
would know how to spend my money for me!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Well, you've got <i>that, surely</i>!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Clara</span> <i>comes back from the house.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. The Godesbys are coming. Trotter,
there's skating on the river near here, and they've
skates in the house—don't you want a spin?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Trotter</span>. Yes, I don't mind—if my wife
doesn't need me! [<span class="smcap">Clara</span> <i>laughs as</i> <span class="smcap">Godesby</span> <i>and</i>
<span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span> <i>enter from behind the house.</i>
<span class="smcap">Trotter</span> <i>meets them, with</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span> <i>on his arm.</i>]
Excuse us for a little while!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara</span>. <i>Poppa</i> and I're going skating!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>They go out Left.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Godesby</span>. Hello, Warden.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Good morning, Miss Godesby.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Good morning.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. How are you, Godesby? I've come
on a matter most serious, most urgent—something
very painful.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Godesby</span>. What is it?</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Comes forward.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Both of you trusted Dick Sterling.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. What's he done?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Misused your funds.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Godesby</span>. How d'you mean?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. I mean that the money you intrusted
to him is gone, and I've come to make a proposition
to you.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Gone?</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Godesby</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span> <i>are aghast. A
second's silence, during which</i> <span class="smcap">Godesby</span> <i>and</i>
<span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span> <i>look at each other, then back
at</i> <span class="smcap">Warden.</span></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Godesby</span>. Do you mean to say—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. The money is <i>gone</i>, every penny of
it, and I want you to accept a note from Sterling
to cover the amount.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. I can't <i>grasp</i> it!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Godesby</span>. Where is Sterling? Why didn't
<i>he</i> come?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. He was ashamed.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Godesby</span>. I should hope so!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Several of us are going to stick by
him; we'll manage to put him on his feet again,
and we want you to accept his note.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Godesby</span>. [<i>Incredulous.</i>] Accept his note?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. [<i>Also incredulous.</i>] On <i>what
security</i>?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Godesby</span>. [<i>Quickly.</i>] You'll do nothing of the
sort, Julia!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. I'll see him where he belongs,
in State's Prison, first!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. That wouldn't bring you back your
money.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Neither will his note!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. If I get it indorsed?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Godesby</span>. Likely!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Rather!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. I want your silence to keep it from
the public for the family's sake. I've secured a
satisfactory indorser for a note to satisfy Ryder's
claim.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Why didn't you give him to <i>me</i>
instead of Ryder?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. I felt you would be willing, out of
friendship—</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>There are sleigh-bells in the distance, coming
nearer.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Huh! you must take me for
an idiot!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Out of friendship for his wife.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Blanche Sterling! I never
could bear her! She's always treated me like
the dirt under her feet!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. You dined with her last night.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. That was to please her mother.
No, if my money's gone, Sterling's got to suffer,
and the one slight consolation I shall have will be
that Blanche Sterling will have to come off her
high horse.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>The sleigh-bells stop.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Godesby</span>. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Miss Godesby.</span>] Ten to one
if you agree to sign this note—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. And keep silent.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. [<i>Satirically.</i>] Oh, yes, of course,
the next morning when I wake up Sterling will be
gone! Nobody knows where!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. I've had it out with Sterling! I am
here as his representative. I give you my word
of honor Sterling will not run away. It is under
such an understanding with him that I am pleading
his case in his stead. He will stay here and
work till he has paid you back, every cent.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Jessica</span> <i>enters hurriedly from the house.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jessica</span>. [<i>In great excitement.</i>] Mr. Warden,
Mr. Warden, Dick has gone!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. <i>Sterling? Gone?</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. <i>Gone?</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Godesby</span>. That's <i>good</i>!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Don't be a fool, Godesby. How do
you mean "gone," Miss Hunter?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jessica</span>. I don't altogether know. While I
was out this morning, Blanche received a message
from mother saying she'd been—</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She hesitates, looking toward</i> <span class="smcap">Godesby</span> <i>and</i>
<span class="smcap">Miss Godesby.</span></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. They know. They're your mother's
guests here.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jessica</span>. She told Blanche they would be
glad to have her here at one o'clock for
breakfast. Blanche ordered the sleigh at once
and went away, leaving word for me I was
to open any message which might come for
her.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Godesby.</span>] Has she been here?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Godesby</span>. Not that I know of.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. [<i>Eager to hear more.</i>] No, no!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jessica</span>. No, they say not. She probably
went first to Aunt Ruth's. Before I got back,
Dick, who'd been out—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. He was at my house.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jessica</span>. Yes. He came back, questioned Jordan
as to where Blanche was, went upstairs, and
then went away again, leaving a note for Blanche,
which I found when I came home—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Eagerly.</i>] Yes?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jessica</span>. It simply said, "Good-by. Dick."</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. [<i>Very angry.</i>] Oh!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Godesby</span>. [<i>Quickly.</i>] He's taken a train! He's
cleared out!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Do you know if he took a bag or
anything with him?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jessica</span>. No, he took nothing of that sort.
Jordan went into his room and found a drawer
open and empty, a drawer in which Dick kept—a
<i>pistol</i>!—</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She drops her voice almost to a whisper.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Good God, he's shot himself!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jessica</span>. Perhaps not—he left the house.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Yes, if he were really determined
to shoot himself, why wouldn't he have done it
there in his own room?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jessica</span>. What can we do? What can we do?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. I'll get Mr. Mason; he's with your
mother; he must go back to town at once.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Going to the house.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jessica</span>. He can go with me; I'd better be at
the house. Some one must be there.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Good!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He goes into the house.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span> <i>and her brother ignore and
apparently forget the presence of</i> <span class="smcap">Jessica</span> <i>in
their excitement. They both speak and move
excitedly.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. I ought to have suspected
something when Sterling told me he was getting
ten per cent for my money,—the blackguard!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Godesby</span>. I always told you you were a fool
not to take care of your money yourself! You
know more about business than most men.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. I didn't want to be bothered;
besides, there was always something very attractive
about Sterling. I don't mind telling you that if
he had fallen in love with me instead of the stiff-necked
woman he married, I'd have tumbled over
myself to get him.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Godesby</span>. How do you feel about him now?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Now! Thank God, I'm saved
such a waking up! It's going to make a big
difference with my income, Howard! I wonder if
his wife knew he was crooked! I'll bet you she's
got a pot of money stowed away all right in her
own name.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jessica</span>. [<i>Who can bear no more, interrupts.</i>]</p>
<p>Please—please! Remember that you're speaking
of my sister and that every word you are
saying cuts through me like a knife.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. I beg your pardon; I ought to
have thought. I like and respect you, Jess, and
I've been very rude.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Jessica</span>. You've been more than that; you've
been cruelly unjust to Blanche in all that you've
said!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Perhaps I have, but I don't
feel in a very generous mood; I've some excuse—so
please forgive me.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>reënters Left.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Jessica.</span>] Mason is waiting for
you with the sleigh. He's going first to my house.
