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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77808 ***
+
+
+
+
+                      ALL GOD’S CHILLUN GOT WINGS
+                                 _and_
+                                 WELDED
+
+
+                                   BY
+                             EUGENE O’NEILL
+
+[Illustration: Black-and-white emblem showing a stylized globe or
+circular seal with the letters “B & L” at the top and irregular dark
+shapes suggesting continents, rendered in a rough, high-contrast, inked
+style.]
+
+                           BONI AND LIVERIGHT
+                       PUBLISHERS :: :: NEW YORK
+
+
+                         _Copyright, 1924, by_
+                         BONI & LIVERIGHT, INC.
+
+
+               _Printed in the United States of America_
+
+
+
+
+                                 _NOTE_
+
+
+_All rights reserved including that of translation into foreign
+languages. All acting rights, both professional and amateur, including
+motion picture rights, are reserved in the United States, Great Britain
+and all countries of the Copyright Union by the author._
+
+_In their present form these plays are dedicated to the reading public
+only and no performance may be given without special arrangement with
+the author’s agent._
+
+
+
+
+                                CONTENTS
+
+
+                                                PAGE
+                    ALL GOD’S CHILLUN GOT WINGS   13
+                    WELDED                        81
+
+
+
+
+                      ALL GOD’S CHILLUN GOT WINGS
+
+
+
+
+                               CHARACTERS
+
+
+ JIM HARRIS
+ MRS. HARRIS, _his mother_
+ HATTIE, _his sister_
+ ELLA DOWNEY
+ SHORTY
+ JOE
+ MICKEY
+ _Whites and negroes_
+
+
+
+
+                                 SCENES
+
+
+                                 ACT I
+
+  SCENE I—A corner in lower New York. Years ago. End of an afternoon in
+        Spring.
+
+  SCENE II—The same. Nine years later. End of an evening in Spring.
+
+  SCENE III—The same. Five years later. A night in Spring.
+
+  SCENE IV—The street before a church in the same ward. A morning some
+        weeks later.
+
+
+                                 ACT II
+
+  SCENE I—A flat in the same ward. A morning two years later.
+
+  SCENE II—The same. At twilight some months later.
+
+  SCENE III—The same. A night some months later.
+
+
+
+
+                                 ACT I
+
+
+                                ACT ONE
+                               SCENE ONE
+
+  SCENE—_A corner in lower New York, at the edge of a colored district.
+      Three narrow streets converge. A triangular building in the rear,
+      red brick, four-storied, its ground floor a grocery. Four-story
+      tenements stretch away down the skyline of the two streets. The
+      fire escapes are crowded with people. In the street leading left,
+      the faces are all white; in the street leading right, all black.
+      It is hot Spring. On the sidewalk are eight children, four boys
+      and four girls. Two of each sex are white, two black. They are
+      playing marbles. One of the black boys is_ JIM HARRIS. _The little
+      blonde girl, her complexion rose and white, who sits behind his
+      elbow and holds his marbles is_ ELLA DOWNEY. _She is eight. They
+      play the game with concentrated attention for a while. People
+      pass, black and white, the Negroes frankly participants in the
+      spirit of Spring, the whites laughing constrainedly, awkward in
+      natural emotion. Their words are lost. One only hears their
+      laughter. It expresses the difference in race. There are street
+      noises—the clattering roar of the Elevated, the puff of its
+      locomotives, the ruminative lazy sound of a horse-car, the hooves
+      of its team clacking on the cobbles. From the street of the whites
+      a high-pitched, nasal tenor sings the chorus of “Only a Bird in a
+      Gilded Cage.” On the street of the blacks a Negro strikes up the
+      chorus of: “I Guess I’ll Have to Telegraph My Baby.” As this
+      singing ends, there is laughter, distinctive in quality, from both
+      streets. Then silence. The light in the street begins to grow
+      brilliant with the glow of the setting sun. The game of marbles
+      goes on._
+
+WHITE GIRL—[_Tugging at the elbow of her brother._] Come on, Mickey!
+
+HER BROTHER—[_Roughly._] Aw, gwan, youse!
+
+WHITE GIRL—Aw right, den. You kin git a lickin’ if you wanter. [_Gets up
+to move off._]
+
+HER BROTHER—Aw, git off de eart’!
+
+WHITE GIRL—De old woman’ll be madder’n hell!
+
+HER BROTHER—[_Worried now._] I’m comin’, ain’t I? Hold your horses.
+
+BLACK GIRL—[_To a black boy._] Come on, you Joe. We gwine git frailed
+too, you don’t hurry.
+
+JOE—Go long!
+
+MICKEY—Bust up de game, huh? I gotta run! [_Jumps to his feet._]
+
+OTHER WHITE BOY—Me, too! [_Jumps up._]
+
+OTHER BLACK GIRL—Lawdy, it’s late!
+
+JOE—Me for grub!
+
+MICKEY—[_To_ JIM HARRIS.] You’s de winner, Jim Crow. Yeh gotta play
+tomorrer.
+
+JIM—[_Readily._] Sure t’ing, Mick. Come one, come all! [_He laughs._]
+
+OTHER WHITE BOY—Me too! I gotta git back at yuh.
+
+JIM—Aw right, Shorty.
+
+LITTLE GIRLS—Hurry! Come on, come on! [_The six start off together. Then
+they notice that_ JIM _and_ ELLA _are hesitating, standing awkwardly and
+shyly together. They turn to mock._]
+
+JOE—Look at dat Jim Crow! Land sakes, he got a gal! [_He laughs. They
+all laugh._]
+
+JIM—[_Ashamed._] Ne’er mind, you Chocolate!
+
+MICKEY—Look at de two softies, will yeh! Mush! Mush! [_He and the two
+other boys take this up._]
+
+LITTLE GIRLS—[_Pointing their fingers at_ ELLA.] Shame! Shame! Everybody
+knows your name! Painty Face! Painty Face!
+
+ELLA—[_Hanging her head._] Shut up!
+
+LITTLE WHITE GIRL—He’s been carrying her books!
+
+COLORED GIRL—Can’t you find nuffin better’n him, Ella? Look at de big
+feet he got! [_She laughs. They all laugh._ JIM _puts one foot on top of
+the other, looking at_ ELLA.]
+
+ELLA—Mind yer own business, see! [_She strides toward them angrily. They
+jump up and dance in an ecstasy, screaming and laughing._]
+
+ALL—Found yeh out! Found yeh out!
+
+MICKEY—Mush-head! Jim Crow de Sissy! Stuck on Painty Face!
+
+JOE—Will Painty Face let you hold her doll, boy?
+
+SHORTY—Sissy! Softy! [ELLA _suddenly begins to cry. At this they all
+howl._]
+
+ALL—Cry-baby! Cry-baby! Look at her! Painty Face!
+
+JIM—[_Suddenly rushing at them, with clenched fists, furiously._] Shut
+yo’ moufs! I kin lick de hull of you! [_They all run away, laughing,
+shouting, and jeering, quite triumphant now that they have made him,
+too, lose his temper. He comes back to_ ELLA, _and stands beside her
+sheepishly, stepping on one foot after the other. Suddenly he blurts
+out_:] Don’t bawl no more. I done chased ’em.
+
+ELLA—[_Comforted, politely._] T’anks.
+
+JIM—[_Swelling out._] It was a cinch. I kin wipe up de street wid any
+one of dem. [_He stretches out his arms, trying to bulge out his
+biceps._] Feel dat muscle!
+
+ELLA—[_Does so gingerly—then with admiration._] My!
+
+JIM—[_Protectingly._] You mustn’t never be scared when I’m hanging
+round, Painty Face.
+
+ELLA—Don’t call me that, Jim—please!
+
+JIM—[_Contritely._] I didn’t mean nuffin’. I didn’t know you’d mind.
+
+ELLA—I do—more’n anything.
+
+JIM—You oughtn’t to mind. Dey’s jealous, dat’s what.
+
+ELLA—Jealous? Of what?
+
+JIM—[_Pointing to her face._] Of dat. Red ‘n’ white. It’s purty.
+
+ELLA—I hate it!
+
+JIM—It’s purty. Yes, it’s—it’s purty. It’s—outa sight!
+
+ELLA—I hate it. I wish I was black like you.
+
+JIM—[_Sort of shrinking._] No you don’t. Dey’d call you Crow, den—or
+Chocolate—or Smoke.
+
+ELLA—I wouldn’t mind.
+
+JIM—[_Somberly._] Dey’d call you nigger sometimes, too.
+
+ELLA—I wouldn’t mind.
+
+JIM—[_Humbly._] You wouldn’t mind?
+
+ELLA—No, I wouldn’t mind. [_An awkward pause._]
+
+JIM—[_Suddenly._] You know what, Ella? Since I been tuckin’ yo’ books to
+school and back, I been drinkin’ lots o’ chalk ‘n’ water tree times a
+day. Dat Tom, de barber, he tole me dat make me white, if I drink
+enough. [_Pleadingly._] Does I look whiter?
+
+ELLA—[_Comfortingly._] Yes—maybe—a little bit——
+
+JIM—[_Trying a careless tone._] Reckon dat Tom’s a liar, an’ de joke’s
+on me! Dat chalk only makes me feel kinder sick inside.
+
+ELLA—[_Wonderingly._] Why do you want to be white?
+
+JIM—Because—just because—I lak dat better.
+
+ELLA—I wouldn’t. I like black. Let’s you and me swap. I’d like to be
+black. [_Clapping her hands._] Gee, that’d be fun, if we only could!
+
+JIM—[_Hesitatingly._] Yes—maybe——
+
+ELLA—Then they’d call me Crow, and you’d be Painty Face!
+
+JIM—They wouldn’t never dast call you nigger, you bet! I’d kill ’em! [_A
+long pause. Finally she takes his hand shyly. They both keep looking as
+far away from each other as possible._]
+
+ELLA—I like you.
+
+JIM—I like you.
+
+ELLA—Do you want to be my feller?
+
+JIM—Yes.
+
+ELLA—Then I’m your girl.
+
+JIM—Yes. [_Then grandly._] You kin bet none o’ de gang gwine call you
+Painty Face from dis out! I lam’ ’em good! [_The sun has set. Twilight
+has fallen on the street. An organ grinder comes up to the corner and
+plays “Annie Rooney.” They stand hand-in-hand and listen. He goes away.
+It is growing dark._]
+
+ELLA—[_Suddenly._] Golly, it’s late! I’ll git a lickin’!
+
+JIM—Me, too.
+
+ELLA—I won’t mind it much.
+
+JIM—Me nuther.
+
+ELLA—See you going to school tomorrow?
+
+JIM—Sure.
+
+ELLA—I gotta skip now.
+
+JIM—Me, too.
+
+ELLA—I like you, Jim.
+
+JIM—I like you.
+
+ELLA—Don’t forget.
+
+JIM—Don’t you.
+
+ELLA—Good-by.
+
+JIM—So long. [_They run away from each other—then stop abruptly, and
+turn as at a signal._]
+
+ELLA—Don’t forget.
+
+JIM—I won’t, you bet!
+
+ELLA—Here! [_She kisses her hand at him, then runs off in frantic
+embarrassment._]
+
+JIM—[_Overcome._] Gee! [_Then he turns and darts away, as_
+
+
+                         [_The Curtain Falls_]
+
+
+                                ACT ONE
+                               SCENE TWO
+
+  SCENE—_The same corner. Nine years have passed. It is again late
+      Spring at a time in the evening which immediately follows the hour
+      of_ SCENE ONE. _Nothing has changed much. One street is still all
+      white, the other all black. The fire escapes are laden with
+      drooping human beings. The grocery store is still at the corner.
+      The street noises are now more rhythmically mechanical,
+      electricity having taken the place of horse and steam. People
+      pass, white and black. They laugh as in_ SCENE ONE. _From the
+      street of the whites the high-pitched nasal tenor sings: “Gee, I
+      Wish That I Had a Girl,” and the Negro replies with “All I Got Was
+      Sympathy.” The singing is followed again by laughter from both
+      streets. Then silence. The dusk grows darker. With a spluttering
+      flare the arc-lamp at the corner is lit and sheds a pale glare
+      over the street. Two young roughs slouch up to the corner, as
+      tough in manner as they can make themselves. One is the_ SHORTY
+      _of_ SCENE ONE; _the other the Negro_, JOE. _They stand loafing. A
+      boy of seventeen or so passes by, escorting a girl of about the
+      same age. Both are dressed in their best, the boy in black with
+      stiff collar, the girl in white._
+
+SHORTY—[_Scornfully._] Hully cripes! Pipe who’s here. [_To the girl,
+sneeringly._] Wha’s matter, Liz? Don’t yer recernize yer old fr’ens?
+
+GIRL—[_Frightenedly._] Hello, Shorty.
+
+SHORTY—Why de glad rags? Goin’ to graduation? [_He tries to obstruct
+their way, but, edging away from him, they turn and run._]
+
+JOE—Har-har! Look at dem scoot, will you! [SHORTY _grins with
+satisfaction_.]
+
+SHORTY—[_Looking down other street._] Here comes Mickey.
+
+JOE—He won de semi-final last night easy?
+
+SHORTY—Knocked de bloke out in de thoid.
+
+JOE—Dat boy’s suah a-comin’! He’ll be de champeen yit.
+
+SHORTY—[_Judicially._] Got a good chanct—if he leaves de broads alone.
+Dat’s where he’s wide open. [MICKEY _comes in from the left. He is
+dressed loudly, a straw hat with a gaudy band cocked over one
+cauliflower ear. He has acquired a typical “pug’s” face, with the added
+viciousness of a natural bully. One of his eyes is puffed, almost
+closed, as a result of his battle the night before. He swaggers up._]
+
+BOTH—Hello, Mickey.
+
+MICKEY—Hello.
+
+JOE—Hear you knocked him col’.
+
+MICKEY—Sure. I knocked his block off. [_Changing the subject._] Say.
+Seen ’em goin’ past to de graduation racket?
+
+SHORTY—[_With a wink._] Why? You int’rested?
+
+JOE—[_Chuckling._] Mickey’s gwine roun’ git a good conduct medal.
+
+MICKEY—Sure. Dey kin pin it on de seat o’ me pants. [_They laugh._]
+Listen. Seen Ella Downey goin’?
+
+SHORTY—Painty Face? No, she ain’t been along.
+
+MICKEY—[_With authority._] Can dat name, see! Want a bunch o’ fives in
+yer kisser? Den nix! She’s me goil, understan’?
+
+JOE—[_Venturing to joke._] Which one? Yo’ number ten?
+
+MICKEY—[_Flattered._] Sure. De real K. O. one.
+
+SHORTY— [_Pointing right—sneeringly._] Gee! Pipe Jim Crow all dolled up
+for de racket.
+
+JOE—[_With disgusted resentment._] You mean tell me dat nigger’s
+graduatin’?
+
+SHORTY—Ask him. [JIM HARRIS _comes in. He is dressed in black, stiff
+white collar, etc.—a quiet-mannered Negro boy with a queerly-baffled,
+sensitive face._]
+
+JIM—[_Pleasantly._] Hello, fellows. [_They grunt in reply, looking over
+him scornfully._]
+
+JOE—[_Staring resentfully._] Is you graduatin’ tonight?
+
+JIM—Yes.
+
+JOE—[_Spitting disgustedly._] Fo’ Gawd’s sake! You _is_ gittin’
+high-falutin’!
+
+JIM—[_Smiling deprecatingly._] This is my second try. I didn’t pass last
+year.
+
+JOE—What de hell does it git you, huh? Whatever is you gwine do wid it
+now you gits it? Live lazy on yo’ ol’ woman?
+
+JIM—[_Assertively._] I’m going to study and become a lawyer.
+
+JOE—[_With a snort._] Fo’ Chris’ sake, nigger!
+
+JIM—[_Fiercely._] Don’t you call me that—not before them!
+
+JOE—[_Pugnaciously._] Does you deny you’s a nigger? I shows you——
+
+MICKEY—[_Gives them both a push—truculently._] Cut it out, see! I’m
+runnin’ dis corner. [_Turning to_ JIM _insultingly._] Say, you! Painty
+Face’s gittin’ her ticket tonight, ain’t she?
+
+JIM—You mean Ella——
+
+MICKEY—Painty Face Downey, dat’s who I mean! I don’t have to be perlite
+wit’ her. She’s me goil!
+
+JIM—[_Glumly._] Yes, she’s graduating.
+
+SHORTY—[_Winks at_ MICKEY.] Smart, huh?
+
+MICKEY—[_Winks back—meaningly._] Willin’ to loin, take it from me! [JIM
+_stands tensely as if a struggle were going on in him._]
+
+JIM—[_Finally blurts out._] I want to speak to you, Mickey—alone.
+
+MICKEY—[_Surprised—insultingly._] Aw, what de hell——!
+
+JIM—[_Excitedly._] It’s important, I tell you!
+
+MICKEY—Huh? [_Stares at him inquisitively—then motions the others back
+carelessly and follows_ JIM _down front_.]
+
+SHORTY—Some noive!
+
+JOE—[_Vengefully._] I gits dat Jim alone, you wait!
+
+MICKEY—Well, spill de big news. I ain’t got all night. I got a date.
+
+JIM—With—Ella?
+
+MICKEY—What’s dat to you?
+
+JIM—[_The words tumbling out._] What—I wanted to say! I know—I’ve
+heard—all the stories—what you’ve been doing around the ward—with other
+girls—it’s none of my business, with them—but she—Ella—it’s
+different—she’s not that kind——
+
+MICKEY—[_Insultingly._] Who told yuh so, huh?
+
+JIM—[_Draws back his fist threateningly._] Don’t you dare—! [MICKEY _is
+so paralyzed by this effrontery that he actually steps back_.]
+
+MICKEY—Say, cut de comedy! [_Beginning to feel insulted._] Listen, you
+Jim Crow! Ain’t you wise I could give yuh one poke dat’d knock yuh into
+next week?
+
+JIM—I’m only asking you to act square, Mickey.
+
+MICKEY—What’s it to yuh? Why, yuh lousy goat, she wouldn’t spit on yuh
+even! She hates de sight of a coon.
+
+JIM—[_In agony._] I—I know—but once she didn’t mind—we were kids
+together——
+
+MICKEY—Aw, ferget dat! Dis is _now_!
+
+JIM—And I’m still her friend always—even if she don’t like colored
+people——
+
+MICKEY—_Coons_, why don’t yuh say it right! De trouble wit’ you is
+yuh’re gittin’ stuck up, dat’s what! Stay where yeh belong, see! Yer old
+man made coin at de truckin’ game and yuh’re tryin’ to buy yerself
+white—graduatin’ and law, for Hell’s sake! Yuh’re gittin’ yerself in
+Dutch wit’ everyone in de ward—and it ain’t cause yer a coon neider.