Dick may have gone back there to hear the result
of my interview with Ryder,—then Mason'll
try his own house and Sterling's club.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Godesby</span>. The <i>police</i> are the best men to find
Sterling, whatever's happened.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Godesby.</span>] You wait a minute
with me; I haven't finished with you yet. [<i>To</i>
<span class="smcap">Jessica.</span>] I'll stay here for your sister, in case she
comes.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Jessica</span> <i>goes out Left.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Godesby</span>. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Miss Godesby.</span>] Don't you
give in!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Not for a minute! [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Warden.</span>]
Don't you think, under the circumstances,
the wedding breakfast had better be called off,
and my brother and I go back to town?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Not till you've given me your promise,
both of you, that you will keep silent about the
embezzlement of your bonds for the sake of
Mrs. Sterling and her son.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. [<i>Half laughs.</i>] Huh!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. For the sake of her mother, who is
your friend.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Sleigh-bells start up loud and die off quickly;</i>
<span class="smcap">Jessica</span> <i>has gone.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Oh, come, you know what sort
of friends we are,—for the amusement we can get
out of each other. This is the case,—I trusted
this man with my affairs. He was very attractive—I
don't deny that; business with Dick Sterling
became more or less of a pleasure—but that
doesn't cut any ice with me; he's stolen my
money. To put it plainly, he's a common thief,
and he ought to be punished; why should he go
scot free and a lot of others not? You know
perfectly well his note wouldn't be worth the paper
it was written on; and, anyway, if he hasn't gone
and sneaked out of the world, I won't lift my little
finger to keep him from the punishment he deserves!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Godesby</span>. Good for you, Julia!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Don't you put your oar in, Godesby;
just let this matter rest between your sister and
me! She's always been known as the best man
in your family.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Godesby</span>. You don't choose a very conciliatory
way of bringing us around!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. I'm not choosing any way at all; I'm
striking right out from the shoulder. There
isn't time for beating round the bush! I'm
pleading for the good name and honorable position
of a perfectly innocent, a fine, woman, and for
the reputation and unimpeded career of her son!
And I make that appeal as man to man and
woman!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. I have nothing to do with
any one in this matter but Sterling himself, who
has robbed me, and I'll gladly see him suffer for it!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Now look here, Miss Godesby, you
belong to a pretty tough crowd in society, but I
know at heart you're not a bad sort! What good
will it do you? Granted even that you don't care
for Mrs. Sterling, still don't tell me you're the kind
of woman to take a cruel pleasure in seeing another
woman suffer! I wouldn't believe it! You're
not one of those catty creatures! You're a clever
woman, and I don't doubt you can be a pretty
hard one, too, at times; but you're <i>just</i>—that's
the point now—you're <i><span class="smcap">just</span></i>—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. [<i>Interrupting.</i>] Exactly! I'm
just, an eye for an eye! Sterling is a thief, let
him get the deserts of one!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She sits on the bench determinedly.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. But you can't look at only one
side! You can't shut your eyes to his wife's
suffering, too, and she doesn't deserve it! Neither
does her boy deserve to share his disgrace. [<i>He
sits beside her.</i>] Why, you have it in your power
to handicap that boy through his whole life by
publishing his father a criminal; or you can give
that boy a fair show to prove himself more his
<i>mother's son</i> than his father's, and to live an
honest—who knows—perhaps a noble life!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. I refuse to accept such a responsibility.
Ryder—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Rises, interrupting her.</i>] Ryder's word
is given to be silent.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Well, that's <i>his</i> lookout.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. You'll have many a heart wrench,
I'll bet you! You'll have to run across the results
of the harm you do to Mrs. Sterling and Richard
day in and day out, year after year! I don't
believe you realize what it means! Why, I know
<i>you</i> can't bear to see a <i>dog</i> suffer! I met you last
week on the street carrying a mangy, crippled brute
of a little dog in your arms, afraid lest he'd get
into the hands of the vivisectionists, and yet here
you'll let a boy and his mother—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. [<i>Interrupts him, struggling
against a tiny emotion which he has stirred.</i>] Stop
Stop! I don't want you working on my feelings
that way.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She rises and turns from him</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Follows her.</i>] I'm only knocking
at the door of your heart. And now because it's
opened just a tiny way, you want to shut it in my
face again. Will you leave this woman's name
fit for her to use? <i>Won't</i> you make that boy's
life worth living to him?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. [<i>After a moment's pause, looks
straight into</i> <span class="smcap">Warden's</span><i> face.</i>] I'll tell you what
I'll do. Get me some security, some sort of
indorsement of Sterling's note—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. If the man's only alive!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. And I'll hold my tongue.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. How long will you give me?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Oh, come, I can't have any
monkey business! You must get me my security
to-day.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. To-day?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Yes.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. But—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. That's my last word.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Godesby</span>. Stick to that, Julia!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. I shan't try to persuade her against
that. Will you leave your sister alone with me a
moment. Perhaps you'll see about your sleigh
being ready to return to town.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Godesby</span>. I've no objection—if Julia wishes it.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Yes, go on, Howard!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Godesby</span> <i>goes out back of house.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Left alone with</i> <span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>, <i>goes
nearer to her.</i>] Look, here! Will you accept <i>my</i>
indorsement? Will <i>I</i> be all right?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. [<i>Incredulously.</i>] Certainly.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Then it's settled?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. You don't mean it!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. I do.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. You'd be willing to lose—[<i>A
revelation comes to her.</i>] Oh—for <i>Mrs.
Sterling</i>! I see!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Very seriously.</i>] I <i>wouldn't</i>. I
wouldn't see.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. And she's always been blackguarding
me for my affairs with men! And all
the time—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Interrupts strongly.</i>] Don't say any
more, please, <i>Miss Godesby</i>! I only wish
your brother had said that much instead of
you.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. [<i>Disagreeably.</i>] So you're in
love with Blanche Sterling?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. No!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Oh, come, don't tell a lie about
it; that will only make it seem worse.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Well, suppose I were in love with her—what
of it?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Nothing; only, my dear Warden,
that woman—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Interrupts.</i>] Wait a minute! You've
got me in a corner, but knowing half the truth,
you mustn't <i>guess</i> the whole. She is even more ignorant
of my love for her than you were ten minutes
ago! [<span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span> <i>smiles and makes a little
satirical exclamation.</i>] You don't believe that,
but I'll <i>make</i> you. I'm going to tell <i>you</i> something
I've never even told myself. I'm going
to put you to a big test, because I've got to.
Apparently, I can't help myself; but after all,
somehow I believe in the human nature in you,
and you've got it in your power to help or hurt
the woman I love—I say those words aloud for
the first time—the woman I love!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He has finished his speech in a lowered tone
throbbing with controlled feeling.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby.</span> [<i>Incredulously.</i>] You've never
told her?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden.</span> Never; and you show how little you
really know her when you ask that question! She
loves her husband.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby.</span> I'm not so sure about that!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden.</span> I am, and I <i>love her</i>. But surely the
silent love of a man, like mine, is no insult to a
good woman—cannot harm her! A love that
is never spoken, not even whispered, can't hurt
any one, except, perhaps, the one who loves. You
must acknowledge even <i>you</i> have never heard
a hint; you <i>showed</i> just now your real surprise at
what circumstances revealed to you! I'd die
sooner than bring the slightest shadow of a scandal
on her, and I've hugged my secret tight. Have
you any idea what such a love means? How it
grows and grows, its strength shut in, held back,
doubling and redoubling its powers!—its ideality
increasing, the passion <i>suppressed</i>, locked up!