+Don’t de gang all train wit’ Joe dere and lots of others? But yuh’re
+tryin’ to buy white and it won’t git yuh no place, see!
+
+JIM—[_Trembling._] Some day—I’ll show you——
+
+MICKEY—[_Turning away._] Aw, gwan!
+
+JIM—D’you think I’d change—be you—your dirty white——!
+
+MICKEY—[_Whirling about._] What’s dat?
+
+JIM—[_With hysterical vehemence._] You act square with her—or I’ll show
+you up—I’ll report you—I’ll write to the papers—the sporting
+writers—I’ll let them know how white you are!
+
+MICKEY—[_Infuriated._] Yuh damn nigger, I’ll bust yer jaw in! [_Assuming
+his ring pose he weaves toward_ JIM, _his face set in a cruel scowl_.
+JIM _waits helplessly but with a certain dignity_.]
+
+SHORTY—Cheese it! A couple bulls! And here’s de Downey skoit comin’,
+too.
+
+MICKEY—I’ll get yuh de next time! [ELLA DOWNEY _enters from the right.
+She is seventeen, still has the same rose and white complexion, is
+pretty but with a rather repelling bold air about her._]
+
+ELLA—[_Smiles with pleasure when she sees_ MICKEY.] Hello, Mick. Am I
+late? Say, I’m so glad you won last night. [_She glances from one to the
+other as she feels something in the air._] Hello! What’s up?
+
+MICKEY—Dis boob. [_He indicates_ JIM _scornfully_.]
+
+JIM—[_Diffidently._] Hello, Ella.
+
+ELLA—[_Shortly, turning away._] Hello. [_Then to_ MICKEY.] Come on,
+Mick. Walk down with me. I got to hurry.
+
+JIM—[_Blurts out._] Wait—just a second. [_Painfully._] Ella, do you
+hate—colored people?
+
+MICKEY—Aw, shut up!
+
+JIM—Please answer.
+
+ELLA—[_Forcing a laugh._] Say! What is this—another exam?
+
+JIM—[_Doggedly._] Please answer.
+
+ELLA—[_Irritably._] Of course I don’t! Haven’t I been brought up
+alongside—Why, some of my oldest—the girls I’ve been to public school
+the longest with——
+
+JIM—Do you hate me, Ella?
+
+ELLA—[_Confusedly and more irritably._] Say, is he drunk? Why should I?
+I don’t hate anyone.
+
+JIM—Then why haven’t you ever hardly spoken to me—for years?
+
+ELLA—[_Resentfully._] What would I speak about? You and me’ve got
+nothing in common any more.
+
+JIM—[_Desperately._] Maybe not any more—but—right on this corner—do you
+remember once——?
+
+ELLA—I don’t remember nothing! [_Angrily._] Say! What’s got into you to
+be butting into my business all of a sudden like this? Because you
+finally managed to graduate, has it gone to your head?
+
+JIM—No, I—only want to help you, Ella.
+
+ELLA—Of all the nerve! You’re certainly forgetting your place! Who’s
+asking you for help, I’d like to know? Shut up and stop bothering me!
+
+JIM—[_Insistently._] If you ever need a friend—a true friend——
+
+ELLA—I’ve got lots of friends among my own—kind, I can tell you.
+[_Exasperatedly._] You make me sick! Go to—hell! [_She flounces off. The
+three men laugh._ MICKEY _follows her_. JIM _is stricken. He goes and
+sinks down limply on a box in front of the grocery store._]
+
+SHORTY—I’m going to shoot a drink. Come on, Joe, and I’ll blow yuh.
+
+JOE—[_Who has never ceased to follow every move of_ JIM’S _with angry,
+resentful eyes_.] Go long. I’se gwine stay here a secon’. I got a lil’
+argyment. [_He points to_ JIM.]
+
+SHORTY—Suit yerself. Do a good job. See yuh later. [_He goes,
+whistling._]
+
+JOE—[_Stands for a while glaring at_ JIM, _his fierce little eyes
+peering out of his black face. Then he spits on his hands aggressively
+and strides up to the oblivious_ JIM. _He stands in front of him,
+gradually working himself into a fury at the other’s seeming
+indifference to his words._] Listen to me, nigger: I got a heap to
+whisper in yo’ ear! Who is you, anyhow? Who does you think you is? Don’t
+yo’ old man and mine work on de docks togidder befo’ yo’ old man gits
+his own truckin’ business? Yo’ ol’ man swallers his nickels, my ol’ man
+buys him beer wid dem and swallers dat—dat’s the on’y diff’rence. Don’t
+you ‘n’ me drag up togidder?
+
+JIM—[_Dully._] I’m your friend, Joe.
+
+JOE—No, you isn’t! I ain’t no fren o’ yourn! I don’t even know who you
+is! What’s all dis schoolin’ you doin’? What’s all dis dressin’ up and
+graduatin’ an’ sayin’ you gwine study be a lawyer? What’s all dis fakin’
+an’ pretendin’ and swellin’ out grand an’ talkin’ soft and perlite?
+What’s all dis denyin’ you’s a nigger—an’ wid de white boys listenin’ to
+you say it! Is you aimin’ to buy white wid yo’ ol’ man’s dough like
+Mickey say? What is you? [_In a rage at the other’s silence._] You don’t
+talk? Den I takes it out o’ yo’ hide! [_He grabs_ JIM _by the throat
+with one hand and draws the other fist back_.] Tell me befo’ I wrecks
+yo’ face in! Is you a nigger or isn’t you? [_Shaking him._] Is you a
+nigger, Nigger? Nigger, is you a nigger?
+
+JIM—[_Looking into his eyes—quietly._] Yes. I’m a nigger. We’re both
+niggers. [_They look at each other for a moment._ JOE’S _rage vanishes.
+He slumps onto a box beside_ JIM’S. _He offers him a cigarette._ JIM
+_takes it._ JOE _scratches a match and lights both their cigarettes_.]
+
+JOE—[_After a puff, with full satisfaction._] Man, why didn’t you
+’splain dat in de fust place?
+
+JIM—We’re both niggers. [_The same hand-organ man of_ SCENE ONE _comes
+to the corner. He plays the chorus of “Bonbon Buddie,” the “Chocolate
+Drop.” They both stare straight ahead listening. Then the organ man goes
+away. A silence._ JOE _gets to his feet_.]
+
+JOE—I’ll go get me a cold beer. [_He starts to move off—then turns._]
+Time you was graduatin’, ain’t it? [_He goes_, JIM _remains sitting on
+his box staring straight before him as_
+
+
+                         [_The Curtain Falls_]
+
+
+                                ACT ONE
+                              SCENE THREE
+
+  SCENE—_The same corner five years later. Nothing has changed much. It
+      is a night in Spring. The arc-lamp discovers faces with a
+      favorless cruelty. The street noises are the same but more
+      intermittent and dulled with a quality of fatigue. Two people
+      pass, one black and one white. They are tired. They both yawn, but
+      neither laughs. There is no laughter from the two streets. From
+      the street of the whites the tenor, more nasal than ever and a bit
+      drunken, wails in high barber-shop falsetto the last half of the
+      chorus of “When I Lost You.” The Negro voice, a bit maudlin in
+      turn, replies with the last half of “Waitin’ for the Robert E.
+      Lee.” Silence._ SHORTY _enters. He looks tougher than ever, the
+      typical gangster. He stands waiting, singing a bit drunkenly,
+      peering down the street._
+
+SHORTY—[_Indignantly._] Yuh bum! Ain’t yuh ever comin’? [_He begins to
+sing: “And sewed up in her yeller kimona, She had a blue-barreled
+forty-five gun, For to get her man Who’d done her wrong.” Then he
+comments scornfully._] Not her, dough! No gat for her. She ain’t got de
+noive. A little sugar. Dat’ll fix her. [ELLA _enters. She is dressed
+poorly, her face is pale and hollow-eyed, her voice cold and tired._]
+
+SHORTY—Yuh got de message?
+
+ELLA—Here I am.
+
+SHORTY—How yuh been?
+
+ELLA—All right. [_A pause. He looks at her puzzledly._]
+
+SHORTY—[_A bit embarrassedly._] Well, I s’pose yuh’d like me to give yuh
+some dope on Mickey, huh?
+
+ELLA—No.
+
+SHORTY—Mean to say yuh don’t wanter know where he is or what he’s doin’?
+
+ELLA—No.
+
+SHORTY—Since when?
+
+ELLA—A long time.
+
+SHORTY—[_After a pause—with a rat-like viciousness._] Between you’n me,
+kid, you’ll get even soon—you’n all de odder dames he’s tossed. I’m on
+de inside. I’ve watched him trainin’. His next scrap, watch it! He’ll
+go! It won’t be de odder guy. It’ll be all youse dames he’s kidded—and
+de ones what’s kidded him. Youse’ll all be in de odder guy’s corner. He
+won’t need no odder seconds. Youse’ll trow water on him, and sponge his
+face, and take de kinks out of his socker—and Mickey’ll catch it on de
+button—and he won’t be able to take it no more—‘cause all your
+weight—you and de odders—’ll be behind dat punch. Ha ha! [_He laughs an
+evil laugh._] And Mickey’ll go—down to his knees first—[_He sinks to his
+knees in the attitude of a groggy boxer._]
+
+ELLA—I’d like to see him on his knees!
+
+SHORTY—And den—flat on his pan—dead to de world—de boidies singin’ in de
+trees—ten—out! [_He suits his action to the words, sinking flat on the
+pavement, then rises and laughs the same evil laugh._]
+
+ELLA—He’s been out—for me—a long time. [_A pause._] Why did you send for
+me?
+
+SHORTY—He sent me.
+
+ELLA—Why?
+
+SHORTY—To slip you this wad o’ dough. [_He reluctantly takes a roll of
+bills from his pocket and holds it out to her._]
+
+ELLA—[_Looks at the money indifferently._] What for?
+
+SHORTY—For you.
+
+ELLA—No.
+
+SHORTY—For de kid den.
+
+ELLA—The kid’s dead. He took diphtheria.
+
+SHORTY—Hell yuh say! When?
+
+ELLA—A long time.
+
+SHORTY—Why didn’t you write Mickey——?
+
+ELLA—Why should I? He’d only be glad.
+
+SHORTY—[_After a pause._] Well—it’s better.
+
+ELLA—Yes.
+
+SHORTY—You made up wit yer family?
+
+ELLA—No chance.
+
+SHORTY—Livin’ alone?
+
+ELLA—In Brooklyn.
+
+SHORTY—Workin’?
+
+ELLA—In a factory.
+
+SHORTY—You’re a sucker. There’s lots of softer snaps fer you, kid——
+
+ELLA—I know what you mean. No.
+
+SHORTY—Don’t yuh wanter step out no more—have fun—live?
+
+ELLA—I’m through.
+
+SHORTY—[_Mockingly._] Jump in de river, huh? T’ink it over, baby. I kin
+start yuh right in my stable. No one’ll bodder yuh den. I got influence.
+
+ELLA—[_Without emphasis._] You’re a dirty dog. Why doesn’t someone kill
+you?
+
+SHORTY—Is dat so! What’re you? They say you been travelin’ round with
+Jim Crow.
+
+ELLA—He’s been my only friend.
+
+SHORTY—A nigger!
+
+ELLA—The only white man in the world! Kind and white. You’re all
+black—black to the heart.
+
+SHORTY—Nigger-lover! [_He throws the money in her face. It falls to the
+street._] Listen, you! Mickey says he’s off of yuh for keeps. Dis is de
+finish! Dat’s what he sent me to tell you. [_Glances at her
+searchingly—a pause._] Yuh won’t make no trouble?
+
+ELLA—Why should I? He’s free. The kid’s dead. I’m free. No hard
+feelings—only—I’ll be there in spirit at his next fight, tell him! I’ll
+take your tip—the other corner—second the punch—nine—ten—out! He’s free!
+That’s all. [_She grins horribly at_ SHORTY.] Go away, Shorty.
+
+SHORTY—[_Looking at her and shaking his head—maudlinly._] Groggy!
+Groggy! We’re all groggy! Gluttons for punishment! Me for a drink. So
+long. [_He goes. A Salvation Army band comes toward the corner. They are
+playing and singing “Till We Meet at Jesus’ Feet.” They reach the end as
+they enter and stop before_ ELLA. THE CAPTAIN _steps forward_.]
+
+CAPTAIN—Sister——
+
+ELLA—[_Picks up the money and drops it in his hat—mockingly._] Here. Go
+save yourself. Leave me alone.
+
+A WOMAN SALVATIONIST—Sister——-
+
+ELLA—Never mind that. I’m not in your line—yet. [_As they hesitate,
+wonderingly._] I want to be alone. [_To the thud of the big drum they
+march off._ ELLA _sits down on a box, her hands hanging at her sides.
+Presently_ JIM HARRIS _comes in. He has grown into a quietly-dressed,
+studious-looking Negro with an intelligent yet queerly-baffled face._]
+
+JIM—[_With a joyous but bewildered cry._] Ella! I just saw Shorty——
+
+ELLA—[_Smiling at him with frank affection._] He had a message from
+Mickey.
+
+JIM—[_Sadly._] Ah!
+
+ELLA—[_Pointing to the box behind her._] Sit down. [_He does so. A
+pause—then she says indifferently._] It’s finished. I’m free, Jim.
+
+JIM—[_Wearily._] We’re never free—except to do what we have to do.
+
+ELLA—What are you getting gloomy about all of a sudden?
+
+JIM—I’ve got the report from the school. I’ve flunked again.
+
+ELLA—Poor Jim.
+
+JIM—Don’t pity me. I’d like to kick myself all over the block. Five
+years—and I’m still plugging away where I ought to have been at the end
+of two.
+
+ELLA—Why don’t you give it up?
+
+JIM—No!
+
+ELLA—After all, what’s being a lawyer?
+
+JIM—A lot—to me—what it means. [_Intensely._] Why, if I was a Member of
+the Bar right now, Ella, I believe I’d almost have the courage to——
+
+ELLA—What?
+
+JIM—Nothing. [_After a pause—gropingly._] I can’t explain—just—but it
+hurts like fire. It brands me in my pride. I swear I know more’n any
+member of my class. I ought to, I study harder. I work like the devil.
+It’s all in my head—all fine and correct to a T. Then when I’m called
+on—I stand up—all the white faces looking at me—and I can feel their
+eyes—I hear my own voice sounding funny, trembling—and all of a sudden
+it’s all gone in my head—there’s nothing remembered—and I hear myself
+stuttering—and give up—sit down—— They don’t laugh, hardly ever. They’re
+kind. They’re good people. [_In a frenzy._] They’re considerate, damn
+them! But I feel branded!
+
+ELLA—Poor Jim.
+
+JIM—[_Going on painfully._] And it’s the same thing in the written
+exams. For weeks before I study all night. I can’t sleep anyway. I learn
+it all, I see it, I understand it. Then they give me the paper in the
+exam room. I look it over, I know each answer—perfectly. I take up my
+pen. On all sides are white men starting to write. They’re so sure—even
+the ones that I know know nothing. But I know it all—but I can’t
+remember any more—it fades—it goes—it’s gone. There’s a blank in my
+head—stupidity—I sit like a fool fighting to remember a little bit here,
+a little bit there—not enough to pass—not enough for anything—when I
+know it all!
+
+ELLA—[_Compassionately._] Jim. It isn’t worth it. You don’t need to——
+
+JIM—I need it more than anyone ever needed anything. I need it to live.
+
+ELLA—What’ll it prove?
+
+JIM—Nothing at all much—but everything to me.
+
+ELLA—You’re so much better than they are in every other way.
+
+JIM—[_Looking up at her._] Then—you understand?
+
+ELLA—Of course. [_Affectionately._] Don’t I know how fine you’ve been to
+me! You’ve been the only one in the world who’s stood by me—the only
+understanding person—and all after the rotten way I used to treat you.
+
+JIM—But before that—way back so high—you treated me good. [_He smiles._]
+
+ELLA—You’ve been white to me, Jim. [_She takes his hand._]
+
+JIM—White—to you!
+
+ELLA—Yes.
+
+JIM—All love is white. I’ve always loved you. [_This with the deepest
+humility._]
+
+ELLA—Even now—after all that’s happened!
+
+JIM—Always.
+
+ELLA—I like you, Jim—better than anyone else in the world.
+
+JIM—That’s more than enough, more than I ever hoped for. [_The organ
+grinder comes to the corner. He plays the chorus of “Annie Laurie.” They
+sit listening, hand in hand._] Would you ever want to marry me, Ella?
+
+ELLA—Yes, Jim.
+
+JIM—[_As if this quick consent alarmed him._] No, no, don’t answer now.
+Wait! Turn it over in your mind! Think what it means to you! Consider
+it—over and over again! I’m in no hurry, Ella. I can wait months—years——
+
+ELLA—I’m alone. I’ve got to be helped. I’ve got to help someone—or it’s
+the end—one end or another.
+
+JIM—[_Eagerly._] Oh, I’ll help—I know I can help—I’ll give my life to
+help you—that’s what I’ve been living for——
+
+ELLA—But can I help you? Can I help you?
+
+JIM—Yes! Yes! We’ll go abroad where a man is a man—where it don’t make
+that difference—where people are kind and wise to see the soul under
+skins. I don’t ask you to love me—I don’t dare to hope nothing like
+that! I don’t want nothing—only to wait—to know you like me—to be near
+you—to keep harm away—to make up for the past—to never let you suffer
+any more—to serve you—to lie at your feet like a dog that loves you—to
+kneel by your bed like a nurse that watches over you sleeping—to
+preserve and protect and shield you from evil and sorrow—to give my life
+and my blood and all the strength that’s in me to give you peace and
+joy—to become your slave!—yes, be your slave—your black slave that
+adores you as sacred! [_He has sunk to his knees. In a frenzy of
+self-abnegation, as he says the last words he beats his head on the
+flagstones._]
+
+ELLA—[_Overcome and alarmed._] Jim! Jim! You’re crazy! I want to help
+you, Jim—I want to help——
+
+
+                         [_The Curtain Falls_]
+
+
+                                ACT ONE
+                               SCENE FOUR
+
+  SCENE—_Some weeks or so later. A street in the same ward in front of
+      an old brick church. The church sets back from the sidewalk in a
+      yard enclosed by a rusty iron railing with a gate at center. On
+      each side of this yard are tenements. The buildings have a stern,
+      forbidding look. All the shades on the windows are drawn down,
+      giving an effect of staring, brutal eyes that pry callously at
+      human beings without acknowledging them. Even the two tall, narrow
+      church windows on either side of the arched door are blanked with
+      dull green shades. It is a bright sunny morning. The district is
+      unusually still, as if it were waiting, holding its breath._
+
+      _From the street of the blacks to the right a Negro tenor sings in
+      a voice of shadowy richness—the first stanza with a contented,
+      childlike melancholy_—
+
+                    Sometimes I feel like a mourning dove,
+                    Sometimes I feel like a mourning dove,
+                        I feel like a mourning dove.