Good God! I tremble sometimes when I think—suppose
some day it should burst out, <i>break</i> my
control, <span class="smcap">master me</span>! [<i>A pause.</i>] And here, now,
I've told <i>you</i>; I'm sorry, but I had to for <i>her</i> sake
again. Will you help me keep my secret?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby.</span> [<i>After a second's pause.</i>] Yes,
because I believe you.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden.</span> And Mrs. Sterling?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby.</span> [<i>Slowly, with sincere meaning.</i>]
I envy her!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Her voice breaks and she turns away from him.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden.</span> No one is to know I indorse Sterling's
note?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby.</span> You needn't sign the note;
my brother'd have to see it. I'll take your word
for the indorsement.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She offers him her hand. They shake hands.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. What a brick you are! You know
you don't do yourself anything like justice in the
world!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Godesby</span> <i>reënters Left and after him a</i> <span class="smcap">Man
Servant</span> <i>in ordinary clothes, who passes
through the archway at back Centre.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Godesby</span>. Ready!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Aside to her.</i>] You can promise his
silence about Sterling?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Oh, yes, he's absolutely dependent
upon me.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Thank you.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Ned</span> <i>with a forced gaiety.</i>]
Good-by!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Again shaking her hand</i>] Good-by.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He looks his thanks at her.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Godesby</span>. Well? What did you do?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. [<i>As they go.</i>] Don't worry;
I've taken care of myself for many years, and I
still feel up to it!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>They go out Left and at the same time the</i> <span class="smcap">Servant</span>
<i>enters from the archway at back Centre
carrying some fire logs in his arms. This</i> <span class="smcap">Servant</span>
<i>speaks with a slight French accent. As
he reaches the house,</i> <span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>stops him with
a question, and the</i> <span class="smcap">Godesbys'</span> <i>sleigh-bells start
up and quickly die away. The sun begins to set.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span> Have you an empty sitting room?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Servant</span>. Yes, sair.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span> Warm?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Servant</span>. I will soon arrange a fire.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span> I wish you would, please.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Servant</span>. Ze big room for ze breakfast is
altogether ready and warm; you will be able to go
in there now.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. No, that wouldn't do. It's all right
out here for <i>me</i>, only I am expecting a
lady.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Sleigh-bells are heard in the distance, coming
quickly nearer.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Servant</span>. Yes, sair.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. I hear a sleigh coming. If a lady is
in it, ask if her name is Mrs. Sterling, and if she
says yes, tell her Mr. Warden is here and would
like to speak with her a moment before she goes in
to Mrs.—</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He hesitates a second.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Servant</span>. Trottair?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Yes.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Servant</span>. Yes, sair.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He goes into the house.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<i>The sun grows red, and the colors of sunset
creep over the sky during the scene which
follows. After a moment the</i> <span class="smcap">Servant</span> <i>shows</i>
<span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>out from the house.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Surprised and depressed.</i>] Good
morning, Mr. Warden, have you been asked to
these funeral baked meats?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. No, I'll explain why I am here in a
few minutes. Only let me ask you first when you
last saw your husband?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Early this morning.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. And you have come just now from
where?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Aunt Ruth's. Of course you know
about my mother? When I heard it I started to
come here, but my heart failed me and I turned
back to my aunt's. She has persuaded me that I
ought to come and put the best face on the matter
possible, but it seems as if I'd had now a little
more than I <i>can</i> bear!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Her voice breaks and her eyes fill with tears.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Almost tenderly.</i>] Shall we go inside?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. No, no! Let us stay out in the air;
my head would burst in one of these close little
rooms. Have you seen mother?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. No, not yet.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Where is Dick? Did he go to
Ryder's?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. No, but I have some good news to
tell you all the same—Ryder has promised silence.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>With tremendous relief.</i>] Oh! that's
too good, too good to be true! To whom did he
promise?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. I want you not to ask me that.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. I can guess, it was—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Lying.</i>] No, it was—<i>Mason</i>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Doubting him.</i>] Mr. Mason?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. And I've more good news for you,
Mrs. Sterling—the <i>Godesbys</i>, too; <i>they</i> will be
silent.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. You're sure?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. We have their word!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Pointedly.</i>] Mr. Mason again?—</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>bows his head in assent.</i>] He was <i>here</i>?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Some time ago, but only for a minute.
He didn't stay; he went to find your husband.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. But the <i>Godesbys</i>? I just met
them now on the road going back. How could
Mr. Mason, if he didn't stay—[<span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>is
embarrassed, and is silent, searching a way out of
it.</i>] Oh, no! no! it wasn't Mr. Mason! I see the
whole thing clearly. Dick was too great a coward,
and <i>you</i> did it! It was <i>you</i> who won over Ryder!
It was <i>you</i> who persuaded the Godesbys!—</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>shakes his head and makes a movement
to deny it.</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>continues speaking, the
words rushing to her lips, as her pent-up heart
opens and lets all her emotions suddenly free.</i>]
Don't try to deny it; you can't make me believe
you! It's to <i>you</i> I owe whatever promise the
future has for me! It is <i>you</i> who have given me
all the happiness I've had for years. It is <i>you</i>
who have watched over, taken care of, me—<i>you</i>,
the best friend any woman in this world ever had.
It is <i>you</i> now who have saved my boy's honor.
It is <i>you</i> who lift the weight off my shoulders, the
weight off my heart! You!—you!—you!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She sinks sobbing on the bench. It begins to
snow very quietly and slowly.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>All his love bursting out into his
face and into his voice, cries.</i>] Blanche! Blanche!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Leaning over her as if to protect her from her
trouble and take her to his breast.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Rising and looking straight into
his eyes with a suddenly revealed great love in her
own.</i>] Ned!—</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>They hold this position some moments, gazing
into each other's eyes; then finally</i> <span class="smcap">Warden</span>
<i>makes a movement towards her, crying out
more triumphantly, having read and realized
her love for him.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Blanche!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Moving a half step back from him.</i>]
No—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. No?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Look—look, it's beginning to snow!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Very softly.</i>] What do you mean?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Desperately.</i>] I mean to speak of
anything except what is in your thoughts at this
moment! Help me not to forget that no matter
what he has done, Dick is still my husband.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. You don't know all he has done!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. How not "all"? What else?
Where is he?</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>With a sudden new alarm.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. He has left you.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Echoes.</i>] Left me?—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Mason is searching for him. He
left a note at your house which Jess read; it was
only one word "Good-by."</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Echoes again.</i>] Good-by! [<i>Sleigh-bells
are heard in the distance, coming quickly
nearer.</i>] What does it mean? You're hiding
something from me! Tell me what else you know?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. He left the house, but took something
with him—something from a drawer in
his room.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>After a second's pause she whispers.</i>]
His pistol?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Yes.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Aghast, still whispers.</i>] Has he
done it?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. I don't know; I'm waiting word
from Mason.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>The sleigh-bells stop.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Excited.</i>] But we can't wait here
doing nothing; we must go, too!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Mason is doing all that can be done;
we'd better wait here.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He takes her hand in sympathy, but without
suggesting the passion of a few moments before.</i>
<span class="smcap">Sterling</span> <i>enters hurriedly Left. He is
wild with drink and jealousy.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Drop my wife's hand!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>They turn in great surprise.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Dick!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Fright at his appearance is mingled with her
surprise.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>At the same time as</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span>.]
Sterling!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>They do not drop hands.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>Coming nearer, very strong.</i>] Drop
my wife's hand! [<i>They do so quickly, not understanding
yet.</i>] So I've <i>caught</i> you!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Angry.</i>] Caught us!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Yes, I had my suspicions roused
some time ago!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Of what?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. <i>I</i> could go to the devil—what did
<i>you two</i> care! I could go to State's Prison! All
the better—<i>out of your way!</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. You're speaking like a madman!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. I went back to my house this
morning; my wife was gone—no message left
where to! But I questioned the servant. She'd
driven here! Why? Ha! [<i>A bitter half laugh;
he turns to</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span>.] <i>You've come here once
too often!</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Very strong.</i>] Sterling!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Warden</span>, <i>but ignoring his
exclamation.</i>] Then I went to <i>your</i> house. <i>They
knew</i> where <i>you'd</i> gone! You ought to train
your servants better! <i>Both here!</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. If you're not careful, I'll ram your
insinuations down your throat.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>Jeers.</i>] "Insinuations?" I've
caught you! I make no "<i>insinuations</i>." I tell
you <i>both you're caught!</i> You're my wife's
lover, and she's your damned mis—</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Interrupted.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Seizing</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span> <i>by the throat.</i>]
Don't you finish!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Sh!—for Heaven's sake! [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Warden</span>.]
Let him alone; I'm not afraid of what he says.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>leaves</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. No, you never were a liar, I'll give
you credit for that,—so confess the truth—you're
his—</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Interrupted.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Excited beyond her control.</i>] Listen!