+
+      _The second with a dreamy, boyish exultance_—
+
+                  Sometimes I feel like an eagle in the air,
+                  Sometimes I feel like an eagle in the air,
+                      I feel like an eagle in the air.
+
+      _The third with a brooding, earthbound sorrow_—
+
+                  Sometimes I wish that I’d never been born,
+                  Sometimes I wish that I’d never been born,
+                      I wish that I’d never been born.
+
+      _As the music dies down there is a pause of waiting stillness.
+      This is broken by one startling, metallic clang of the
+      church-bell. As if it were a signal, people—men, women,
+      children—pour from the two tenements, whites from the tenement to
+      the left, blacks from the one to the right. They hurry to form
+      into two racial lines on each side of the gate, rigid and
+      unyielding, staring across at each other with bitter hostile eyes.
+      The halves of the big church door swing open and_ JIM _and_ ELLA
+      _step out from the darkness within into the sunlight. The doors
+      slam behind them like wooden lips of an idol that has spat them
+      out._ JIM _is dressed in black._ ELLA _in white, both with extreme
+      plainness. They stand in the sunlight, shrinking and confused. All
+      the hostile eyes are now concentrated on them. They become aware
+      of the two lines through which they must pass; they hesitate and
+      tremble; then stand there staring back at the people as fixed and
+      immovable as they are. The organ grinder comes in from the right.
+      He plays the chorus of “Old Black Joe.” As he finishes the bell of
+      the church clangs one more single stroke, insistently dismissing._
+
+JIM—[_As if the sound had awakened him from a trance, reaches out and
+takes her hand._] Come. Time we got to the steamer. Time we sailed away
+over the sea. Come, Honey! [_She tries to answer but her lips tremble;
+she cannot take her eyes off the eyes of the people; she is unable to
+move. He sees this and, keeping the same tone of profound, affectionate
+kindness, he points upward in the sky, and gradually persuades her eyes
+to look up._] Look up, Honey! See the sun! Feel his warm eye lookin’
+down! Feel how kind he looks! Feel his blessing deep in your heart, your
+bones! Look up, Honey! [_Her eyes are fixed on the sky now. Her face is
+calm. She tries to smile bravely back at the sun. Now he pulls her by
+the hand, urging her gently to walk with him down through the yard and
+gate, through the lines of people. He is maintaining an attitude to
+support them through the ordeal only by a terrible effort, which
+manifests itself in the hysteric quality of ecstasy which breaks into
+his voice._] And look at the sky! Ain’t it kind and blue! Blue for hope.
+Don’t they say blue’s for hope? Hope! That’s for us, Honey. All those
+blessings in the sky! What’s it the Bible says? Falls on just and unjust
+alike? No, that’s the sweet rain. Pshaw, what am I saying? All mixed up.
+There’s no unjust about it. We’re all the same—equally just—under the
+sky—under the sun—under God—sailing over the sea—to the other side of
+the world—the side where Christ was born—the kind side that takes count
+of the soul—over the sea—the sea’s blue, to——. Let’s not be late—let’s
+get that steamer! [_They have reached the curb now, passed the lines of
+people. She is looking up to the sky with an expression of trancelike
+calm and peace. He is on the verge of collapse, his face twitching, his
+eyes staring. He calls hoarsely_:] Taxi! Where is he? Taxi!
+
+
+                         [_The Curtain Falls_]
+
+
+
+
+                                 ACT II
+
+
+                                ACT TWO
+                               SCENE ONE
+
+  SCENE—_Two years later. A flat of the better sort in the Negro
+      district near the corner of Act One. This is the parlor. Its
+      furniture is a queer clash. The old pieces are cheaply ornate,
+      naïvely, childishly gaudy—the new pieces give evidence of a taste
+      that is diametrically opposed, severe to the point of somberness.
+      On one wall, in a heavy gold frame, is a colored photograph—the
+      portrait of an elderly Negro with an able, shrewd face but dressed
+      in outlandish lodge regalia, a get-up adorned with medals, sashes,
+      a cocked hat with frills—the whole effect as absurd to contemplate
+      as one of Napoleon’s Marshals in full uniform. In the left corner,
+      where a window lights it effectively, is a Negro primitive mask
+      from the Congo—a grotesque face, inspiring obscure, dim
+      connotations in one’s mind, but beautifully done, conceived in a
+      true religious spirit. In this room, however, the mask acquires an
+      arbitrary accentuation. It dominates by a diabolical quality that
+      contrast imposes upon it._
+
+      _There are two windows on the left looking out in the street. In
+      the rear, a door to the hall of the building. In the right, a
+      doorway with red and gold portières leading into the bedroom and
+      the rest of the flat. Everything is cleaned and polished. The dark
+      brown wall paper is new, the brilliantly figured carpet also.
+      There is a round mahogany table at center. In a rocking chair by
+      the table_ MRS. HARRIS _is sitting. She is a mild-looking,
+      gray-haired Negress of sixty-five, dressed in an old-fashioned
+      Sunday-best dress. Walking about the room nervously is_ HATTIE,
+      _her daughter_, JIM’S _sister, a woman of about thirty with a
+      high-strung, defiant face—an intelligent head showing both power
+      and courage. She is dressed severely, mannishly._
+
+      _It is a fine morning in Spring. Sunshine comes through the
+      windows at the left._
+
+MRS. HARRIS—Time dey was here, ain’t it?
+
+HATTIE—[_Impatiently._] Yes.
+
+MRS. H.—[_Worriedly._] You ain’t gwine ter kick up a fuss, is you—like
+you done wid Jim befo’ de weddin’?
+
+HATTIE—No. What’s done is done.
+
+MRS. H.—We mustn’t let her see we hold it agin’ her—de bad dat happened
+to her wid dat no-count fighter.
+
+HATTIE—I certainly never give that a thought. It’s what she’s done to
+Jim—making him run away and give up his fight——!
+
+MRS. H.—Jim loves her a powerful lot, must be.
+
+HATTIE—[_After a pause—bitterly._] I wonder if she loves Jim!
+
+MRS. H.—She must, too. Yes, she must, too. Don’t you forget dat it was
+hard for her—mighty, mighty hard—harder for de white dan for de black!
+
+HATTIE—[_Indignantly._] Why should it be?
+
+MRS. H.—[_Shaking her head._] I ain’t talkin’ of shoulds. It’s too late
+for shoulds. Dey’s o’ny one should. [_Solemnly._] De white and de black
+shouldn’t mix dat close. Dere’s one road where de white goes on alone;
+dere’s anudder road where de black goes on alone——
+
+HATTIE—Yes, if they’d only leave us alone!
+
+MRS. H.—Dey leaves your Pa alone. He comes to de top till he’s got his
+own business, lots o’ money in de bank, he owns a building even befo’ he
+die. [_She looks up proudly at the picture._ HATTIE _sighs
+impatiently—then her mother goes on_.] Dey leaves me alone. I bears four
+children into dis worl’, two dies, two lives, I helps you two grow up
+fine an’ healthy and eddicated wid schoolin’ and money fo’ yo’ comfort——
+
+HATTIE—[_Impatiently._] Ma!
+
+MRS. H.—I does de duty God set for me in dis worl’. Dey leaves me alone.
+[HATTIE _goes to the window to hide her exasperation. The mother broods
+for a minute—then goes on._] The worl’ done change. Dey ain’t no
+satisfaction wid nuffin’ no more.
+
+HATTIE—Oh! [_Then after a pause._] They’ll be here any minute now.
+
+MRS. H.—Why didn’t you go meet ’em at de dock like I axed you?
+
+HATTIE—I couldn’t. My face and Jim’s among those hundreds of white
+faces—— [_With a harsh laugh._] It would give her too much advantage!
+
+MRS. H.—[_Impatiently._] Don’t talk dat way! What makes you so proud?
+[_Then after a pause—sadly._] Hattie.
+
+HATTIE—[_Turning._] Yes, Ma.
+
+MRS. H.—I want to see Jim again—my only boy—but—all de same I’d ruther
+he stayed away. He say in his letter he’s happy, she’s happy, dey likes
+it dere, de folks don’t think nuffin’ but what’s natural at seeing ’em
+married. Why don’t dey stay?
+
+HATTIE—[_Vehemently._] No! They were cowards to run away. If they
+believe in what they’ve done, then let them face it out, live it out
+here, be strong enough to conquer all prejudice!
+
+MRS. H.—Strong? Dey ain’t many strong. Dey ain’t many happy neider. Dey
+was happy ovah yondah.
+
+HATTIE—We don’t deserve happiness till we’ve fought the fight of our
+race and won it! [_In the pause that follows there is a ring from back
+in the flat._] It’s the door bell! You go, Ma. I—I—I’d rather not. [_Her
+mother looks at her rebukingly and goes out agitatedly through the
+portières._ HATTIE _waits, nervously walking about, trying to compose
+herself. There is a long pause. Finally the portières are parted and_
+JIM _enters. He looks much older, graver, worried._]
+
+JIM—Hattie!
+
+HATTIE—Jim! [_They embrace with great affection._]
+
+JIM—It’s great to see you again! You’re looking fine.
+
+HATTIE—[_Looking at him searchingly._] You look well, too—thinner
+maybe—and tired. [_Then as she sees him frowning._] But where’s Ella?
+
+JIM—With Ma. [_Apologetically._] She sort of—broke down—when we came in.
+The trip wore her out.
+
+HATTIE—[_Coldly._] I see.
+
+JIM—Oh, it’s nothing serious. Nerves. She needs a rest.
+
+HATTIE—Wasn’t living in France restful?
+
+JIM—Yes, but—too lonely—especially for her.
+
+HATTIE—[_Resentfully._] Why? Didn’t the people there want to
+associate——?
+
+JIM—[_Quickly._] Oh, no indeedy, they didn’t think anything of that.
+[_After a pause._] But—she did. For the first year it was all right.
+Ella liked everything a lot. She went out with French folks and got so
+she could talk it a little—and I learned it—a little. We were having a
+right nice time. I never thought then we’d ever want to come back here.
+
+HATTIE—[_Frowning._] But—what happened to change you?
+
+JIM—[_After a pause—haltingly._] Well—you see—the first year—she and I
+were living around—like friends—like a brother and sister—like you and I
+might.
+
+HATTIE—[_Her face becoming more and more drawn and tense._] You
+mean—then——? [_She shudders—then after a pause._] She loves you, Jim?
+
+JIM—If I didn’t know that I’d have to jump in the river.
+
+HATTIE—Are you sure she loves you?
+
+JIM—Isn’t that why she’s suffering?
+
+HATTIE—[_Letting her breath escape through her clenched teeth._] Ah!
+
+JIM—[_Suddenly springs up and shouts almost hysterically._] Why d’you
+ask me all those damn questions? Are you trying to make trouble between
+us?
+
+HATTIE—[_Controlling herself—quietly._] No, Jim.
+
+JIM—[_After a pause—contritely._] I’m sorry, Hattie. I’m kind of on edge
+today. [_He sinks down on his chair—then goes on as if something forced
+him to speak._] After that we got to living housed in. Ella didn’t want
+to see nobody, she said just the two of us was enough. I was happy
+then—and I really guess she was happy, too—in a way—for a while. [_Again
+a pause._] But she never did get to wanting to go out any place again.
+She got to saying she felt she’d be sure to run into someone she
+knew—from over here. So I moved us out to the country where no tourist
+ever comes—but it didn’t make any difference to her. She got to avoiding
+the French folks the same as if they were Americans and I couldn’t get
+it out of her mind. She lived in the house and got paler and paler, and
+more and more nervous and scarey, always imagining things—until I got to
+imagining things, too. I got to feeling blue. Got to sneering at myself
+that I wasn’t any better than a quitter because I sneaked away right
+after getting married, didn’t face nothing, gave up trying to become a
+Member of the Bar—and I got to suspecting Ella must feel that way about
+me, too—that I wasn’t a _real man_!
+
+HATTIE—[_Indignantly._] She couldn’t!
+
+JIM—[_With hostility._] You don’t need to tell me! All this was only in
+my own mind. We never quarreled a single bit. We never said a harsh
+word. We were as close to each other as could be. We were all there was
+in the world to each other. We were alone together! [_A pause._] Well,
+one day I got so I couldn’t stand it. I could see she couldn’t stand it.
+So I just up and said: Ella, we’ve got to have a plain talk, look
+everything straight in the face, hide nothing, come out with the exact
+truth of the way we feel.
+
+HATTIE—And you decided to come back!
+
+JIM—Yes. We decided the reason we felt sort of ashamed was we’d acted
+like cowards. We’d run away from the thing—and taken it with us. We
+decided to come back and face it and live it down in ourselves, and
+prove to ourselves we were strong in our love—and then, and that way
+only, by being brave we’d free ourselves, and gain confidence, and be
+really free inside and able then to go anywhere and live in peace and
+equality with ourselves and the world without any guilty uncomfortable
+feeling coming up to rile us. [_He has talked himself now into a state
+of happy confidence._]
+
+HATTIE—[_Bending over and kissing him._] Good for you! I admire you so
+much, Jim! I admire both of you! And are you going to begin studying
+right away and get admitted to the Bar?
+
+JIM—You bet I am!
+
+HATTIE—You must, Jim! Our race needs men like you to come to the front
+and help—— [_As voices are heard approaching she stops, stiffens, and
+her face grows cold._]
+
+JIM—[_Noticing this—warningly._] Remember Ella’s been sick! [_Losing
+control—threateningly._] You be nice to her, you hear! [MRS. HARRIS
+_enters, showing_ ELLA _the way. The colored woman is plainly worried
+and perplexed._ ELLA _is pale, with a strange, haunted expression in her
+eyes. She runs to Jim as to a refuge, clutching his hands in both of
+hers, looking from_ MRS. HARRIS _to_ HATTIE _with a frightened
+defiance_.]
+
+MRS. H.—Dere he is, child, big’s life! She was afraid we’d done
+kidnapped you away, Jim.
+
+JIM—[_Patting her hand._] This place ought to be familiar, Ella. Don’t
+you remember playing here with us sometimes as a kid?
+
+ELLA—[_Queerly—with a frown of effort._] I remember playing marbles one
+night—but that was on the street.
+
+JIM—Don’t you remember Hattie?
+
+HATTIE—[_Coming forward with a forced smile._] It was a long time
+ago—but I remember Ella. [_She holds out her hand._]
+
+ELLA—[_Taking it—looking at_ HATTIE _with the same queer defiance_.] I
+remember. But you’ve changed so much.
+
+HATTIE—[_Stirred to hostility by_ ELLA’S _manner—condescendingly_.] Yes,
+I’ve grown older, naturally. [_Then in a tone which, as if in spite of
+herself, becomes bragging._] I’ve worked so hard. First I went away to
+college, you know—then I took up post-graduate study—when suddenly I
+decided I’d accomplish more good if I gave up learning and took up
+teaching. [_She suddenly checks herself, ashamed, and stung by_ ELLA’S
+_indifference_.] But this sounds like stupid boasting. I don’t mean
+that. I was only explaining——
+
+ELLA—[_Indifferently._] I didn’t know you’d been to school so long. [_A
+pause._] Where are you teaching? In a colored school, I suppose. [_There
+is an indifferent superiority in her words that is maddening to_
+HATTIE.]
+
+HATTIE—[_Controlling herself._] Yes. A private school endowed by some
+wealthy members of our race.
+
+ELLA—[_Suddenly—even eagerly._] Then you must have taken lots of
+examinations and managed to pass them, didn’t you?
+
+HATTIE—[_Biting her lips._] I always passed with honors!
+
+ELLA—Yes, we both graduated from the same High School, didn’t we? That
+was dead easy for me. Why I hardly even looked at a book. But Jim says
+it was awfully hard for him. He failed one year, remember? [_She turns
+and smiles at_ JIM—_a tolerant, superior smile but one full of genuine
+love_. HATTIE _is outraged, but_ JIM _smiles_.]
+
+JIM—Yes, it was hard for me, Honey.
+
+ELLA—And the law school examinations Jim hardly ever could pass at all.
+Could you? [_She laughs lovingly._]
+
+HATTIE—[_Harshly._] Yes, he could! He can! He’ll pass them now—if you’ll
+give him a chance!
+
+JIM—[_Angrily._] Hattie!
+
+MRS. HARRIS—Hold yo’ fool tongue!
+
+HATTIE—[_Sullenly._] I’m sorry. [ELLA _has shrunk back against_ JIM.
+_She regards_ HATTIE _with a sort of wondering hatred. Then she looks
+away about the room. Suddenly her eyes fasten on the primitive mask and
+she gives a stifled scream._]
+
+JIM—What’s the matter, Honey?
+
+ELLA—[_Pointing._] That! For God’s sake, what is it?
+
+HATTIE—[_Scornfully._] It’s a Congo mask. [_She goes and picks it up._]
+I’ll take it away if you wish. I thought you’d like it. It was my
+wedding present to Jim.
+
+ELLA—What is it?
+
+HATTIE—It’s a mask which used to be worn in religious ceremonies by my
+people in Africa. But, aside from that, it’s beautifully made, a work of
+Art by a real artist—as real in his way as your Michael Angelo.
+[_Forces_ ELLA _to take it_.] Here. Just notice the workmanship.
+
+ELLA—[_Defiantly._] I’m not scared of it if you’re not. [_Looking at it
+with disgust._] Beautiful? Well, some people certainly have queer
+notions! It looks ugly to me and stupid—like a kid’s game—making faces!
+[_She slaps it contemptuously._] Pooh! You needn’t look hard at me. I’ll
+give you the laugh. [_She goes to put it back on the stand._]
+
+JIM—Maybe, if it disturbs you, we better put it in some other room.
+
+ELLA—[_Defiantly aggressive._] No. I want it here where I can give it
+the laugh! [_She sets it there again—then turns suddenly on_ HATTIE
+_with aggressive determination_.] Jim’s not going to take any more
+examinations! I won’t let him!
+
+HATTIE—[_Bursting forth._] Jim! Do you hear that? There’s white
+justice!—their fear for their superiority!——
+
+ELLA—[_With a terrified pleading._] Make her go away, Jim!
+
+JIM—[_Losing control—furiously to his sister._] Either you leave here—or
+we will!
+
+MRS. H.—[_Weeping—throws her arms around_ HATTIE.] Let’s go, chile!
+Let’s go!
+
+HATTIE—[_Calmly now._] Yes, Ma. All right. [_They go through the
+portières. As soon as they are gone_, JIM _suddenly collapses into a
+chair and hides his head in his hands_. ELLA _stands beside him for a
+moment. She stares distractedly about her, at the portrait, at the mask,
+at the furniture, at_ JIM. _She seems fighting to escape from some
+weight on her mind. She throws this off and, completely her old self for
+the moment, kneels by_ JIM _and pats his shoulder_.]
+
+ELLA—[_With kindness and love._] Don’t, Jim! Don’t cry, please! You
+don’t suppose I really meant that about the examinations, do you? Why,
+of course, I didn’t mean a word! I couldn’t mean it! I want you to take
+the examinations! I want you to pass! I want you to be a lawyer! I want
+you to be the best lawyer in the country! I want you to show ’em—all the
+dirty sneaking; gossiping liars that talk behind our backs—what a man I
+married. I want the whole world to know you’re the whitest of the white!
+I want you to climb and climb—and step on ’em, stamp right on their mean
+faces! I love you, Jim. You know that!
+
+JIM—[_Calm again—happily._] I hope so, Honey—and I’ll make myself
+worthy.
+
+HATTIE—[_Appears in the doorway—quietly._] We’re going now, Jim.
+
+ELLA—No. Don’t go.
+
+HATTIE—We were going to, anyway. This is your house—Mother’s gift to
+you, Jim.
+
+JIM—[_Astonished._] But I can’t accept—— Where are you going?
+
+HATTIE—We’ve got a nice flat in the Bronx—[_with bitter pride_] in the
+heart of the Black Belt—the Congo—among our own people!
+
+JIM—[_Angrily._] You’re crazy—I’ll see Ma—— [_He goes out._ HATTIE _and_
+ELLA _stare at each other with scorn and hatred for a moment, then_
+HATTIE _goes_. ELLA _remains kneeling for a moment by the chair, her
+eyes dazed and strange as she looks about her. Then she gets to her feet
+and stands before the portrait of_ JIM’S _father—with a sneer_.]
+
+ELLA—It’s his Old Man—all dolled up like a circus horse! Well, they
+can’t help it. It’s in the blood, I suppose. They’re ignorant, that’s
+all there is to it. [_She moves to the mask—forcing a mocking tone._]
+Hello, sport! Who d’you think you’re scaring? Not me! I’ll give you the
+laugh. He won’t pass, you wait and see. Not in a thousand years! [_She
+goes to the window and looks down at the street and mutters._] All
+black! Every one of them! [_Then with sudden excitement._] No, there’s
+one. Why, it’s Shorty! [_She throws the window open and calls._] Shorty!
+Shorty! Hello, Shorty! [_She leans out and waves—then stops, remains
+there for a moment looking down, then comes back into the room suddenly
+as if she wanted to hide—her whole face in an anguish._] Say! Say! I
+wonder?—No, he didn’t hear you. Yes, he did, too! He must have! I yelled
+so loud you could hear me in Jersey! No, what are you talking about? How
+would he hear with all kids yelling down there? He never heard a word, I
+tell you! He did, too! He didn’t want to hear you! He didn’t want to let
+anyone know he knew you! Why don’t you acknowledge it? What are you
+lying about? I’m not! Why shouldn’t he? Where does he come in to—for
+God’s sake, who is Shorty, anyway? A pimp! Yes, and a dope-peddler, too!
+D’you mean to say he’d have the nerve to hear me call him and then
+deliberately——? Yes, I mean to say it! I do say it! And it’s true, and
+you know it, and you might as well be honest for a change and admit it!
+He heard you but he didn’t want to hear you! He doesn’t want to know you
+any more. No, not even him! He’s afraid it’d get him in wrong with the
+old gang. Why? You know well enough! Because you married a—a—a—well, I
+won’t say it, but you know without my mentioning names! [ELLA _springs
+to her feet in horror and shakes off her obsession with a frantic
+effort_.] Stop! [_Then whimpering like a frightened child._] Jim! Jim!
+Jim! Where are you? I want you, Jim! [_She runs out of the room as_
+
+
+                         [_The Curtain Falls_]
+
+
+                                ACT TWO
+                               SCENE TWO
+
+  SCENE—_The same. Six months later. It is evening. The walls of the
+      room appear shrunken in, the ceiling lowered, so that the
+      furniture, the portrait, the mask look unnaturally large and
+      domineering._ JIM _is seated at the table studying, law books
+      piled by his elbows. He is keeping his attention concentrated only
+      by a driving physical effort which gives his face the expression
+      of a runner’s near the tape. His forehead shines with
+      perspiration. He mutters one sentence from Blackstone over and
+      over again, tapping his forehead with his fist in time to the
+      rhythm he gives the stale words. But, in spite of himself, his
+      attention wanders, his eyes have an uneasy, hunted look, he starts
+      at every sound in the house or from the street. Finally, he
+      remains rigid, Blackstone forgotten, his eyes fixed on the
+      portières with tense grief. Then he groans, slams the book shut,
+      goes to the window and throws it open and sinks down beside it,
+      his arms on the sill, his head resting wearily on his arms,
+      staring out into the night, the pale glare from the arc-lamp on
+      the corner throwing his face into relief. The portières on the
+      right are parted and_ HATTIE _comes in_.
+
+HATTIE—[_Not seeing him at the table._] Jim! [_Discovering him._] Oh,
+there you are. What’re you doing?
+
+JIM—[_Turning to her._] Resting. Cooling my head. [_Forcing a smile._]
+These law books certainly are a sweating proposition! [_Then,
+anxiously._] How is she?
+
+HATTIE—She’s asleep now. I felt it was safe to leave her for a minute.
+[_After a pause._] What did the doctor tell you, Jim?
+
+JIM—The same old thing. She must have rest, he says, her mind needs
+rest—— [_Bitterly._] But he can’t tell me any prescription for that
+rest—leastways not any that’d work.
+
+HATTIE—[_After a pause._] I think you ought to leave her, Jim—or let her
+leave you—for a while, anyway.
+
+JIM—[_Angrily._] You’re like the doctor. Everything’s so simple and
+easy. Do this and that happens. Only it don’t. Life isn’t simple like
+that—not in this case, anyway—no, it isn’t simple a bit. [_After a
+pause._] I can’t leave her. She can’t leave me. And there’s a million
+little reasons combining to make one big reason why we can’t. [_A
+pause._] For her sake—if it’d do her good—I’d go—I’d leave—I’d do
+anything—because I love her. I’d kill myself even—jump out of this
+window this second—I’ve thought it over, too—but that’d only make
+matters worse for her. I’m all she’s got in the world! Yes, that isn’t
+bragging or fooling myself. I know that for a fact! Don’t you know
+that’s true? [_There is a pleading for the certainty he claims._]
+
+HATTIE—Yes, I know she loves you, Jim. I know that now.
+
+JIM—[_Simply._] Then we’ve got to stick together to the end, haven’t we,
+whatever comes—and hope and pray for the best? [_A pause—then
+hopefully._] I think maybe this is the crisis in her mind. Once she
+settles this in herself, she’s won to the other side. And me—once I
+become a Member of the Bar—then I win, too! We’re both free—by our own
+fighting down our own weakness! We’re both really, truly free! Then we
+can be happy with ourselves here or anywhere. She’ll be proud then! Yes,
+she’s told me again and again, she says she’ll be actually proud!
+
+HATTIE—[_Turning away to conceal her emotion._] Yes, I’m sure—but you
+mustn’t study too hard, Jim! You mustn’t study too awfully hard!
+
+JIM—[_Gets up and goes to the table and sits down wearily._] Yes, I
+know. Oh, I’ll pass easily. I haven’t got any scarey feeling about that
+any more. And I’m doing two years’ work in one here alone. That’s better
+than schools, eh?
+
+HATTIE—[_Doubtfully._] It’s wonderful, Jim.
+
+JIM—[_His spirit evaporating._] If I can only hold out! It’s hard! I’m
+worn out. I don’t sleep. I get to thinking and thinking. My head aches
+and burns like fire with thinking. Round and round my thoughts go
+chasing like crazy chickens hopping and flapping before the wind. It
+gets me crazy mad—’cause I can’t stop!
+
+HATTIE—[_Watching him for a while and seeming to force herself to
+speak._] The doctor didn’t tell you all, Jim.
+
+JIM—[_Dully._] What’s that?
+
+HATTIE—He told me you’re liable to break down too, if you don’t take
+care of yourself.
+
+JIM—[_Abjectly weary._] Let ’er come! I don’t care what happens to me.
+Maybe if I get sick she’ll get well. There’s only so much bad luck
+allowed to one family, maybe. [_He forces a wan smile._]
+
+HATTIE—[_Hastily._] Don’t give in to that idea, for the Lord’s sake!
+
+JIM—I’m tired—and blue—that’s all.
+
+HATTIE—[_After another long pause._] I’ve got to tell you something
+else, Jim.
+
+JIM—[_Dully._] What?
+
+HATTIE—The doctor said Ella’s liable to be sick like this a very long
+time.
+
+JIM—He told me that too—that it’d be a long time before she got back her
+normal strength. Well, I suppose that’s got to be expected.
+
+HATTIE—[_Slowly._] He didn’t mean convalescing—what he told me. [_A long
+pause._]
+
+JIM—[_Evasively._] I’m going to get other doctors in to see
+Ella—specialists. This one’s a damn fool.
+
+HATTIE—Be sensible, Jim. You’ll have to face the truth—sooner or later.
+
+JIM—[_Irritably._] I know the truth about Ella better’n any doctor.
+
+HATTIE—[_Persuasively._] She’d get better so much sooner if you’d send
+her away to some nice sanitarium——
+
+JIM—No! She’d die of shame there!
+
+HATTIE—At least until after you’ve taken your examinations——
+
+JIM—To hell with me!
+
+HATTIE—Six months. That wouldn’t be long to be parted.
+
+JIM—What are you trying to do—separate us? [_He gets to his
+feet—furiously._] Go on out! Go on out!
+
+HATTIE—[_Calmly._] No, I won’t. [_Sharply._] There’s something that’s
+got to be said to you and I’m the only one with the courage——
+[_Intensely._] Tell me, Jim, have you heard her raving when she’s out of
+her mind?
+
+JIM—[_With a shudder._] No!
+
+HATTIE—You’re lying, Jim. You must have—if you don’t stop your ears—and
+the doctor says she may develop a violent mania, dangerous for you—get
+worse and worse until—Jim, you’ll go crazy too—living this way. Today
+she raved on about “Black! Black!” and cried because she said her skin
+was turning black—that you had poisoned her——
+
+JIM—[_In anguish._] That’s only when she’s out of her mind.
+
+HATTIE—And then she suddenly called me a dirty nigger.
+
+JIM—No! She never said that ever! She never would!
+
+HATTIE—She did—and kept on and on! [_A tense pause._] She’ll be saying
+that to you soon.
+
+JIM—[_Torturedly._] She don’t mean it! She isn’t responsible for what
+she’s saying!
+
+HATTIE—I know she isn’t—yet she is just the same. It’s deep down in her
+or it wouldn’t come out.
+
+JIM—Deep down in her people—not deep in her.
+
+HATTIE—I can’t make such distinctions. The race in me, deep in me, can’t
+stand it. I can’t play nurse to her any more, Jim,—not even for your
+sake. I’m afraid—afraid of myself—afraid sometime I’ll kill her dead to
+set you free! [_She loses control and begins to cry._]
+
+JIM—[_After a long pause—somberly._] Yes, I guess you’d better stay away
+from here. Good-by.
+
+HATTIE—Who’ll you get to nurse her, Jim,—a white woman?
+
+JIM—Ella’d die of shame. No, I’ll nurse her myself.
+
+HATTIE—And give up your studies?
+
+JIM—I can do both.
+
+HATTIE—You can’t! You’ll get sick yourself! Why, you look terrible even
+as it is—and it’s only beginning!
+
+JIM—I can do anything for her! I’m all she’s got in the world! I’ve got
+to prove I can be all to her! I’ve got to prove worthy! I’ve got to
+prove she can be proud of me! I’ve got to prove I’m the whitest of the
+white!
+
+HATTIE—[_Stung by this last—with rebellious bitterness._] Is that the
+ambition she’s given you? Oh, you soft, weak-minded fool, you traitor to
+your race! And the thanks you’ll get—to be called a dirty nigger—to hear
+her cursing you because she can never have a child because it’ll be born
+black——!
+
+JIM—[_In a frenzy._] Stop!
+
+HATTIE—I’ll say what must be said even though you kill me, Jim. Send her
+to an asylum before you both have to be sent to one together.
+
+JIM—[_With a sudden wild laugh._] Do you think you’re threatening me
+with something dreadful now? Why, I’d like that. Sure, I’d like that!
+Maybe she’d like it better, too. Maybe we’d both find it all simple
+then—like you think it is now. Yes. [_He laughs again._]
+
+HATTIE—[_Frightenedly._] Jim!
+
+JIM—Together! You can’t scare me even with hell fire if you say she and
+I go together. It’s heaven then for me! [_With sudden savagery._] You go
+out of here! All you’ve ever been aiming to do is to separate us so we
+can’t be together!
+
+HATTIE—I’ve done what I did for your own good.
+
+JIM—I have no own good. I only got a good together with her. I’m all
+she’s got in the world! Let her call me nigger! Let her call me the
+whitest of the white! I’m all she’s got in the world, ain’t I? She’s all
+I’ve got! You with your fool talk of the black race and the white race!
+Where does the human race get a chance to come in? I suppose that’s
+simple for you. You lock it up in asylums and throw away the key! [_With
+fresh violence._] Go along! There isn’t going to be no more people
+coming in here to separate—excepting the doctor. I’m going to lock the
+door and it’s going to stay locked, you hear? Go along, now!
+
+HATTIE—[_Confusedly._] Jim!
+
+JIM—[_Pushes her out gently and slams the door after her—vaguely._] Go
+along! I got to study. I got to nurse Ella, too. Oh, I can do it! I can
+do anything for her! [_He sits down at the table and, opening the book,
+begins again to recite the line from Blackstone in a meaningless rhythm,
+tapping his forehead with his fist._ ELLA _enters noiselessly through
+the portières. She wears a red dressing-gown over her night-dress but is
+in her bare feet. She has a carving-knife in her right hand. Her eyes
+fasten on_ JIM _with a murderous mania. She creeps up behind him.
+Suddenly he senses something and turns. As he sees her he gives a cry,
+jumping up and catching her wrist. She stands fixed, her eyes growing
+bewildered and frightened._]
+
+JIM—[_Aghast._] Ella! For God’s sake! Do you want to murder me? [_She
+does not answer. He shakes her._]
+
+ELLA—[_Whimperingly._] They kept calling me names as I was walking
+along—I can’t tell you what, Jim—and then I grabbed a knife——
+
+JIM—Yes! See! This! [_She looks at it frightenedly._]
+
+ELLA—Where did I——? I was having a nightmare—— Where did they go—I mean,
+how did I get here? [_With sudden terrified pleading—like a little
+girl._] Oh, Jim—don’t ever leave me alone! I have such terrible dreams,
+Jim—promise you’ll never go away!
+
+JIM—I promise, Honey.
+
+ELLA—[_Her manner becoming more and more childishly silly._] I’ll be a
+little girl—and you’ll be old Uncle Jim who’s been with us for years and
+years—— Will you play that?
+
+JIM—Yes, Honey. Now you better go back to bed.
+
+ELLA—[_Like a child._] Yes, Uncle Jim. [_She turns to go. He pretends to
+be occupied by his book. She looks at him for a second—then suddenly
+asks in her natural woman’s voice._] Are you studying hard, Jim?
+
+JIM—Yes, Honey. Go to bed now. You need to rest, you know.
+
+ELLA—[_Stands looking at him, fighting with herself. A startling
+transformation comes over her face. It grows mean, vicious, full of
+jealous hatred. She cannot contain herself but breaks out harshly with a
+cruel, venomous grin._] You dirty nigger!
+
+JIM—[_Starting as if he’d been shot._] Ella! For the good Lord’s sake!
+
+ELLA—[_Coming out of her insane mood for a moment, aware of something
+terrible, frightened._] Jim! Jim! Why are you looking at me like that?
+
+JIM—What did you say to me just then?
+
+ELLA—[_Gropingly._] Why, I—I said—I remember saying, are you studying
+hard, Jim? Why? You’re not mad at that, are you?
+
+JIM—No, Honey. What made you think I was mad? Go to bed now.
+
+ELLA—[_Obediently._] Yes, Jim. [_She passes behind the portières._ JIM
+_stares before him. Suddenly her head is thrust out at the side of the
+portières. Her face is again that of a vindictive maniac._] Nigger!
+[_The face disappears—she can be heard running away, laughing with cruel
+satisfaction._ JIM _bows his head on his outstretched arms but he is too
+stricken for tears_.]
+
+
+                         [_The Curtain Falls_]
+
+
+                                ACT TWO
+                              SCENE THREE
+
+  SCENE—_The same, six months later. The sun has just gone down. The
+      Spring twilight sheds a vague, gray light about the room, picking
+      out the Congo mask on the stand by the window. The walls have
+      shrunken in still more, the ceiling now barely clears the people’s
+      heads, the furniture and the characters appear enormously
+      magnified. Law books are stacked in two great piles on each side
+      of the table._ ELLA _comes in from the right, the carving-knife in
+      her hand. She is pitifully thin, her face is wasted, but her eyes
+      glow with a mad energy, her movements are abrupt and spring-like.
+      She looks stealthily about the room, then advances and stands
+      before the mask, her arms akimbo, her attitude one of crazy
+      mockery, fear and bravado. She is dressed in the red
+      dressing-gown, grown dirty and ragged now, and is in her bare
+      feet._
+
+ELLA—I’ll give you the laugh, wait and see! [_Then in a confidential
+tone._] He thought I was asleep! He called, Ella, Ella—but I kept my
+eyes shut, I pretended to snore. I fooled him good. [_She gives a little
+hoarse laugh._] This is the first time he’s dared to leave me alone for
+months and months. I’ve been wanting to talk to you every day but this
+is the only chance—— [_With sudden violence—flourishing her knife._]
+What’re you grinning about, you dirty nigger, you? How dare you grin at
+me? I guess you forget what you are! That’s always the way. Be kind to
+you, treat you decent, and in a second you’ve got a swelled head, you
+think you’re somebody, you’re all over the place putting on airs, why,
+it’s got so I can’t even walk down the street without seeing niggers,
+niggers everywhere. Hanging around, grinning, grinning—going to
+school—pretending they’re white—taking examinations——[_She stops,
+arrested by the word, then suddenly._] That’s where he’s gone—down to
+the mail-box—to see if there’s a letter from the Board—telling him—— But
+why is he so long? [_She calls pitifully._] Jim! [_Then in a terrified
+whimper._] Maybe he’s passed! Maybe he’s passed! [_In a frenzy._] No!