And you shall have the truth if you want it! These
years that he's been befriending me I never dreamed
of loving him nor thought of his loving me. [<span class="smcap">Dick</span>
<i>sneers.</i>] <i>Wait!</i> No, not even the day my father
was buried, when I learned outright you were
<i>dishonest!</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>Surprised.</i>] What do you mean?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. What I say—I learned it then from
a paper of my father's. I shouldn't have kept my
knowledge to myself—I see that now; but I did,
for your sake, not for love of you—the love went
for good that day. But here, a moment ago, I realized
for the first time that my old friend <i>did</i> love me,
love me with an ideal devotion the noblest woman
in the world might be proud of! I didn't tell
him then I loved him, but now I take this chance,
I <i>take it</i> <span class="smcap">Gladly</span> before you!—<i>forced by you!</i>
I tell him now, what perhaps he has already
guessed, I love him with all my heart—I <i>love him</i>!
<span class="smcap">I love him</span>!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Damn you both! then it's the <i>end</i>
of <i>me!</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He pulls out a pistol and tries to put it to his
temple.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Cries out.</i>] Ned!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Seizes</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span>, <i>catches his arm,
and wrenches the pistol from him.</i>] So that's what
you planned to do, is it—make a wretched scene
like that?</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>It begins to snow more heavily.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> [<i>In utter collapse and shame.</i>] Why
did you stop me? I'm better out of the world.
I'm crazy with shame. First I disgraced and now
I've insulted—<i>degraded</i>—the only living thing I
care for,—that's my wife.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>A moment's pause.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> [<i>Speaks quietly.</i>] Come back to the
house. Mr. Mason is looking for you; he has
something to tell you.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> I know—more bad news.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> No, good.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> [<i>Echoes.</i>] Good! [<i>Starting to go, he
turns at the porch.</i>] I want <i>you</i> to know that <i>I</i>
know I'm a rotten beast.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He goes out Left.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden.</span> You're going back <i>home</i>?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> "<i>Home!</i>" [<i>With a faint smile.</i>] I
should hardly call it that.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden.</span> [<i>Aside to her.</i>] You're not afraid?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> [<i>Half smiling.</i>] Oh, no! And my
boy's there.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>The thick falling snow almost hides them, but
they are unconscious of it.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden.</span> What's to be done?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> Wait; we'll see—we'll see—let
it be something we could never regret. Good-by,
Ned.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Giving him her hand.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden.</span> Good-by, Blanche.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Kissing her hand very tenderly and almost
with a certain kind of awe, as</i></p>
<p class="center">THE CURTAIN SLOWLY FALLS</p>
<hr style="width: 65%;" />
<h2>ACT IV</h2>
<p class="direction"><i>The following morning; at the</i> <span class="smcap">Sterlings'</span>; <i>the
library; a warm, livable, and lovable room, full
of pictures, photographs, and books; mistletoe
and holly decorate everywhere. In the bow-window
at back there is a large bird-cage with
half a dozen birds in it. The furniture is
comfortable and heavily upholstered. At Left
there is a fireplace with logs ready, but the fire is
not lit. There a big table near the centre, full of
magazines, illustrated papers, and books. A big
arm-chair is beside the table, and other chairs
conversationally close. There is a table near the
door at Right, piled with Christmas gifts, still
wrapped in white paper; they are tied with many
colored ribbons and bunches of holly. There are
doors Right and Left. After the curtain rises on
an empty stage,</i> <span class="smcap">Ruth</span> <i>enters quickly; while she
has her buoyant manner, she is, of course, more
serious than usual. She carries a bunch of fresh
violets in her hand. She looks about the room with
a sort of curiosity. She is waiting for some one
to appear. She takes up a silver-framed photograph
of her brother which stands on a table
and speaks aloud to it.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> I'm glad you're spared this. [<i>With a
long-drawn breath she places the photograph back
upon the table and turns to greet</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span>, <i>who
comes in Right.</i>] Good morning, my dear.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She kisses her.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> Good morning. You've had my
note? [<span class="smcap">Ruth</span> <i>nods.</i>] Thank you. I wanted to
see you before I saw any one else. You must
help me decide, only <i>you</i> can.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> Have you seen your husband this
morning?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> No. He sent word he was feeling
ill, but would like to see me when I was willing.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> And you?</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>They sit near each other.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> I don't want to talk with him till
I see more clearly what I am going to do.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> Mr. Warden told me last night all
that happened at "The Hermitage." But on
your ride home with Dick?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> We never spoke. [<i>She rises.</i>] Aunt
Ruth, I am going to leave him.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> [<i>Rising.</i>] No!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> [<i>Walking up and down.</i>] Why not?
<i>Everybody</i> does.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> [<i>Going to her.</i>] That's just it. <i>Be
somebody!</i> Don't do the easy, weak thing. Be
strong; be an example to other women. Heaven
knows it's time they had one!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span> <i>enters Right.</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>meets
her.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter.</span> Good morning, my poor dear.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Going to kiss</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> [<i>Taking</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter's</span> <i>hand and
not kissing her.</i>] Good morning.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter.</span> Clara's gone upstairs to see
little Richard. Good morning, Ruth.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She adds this with a manner of being
on the defensive.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> [<i>Dryly.</i>] Good morning.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter.</span> [<i>Sitting by the table and looking
at the picture papers.</i>] Isn't it awful! What are
you going to do?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> I don't know yet, mother.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter.</span> <i>Don't know?</i> Absolute divorce—no
legal separation! [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Ruth</span>.] We're staying
at the Waldorf.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>sits discouragedly on the sofa.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> [<i>Sitting beside her.</i>] I shall advise
against, and do everything in my power to prevent,
Blanche's getting a divorce!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter.</span> You don't mean to say you'll
carry those ridiculous notions of yours into practice?—now
that a scandal has come into our very
family?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> Oh, I know selfish, cynical, and worldly
people won't agree with me, and I pity and sympathize
with Blanche from the bottom of my
heart. [<i>Taking and holding</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche's</span> <i>hand.</i>]
But I want her not to decide anything now; wait
till the first blows over, and then—well, then I
feel sure she will do the strong, noble thing—the
difficult thing—not the easy.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> [<i>Withdraws her hand from</i> <span class="smcap">Ruth's</span>.]
<i>No</i>, you ask too much of me, Aunt Ruth; I can't
do it.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> I say don't decide now—wait.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> I don't want to wait. I want to decide
now and to cut my life free, entirely, from Dick's.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> You used to agree with me. I've heard
you decry these snapshot, rapid-transit, tunnel
divorces many a time. I've heard you say when
a woman has made her bed, she must lie in it—make
the best of her bad bargain.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> I always sympathized with a woman
who sought a divorce in this state.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> Oh, yes, but <i>you can't</i>, can you?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> No, but I'm not strong enough to
fight out an unhappy life for the sake of setting an
example to other women—women who <i>don't
want</i> the example set!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> Blanche, I counted on you to be strong,
to be big—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> [<i>With a voice full of emotion.</i>] But
I love Ned Warden. He loves me—life stretches
out long before us. Dick has disgraced us all.
I don't love him—should I give <i>my</i> happiness and
Mr. Warden's happiness for <i>him</i>?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter.</span> Absurd! We all have a right
to happiness if we can get it. I have chosen; let
Blanche follow my example.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> [<i>Disgusted.</i>] <i>Yours?</i> [<i>Rises.</i>] Oh!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> [<i>Following up the advantage.</i>] Yes,
Blanche, do you want to follow your mother's
example?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> No! But the cases are not analogous!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter.</span> Not what? You needn't fling
any innuendoes at Mr. Trotter; it's he who said
it was my duty to stand by you, advise you, and
all that sort of thing. I'm not here to please
myself! Goodness knows, a divorce court isn't
a very pleasant place to spend your honeymoon!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> Thank both you and Mr. Trotter,
mother; but I ask you to allow Aunt Ruth and me
to decide this matter between us.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter.</span> Trotter says <i>divorce</i> was <i>made</i>
for woman!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> And what was made for man, please?
Polygamy?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter.</span> I don't know anything about
politics! But I could count a dozen women in a
breath, all divorced, or trying to be, or <i>ought</i> to be!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> And each one of them getting a cold
shoulder.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> What of it if their hearts are warm—poor
climbers after happiness!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> Believe me, dear, the chill spreads.