+No! He can’t! I’d kill him! I’d kill myself! [_Threatening the Congo
+mask._] It’s you who’re to blame for this! Yes, you! Oh, I’m on to you!
+[_Then appealingly._] But why d’you want to do this to us? What have I
+ever done wrong to you? What have you got against me? I married you,
+didn’t I? Why don’t you let Jim alone? Why don’t you let him be happy as
+he is—with me? Why don’t you let me be happy? He’s white, isn’t he—the
+whitest man that ever lived? Where do you come in to interfere? Black!
+Black! Black as dirt! You’ve poisoned me! I can’t wash myself clean! Oh,
+I hate you! I hate you! Why don’t you let Jim and I be happy? [_She
+sinks down in his chair, her arms outstretched on the table. The door
+from the hall is slowly opened and_ JIM _appears. His bloodshot,
+sleepless eyes stare from deep hollows. His expression is one of crushed
+numbness. He holds an open letter in his hand._]
+
+JIM—[_Seeing_ ELLA—_in an absolutely dead voice_.] Honey—I thought you
+were asleep.
+
+ELLA—[_Starts and wheels about in her chair._] What’s that? You got—you
+got a letter——?
+
+JIM—[_Turning to close the door after him._] From the Board of Examiners
+for admission to the Bar, State of New York—God’s country! [_He finishes
+up with a chuckle of ironic self-pity so spent as to be barely
+audible._]
+
+ELLA—[_Writhing out of her chair like some fierce animal, the knife held
+behind her—with fear and hatred._] You didn’t—you didn’t—you didn’t
+pass, did you?
+
+JIM—[_Looking at her wildly._] Pass? Pass? [_He begins to chuckle and
+laugh between sentences and phrases, rich, Negro laughter, but
+heart-breaking in its mocking grief._] Good Lord, child, how come you
+can ever imagine such a crazy idea? Pass? Me? Jim Crow Harris? Nigger
+Jim Harris—become a full-fledged Member of the Bar! Why the mere notion
+of it is enough to kill you with laughing! It’d be against all natural
+laws, all human right and justice. It’d be miraculous, there’d be
+earthquakes and catastrophes, the seven Plagues’d come again and
+locusts’d devour all the money in the banks, the second Flood’d come
+roaring and Noah’d fall overboard, the sun’d drop out of the sky like a
+ripe fig, and the Devil’d perform miracles, and God’d be tipped head
+first right out of the Judgment seat! [_He laughs, maudlinly
+uproarious._]
+
+ELLA—[_Her face beginning to relax, to light up._] Then you—you didn’t
+pass?
+
+JIM—[_Spent—giggling and gasping idiotically._] Well, I should say not!
+I should certainly say not!
+
+ELLA—[_With a cry of joy, pushes all the law books crashing to the
+floor—then with childish happiness she grabs_ JIM _by both hands and
+dances up and down_.] Oh, Jim, I knew it! I knew you couldn’t! Oh, I’m
+so glad, Jim! I’m so happy! You’re still my old Jim—and I’m so glad!
+[_He looks at her dazedly, a fierce rage slowly gathering on his face.
+She dances away from him. His eyes follow her. His hands clench. She
+stands in front of the mask—triumphantly._] There! What did I tell you?
+I told you I’d give you the laugh! [_She begins to laugh with wild
+unrestraint, grabs the mask from its place, sets it in the middle of the
+table and plunging the knife down through it pins it to the table._]
+There! Who’s got the laugh now?
+
+JIM—[_His eyes bulging—hoarsely._] You devil! You white devil woman!
+[_In a terrible roar, raising his fists above her head._] You devil!
+
+ELLA—[_Looking up at him with a bewildered cry of terror._] Jim! [_Her
+appeal recalls him to himself. He lets his arms slowly drop to his
+sides, bowing his head._ ELLA _points tremblingly to the mask_.] It’s
+all right, Jim! It’s dead. The devil’s dead. See! It couldn’t
+live—unless you passed. If you’d passed it would have lived in you. Then
+I’d have had to kill you, Jim, don’t you see—or it would have killed me.
+But now I’ve killed it. [_She pats his hand._] So you needn’t ever be
+afraid any more, Jim.
+
+JIM—[_Dully._] I’ve got to sit down, Honey. I’m tired. I haven’t had
+much chance for sleep in so long—— [_He slumps down in the chair by the
+table._]
+
+ELLA—[_Sits down on the floor beside him and holds his hand. Her face is
+gradually regaining an expression that is happy, childlike and pretty._]
+I know, Jim! That was my fault. I wouldn’t let you sleep. I couldn’t let
+you. I kept thinking if he sleeps good then he’ll be sure to study good
+and then he’ll pass—and the devil’ll win!
+
+JIM—[_With a groan._] Don’t, Honey!
+
+ELLA—[_With a childish grin._] That was why I carried that knife
+around—[_she frowns—puzzled_]—one reason—to keep you from studying and
+sleeping by scaring you.
+
+JIM—I wasn’t scared of being killed. I was scared of what they’d do to
+you after.
+
+ELLA—[_After a pause—like a child._] Will God forgive me, Jim?
+
+JIM—Maybe He can forgive what you’ve done to me; and maybe He can
+forgive what I’ve done to you; but I don’t see how He’s going to
+forgive—Himself.
+
+ELLA—I prayed and prayed. When you were away taking the examinations and
+I was alone with the nurse, I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep
+but I was praying with all my might: O God, don’t let Jim pass!
+
+JIM—[_With a sob._] Don’t, Honey, don’t! For the good Lord’s sake!
+You’re hurting me!
+
+ELLA—[_Frightenedly._] How, Jim? Where? [_Then after a pause—suddenly._]
+I’m sick, Jim. I don’t think I’ll live long.
+
+JIM—[_Simply._] Then I won’t either. Somewhere yonder maybe—together—our
+luck’ll change. But I wanted—here and now—before you—we—I wanted to
+prove to you—to myself—to become a full-fledged Member—so you could be
+proud—— [_He stops. Words fail and he is beyond tears._]
+
+ELLA—[_Brightly._] Well, it’s all over, Jim. Everything’ll be all right
+now. [_Chattering along._] I’ll be just your little girl, Jim—and you’ll
+be my little boy—just as we used to be, remember, when we were beaux;
+and I’ll put shoe blacking on my face and pretend I’m black and you can
+put chalk on your face and pretend you’re white just as we used to
+do—and we can play marbles—only you mustn’t all the time be a boy.
+Sometimes you must be my old kind Uncle Jim who’s been with us for years
+and years. Will you, Jim?
+
+JIM—[_With utter resignation._] Yes, Honey.
+
+ELLA—And you’ll never, never, never, never leave me, Jim?
+
+JIM—Never, Honey.
+
+ELLA—’Cause you’re all I’ve got in the world—and I love you, Jim. [_She
+kisses his hand as a child might, tenderly and gratefully._]
+
+JIM—[_Suddenly throws himself on his knees and raises his shining eyes,
+his transfigured face._] Forgive me, God—and make me worthy! Now I see
+Your Light again! Now I hear Your Voice! [_He begins to weep in an
+ecstasy of religious humility._] Forgive me, God, for blaspheming You!
+Let this fire of burning suffering purify me of selfishness and make me
+worthy of the child You send me for the woman You take away!
+
+ELLA—[_Jumping to her feet—excitedly._] Don’t cry, Jim! You mustn’t cry!
+I’ve got only a little time left and I want to play. Don’t be old Uncle
+Jim now. Be my little boy, Jim. Pretend you’re Painty Face and I’m Jim
+Crow. Come and play!
+
+JIM—[_Still deeply exalted._] Honey, Honey, I’ll play right up to the
+gates of Heaven with you! [_She tugs at one of his hands, laughingly
+trying to pull him up from his knees as_
+
+
+                         [_The Curtain Falls_]
+
+
+
+
+                                 WELDED
+
+                          A Play in Three Acts
+
+
+
+
+                               CHARACTERS
+
+
+ MICHAEL CAPE
+ ELEANOR OWEN, _his wife_
+ JOHN DARNTON
+ A WOMAN
+
+
+                                 ACT I
+
+
+  SCENE—The Capes’ apartment.
+
+
+                                 ACT II
+
+  SCENE I—Library, Darnton’s home
+
+  SCENE II—A room
+
+
+                                ACT III
+
+  SCENE—Same as Act I
+
+
+
+
+                                 ACT I
+
+
+                                ACT ONE
+
+  SCENE—_The Capes’ studio apartment on Fifty-ninth Street, New York
+      City—a large room with a high ceiling. In the rear there is a
+      balcony with a stairway at center leading down to the studio
+      floor. This balcony is the second story of the apartment, on which
+      are situated the bedrooms, bathroom, etc. The section of the
+      studio beneath the balcony is used as a dining room. The studio
+      proper is a combination of tasteful comfort with the
+      practicability of a workroom. Well-filled bookcases line the
+      walls. There is a typewriting table with a machine on it, a big
+      desk, a reading and writing table with books, magazines, etc. Easy
+      chairs, a chaise longue, rugs, etc._
+
+  _It is about eleven-thirty. The room is in darkness except for the
+      reading lamp on the table. The chaise longue has been pulled up
+      within the circle of light and_ ELEANOR _is lying back on this,
+      reading from a manuscript. She is a woman of thirty. Her figure is
+      tall, with the lithe lines of nervous strength. Her face, with its
+      high, rather prominent cheek-bones, lacks harmony; but each
+      feature is in itself arresting. It is dominated by passionate,
+      blue-gray eyes, restrained by a high forehead from which the mass
+      of her dark brown hair is combed straight back. The first
+      impression of her whole personality is one of charm, partly
+      innate, partly imposed by years of self-discipline. The motions of
+      her body are free and sure. Each movement is a complete reason for
+      itself. The low notes of her voice are disturbing. She is
+      something of every character she has ever played, of every woman
+      one has ever met._
+
+  _She reads, puts the script down, and her lips move as if she were
+      memorizing. She hesitates, frowns, utters an exclamation of
+      annoyance, looks at the script, finally flings it on the table
+      with a sigh of irritation at her mistakes, gets up, lights a
+      cigarette, resumes her former position, starts to take up the
+      script again but instead, with a sudden impulse which has
+      something in it of girlish embarrassment, picks up a letter from
+      the table. This she opens and reads, an expression of delight and
+      love coming over her face. She kisses the letter impulsively—then
+      gives a gay laugh at herself. She lets the letter fall on her lap
+      and stares straight before her, lost in a sentimental reverie._
+
+  _The door at right, underneath the balcony, is noiselessly opened and
+      Cape appears. He is thirty-five, tall and dark. His unusual face
+      impresses one. It is older and wiser than he, a harrowed
+      battlefield of super-sensitiveness, the features at war with one
+      another though the general effect is of a handsome face. He has
+      the forehead of a thinker, the eyes of a dreamer, the nose and
+      mouth of a sensualist. One feels a powerful imagination tinged
+      with somber sadness—a driving force of creation which can be
+      sympathetic and cruel at the same time. His manner is
+      extraordinarily nervous and self-conscious. He is never at ease,
+      is always watching himself. There is something tortured about him.
+      Yet at moments he can be astonishingly boyish and outpouring. His
+      body is gracefully made but his nervousness gives his movements an
+      uncoördinated quality. One feels perpetual strain about him, a
+      passionate tension, a self-protecting and intellectually arrogant
+      defiance of life and his own weakness, a deep need to love and be
+      loved, for a faith in which to relax._
+
+  _He has a suitcase, hat, and overcoat which he sets inside on the
+      floor by wall to rear of door, glancing toward his wife, trying
+      not to make the slightest noise. But she suddenly becomes aware of
+      some presence in the room, starts nervously, then turns boldly to
+      face it. She gives an exclamation of delighted astonishment when
+      she sees_ CAPE _and jumps up to meet him as he strides toward
+      her_.
+
+ELEANOR—Michael!
+
+CAPE—[_With a boyish grin._] You’ve spoiled it, Nelly; I wanted a kiss
+to announce me. [_They are in each other’s arms. He kisses her
+tenderly._]
+
+ELEANOR—[_Kissing him—joyfully._] This is a surprise!
+
+CAPE—[_Straining her in his arms and kissing her passionately._] Own
+little wife!
+
+ELEANOR—Dearest! [_They look into each other’s eyes for a long moment._]
+
+CAPE—[_Tenderly._] Happy?
+
+ELEANOR—Yes, yes! Why do you always ask? You know. [_She kisses him
+again and nestles her face against his shoulder._]
+
+CAPE—[_Pressing her to him._] Darling!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Suddenly pushing him to arms’ length—with a happy laugh._]
+It’s positively immoral for an old married couple to act this way. [_She
+leads him by the hand to the chaise longue._] And you must explain. You
+wrote not to expect you till the end of the week. [_She sits down._] Get
+a cushion. Sit down here. [_He puts a cushion on the floor beside the
+chaise longue and sits down._] Tell me all about it.
+
+CAPE—[_Notices the letter lying on the floor._] Were you reading my
+letter? [_She nods. He gives a happy grin._] Do you mean to say you
+still read them over—after five years of me?
+
+ELEANOR—[_With a tender smile._] Oh—sometimes.
+
+CAPE—[_Kissing her hand._] Sweetheart! [_Smiling._] What were you
+dreaming about when I intruded?
+
+ELEANOR—Never mind. You’re enough of an egotist already. [_Her hand
+caressing his face and hair._] I’ve been feeling so lonely—and it’s only
+been a few weeks, hasn’t it?—but it’s seemed—ages. [_She laughs._] How
+was everything in the country? [_Suddenly kissing him._] Oh, I’m so
+happy you’re back. [_With mock severity._] But ought I? Have you
+finished the fourth act? You know you promised not to return until you
+did.
+
+CAPE—This afternoon!
+
+ELEANOR—That’s splendid!
+
+CAPE—When I wrote you last it was dragging damnably—then suddenly
+everything cleared and there was nothing to do but write like the devil.
+[_With smiling elation._] From then on it rode me unmercifully to the
+finish!
+
+ELEANOR—You’re sure you didn’t force it—[_with a tender smile at
+him_]—because you were lonely, too?
+
+CAPE—[_With a sudden change in manner that is almost stern._] No. I
+wouldn’t—I couldn’t—— You know that.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Her face showing a trace of hurt in spite of herself._] I was
+only fooling. [_Then rousing herself as if conquering a growing
+depression._] Tell me about the last act. I’m terribly anxious to hear
+what you’ve done.
+
+CAPE—[_Enthusiastically._] It’s _real_, Nelly! You’ll see when I read
+you—— The whole play has power and truth, I know it! And you’re going to
+be marvelous! I could see you in it every second I was writing! It’s
+going to be the finest thing we’ve ever done!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Kissing him impulsively._] Dear! I love you for saying “we.”
+But the “we” is you. I only—[_with a smile of ironical self-pity_]—act a
+part you’ve created.
+
+CAPE—[_Impetuously._] Nonsense! You’re an artist. Each performance of
+yours has taught me something new. Why, my women used to be—death masks.
+But now I flatter myself they’re as alive as you are—[_with a sudden
+grin_]—at least, when you play them, Wonderful! [_He kisses her hand._]
+
+ELEANOR—[_Her eyes shining with excited pleasure._] You don’t know how
+much it means to have you talk like that! Oh, I’m going to work so hard
+on this play, Michael! I’ve been studying the first three acts——
+[_Impetuously._] You’ve simply got to read me that last act right now!
+
+CAPE—[_Jumping to his feet eagerly._] All right. [_He walks toward his
+bag—then stops when he is half-way and, hesitating, turns slowly and
+comes back. He bends down and lifts her face to his and kisses her
+tenderly, looking into her eyes—with a loving smile, slowly._] No, on
+second thoughts, I won’t read it now.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Disappointed—but tenderly._] Oh. Why not, dear?
+
+CAPE—[_With a smile._] Because——
+
+ELEANOR—[_Smiling._] Plagiarist!
+
+CAPE—Because I’ve been hoping for this night as our own. Let’s forget
+the actress and playwright. Let’s just be—us—lovers.
+
+ELEANOR—[_With a tender smile—musingly._] We _have_ remained lovers—in
+spite of marriage—haven’t we?
+
+CAPE—[_With a grin._] Fights and all.
+
+ELEANOR—[_With a little frown._] We don’t fight so much.
+
+CAPE—[_Frowning himself._] Too much.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Forcing a smile._] Perhaps that’s the price.
+
+CAPE—[_With a wry smile._] Don’t grow fatalistic—just when I was about
+to propose reform.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Smiling—quickly._] Oh, I’ll promise to be good—if you will.
+[_Gently reproachful._] Do you think I enjoy fighting with you?
+[_Intensely._] Don’t you realize how it destroys me?
+
+CAPE—[_With deep seriousness._] Then let’s resolve—once and for all—to
+refuse to wound each other again—— [_With passion._] It’s wrong, Nelly.
+It’s evil! We love too deeply.
+
+ELEANOR—Ssshh! We promise, dear.
+
+CAPE—[_Kissing her; then, hesitatingly._] We’ve been taking each other
+too much for granted. That may do very well with the earthly loves of
+the world—but ours has a God in it! And when the worshipers nod, the God
+deserts their shrine. [_He suddenly laughs with awkward
+self-consciousness._] I’m afraid that sounds like preaching. [_He
+suddenly pulls her head down and kisses her impulsively._] But you
+understand! Oh, Nelly, I love you—love you with all my soul!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Deeply moved._] And I love you, Michael—always and forever!
+[_They sit close, she staring dreamily before her, he watching her
+face._]
+
+CAPE—[_After a pause._] What are you thinking?
+
+ELEANOR—[_With a tender smile._] Of the first time we met—at rehearsal,
+remember? I was thinking of how mistakenly I had pictured you before
+that. [_She pauses—then frowning a little._] I’d heard such a lot of
+gossip about your love affairs.
+
+CAPE—[_With a wry grin._] You must have been disappointed if you
+expected Don Juan. [_A pause—then forcing a short laugh._] I also had
+heard a lot of rumors about your previous—— [_He stops abruptly with an
+expression of extreme bitterness._]
+
+ELEANOR—[_Sharply._] Don’t! [_A pause—then she goes on sadly._] It was
+only our past together I wanted to remember. [_A pause—then with a trace
+of scornful resentment._] I was forgetting your morbid obsession——
+
+CAPE—[_With gloomy irritation._] Obsession? Why——? [_Then determinedly
+throwing off this mood—reproachfully forcing a joking tone._] We’re not
+“starting something” now, are we—after our promise?