You're going to be selfish?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter.</span> She's going to be sensible.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Clara</span> <i>enters Right.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara.</span> Hello, everybody! I just saw Dick
coming out of his room and I cut him dead.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> Clara!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span>.] You've taken a certain
responsibility upon yourself, and you can't shirk it.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> He isn't what I thought him!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> The day the sun shone on you as a
bride, in God's presence, you said you took him
for better for worse—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara.</span> Dear me, is that in it? The marriage
service ought to be expurgated!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span>.] I'm ashamed of you.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara.</span> That's nothing new!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> Aunt Ruth, let us talk some other
time.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter.</span> Oh, if we are in the way, we'll go!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Rises.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara.</span> Yes, come on, let's go to Atlantic City.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter.</span> No, I'd rather go to Lakewood.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara.</span> Oh, pshaw, Lakewood's no fun! I'm
surprised you don't say go to Aiken, North Carolina.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter.</span> Mr. Trotter says we can't
leave town anyway while Blanche is in this
trouble.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> Mother, please discuss your affairs
somewhere else.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> And if I may be permitted to suggest,
you will find Mr. Trotter's advice always pretty
good to follow. That young man has better
qualities than we have suspected. I have some
thing to thank him for; will you be good enough
to ask him to come and see me?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter.</span> He will not go to your house
with my permission. I shall tell him you have
never asked me inside your door.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara.</span> Mother, if you ask <i>me</i>—[<span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span>
<i>interjects</i> "Which I don't," <i>but</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span> <i>continues
without paying any attention to the interruption.</i>]—I
don't think Mr. Trotter is going to cry
himself to sleep for your permission about anything!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter.</span> [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span>.] Good-by, my
dear; if you want me, let me know; I'll be glad
to do anything I can. I'm staying at the Waldorf.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara.</span> It's full of people from Kansas and
Wyoming Territory come to hear the Opera!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> A little western blood wouldn't hurt
our New York life a bit!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara.</span> Ah! Got you there! The west is
the place where the divorces come from!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter.</span> [<i>Laughs.</i>] What's the matter
with Providence? I think Rhode Island tips the
scales pretty even for the east!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> Please go, mother; please leave me
for a little while.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter.</span> Oh, very well, good-by! [<span class="smcap">Leonard</span>
<i>enters Right with a Christmas parcel, which he
places on the table Right.</i>] Dear me, have you had
all these Christmas presents and not opened them?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> It is only little Richard in this house
who is celebrating Christmas to-day.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter.</span> It's a terrible affair; I only
hope the newspapers won't get hold of it. [<i>To</i>
<span class="smcap">Leonard</span>.] If any women come here asking for
<i>me</i> who look like ladies, don't let 'em in! They
ain't my friends; they're reporters.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Leonard</span> <i>bows and goes out.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Clara.</span> I'm awfully sorry, Blanche, I honestly
am; but I think you'll have only yourself to blame
if you don't strike out now and throw Dick over.
Good-by!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Mrs. Hunter</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Clara</span> <i>go out Right.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> I wish <i>they</i> wouldn't advise me to do
what I <i>want</i> to.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> Ah!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> But who do I harm by it? Surely,
it wouldn't be for <i>his</i> good to be brought up under
the influence of his father!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> If he saw you patiently bearing a cross
for the sake of duty, can you imagine a stronger
force for good on the boy's character? What an
example <i>you</i> will set him! What a chance for a
mother!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> But my own life, my own happiness?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> Ah, my dear, that's just it! The watchword
of our age is self! We are all for ourselves;
the twentieth century is to be a glorification of
selfishness, the Era of Egotism! Forget yourself,
and what would you do? The dignified thing.
You would live quietly <i>beside</i> your husband if
not <i>with</i> him. And your son would be worthy
of such a mother!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> And I?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> You would be <i>glad</i> in the end.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> Perhaps—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. Surely! Blanche, for twenty years Mr.
Mason and I have loved each other.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>is astonished. There is a pause.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Ruth</span> <i>smiles while she speaks, though her
voice breaks.</i>]</p>
<p>You never guessed! Ah, well, your father
knew.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> But Mrs. Mason is hopelessly insane;
surely—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> A principle is a principle; I took my
stand against divorce. What can you do for a
principle if you don't give up everything for it?
Nothing! And that is what I mean. To-day I
am not sorry—I am happy.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>There is another slight pause.</i> <span class="smcap">Richard</span> <i>is
heard upstairs singing a Christmas carol,
"Once in Royal David's City," etc.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> [<i>With great emotion.</i>] But if it
breaks my heart—if it breaks my heart?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> Hearts don't break from the pain that
comes of doing right, but from the sorrow of doing
wrong! [<i>Neither woman speaks for a minute; in
the silence</i> <span class="smcap">Ruth</span> <i>hears</i> <span class="smcap">Richard</span>.] What's that?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> [<i>Hearing now for the first time.</i>]
Richard singing one of his carols.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> I'd forgotten it <i>was</i> Christmas.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Leonard</span> <i>enters Left.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Leonard.</span> Doctor Steinhart is here to see Mr.
Sterling. Where shall I show him, madame?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> Here; we'll go—</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Rising.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Leonard.</span> Yes, madame.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He goes out.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Rut.</span> Well? What are you going to do?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> I'm <i>thinking</i>—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> May I come with you, or shall I—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> No, come.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>The two women start to leave the room together
Right, with their arms around each other.
They meet</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span>, <i>who enters; he starts,
they stop.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> I beg your pardon, I didn't know
you were here.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> We are going to my room; I am sorry
you are not well.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> Oh, it's nothing, thank you.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth.</span> If we can do anything, let us
know.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> [<i>Overwhelmed with shame, bows his
head.</i>] Thank you.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>The women go out Right. At the same moment</i>
<span class="smcap">Dr. Steinhart</span> <i>is shown in by</i> <span class="smcap">Leonard</span> <i>Left.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Dr. Steinhart.</span> Good morning, Sterling.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> Good morning, doctor; sit down.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Dr. Steinhart.</span> No, thanks, I'm very rushed
this morning. What can I do for you?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> I've been drinking too much for some
time; I can't eat—my nerves are all gone to
pieces. I've some—some business troubles, and
I haven't slept for a week.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Dr. Steinhart.</span> Is that all! Brace up, help
yourself a little, and we can soon make a man of
you.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> I'm afraid it would take more than a
doctor to do that.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Dr. Steinhart.</span> Oh, come, we must get rid
of melancholy. Come and drive with me to
79th Street.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> No, I'm too worn out. Look at my
hand! [<i>Holds out a trembling hand.</i>] I tell you
literally I haven't slept for weeks—I thought
you'd give me some chloral or something.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Dr. Steinhart.</span> What? Now?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> Yes; I've tried sulphonal and all that
rot; if doesn't have any effect on me. Give me a
hypodermic—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Dr. Steinhart.</span> Nonsense! Come out into
the air!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> I've <i>been</i> out.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Dr. Steinhart.</span> Good! Then try lying down
again, and perhaps you'll go to sleep <i>now</i>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> Very well, but give me something to
take to-night in case I can't sleep then.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Dr. Steinhart.</span> [<i>Takes out a note-book and
writes with a stylographic pen.</i>] Be careful what you
eat to-day. How about this drinking—did your
business trouble come after it began, or did the
whiskey come after the business trouble?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> That's it.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Dr. Steinhart.</span> Um—[<i>Giving</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span> <i>the
paper which he tears out of his note-book.</i>] Look
here, I've a busy day before me; but I'll look in
to-morrow, and we'll have a good talk.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> Thank you. I say, what <i>is</i> this?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Dr. Steinhart.</span> It's all right. Sulphate of
morphia—one-quarter-grain tablets.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> Isn't that very little?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Dr. Steinhart.</span> Oh, no; you try one, and repeat
in an hour if it hasn't done its work.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> But you've only given me two tablets,
and I tell you I'm awfully hard to influence!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Dr. Steinhart.</span> Two's enough; we don't give
a lot of drugs to a man in a nervous condition like
yours. Don't let them wake you for luncheon if
you're asleep. Sleep's best for you. Good-by—pleasant
dreams.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He goes out Left.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> [<i>Reads off the prescription.</i>] "Two
one-quarter-grain tablets sulphate of morphia,
Wm. B. Steinhart—" And in <i>ink!</i> Why didn't
he write it with a lead-pencil? How can I make it
more? Two—wait a minute! Two! [<i>Taking
out his own stylographic pen.</i>] What's his ink?
[<i>Makes a mark with his pen on his cuff.</i>] Good!
the same! Why not make it twelve? [<i>Marking
a one before the two.</i>] Just in case—I might as
well be on the safe side!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He rings an electric bell beside the mantel, and
waves the paper in the air to dry it.</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span>
<i>enters Right.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> I heard the doctor go. Is anything
serious the matter?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> <i>If</i> it were my <i>body</i> only that had gone
wrong, Blanche!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Leonard</span> <i>enters Left.</i></p>
<p>[<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Leonard</span>.] Take this prescription round the
corner and have it put up.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Leonard.</span> Yes, sir.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> And bring it to me with a glass of
water.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Leonard.</span> Yes, sir.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He goes out Left.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>is still standing.</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span> <i>sinks into
a chair, and puts his head in his hands, his
elbows on the table. He lifts his head and
looks at her.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> I know what you're going to do;
you don't have to tell me; of course you're going to
divorce me.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> No.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> What!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>His hands drop to the table; he looks her straight
in the face, doubting what he hears.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> [<i>Looking back into his eyes.</i>] No.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> [<i>Cries.</i>] Blanche!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>In a tone of amazement and joy.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> I give you one more chance, for
your sake <i>only as my boy's father</i>. But—<i>don't
make it impossible for me</i>—do you understand?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> Yes! I must take the true advantage
of this chance your goodness gives me. I must
right myself, so that people need not hesitate to
speak of his father in Richard's presence. <i>And
this I will do.</i> [<i>With great conviction he rises.</i>]
I know I am at the cross-roads, and I know the
way; <i>but</i> I don't choose it for <i>your</i> reasons; I
choose for my own reason—which is that, unfit as
<i>I am, I love you.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He speaks deliberately and with real feeling,
bending over her.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> I tell you truly my love for you is
gone for good.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> I'll win it back—you <i>did</i> love me,
you <i>did</i>, didn't you, Blanche?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span>. I loved the man I thought you were.
Do you remember that day in the mountains when
we first really came to know each other, when we
walked many, many miles without dreaming of
being tired?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> And found ourselves at sunset at the
top instead of below, by our hotel! Oh, yes, I
remember! The world changed for me that day.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He sinks back into the arm-chair, overcome, in
his weakened state, by his memories and his
realization of what he has made of the present.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> And for me! I knew then for the
first time you loved me, and that I loved you. Oh!
how short life of a sudden seemed! Not half
long enough for the happiness it held for me!
[<i>She turns upon him with a vivid change of feeling.</i>]
Has it turned out so?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> How different! Oh, what a beast!
what a fool!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> [<i>Speaking with pathetic emotion,
tears in her throat and in her eyes.</i>] And that
early summer's day you asked me to be your wife!
[<i>She gives a little exclamation, half a sob, half a
laugh.</i>] It was in the corner of the garden; I can
smell the lilacs now! And the raindrops fell
from the branches as my happy tears did on
father's shoulder that night, when I said, "Father,
he will make me the happiest woman in the world!"</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> O God! to have your love back!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> You can't breathe life back into a
dead thing; how different the world would be if
one could!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling.</span> You can bring back life to the
drowned; perhaps your love is only drowned in
the sorrow I've caused.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche.</span> [<i>Smiles sadly and shakes her head;
the smile dies away.</i>] Life to me then was like a
glorious staircase, and I mounted happy step after
step led by your hand till everything <i>seemed</i> to
culminate on the day of our wedding. You men
don't, <i>can't</i> realize, what that service means to a
girl. In those few moments she parts from all
that have cherished her, made her life, and gives
her whole self, her love, her body, and even her
soul sometimes—for love often overwhelms us
women—to <i>the</i> man who, she believes, wants,
<i>starves</i>, for her gifts. All that a woman who
marries for love feels at the altar I tell you a <i>man</i>
can't understand! You treated this gift of mine,
Dick, like a child does a Santa Claus plaything—for
a while you were never happy away from it,
then you grew accustomed to it, then you broke
it, and now you have even lost the broken pieces!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>Comes to her, growing more and more
determined.</i>] I will <i>find</i> them, and put them
together again.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Again smiles sadly and shakes her
head.</i>] First we made of <i>every Tuesday</i> a festival—our
wedding anniversary. After a while we kept
the twenty-eighth of <i>every month</i>! The second
year you were satisfied with the twenty-eighth of
April only, and last year you forgot the day altogether.
And yet what a happy first year it was!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Ah, you see I <i>did</i> make you happy
once!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Blessedly happy! Our long silences
in those days were not broken by an oath and a
fling out of the room. Oh, the happiness it means
to a wife to see it is hard for her husband to leave
her in the morning, and to be taken so quickly—even
roughly—into his arms at night that she
knows he has been longing to come back to her.
Nothing grew tame that first year. And at its end I
climbed to the highest step I had reached yet, when
you leaned over my bed and cried big man's tears,
the first I'd ever seen you cry, and kissed me first,
and then little Richard lying on my warm arm, and
said, "God bless you, little mother." [<i>There is a
pause.</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>cries softly a moment.</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span>
<i>is silent, ashamed. Again she turns upon him, rousing
herself, but with a voice broken with emotion.</i>] And what a <i>bad</i> father you've been to that boy!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. I didn't mean to! That's done, that's
past, but Richard's my boy. I'll make him proud
of me, somehow! I'll win your love back—you'll
see!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>is about to speak in remonstrance, but
stops because of the entrance of</i> <span class="smcap">Leonard</span>.
<i>He brings a small chemist's box of tablets in
an envelope and a glass of water on a small silver
tray.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Leonard</span>. Your medicine, sir.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He puts it on the table and goes out Right.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Thank you, thank you!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He takes the box of tablets out of the envelope.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Going to him.</i>] <i>You don't realize</i>
why I've told you all this!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>Counting out the tablets.</i>] One, two.
To give me hope! To give me hope!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He empties the other ten tablets into the envelope,
twists it up, and throws it in the fireplace.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. No, no, just the opposite!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Then you've defeated your end,
dear; you will stay here with me.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Trying to make him realize the
exact position.</i>] Opposite you at the table, receiving
our friends, keeping up appearances, yes—but
nearer to you than that? No! Never!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. But you <i>will</i> stay?</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Leonard</span> <i>enters from Left.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Leonard</span>. Miss Godesby, Mr. Warden.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>They enter.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<i>All greet each other.</i> <span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>nods stiffly to</i>
<span class="smcap">Sterling</span>, <i>barely acknowledging his greeting.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span>, <i>purposely speaking
with good-humored raillery to relieve the tension
of the situation.</i>] Well, you're a nice lot, aren't you?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. I'm so ashamed! I'm so ashamed!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Oh, never mind that now.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. I have no words to thank you with.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Oh, that's all right. The
truth is, I've made Warden bring me here, Sterling,
for a bit of business. I had an emotional moment
yesterday and went off my head a bit. I stand
by what I said as to keeping quiet, but—well,
I'm like any other old maid who hates dust on
her mantelpiece—I'm fidgety not to make some
sort of a bluff at putting this thing on a business
basis.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Excuse me, Miss Godesby, I think
Sterling ought to know the truth.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. <i>Now</i> what?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Well, the truth is, my fool of a
brother has kicked up an infernal row, and refuses
to hold his tongue.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Then I'm ruined after all!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Wait, I've left him with Mr.