+
+ELEANOR—[_Impulsively kissing him and straining her arms around him._]
+No, no—of course not! Dearest!
+
+CAPE—[_After a pause—a bit awkwardly._] But you guessed my desire, at
+that. I wanted to dream with you in our past—to find together in our old
+love—a new faith——
+
+ELEANOR—[_Smiling—a bit mockingly._] Another Grand Ideal for our
+marriage?
+
+CAPE—[_Frowning._] Don’t mock.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Smiling teasingly._] But you’re such a relentless idealist.
+You needn’t frown. That was exactly what drew me to you in those first
+days. [_Earnestly._] I had lost faith in everything. Your love saved me.
+Your work saved mine. [_Intensely._] I owe you myself, Michael! [_She
+kisses him. Then she goes on intensely._] Do you remember—our first
+night together?
+
+CAPE—[_Kissing her hand—tenderly reproachful._] Do you imagine I
+could’ve forgotten?
+
+ELEANOR—[_Continuing as if she hadn’t heard._] The play was such a
+marvelous success! I knew I had finally won recognition—through your
+work. I loved myself! I loved you! You came to me—and my whole being
+strained out—— [_More and more intensely._] Oh, it was beautiful
+madness! I found and lost myself, I began living in you. I wanted to die
+and become you!
+
+CAPE—[_Passionately._] And I, you!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Softly._] And do you remember the dawn creeping in—and how we
+began to discuss our future? [_He kisses her hand. She exclaims
+impulsively._] Oh, I’d give anything in the world to live those days
+over again!
+
+CAPE—[_Smiling reproachfully._] Why? Hasn’t our marriage kept the spirit
+of that time—with a growth of something deeper—finer——
+
+ELEANOR—Yes,—but—— Oh, you know what I mean! It was revelation, then—a
+miracle out of the sky.
+
+CAPE—[_Insistently._] But haven’t we realized the ideal we conceived of
+our marriage—— [_Smiling but with deep earnestness nevertheless._] We
+approached our wedding extremely cautiously, if you’ll remember, even
+after months of successful living together. Not for us the convenient
+sanction, the family rite. We swore to have a true sacrament—our own—or
+nothing! Our marriage must be a consummation of creative love, demanding
+and combining the best in each of us! Hard, difficult, guarded from the
+commonplace, kept sacred as the outward form of our deep, inner harmony!
+[_With an awkward sense of having become rhetorical he adds
+self-mockingly._] We’d tend our flame on an altar, not in a kitchen
+range! [_He forces a grin—then abruptly changing again, with a sudden
+fierce pleading._] It has been what we dreamed, hasn’t it, Nelly?
+
+ELEANOR—[_Thoughtfully._] Our ideal was difficult—for human beings. But
+even when we’ve hurt each other most cruelly—I’ve always known——
+
+CAPE—[_Putting his arms about her and straining her to him._] We must
+learn to love even the things we hate in each other. We must accept each
+other wholly, as we are, as we must become!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Sadly._] Sometimes I think we have loved too
+intensely—demanded too much of each other. Now there’s nothing left but
+that something which can’t give itself. And I blame you for this—because
+I can neither take more nor give more—and you blame me! [_She smiles
+tenderly._] And then we fight!
+
+CAPE—[_Excitedly._] Then let’s be proud of our fight! It’s the penalty
+of a love that strives to surpass itself—by regaining unity. It began
+with the splitting of a cell a hundred million years ago into you and
+me, leaving an eternal yearning to become one life again.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Kissing him passionately._] At moments—we do.
+
+CAPE—Yes! Yes! [_He kisses her—then intensely._] You and I—year after
+year—together—forms of our two bodies coalescing into one form; rhythm
+of our separate lives beating against each other, forming slowly the one
+rhythm—the life of Us—our life created by us—outside, beyond, above!
+[_With sudden furious anger._] God, what I feel of the truth of this—the
+beauty!—but how can I express it?
+
+ELEANOR—[_Kissing him._] I understand.
+
+CAPE—[_Straining her to him with fierce passion._] Oh, My Own, My
+Own—and I your own—to the end of time! I love you! I love you!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Returning his kisses._] I love you!
+
+CAPE—[_With passionate exultance._] Why do you regret our first days?
+Their fire still burns in us—but deeper—more sacred. Don’t you feel
+that? [_Kissing her again and again._] My Own! My Own! I have become
+you! You have become me! One heart! One blood! Ours! [_He pulls her to
+her feet and kisses her._] My wife!——Come!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Almost swooning in his arms._] My lover—yes—— My lover——
+
+CAPE—Come! [_With his arms around her he leads her to the stairway. As
+they get to the foot, there is a noise from the hall. She hears it,
+starts, seems suddenly brought back to herself._ CAPE _is oblivious and
+continues up the stairs. She stands swaying, holding on to the banister
+as if in a daze. At the top_, CAPE _turns in surprise at not finding
+her, as if he had felt her behind him. He looks down passionately,
+stretching out his arms, his eyes glowing._] Come!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Weakly._] Ssshh! A moment—— Listen!
+
+CAPE—[_Bewilderedly._] What? What is it?
+
+ELEANOR—Ssshh—Listen—Someone—— [_She speaks in an unnatural, mechanical
+tone. A knock comes at the door. She gives a sort of gasp of relief._]
+There.
+
+CAPE—[_Still bewilderedly as if something mysterious were happening that
+he cannot grasp._] What—what——? [_Then as she takes a slow, mechanical
+step toward the door—with tense pleading._] Nelly! Come here! [_She
+turns to look at him and is held by his imploring eyes. She sways
+irresolutely toward him, again reaching to the banister for support.
+Then a sharper knock comes at the door. It acts like a galvanic shock on
+her. Her eyes move in that direction, she takes another jerky step_,
+CAPE _stammers in a fierce whisper_.] No! Don’t go!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Without looking at him—mechanically._] I must.
+
+CAPE—[_Frantically._] They’ll go away. Nelly, don’t! Don’t! [_Again she
+stops irresolutely like a hypnotized person torn by two conflicting
+suggestions. The knock is repeated, this time with authority, assurance.
+Her body reacts as if she were throwing off a load._]
+
+ELEANOR—[_With a return to her natural tone—but hysterically._]
+Please—don’t be silly, Michael. It might be—something important. [_She
+hurries to the door._]
+
+CAPE—[_Rushing down the stairs—frantically._] No! No! [_He just gets to
+the bottom as she opens the door. He stands there fixed, disorganized,
+trembling all over._]
+
+ELEANOR—[_As she sees who it is—in a relieved tone of surprise._] Why,
+hello, John. Come in! Here’s Michael. Michael, it’s John. [DARNTON
+_steps into the room. He is a man of about fifty, tall, loose-limbed, a
+bit stoop-shouldered, with iron-gray hair, and a long, gaunt, shrewd
+face. He is not handsome but his personality compels affection. His eyes
+are round and childlike. They seem to understand sorrow without ever
+having known it. They see everyone with understanding, they never judge.
+The whole man has the quality of steadfastness. You feel he will always
+be there, unchanged, unchangeable, always serene and kindly, a cool rock
+for the fevered. He has no nerves. His voice is low and calming. He is
+dressed negligently but in expensive tweed._]
+
+DARNTON—[_Shaking Eleanor by the hand._] Hello, Nelly. I was on my way
+home from the theater and I thought I’d drop in for a second. Hello,
+Michael. When’d you get in? Glad to see you back. [_He comes to him and
+shakes his hand which_ CAPE _extends jerkily, as if in spite of himself,
+without a word_.]
+
+ELEANOR—[_After a glance at her husband—in a forced tone._] We’re so
+glad you’ve come. Sit down.
+
+DARNTON—[_He becomes aware of the disharmonious atmosphere his
+appearance has created._] I can’t stay a second. [_To_ CAPE.] I wanted
+some news of the big play. I thought Nelly’d probably have heard from
+you. [_He slaps_ CAPE _on the back with jovial familiarity_.] Well,
+how’s it coming?
+
+CAPE—[_In a frozen tone._] Oh,—all right—all right.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Uneasily._] Won’t you have a cigarette, John? [_She takes the
+box from the table and holds it out to him._]
+
+DARNTON—[_Taking one._] Thanks, Nelly. [_He half-sits on the arm of a
+chair. She holds out a light to him._] Thanks.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Nervously._] Why don’t you sit down, Michael? [_He doesn’t
+answer. She goes to him with the cigarettes._] Don’t you want a
+cigarette? [CAPE _stares at her with a hot glance of scorn. She recoils
+from it, turning quickly away from him, visibly shaken. Without
+appearing to notice_, DARNTON _scrutinizes their faces keenly, sizing up
+the situation_.]
+
+DARNTON—[_Breaking in matter-of-factly._] You look done up, Michael.
+
+CAPE—[_With a guilty start._] I—I—I’m tired out.
+
+ELEANOR—[_With a forced air._] He’s been working too hard. He finished
+the last act only this afternoon.
+
+DARNTON—[_With a grunt of satisfaction._] Glad to hear it—mighty glad.
+[_Abruptly._] When can I see it?
+
+CAPE—In a day or so—I want to go over——
+
+DARNTON—All right. [_Getting to his feet._] Well, that’s that. I’ll run
+along.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Almost frightenedly._] Do stay. Why don’t you read us the last
+act now, Michael?
+
+CAPE—[_Fiercely._] No! It’s rotten! I hate the whole play!
+
+DARNTON—[_Easily._] Suffering from the reaction. This play’s the finest
+thing you’ve done. [_He comes to_ CAPE _and slaps him on the back
+reassuringly_.] And it’s the biggest chance the lady here has ever had.
+It’ll be a triumph for you both, wait and see. So cheer up—and get a
+good night’s rest. [CAPE _smiles with bitter irony_.] Well, good-night.
+[CAPE _nods without speaking_, DARNTON _goes to the door_, ELEANOR
+_accompanying him_.] Good-night, Nelly. Better start on your part—only
+don’t you overdo it, too. [_He pats her on the back._] Good-night.
+
+ELEANOR—Good-night. [_She closes the door after him. She remains there
+for a moment staring at the closed door, afraid to turn and meet_ CAPE’S
+_fiercely accusing eyes which she feels fixed upon her. Finally, making
+an effort of will, she walks back to the table, avoiding his eyes,
+assuming a careless air._]
+
+CAPE—[_Suddenly explodes in furious protest._] Why did you do that?
+
+ELEANOR—[_With an assumed surprise but with a guilty air, turning over
+the pages of a magazine._] Do what?
+
+CAPE—[_Tensely, clutching her by the arm._] You know what I mean!
+[_Unconsciously he grips her tighter, almost shaking her._]
+
+ELEANOR—[_Coldly._] You are hurting me. [_A bit shamefacedly_, CAPE
+_lets go of her arm. She glances quickly at his face, then speaks with a
+kind of dull remorse._] I suppose I can guess—my going to the door?
+
+CAPE—He would have gone away—— [_With anguish._] Nelly, why did you?
+
+ELEANOR—[_Defensively._] Wasn’t it important you should see John?
+
+CAPE—[_With helpless anger._] Don’t evade! [_With deep feeling._] I
+should think you’d be ashamed.
+
+ELEANOR—[_After a pause—dully._] Perhaps—I am. [_A pause._] I couldn’t
+help myself.
+
+CAPE—[_Intensely._] You should have been oblivious to everything!
+[_Miserably._] I—I can’t understand!
+
+ELEANOR—That’s you, Michael. The other is me—or a part of me—I hardly
+understand myself.
+
+CAPE—[_Sinking down on a chair, his head in his hands._] After all we’d
+been to each other tonight—! [_With bitter despondency._] Ruined
+now—gone—a rare moment of beauty! It seems at times as if some jealous
+demon of the commonplace were mocking our love—— [_With a violent
+gesture of loathing._] Oh, how intolerably insulting life can be! [_Then
+brokenly._] Nelly, why, why did you?
+
+ELEANOR—[_Dully._] I—I don’t know. [_Then after a pause she comes over
+and puts her hand on his shoulder._] Don’t brood, dear. I’m sorry. I
+hate myself. [_A pause. She looks down at him, seeming to make up her
+mind to something—in a forced tone._] But—why is it gone—irrevocably—our
+beautiful moment? [_She strokes his hair._] We have the whole night——
+[_He stares up at her wonderingly. She forces a smile, half turning
+away._]
+
+CAPE—[_In wild protest._] Nelly, what are you offering me—a sacrifice?
+Please!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Revolted._] Michael! [_Then hysterically._] No, forgive me!
+I’m the disgusting one! Forgive me! [_She turns away from him and throws
+herself on a chair, staring straight before her. Their chairs are side
+by side, each facing front, so near that by a slight movement each could
+touch the other, but during the following scene they stare straight
+ahead and remain motionless. They speak, ostensibly to the other, but
+showing by their tone it is a thinking aloud to oneself, and neither
+appears to hear what the other has said._]
+
+CAPE—[_After a long pause._] More and more frequently. There’s always
+some knock at the door, some reminder of the life outside which calls
+you away from me.
+
+ELEANOR—It is so beautiful—and then—suddenly I’m being crushed. I feel a
+cruel presence in you paralyzing me, creeping over my body, possessing
+it so it is no longer my body—then grasping at some last inmost thing
+which makes me me—my soul—demanding to have that, too! I have to rebel
+with all my strength—seize any pretext! Just now at the foot of the
+stairs—the knock on the door was—liberation. [_In anguish._] And yet I
+love you! It’s because I love you! If I am destroyed, what is left to
+love you, what is left for you to love?
+
+CAPE—I’ve grown inward into our life. But you keep trying to escape as
+if it were a prison. You feel the need of what is outside. I am not
+enough for you.
+
+ELEANOR—Why is it I can never know you? I love you—and you’re strange. I
+try to know you and I can’t. I desire to take all of you into my heart,
+but there is a great alien force—— I hate that unknown power in you
+which would destroy me. [_Pleadingly._] Haven’t I a right to myself as
+you have to yourself?
+
+CAPE—You fight against me as if I were your enemy. Every word or action
+of mine which affects you, you resent. At every turn you feel your
+individuality invaded—while at the same time you are jealous of any
+separateness in me. You demand more and more while you give less and
+less. And I have to acquiesce. Have to? Yes, because I love you. I
+cannot live without you! You realize that! You take advantage of it
+while you despise me for my helplessness! [_This seems to goad him to
+desperation._] But look out! I still have the strength to——! [_He turns
+his head and stares at her challengingly._]
+
+ELEANOR—[_As before._] You insist that I have no life at all outside
+you. Even my work must exist only as an echo of yours. You hate my need
+of easy, casual associations. You think that weakness. You hate my
+friends. You are jealous of everything and everybody. You would wall me
+in——[_Resentfully._] I have to fight. You are too severe. Your ideal is
+too inhuman. Why can’t you understand and be generous—be just! [_She
+turns to meet his eyes, staring back with resentful accusation. They
+look at each other in this manner for a long moment._]
+
+CAPE—[_Averting his eyes and addressing her directly in a cold,
+sarcastic tone._] Strange—that Darnton should pop in on us suddenly like
+that.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Resentfully._] I don’t see anything strange about it.
+
+CAPE—It’s past twelve——
+
+ELEANOR—You’re in New York now.
+
+CAPE—[_Sharply._] I’m quite aware of that. Nevertheless——
+
+ELEANOR—[_Shortly._] He explained. Didn’t you hear him? He wanted news
+of the play and thought I might have a letter——
+
+CAPE—That’s just the point. He had no idea he would find me here.
+
+ELEANOR—[_About to fly at him, checks herself after a pause, coldly._]
+Why shouldn’t he come to see me? He’s the oldest friend I’ve got. He
+gave me my first chance and he’s always helped me since. I owe whatever
+success I’ve made of my acting to his advice and direction.
+
+CAPE—[_Stung—sarcastically._] Oh, undoubtedly!
+
+ELEANOR—I suppose you think I ought to have said it’s to you I owe
+everything?
+
+CAPE—[_Dryly._] I’d prefer to say it was to yourself, and no one else.
+[_After a pause—attempting a casual tone._] Has he been in the habit of
+calling here while I’ve been gone? [_Hurriedly._] Don’t misunderstand
+me. I’m merely asking a question.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Scornfully._] Oh! [_A pause. She bites her lips—then coldly._]
+Yes, he’s been here once before. [_Mockingly._] And after the theater,
+too! Think of that!
+
+CAPE—[_Sneeringly._] The same insatiable curiosity about my play?
+
+ELEANOR—[_Angrily._] Michael! [_A pause—then scornfully._] Don’t tell me
+you’re becoming jealous of John again!
+
+CAPE—[_Meaningly._] Again. That’s just it.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Springing from her chair—excitedly._] This is insufferable!
+[_Then calming herself with an effort—with a forced laugh._] Please
+don’t be so ridiculous, Michael. I’ll only lose my temper if you keep
+on. [_Then suddenly she makes up her mind and comes to him._] Please
+stop, dear. We’ve made up our minds not to quarrel. Let’s drop it. [_She
+pats his head with a friendly smile._]
+
+CAPE—[_Impulsively takes her hand and kisses it._] All right. Forgive
+me. I’m all unstrung. His breaking in on us like that—— [_He relapses
+into frowning brooding again. She sits down, this time facing him, and
+looks at him uneasily._]
+
+ELEANOR—[_After a pause—rather irritably._] It’s too absolutely silly,
+your being jealous of John.
+
+CAPE—I’m not jealous of him. I’m jealous of you—the perverse something
+in you that repulses our love—the stranger in you.
+
+ELEANOR—[_With a short laugh._] I should think after five years——
+
+CAPE—[_Unheeding._] And what makes me hate you at those times is that I
+know you like to make me jealous, that my suffering pleases you, that it
+satisfies some craving in you—for revenge!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Scornfully._] Can’t you realize how absurd you are? [_Then
+with a forced placating laugh._] No, really, Michael, it would be
+funny—if it weren’t so exasperating.
+
+CAPE—[_After a pause—somberly._] You mentioned our years together as
+proof. What of the years that preceded?
+
+ELEANOR—[_Challengingly._] Well, what of them?
+
+CAPE—By their light, I have plausible grounds for jealousy in Darnton’s
+case. Or don’t you acknowledge that?
+
+ELEANOR—I deny it absolutely!
+
+CAPE—Why, you’ve told me yourself he was in love with you for years,
+that he once asked you to marry him!