Mason. I feel certain I can assure his silence
if I can only show him some sort of an agreement
to pay, an acknowledgment of the—the—affair,
signed and sealed.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Signed by whom?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Your husband and yourself
will do.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. But both names are worthless.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Not as a point of honor.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Ah! no, not my wife's.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Nor yours to me. Come along!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She goes to the table with</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span>, <i>and
unfolding a paper gives it to him. He
signs it.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Aside to</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span>, <i>apologizing for
his presence.</i>] She made me come—she wouldn't
come alone; otherwise I should have waited till
you sent for me.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. It's as well—I've decided. Oh,
I wonder if I'm doing wrong.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Looking him straight in the face.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Looking back searchingly in hers
to read the truth, but believing that she will certainly
leave her husband.</i>] No, <i>you</i> can't do wrong!
But I must warn you of one thing—I'm not any
longer the controlled man I was.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Come along now, Mrs. Sterling,
brace up and give me your name, and Warden,
witness, please. [<i>They do so.</i>] Of course, my
dears, I know perfectly well that legally this isn't
worth the paper it's written on. [<i>Exchanging a
serious and meaning look with</i> <span class="smcap">Warden</span>.] But my
idiot of a brother won't realize that, which is the
point. One thing more—will you both dine with
me next week, Thursday? [<i>There is an embarrassed
pause, which, with quick intuition, she understands.</i>]
Yes, you <i>will</i>—for <i>silence</i> gives consent! [<i>Laughing.</i>]
Now, that's settled!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. What an awfully good sort you are!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. Thanks, not always—I've
been a mucker more than once in my life! I must
go [<i>Shaking hands with</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span>.] and relieve
Mr. Mason of my brother, or he'll be accusing me
of inhuman treatment; more than one consecutive
hour of my brother ought to be prevented by the
police.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. You are very, <i>very</i> good.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. I think if you and I can get
well over this, we'll be real friends, and I haven't
many, have you?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Takes her hand.</i>] You can count
upon me and my boy so long as we live.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She impulsively but tenderly kisses her.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span> <i>is very much surprised, but
moved.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>. [<i>Half laughing, half crying, and
pulling her veil down to hide her emotion.</i>] By
George! I haven't been kissed by a woman for
years! Good-by.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>starts to go out with</i> <span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span>.
<span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>stops him.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Wait one moment—I want to speak
alone to Miss Godesby.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Miss Godesby</span> <i>goes out Left.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Aside to</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span>.] You tell him;
I cannot. Tell him the <i>truth</i>.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She goes out after</i> <span class="smcap">Miss Godesby.</span></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Dick.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Ned?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. I have nothing to say to you, Sterling.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>looks away and whistles a tune to
show his unwillingness to listen.</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span>
<i>speaks clearly so</i> <span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>shall hear.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. I have a message for you from my
wife. [<i>There is a second's pause.</i> <span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>stops
whistling and turns and looks at</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span>.] She
asks me to explain—to tell—to tell you a
decision she has come to.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>There is another pause.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Yes?</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Anxious, at a supreme tension, and now a little
alarmed as to the decision.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. She has decided not to leave my house.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Adds.</i>] <i>Yet!</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. <i>Ever!</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Losing his control.</i>] That's a lie!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. I couldn't believe it, either, when she
told me. It was her first word to me to-day. I
said, "You are going to divorce me," and she
answered, "No."</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. She's sacrificing herself for some
reason—her boy!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Never mind, she won't leave me;
I have her promise, and I'll win back her love!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. You fool! You can't win her back!
She would never have loved me if you hadn't
disillusioned, <i>dishonored</i> her! I'm not worthy of
her, but I'll never dishonor her, and, please God,
never disappoint her, and so I'll keep her love.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Well, as to that, she decides to stay,
leaving love out of the question.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. And you'll accept that sacrifice!
You don't even <i>love</i> her. You're only thinking
of <i>yourself</i> now. Love, real love, forgets itself.
You, after having spoilt half her life, are willing
to spoil the rest, for <i>your own sake</i>!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. No, for the boy's sake, and her
sake—to save a scandal—the world—</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Interrupted.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Beside himself.</i>] Oh, damn the world!
It's <i>heaven</i> and <i>hell</i> you'd better think of. <i>Scandal!</i>
It couldn't harm <i>her</i>, and the hurt it would do you
is a small price to pay. Those whom <i>God</i> has
joined—yes! but it was the devil bound her to
you!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Here! I've had enough! Look
out!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Moves toward him.</i>] <i>You</i> look out—you
shan't rob her of her happiness. You—a
drunkard! A forger! A thief!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. <i>I'd keep her now if only to spite you!</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Hah! There spoke the true man in
you! Would to heaven the old days of duelling
were back!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. A brave wish, as you know they're
not!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. They fight in other countries still
for their love and honor, and I'm ready here, now,
if you are, with any weapons you choose!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Sterling</span> <i>sneers.</i>]</p>
<p>Sneer! But will you fight? We'll find a place,
and something to fight with, or fists if you'd
rather! You wouldn't kill me before I'd got
you out of her way for good. Will you fight?</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Coming closer to him.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. No!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Getting more and more enraged.</i>]
If <i>you lose, you go away</i>, and set her free of your
own will!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. <i>No!</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Losing entirely his self-control.</i>]
What do you want to <i>make</i> you fight—will that?</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He gives him a stinging blow in the face.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Yes!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He springs toward</i> <span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>as</i> <span class="smcap">Ruth</span> <i>and</i>
<span class="smcap">Mason</span> <i>enter Left. The two men stand rigid</i>,
<span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>breathing heavily.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. Blanche, may I bring in—where's
Blanche?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. I don't know.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. Good morning, gentlemen.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>There is no response.</i> <span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>is with great
difficulty restraining himself. His lips are
compressed lightly and his hands clenched.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. What's the trouble?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. I have just told Warden my wife's
decision not to leave me.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. [<i>Showing her relief and satisfaction
in her face, turns to</i> <span class="smcap">Warden</span>.] You won't try to
shake that resolve?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Unable to control himself.</i>] But I
will! I <i>will</i>—I tell you all! I hardly know what
I say or do! But look out for me, I'm desperate!
I'm a torrent that's only let loose since yesterday,
and now all of a sudden you try to stop me! But
it's too late; I've got my impetus; the repressed
passion of years is behind me; nothing can stop
me—and God keep me from doing the wrong
thing! I am determined to clear him out of the
way of the happiness of the woman I love. [<i>To</i>
<span class="smcap">Ruth</span>.] Do you mean to say you approve of her
decision? [<span class="smcap">Ruth</span> <i>turns her head; he turns to</i>
<span class="smcap">Mason</span>.] Do <i>you</i>?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. No.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Ruth</span>, <i>holding out his hand.</i>]
You will stand by me, Aunt Ruth, and together
we—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. [<i>Interrupting and refusing his hand.</i>]
Oh, no.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Don't you think I can win her love
back?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. No.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Won't you help me try?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. No. It would be useless.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Come with me to Blanche; I must
speak with her.</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Ruth</span> <i>go out Right.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. [<i>Alone with</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span>.] Go away
and make your wife understand you are never
coming back.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. But the loneliness, the misery, away—alone.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. Kill them with hard work; <i>you have
other heavy debts</i>, you know. I came to see you
about this business of your acknowledgments to
Miss Godesby and Miss Hunter.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Later, later. To-morrow I will
decide—</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He motions him away.</i> <span class="smcap">Mason</span> <i>goes to him and
puts his hand on his shoulder.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Mason</span>. Decide well—</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He hesitates a moment and then goes out Right.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>Watching him go.</i>] There's not
one soul in this world who cares for me, and it's
my <i>own fault</i>. [<span class="smcap">Richard</span> <i>is heard upstairs again
singing "Once in Royal David's City.</i>" <span class="smcap">Sterling</span>
<i>lifts his head and listens.</i>] Yes, one little soul
loves me, and it would be better for him, too, if I
went away. I'll go to sleep and see how I feel
about it when I wake up. [<i>He moves the glass of
water and takes out the box of tablets. He starts
suddenly, but very slightly, and his muscles tighten.</i>]</p>
<p>After all, why not end it all <i>now</i>, at once, without
any more bother? [<i>He looks in the box, and glances
up questioningly; then he remembers the fireplace
where he threw the other tablets and looks across the
room at the logs. He rises, goes over, and sees in the
fireplace the twisted envelope which holds the other
tablets. He bends over to pick it up; he stops
short.</i>] No! Why shouldn't I try it, anyway?