+
+ELEANOR—Well, did I marry him?
+
+CAPE—But he still loves you.
+
+ELEANOR—Don’t be stupid!
+
+CAPE—He does, I tell you!
+
+ELEANOR—If you had any sense you’d know that his love has become purely
+that of an old friend. And I refuse to give up his friendship for your
+silly whims.
+
+CAPE—[_After a pause in which they each brood
+resentfully—sarcastically._] You were a shining exception, it appears.
+The other women he helped could hardly claim he had remained—merely
+their friend.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Vehemently._] It’s a lie! You’re repeating low Broadway
+scandal. And even if it were true, you’d find it was they who offered
+themselves.
+
+CAPE—[_Significantly._] Ah! [_Then after a pause._] Perhaps because they
+felt it necessary for their careers.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Dryly._] Perhaps. [_Then after a pause._] But they discovered
+their mistake, then. John isn’t that type.
+
+CAPE—[_Suddenly._] Why do you act so jealous—of those others?
+
+ELEANOR—[_Flushing angrily._] I don’t. It’s your stupid imagination.
+
+CAPE—Then why lose your temper?
+
+ELEANOR—Because I resent your superior attitude that John had to bribe
+women to love him. Isn’t he as worthy of love—as you are?
+
+CAPE—[_Sarcastically._] If I am to believe your story, you didn’t think
+so.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Irritably._] Then let’s stop arguing, for heaven’s sake! Why
+do you always have to rake up the past? For the last year or so you’ve
+begun to act more and more as you did when we first lived
+together—jealous and suspicious of everything and everybody!
+[_Hysterically._] I can’t bear it, Michael!
+
+CAPE—[_Ironically._] You used to love me for it then.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Calming herself._] Well, I can’t endure it now. It’s too
+degrading. I have a right to your complete faith. [_Reaching over and
+grasping his hands—earnestly._] You know I have in your heart of hearts.
+You know I love you, that there can never be anyone but you. Forget the
+past. It wasn’t us. For your peace—and mine, Michael!
+
+CAPE—[_Moved—pressing her hands._] All right. Let’s stop. It’s only that
+I’ve thought I’ve felt you drawing away——! Perhaps it’s all my
+super-sensitiveness—— [_Patting her hand and forcing a smile._] Let’s
+talk of something else. [_Cheerfully—after a pause._] You can’t imagine
+how wonderful it’s been up in the country. There’s just enough winter in
+the air to make one energetic. No summer fools about. Solitude and work.
+I was happy—that is, as happy as I ever can be without you.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Withdrawing her hands from his with a quick
+movement—sarcastically._] Thanks for that afterthought—but do you expect
+me to believe it? When you’re working I might die and you’d never know
+it.
+
+CAPE—[_Amused but irritated._] There you go! You denounce my jealousy,
+but it seems to me your brand of it is much more ridiculous.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Sharply._] You imagine I’m jealous of your work? You—you
+flatter yourself!
+
+CAPE—[_Stung—bitingly._] It’s an unnatural passion certainly—in your
+case. And an extremely ungrateful passion, I might add!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Losing her temper completely._] You mean I ought to be
+grateful for—— I suppose you think that without your work I——
+[_Springing to her feet._] Your egotism is making a fool of you! You’re
+becoming so exaggeratedly conceited no one can stand you! Everyone
+notices it!
+
+CAPE—[_Angrily._] You know that’s untrue. You only say it to be mean. As
+for my work, you’ve acknowledged a million times——
+
+ELEANOR—If I have—but please remember there are other playwrights in the
+world!
+
+CAPE—[_Bitingly._] You were on the stage seven years before I met you.
+Your appearance in the work of other playwrights—you must admit you were
+anything but successful!
+
+ELEANOR—[_With a sneer of rage._] And I suppose you were?
+
+CAPE—Yes! Not in your Broadway sense, perhaps, but——
+
+ELEANOR—You’re contemptible! You know that’s the very last thing you can
+say of me. It was exactly because I wasn’t that kind—because I was an
+artist—that I found it so hard!
+
+CAPE—[_Unheeding._] My plays had been written. The one you played in
+first was written three years before. The work was done. That’s the
+proof.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Scathingly._] That’s absurd! You know very well if it hadn’t
+been for John, you——
+
+CAPE—[_Violently._] Nonsense! There were other managers who——
+
+ELEANOR—They didn’t want your work, you know it!
+
+CAPE—[_Enraged._] I see what you’re driving at! You’d like to pretend I
+was as much dependent on Darnton as you were! [_Trembling all over with
+the violence of his passion._] I should think you’d be ashamed to boast
+so brazenly—to me!—of what he had done for you!
+
+ELEANOR—Why should I be ashamed of my gratitude?
+
+CAPE—To drag that relationship out of the past and throw it in my face!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Very pale—tensely._] What relationship?
+
+CAPE—[_Incoherently, strangled by his passion._] Ask anyone—here—to
+Forty-second Street! [_Then suddenly with anguished remorse._] No, no! I
+don’t mean that! [_Torturedly._] Wounds! Wounds! For God’s sake, let’s
+stop!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Trembling with rage._] I’ll never forget you said that! You
+cur!
+
+CAPE—[_Stung—in a passion again at once._] Cur? Because I resent that
+man’s being here—late at night—when I was away? I would be a cur if I
+didn’t! Oh, I don’t mean I suspect you—now——
+
+ELEANOR—[_Viciously._] What noble faith! Maybe you’re going to discover
+I don’t deserve it!
+
+CAPE—[_Unheeding._] But there was scandal enough about you and him, and
+if you had any respect for me——
+
+ELEANOR—I’ve lost it now!
+
+CAPE—You wouldn’t deliberately open the way——
+
+ELEANOR—[_Tensely._] So you believe—that gutter gossip? You think I——?
+Then all these years you’ve really believed——? Oh, you mean hypocrite!
+
+CAPE—[_Stung—bitingly._] Don’t act moral indignation! What else could I
+have thought? When we first fell in love, you confessed frankly you had
+had lovers—not Darnton but others——
+
+ELEANOR—[_Brokenly—with mingled grief and rage._] I was an idiot! I
+should have lied to you! But I thought you’d understand—that I’d been
+searching for something—that I needed love—something I found at last in
+you! I tried to make you see the truth—the truth!—that those experiences
+had only served to make me appreciate you all the more when I found you!
+I told you how little these men had meant to me. I tried to convince you
+that in the state of mind I had been in it had no significance either
+one way or the other, and that such an attitude is possible for a woman
+without her being base. I thought you understood. But you didn’t, you’re
+not big enough for that! By your own experiences in the past you had
+made sex a degradation to yourself—and physical virtue the highest
+virtue in women! [_With a gesture of loathing._] Always the physical! As
+if there could be only one attitude toward it for women!
+
+CAPE—[_Angrily protesting._] What has all this silly generalizing to do
+with us? You forget that when we conceived the ideal of our marriage we
+_both_ agreed that unfaithfulness would be the unpardonable sin—not
+because we regarded it as a crime in itself but because it was a symbol
+of our separate weak attitudes toward love in the past,—a sin against
+love, do you hear?—our love which we wished to make unique, beautiful,
+finer than other loves!
+
+ELEANOR—[_With a wild ironical laugh._] Words! Now I know why the women
+in your plays are so wooden! You ought to get down on your knees and
+thank me for breathing life into them!
+
+CAPE—[_Furiously._] Good God, how dare you criticize creative work,
+actress!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Violently._] You deny that I create——? Perhaps if I’d consent
+to give up the stage, have children and a home, take up knitting—— [_She
+laughs wildly._] I’d be safe then, wouldn’t I?—reliable, guaranteed not
+to—— [_Her face seems suddenly to congeal._] So you think that I was
+Darnton’s mistress—that I loved him—or do you believe I just sold myself
+for a career?
+
+CAPE—[_In agony._] No, no! For God’s sake, stop! I may have thought you
+once loved——
+
+ELEANOR—[_Frozenly._] Well, it was—that—just that! When he first engaged
+me—I’d heard the gossip—I thought he expected—and I agreed with
+myself—it meant nothing to me one way or the other—nothing meant
+anything then but a chance to do my work, live my life—yes, I agreed—but
+you see he didn’t, he didn’t agree. He loved me but he saw I didn’t love
+him—that way—and he’s a finer man than you dream!
+
+CAPE—[_Hoarsely._] You’re lying! [_Bewilderedly._] I can’t believe——
+
+ELEANOR—[_Fiercely._] Oh, yes you can! You want to! You do! And you’re
+glad! It makes me seem a lower creature than you thought, but you’re
+glad to know it just the same! You’re glad because now you can really
+believe that—nothing ever happened between us! [_She stares into his
+eyes and seems to read some confirmation of her statement there, for she
+cries with triumphant bitterness._] It’s true! You can’t deny it!
+
+CAPE—[_Wildly._] No! You devil, you, you read thoughts into my mind!
+
+ELEANOR—[_With wild hysterical scorn._] It’s true! How can I love you?
+How could I ever love you?
+
+CAPE—[_Clutching her in his arms fiercely._] Stop! Stop! You do love me!
+[_He kisses her frantically. For a moment she submits, appears even to
+return his kisses in spite of herself._ CAPE _cries triumphantly_.] You
+do! [_She suddenly pushes him away and glares at him at arms’ length.
+Her features are working convulsively. Her whole tortured face expresses
+an abysmal self-loathing, a frightful hatred for him._]
+
+ELEANOR—[_As if to herself—in a strangled voice._] No! You cannot
+crush—my loathing! [_Her face becomes deadly calm. She speaks with
+intense, cold hatred._] Don’t kiss me. I despise you! I love him. He
+was—my lover—when you were away!
+
+CAPE—[_Stares dumbly into her eyes for a long moment—hoarsely, in
+agony._] You lie! You lie! You only want to torture——
+
+ELEANOR—[_Deathly calm._] It’s true! [CAPE _stares at her another
+second—then, with a snarl of fury like an animal’s he seizes her about
+the throat with both hands. He chokes her, forcing her down to her
+knees. She does not struggle but continues to look into his eyes with
+the same defiant hate. At last he comes to himself with a shudder and
+steps away from her. She remains where she is, only putting out her hand
+on the floor to support herself._]
+
+CAPE—[_In a terrible state, sobbing with rage and anguish._] Gone! Dead!
+All our beauty gone! Oh, how I hate you! And you don’t love him! You
+lie! You did this out of hatred for me! You dragged our ideal in the
+gutter—with delight! [_Wildly._] And you pride yourself you’ve killed
+it, do you, you actress, you barren soul? [_With savage triumph._] But I
+tell you only a creator can really destroy! [_With a climax of frenzy._]
+And I will! I will! I won’t give your hatred the satisfaction of seeing
+our love live on in me—to torture me! I’ll drag it lower than you! I’ll
+stamp it into the vilest depth! I’ll leave it dead! I’ll murder it—and
+be free! [_Again he threatens her, his hands twitching back toward her
+neck—then he rushes out of the door as if furies were pursuing him,
+slamming it shut behind him._]
+
+ELEANOR—[_With a cry of despair._] Michael! [_She stops as hatred and
+rage overpower her again—leaps up and runs to the door—opens it and
+screams after him violently._] Go! Go! I’m glad! I hate you. I’ll go,
+too! I’m free! I’ll go—— [_She turns and runs up the stairs. She
+disappears for a moment, then comes back with a hat and coat on and,
+hurrying down the stairs again, rushes out leaving the door open behind
+her._]
+
+
+                         [_The Curtain Falls_]
+
+
+
+
+                                 ACT II
+
+
+                                ACT TWO
+                               SCENE ONE
+
+  SCENE—_Library of_ JOHN DARNTON’S _home in Connecticut, an hour or so
+      from the city. The room is spacious, furnished in excellent taste.
+      The rear wall is lined with bookshelves. On the wall above the
+      shelves are hung framed photographs of stage-sets. A door is in
+      the rear, toward right. A grand piano at left of door. Near it a
+      round table with a bronze lamp. A smaller table with another lamp
+      is in the left corner. In the right corner a big cushioned chair
+      and an expensive Victrola. In the right wall, French windows
+      opening on a porch. In the left wall, an open fireplace in which
+      logs are burning. Before the fireplace, a double couch facing left
+      and right. The lamp in the left corner is the only one lit. Over
+      the fireplace, a framed, enlarged portrait study of_ ELEANOR,
+      _evidently taken some years before_.
+
+      _As the curtain rises_, JOHN DARNTON _is discovered. He is sitting
+      in front of the fireplace, lost in an apathetic dream. His body is
+      bent over wearily, the shoulders bowed, his long arms resting on
+      his knees, his hands dangling. He sits on the extreme edge in the
+      exact middle of the big couch, and this heightens the sense of
+      loneliness about him, of a man growing old among dreams which
+      become profitless as he feels the lack of a love that could
+      understand and share them._
+
+      _Suddenly he starts as the sound of a motor comes from the
+      driveway. The car is heard driving up; it stops before the front
+      door; its door is slammed, it drives off; a ringing of the
+      doorbell sounds from somewhere back in the house._ DARNTON _has
+      gotten up, gone toward the door in the rear, exclaiming irritably
+      as the bell continues to ring_—All right, damn it! Who the
+      devil——? [_He is heard opening the front door—in blank
+      amazement._] Nelly! [_Then her voice in a strained, hysterical
+      pitch._] John! I—— [_The rest is lost incoherently. Then his voice
+      soothingly._] Come in by the fire! Come in. [_He follows her into
+      the room. Her face is pale, distraught, desperate. She comes
+      quickly to the couch and flings herself down in one corner,
+      staring into the fire. He stands nearby uncertainly, watching her.
+      His face holds a confused mixture of alarm, tenderness,
+      perplexity, passionate hope._]
+
+DARNTON—You’re shivering. Come closer to the fire.
+
+ELEANOR—[_With a startled movement._] No—I—I’m warm. [_A pause. He waits
+for her to speak, not knowing what to think. She gradually collects
+herself. Memory crowds back on her and her face twitches with pain which
+turns to hatred and rage. She becomes conscious of_ DARNTON’S _eyes,
+forces this back, her face growing mask-like and determined. She looks
+up at_ DARNTON _and forces the words out slowly_.] John—you said, if
+ever—— You once said I might always come——
+
+DARNTON—[_His face lights up for a second with a joy that is
+incongruously savage—at once controlling this—simply._] Yes, Nelly.
+
+ELEANOR—[_A bit brokenly now._] I hope—you meant that.
+
+DARNTON—[_Simply._] Yes, I meant it.
+
+ELEANOR—I mean—that you still mean it——?
+
+DARNTON—[_Forcing an awkward smile._] Then—now—forever after, amen—any
+old time at all, Nelly. [_Then overcome by a rush of bewildered
+joy—stammering._] Why—you ought to know——!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Smiling tensely._] Would I still be welcome if I’d come—to
+stay?
+
+DARNTON—[_His voice quivering._] Nelly! [_He starts toward her, then
+stops—in a low, uncertain voice._] And Michael?
+
+ELEANOR—[_With an exclamation of pain._] Don’t! [_Quickly recovering
+herself—in a cold, hard voice._] That’s—dead! [DARNTON _lets a held-back
+breath of suspense escape him_. ELEANOR _stammers a bit hysterically_.]
+Don’t talk of him! I’ve forgotten—as if he’d never lived! Do you still
+love me? Do you? Then tell me! I must know someone——
+
+DARNTON—[_Still uncertain, but coming nearer to her—simply._] You knew
+once. Since then—— My God, you’ve guessed, haven’t you?
+
+ELEANOR—I need to hear. You’ve never spoken—for years——
+
+DARNTON—There was—Michael.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Wildly, putting her hands up to her ears as if to shut out the
+name._] Don’t!
+
+DARNTON—You loved him.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Intensely._] I hate him! And he hates me! [_She shudders—then,
+driven by a desperate determination, forces a twisted smile._] Why do
+you stand there? Are you afraid? I’m beginning to suspect—perhaps,
+you’ve only imagined you loved me——
+
+DARNTON—Nelly! [_He seizes one of her hands awkwardly and covers it with
+kisses—confusedly, with deep emotion._] I—— You know—— Don’t joke—— You
+know I love you!
+
+ELEANOR—[_With the same fixed smile._] You must put your arms around
+me—and kiss me—on the lips——
+
+DARNTON—[_Takes her in his arms awkwardly and kisses her on the
+lips—with passionate incoherence._] Nelly! I’d given up hoping—I—I can’t
+believe—— [_She submits to his kisses with closed eyes, her face like a
+mask, her body trembling with revulsion. Suddenly he seems to sense
+something disharmonious—confusedly._] But you—you don’t care for me.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Still with closed eyes—dully._] Yes. [_With a spurt of
+desperate energy she kisses him wildly several times, then sinks back
+again closing her eyes._] I’m so tired, John—so tired!
+
+DARNTON—[_Immediately all concern._] You’re trembling all over. I’m an
+idiot not to have seen—— Forgive me. [_He puts his hand on her
+forehead._] You’re feverish. You’d better go to bed, young lady, right
+away. Come. [_He raises her to her feet._]
+
+ELEANOR—[_Wearily._] Yes, I’m tired. [_Bitterly._] Oh, it’s good to be
+loved by someone who is unselfish and kind—after all the hate——
+
+DARNTON—Ssshh! [_Forcing a joking tone._] I’m cast for the Doctor now.
+Doctor’s orders: don’t talk, don’t think, sleep. Come, I’ll show you
+your room.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Dully._] Yes. [_As if she were not aware of what she is doing,
+she allows him to lead her to the door at right, rear. There she
+suddenly starts as if awakening—frightenedly._] Where are we going?
+
+DARNTON—[_With gentle bullying._] You’re going upstairs to bed.
+
+ELEANOR—[_With a shudder—incoherently._] No, no! Not now—no—wait—you
+must wait—— [_Then calming herself and trying to speak
+matter-of-factly._] I’d rather stay up and sit with you. I must have
+gotten chilled. I want to sit by the fire.
+
+DARNTON—[_Worriedly, but giving in to her at once._] All right. Whatever
+suits you. [_They go back to the fire. She sits in a chair which he
+pushes near it. He puts a cushion in back of her._] How’s that?
+
+ELEANOR—[_With a wan, grateful smile._] You’re so kind, John. You’ve
+always been kind. You’re so different—— [_She checks herself, her face
+growing hard, and stares into the fire._ DARNTON _watches her face.
+There is a long pause._]
+
+DARNTON—[_Finally—in a gentle tone._] Nelly, don’t you think it’d help
+if you told me—everything that’s happened?