She, herself, gives me the chance! [<i>He rings the
electric bell, and walking away from the fireplace,
takes up with a trembling hand the papers left by</i>
<span class="smcap">Mason</span>; <i>he wipes the damp from his forehead with
his handkerchief. To</i> <span class="smcap">Jordan</span>, <i>who enters Left.</i>]
Light the fire quickly; I feel cold.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He sinks into the arm-chair, weak from the
mental strain.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Leonard</span>. It's very warm in the house, sir.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Do as I tell you—light the fire.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Leonard</span>. [<i>Looking for matches on the mantel,
finds the box empty.</i>] There are no matches, sir;
I must get one.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. No, don't go—here—here—</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He gives him a match from his own box.</i>
<span class="smcap">Leonard</span> <i>notices the trembling hand and suppressed
excitement of</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span>, <i>and involuntarily
glances up, but quickly looks back to his
work and strikes a match. The match goes out.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Leonard</span>. I shall need another match, please,
sir.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>With one in his fingers taken from
his match-box, he alters his mind.</i>] I have no more.
[<i>He puts away his match-box.</i>] Never mind the
fire; get me a pint bottle of champagne.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Leonard</span>. [<i>With a surreptitious side glance of
curiosity.</i>] Very well, sir.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He goes out Left.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. That was funny; that was very
funny! I wonder if it was accident, or if there's
such a thing as fatality. [<i>He goes to the fireplace
and picks up the twisted envelope.</i>] If not now—perhaps
some other time—who knows? [<i>He
thrusts the envelope in his vest pocket, and takes up
the papers again from the table to look over them.</i>]
I can't read these things! [<i>Throwing them down.</i>]
The words mean nothing to me!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>There is the sound outside of a cork being drawn.</i>
<span class="smcap">Leonard</span> <i>enters with the champagne and a
glass and places them beside</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Leonard</span>. Shall I light the fire now, sir?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. No, never mind now.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Leonard</span>. Yes, sir.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He goes out Left.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Sterling</span> <i>half fills the glass with champagne.
He takes out the box of tablets and counts
aloud.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. One, two, three, four—[<i>He puts
all in the glass, dropping them as he counts. He
hesitates, then quickly drops in two more and drinks
quickly. The glass is empty. He sits by the table
thinking a moment, then lakes a piece of paper
and makes ready his stylographic pen.</i>] Let me see;
can I make it seem accidental; it would be so
much less bother and trouble for them! [<i>He
thinks a second, then writes.</i>] "I have accidentally
taken an overdose of my sleeping draught. I have
tried to call some one, but it's no use. I ask only
one thing, that you forget all my sins, wipe out
their memory with my name. I want my boy to
change his name, too." [<i>He hesitates a moment,
and then scratches that sentence heavily out.</i>] No,
I won't say that. [<i>He waits a moment.</i>] God in
heaven, what wouldn't I give for one friendly
word just now! Some one to sort of say <i>good-by</i>
to me—take my hand—even a <i>servant</i>!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He looks about him, showing signs of drowsiness.
The door Right bursts open.</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span>
<i>quickly hides the letter in his inside pocket as</i>
<span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>comes in.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. My hat! Where's my hat!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He looks about for it.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. [<i>Quietly.</i>] Ned?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. My hat, I say! Where's my hat?</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Looking.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Ned!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Something in his voice arrests</i> <span class="smcap">Warden's</span>
<i>attention.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. What? [<i>He looks at him.</i>] What's
the matter—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Nothing—I'm half asleep, that's
all—the reaction—I'm worn out and I've changed
my mind—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. How do you mean?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. I'm going away for good—that's
the best I can do; I want you to forgive me—<i>could</i>
you? What do you say? Forgive me for everything!
For the sake of the old schoolboy days—</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. When are you going?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. To-day. Will you say good-by to
me and wish me well on my journey?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Speaks without sympathy.</i>] You can
count on me always to help you in any way I can.
You can still retrieve a good deal if you're strong
enough.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. I know what a beastly friend I've
been, and yesterday was more than any man would
stand, but forgive that, too, will you? I've always
been a bad lot!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Goes to him and speaks, with the
sympathy of a man for a child coming into his voice.</i>]
No, a weak lot; that's been your ruin, Dickie.
I'll see you again before you go.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. No, I'm going to sleep as long as I
can now, and I don't want any one to wake me
up; but when I do wake, I shall have other things
to do. This is good-by.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Well, good luck! [<i>He starts to go.
The two men look at each other, and finally</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span>
<i>gets the courage to hold out his hand.</i> <span class="smcap">Warden</span>
<i>hesitates a moment, then shakes it.</i>] Good luck!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>He goes out Left.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Sterling</span>, <i>who has been growing more and more
drowsy, as soon as he is alone, goes with difficulty
to the door and locks it. He is so drowsy
that he leans against the door for a moment; then
he starts to go back to the table, but is unable to
get there and sinks on the sofa half way between
the table and the door. His eyes close, but
suddenly he starts violently and tries to rise,
but cannot, crying out faintly.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Sterling</span>. Good God—the money! I forgot
the money—who'll pay my debts? Ah, this is a
fitting climax for my life—the weakest, dirtiest
thing I've done—[<i>He gets the letter from his
pocket and holds it in his hand; the light of the
afternoon grows slowly dim, like his fading sight
and senses. He murmurs twice in a faint, drowsy
voice.</i>] Coward! Coward!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Blanche</span>, <i>in the hall outside Right, calls his
name.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Dick!</p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Sterling's</span> <i>body relaxes and sets. The letter
drops from his lifeless hands.</i></p>
<p class="direction">[<span class="smcap">Blanche</span> <i>enters with</i> <span class="smcap">Ruth</span>, <i>followed by</i>
<span class="smcap">Richard</span>, <i>who rides a stick with a horse's
head and wears a soldier's cap.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Richard</span>. Merry Christmas, father!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Going toward the sofa.</i>] Dick!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Richard</span>. Merry Christmas, father!</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Sh! Father's asleep.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>They steal back toward the other door when</i>
<span class="smcap">Warden</span> <i>enters Right.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Oh, you are here! I went down into
the drawing-room where I left you.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Sh!</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She points to</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span>, <i>who lies apparently
asleep. They speak in lowered voices.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. Yes, I have a message for you
from him.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>Looking at</i> <span class="smcap">Richard</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Ruth</span>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Ruth</span>. [<i>Who understands.</i>] Come, Richard, I
haven't seen your tree yet.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She goes out Right with</i> <span class="smcap">Richard</span>.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Blanche</span>.] Give me your hand.</p>
<p class="direction">[<i>She does so wonderingly.</i></p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. [<i>Softly, with a man's tenderness in
his voice.</i>] He is going away for good.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. Away?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. For good.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Blanche</span>. [<i>Slowly, withdrawing her hand.</i>]
For good? [<i>She looks over toward</i> <span class="smcap">Sterling</span>, <i>and
then back to</i> <span class="smcap">Warden</span>.] What does he mean?</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Warden</span>. We will know when he wakes.</p>
<p class="center">THE CURTAIN STEALS SOFTLY DOWN</p>
<pre>
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