+
+ELEANOR—[_With a shudder._] No! It was all horror—and hatred—and
+disgust! [_Wildly resentful._] Why do you make me remember? I’ve come to
+you. Why do you ask for reasons? [_With a harsh laugh._] Are you
+jealous—of him?
+
+DARNTON—[_Quietly._] I’ve always envied Michael.
+
+ELEANOR—If you’d seen him tonight, you wouldn’t envy him. You’d despise
+him as I do. He is mean and contemptible! He makes everything as low as
+he is! He went away threatening, boasting he would——[_Hysterically._]
+Why do you make me think of him? I hate him, I tell you! I want to be
+yours—yours! [_She throws herself into his arms._]
+
+DARNTON—[_Straining her to him—with awkward passion._] Nelly! Yes—yes—
+[_Under his kisses her face again becomes mask-like, her body rigid, her
+eyes closed._ DARNTON _suddenly grows aware of this. He stares down at
+her face, his own growing bewildered and afraid. He stammers._] Nelly!
+What is it?
+
+ELEANOR—[_Opening her eyes—in alarm._] What——?
+
+DARNTON—[_With a sigh of relief._] You gave me a scare. You were like a
+corpse.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Breaks away from him and bends over the fire with her
+trembling hands spread out to it._] I—I’m so cold. I believe I do feel
+ill. I’ll go to bed. [_She moves toward the door._]
+
+DARNTON—[_Uneasily—with a forced heartiness._] Now you’re talking sense.
+Come on. [_He leads the way into the hall. She goes as far as the
+doorway—then stops. A queer struggle is apparent in her face, her whole
+body, as if she were fighting with all her will to overcome some
+invisible barrier which bars her way._ DARNTON _is watching her keenly
+now, a sad foreboding coming into his eyes. He steps past her back into
+the room, saying kindly but with a faint trace of bitterness._] It’s the
+first door upstairs on your right—if you’d rather go alone. [_He walks
+still further away, then turns to watch her, his face growing more and
+more aware and melancholy._]
+
+ELEANOR—[_Vaguely._] No—you don’t understand—— [_She stands swaying,
+reaching out her hand to the side of the doorway for support—dully._]
+The first door to the right—upstairs?
+
+DARNTON—Yes.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Struggles with herself, confused and impotent, trying to
+will—finally turns to_ DARNTON _like a forlorn child_.] John. Can’t you
+help me?
+
+DARNTON—[_Gravely._] No—not now when I do understand. You must do it
+alone.
+
+ELEANOR—[_With a desperate cry._] I can! I’m as strong as he! I do!
+[_This breaks the spell which has chained her. She grows erect and
+strong. She walks through the doorway._]
+
+DARNTON—[_With a triumphant exclamation of joy._] Ah! [_He strides
+toward the doorway—then stops as he notices that she also has stopped at
+the bottom of the stairs, one foot on the first stair, looking up at the
+top. Then she wavers and suddenly bolts back into the room, gropingly,
+her face strained and frightened._ DARNTON _questions her with fierce
+disappointment_.] What is it? Why did you stop?
+
+ELEANOR—[_Forcing a twisted smile—wildly._] You’re right. I must be
+feverish. [_Trying to control herself—self-mockingly._] Seeing spooks,
+that’s pretty far gone, isn’t it? [_Laughing hysterically._] Yes—I swear
+I saw him—standing at the head of the stairs waiting for me—just as he
+was standing when you knocked at our door, remember? [_She laughs._]
+Really, it was too ridiculous—so plain——
+
+DARNTON—Ssshh! [_Glancing at her worriedly._] Won’t you lie down here?
+Try and rest.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Allowing him to make her comfortable on the couch before the
+fire._] Yes. [_Her eyes glance up into his bewilderedly._]
+
+DARNTON—[_After a long pause—slowly._] You don’t love me, Nelly.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Pitifully protesting._] But I do, John! I do! You’re kind!
+You’re unselfish and fine! I do love you!
+
+DARNTON—[_With a wry smile._] That isn’t me. You don’t love me.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Desperately defiant, leaps to her feet._] I do! [_She takes
+his face between her hands and bringing her own close to it, stares into
+his eyes. He looks back into hers. She mutters fiercely between her
+clenched teeth._] I do! I do love you! [_For a long moment they remain
+there, as she brings her face nearer and nearer striving with all her
+will to kiss him on the lips. Finally her eyes falter, her body grows
+limp, she turns away and throws herself on the couch in a fit of
+abandoned sobbing._]
+
+DARNTON—[_With a sad smile._] You see?
+
+ELEANOR—[_Her voice muffled—between sobs._] But I—want to! And I will—I
+know—some day—I promise!
+
+DARNTON—[_Forcing a light tone._] Well, I’ll be resigned to wait and
+hope then—and trust in your good intentions. [_After a pause—in a
+calming, serious tone._] You’re calmer now? Tell me what happened
+between you and Michael.
+
+ELEANOR—No! Please!
+
+DARNTON—[_Smiling but earnestly._] It’ll relieve your mind, Nelly—and
+besides, how can I help you otherwise?
+
+ELEANOR—[_After a pause—with resigned dullness._] We’ve quarreled, but
+never like this before. This was final! [_She shudders—then suddenly
+bursts out wildly._] Oh, John, for God’s sake don’t ask me! I want to
+forget! We tore each other to pieces, we destroyed one another! I
+realized I hated him! I couldn’t restrain my hate! I had to crush him as
+he was crushing me! [_After a pause—dully again._] And so that was the
+end.
+
+DARNTON—[_Tensely, hoping again now—pleadingly._] You’re sure, Nelly?
+You’re sure your love is dead——
+
+ELEANOR—[_Fiercely._] I hate him!
+
+DARNTON—[_After a pause—earnestly._] Then stay here. I think I can help
+you forget. Never mind what people say. Make this your home—and maybe—in
+time—— [_He forces a smile._] You see, I’m already starting to nurse
+along that crumb of hope you gave. [_She is looking down, preoccupied
+with her own thoughts. He looks at her embarrassedly, then goes on
+gently, timidly persuasive._] I don’t mind waiting. I’m used to it. And
+I’ve been hoping ever since I first met you—eight years ago, isn’t it?
+[_Forcing a half laugh._] I’ll admit when you married him the waiting
+and hoping seemed excess labor. I tried to fire them—thought I had—but
+when you came tonight—there they were right onto the job again! [_He
+laughs—then catching himself awkwardly._] But hell! I don’t want to
+bother you now. Forget me. Will you stay here and rest up—treat this as
+your house? That’s the point.
+
+ELEANOR—[_In a bland, absent-minded tone which wounds him._] You’re so
+kind, John. [_Then following her own line of thought, she breaks out
+savagely._] I told him I’d been your mistress while he was away!
+
+DARNTON—[_Amazed._] Nelly!
+
+ELEANOR—I had to tell that lie! He was degrading me! I had to revenge
+myself!
+
+DARNTON—But certainly he could never believe——
+
+ELEANOR—[_With fierce triumph._] Oh, I made him believe! [_Then dully._]
+Then—he went away. He said he would kill our love as I had—worse——
+[_With a twisted smile._] That’s what he’s doing now. He has gone to one
+of those women he lived with before—— [_Laughing harshly._] No! They
+wouldn’t be vile enough—for his beautiful revenge on me! He has a
+wonderful imagination. Everyone acknowledges that! [_She laughs with
+wild bitterness—this is transformed into a frenzy of rage._] Oh, how I
+loathe him! [_Then in agony._] My God, why do I think——? Help me, John!
+Help me to forget—to love you!
+
+DARNTON—[_After a pause—with a sad, bitter helplessness._] You mean—to
+hate him! Help you—to revenge yourself! But don’t you realize I
+can’t—you can’t—because—I see this damn clear now so don’t deny
+it!—because you still love him!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Fiercely._] No! [_After a pause—brokenly._] Don’t! I know! I
+hate myself for loving him! I hate him because I love him! [_She sobs
+heart-brokenly._]
+
+DARNTON—[_After a pause, as her sobbing grows quieter—sadly._] Go home.
+
+ELEANOR—No! [_After a pause, brokenly._] He hates me.
+
+DARNTON—[_With a grim smile._] Because he loves you.
+
+ELEANOR—He’ll never come back now.
+
+DARNTON—[_With bitter humor._] Oh, yes he will; take my word for it. I
+know—because I happen to love you, too.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Faintly._] And do you—hate me?
+
+DARNTON—[_After a pause—with melancholy self-disgust._] No. I’m too
+soft. That’s why you’ve always liked me and never loved me.
+[_Bitterly._] I ought to hate you! Twice now you’ve treated my love with
+the most humiliating contempt—— Once, years ago, when you were willing
+to endure it as the price of a career—again tonight, when you try to
+give yourself out of hate and love—love!—for him! [_In sudden furious
+revolt._] Christ! What am I, eh? [_Then checking his anger and forcing a
+wry smile._] I think your treatment has been rather hard to take,
+Nelly—and even now I’m not cured, at that! [_He laughs harshly and turns
+away to conceal his real hurt._]
+
+ELEANOR—[_With deep grief._] Forgive me.
+
+DARNTON—[_As if to himself—reassuringly._] Still—I would have been the
+poorest slave. I couldn’t have fought you like Michael. Perhaps, deep
+down, I’m glad——
+
+ELEANOR—Don’t say that! If I could have loved you—if I could love you
+now—I’d be happy.
+
+DARNTON—You’d have grown to despise a slave long ago. [_Then bluntly._]
+You’d better go home right away.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Dully._] Even if he has——
+
+DARNTON—[_Brusquely._] You know you’ve got to—no matter what!
+
+ELEANOR—How can I have faith? And how can I ever make him believe I lied
+about you? How can he ever trust me about us—here—tonight?
+[_Miserably._] Oh, don’t you see how impossible——!
+
+DARNTON—[_Impatiently._] But evidently you must. Face the truth in
+yourself. Must you—or mustn’t you?
+
+ELEANOR—[_After a moment’s defiant struggle with herself—forlornly._]
+Yes. [_After a pause, with a gesture toward the door and a weary, beaten
+smile._] Upstairs—if I could have gone—I’d have been free. But he’s
+trained me too well in his ideal. And I love him. From the depths of my
+humiliation I love him! [_Despairingly._] But when I think of what he’s
+doing, of what he will do to crush——! I hate him! I hate him so terribly
+that——! [_She stops, trembling with passion, her face convulsed—then,
+shrugging her shoulders, fatalistically._] It’s broken me. I’m no longer
+anything. So what does it matter how weak I am? Let him win. [_A slight
+pause._] I begin to know—something. [_With a sudden queer, exultant
+pride._] I love him! But my love for him is my own, not his! My love for
+him he can never possess! It is _my_ own! It is _my_ life! [_She turns
+to_ DARNTON _determinedly_.] I must go home now.
+
+DARNTON—[_Wonderingly._] Good. I’ll drive you back. [_He starts for the
+door._]
+
+ELEANOR—[_Suddenly grasping his arm._] Wait. [_Affectionately._] I was
+forgetting you—as usual. How can you forgive me? What can I do——?
+
+DARNTON—[_With a wry smile._] Forget, Nelly. Remember me as a manager.
+Study your part; help Michael; and we’ll all three be enormously
+successful! [_He laughs mockingly._]
+
+ELEANOR—[_Tenderly._] I’ll always believe Fate should have let me love
+you, instead.
+
+DARNTON—[_With the same wry smile._] While I begin to suspect that in a
+way I’m lucky—to be heart-broken. Our might-have-beens are more
+enjoyable—as dreams, eh? [_With a laugh._] Curtain! You’ll want to go
+upstairs and powder your nose. There’s no angel with a flaming sword
+there now, is there? [_He points to the doorway._]
+
+ELEANOR—[_With a tired smile._] No. [_She goes to the doorway. He
+follows her. They both stop there for a moment instinctively and smile
+forlornly at each other._]
+
+DARNTON—[_Impulsively._] One question: That time you stood here and
+called to me for help—if I could have given you a push, mental, moral,
+physical——?
+
+ELEANOR—[_Smiling._] Might-have-beens, John! [_Then earnestly._] You
+didn’t because you couldn’t. It wouldn’t have helped, anyway. The angel
+was here. [_She touches her breast._]
+
+DARNTON—[_With a sigh._] Thanks. That saves me a life-long regret.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Earnestly—gripping his right hand in hers and holding his
+eyes._] There must be no regrets—ever—between old friends.
+
+DARNTON—[_Gripping her hand in turn._] No, I promise, Nelly. [_Then,
+letting her hand drop and turning away to conceal his emotion—forcing a
+joking tone._] After all, friendship is sounder, saner—more in the
+picture for my type, eh?
+
+ELEANOR—[_Absent-minded again now—vaguely._] I don’t know. [_Then
+briskly._] We must hurry. I’ll be right down. [_She goes out and up the
+stairway in the hall._]
+
+DARNTON—[_Stares up after her for a second, then smiling grimly._] Well,
+business of living on as usual. [_He passes his arm here and there in
+the open doorway as if he were a magician—with bitter irony._] You
+see—nothing there! Invisible cobwebs—cast-iron cobwebs! [_He laughs
+harshly._] Catching title for a play. I’ll tell Michael! [_He laughs
+again—checks himself—then walks out, calling up the stairs._] I’m going
+to get the car, Nelly.
+
+
+                         [_The Curtain Falls_]
+
+
+                                ACT TWO
+                               SCENE TWO
+
+  SCENE—_A dingy bedroom in a Sixth Avenue “bed house.” In the rear,
+      center, a door leading into the hall. A chair to left of door. In
+      the left corner, a washstand with bowl, pitcher, towels, etc. In
+      the left wall, center, a small window with a torn dark shade
+      pulled down. On the right, a bed. A filthy threadbare carpet on
+      the floor. Ugly wall paper, dirty, stained, criss-crossed with
+      match-strokes._
+
+      _When the curtain rises, the room is in darkness except for a
+      faint glow on the window shade from some street lamp. Then the
+      door is opened and a woman’s figure is silhouetted against the
+      dim, yellow light of the hall. She turns and speaks to someone who
+      is following her. Her voice is heavy and slow with the strong
+      trace of a foreign intonation, although the words are clearly
+      enough defined._
+
+WOMAN—Got a match? [_A man’s figure appears behind hers. He fumbles in
+his pockets, hands her a match without speaking. She strikes it on the
+wall, lights the gas jet near the door. The room is revealed in sordid
+detail in the tarnished yellow light. The_ WOMAN _is fairly young. Her
+face, rouged, powdered, penciled, is broad and stupid. Her small eyes
+have a glazed look. Yet she is not ugly—rather pretty for her bovine,
+stolid type—and her figure is still attractive although its movements
+just now are those of a tired scrubwoman’s. She takes off her coat,
+hangs it on a hook, then goes to a mirror on the wall over the
+washstand, and removes her hat._
+
+_The man is_ MICHAEL CAPE. _He is bare-headed, his hair disheveled, his
+eyes wild, his face has a feverish, mad expression. He stands in the
+doorway watching each movement of the_ WOMAN’S _with an unnatural
+preoccupied concentration_.]
+
+WOMAN—[_Having removed her hat and put it on the washstand, turns to him
+impatiently._] Ain’t you comin’ in? [_He starts and nods stupidly,
+moving his lips as if answering but not making a sound._] Come in! Shut
+the door. [_He does so and locks it mechanically—then looks from her
+around the room with a frightened, puzzled glance as if he were aware of
+his surroundings for the first time._]
+
+WOMAN—[_Forcing a trade smile—with an attempt at lightness._] Well, here
+we are, dearie. [_Then with a sigh of physical weariness as she sits on
+the side of the bed._] Gawd, I’m tired! My feet hurt fierce! I been
+walkin’ miles. I got corns, too. [_She sighs again, this time with a
+sort of restful content._] It’s good ‘n’ warm in this dump, I’ll hand it
+that. [_A pause._] I’d gave up hope and was beatin’ it home when you
+come along. [_A pause during which she takes him in calculatingly._]
+How’d you lose your hat? [_He starts, passes a trembling hand through
+his hair bewilderedly but does not answer. A pause—then the_ WOMAN
+_sighs and yawns wearily—bored_.] Can’t you say nothin’? You was full
+enough of bull when you met me. Gawd, I thought you’d get us both
+pinched. You acted like you was crazy. Remember kissing me on the corner
+with a whole mob pipin’ us off?
+
+CAPE—[_With a start—evidently answering some train of thought in his
+mind—with a wild laugh._] Remember? [_He sinks on the chair with his
+head in his hands. There is a pause._]
+
+WOMAN—[_Insinuatingly._] Goin’ to stay all night? [_He glances up at her
+stupidly but doesn’t answer. The_ WOMAN _insists dully_.] Say, you got
+ear-muffs on? I ast you, d’you wanta stay all night?
+
+CAPE—[_After a moment’s groping, nods emphatically again and again,
+swallowing hard several times as if he were striving to get control of
+his voice—finally blurts out in a tone of desperation._] Yes—yes—of
+course!—Where else would I go?
+
+WOMAN—Home. [_Indifferently._] That’s where most of ’em goes—afterwards.
+
+CAPE—[_With a sudden burst of wild laughter._] Ha-ha-ha. Home! Is that
+your private brand of revenge—to go with men with homes? I congratulate
+you! [_He laughs to himself with bitter irony—then suddenly deadly
+calm._] Yes, I have a home, come to think of it—from now on Hell is my
+home! I suspect we’re fellow-citizens. [_He laughs._]
+
+WOMAN—[_Superstitiously._] You oughtn’t to say them things.
+
+CAPE—[_With dull surprise._] Why?
+
+WOMAN—Somep’n might happen. [_A pause._] Don’t you believe in no God?
+
+CAPE—I believe in the devil!
+
+WOMAN—[_Frightened._] Say! [_Then after a pause, forcing a smile._] I’m
+wise to what’s wrong with you. You been lappin’ up some bum hooch.
+
+CAPE—[_Jerkily._] No. I’m not drunk. I thought of that—but—it’s evasion.
+[_Wildly._] And I must be conscious—fully conscious, do you
+understand?—of what I do! I will this act as a symbol of release—of the
+end of all things! [_He stops, shuddering. She looks at him stolidly. A
+pause. He presses his hands to his forehead._] My brain burns up!
+[_Suddenly striking his head with both fists—in a frenzy._] Stop
+thinking, damn you! Stop! [_Then after a pause—dully._] How long——? What
+time is it?
+
+WOMAN—Little after two, I guess.
+
+CAPE—[_Amazed._] Only that? [_She nods._] Only two hours since——? [_A
+pause._] I remember streets—lights—dead faces—— Then you—your face alone
+was alive for me, alive with my deliverance! That was why I kissed you.
+You shall avenge me!
+
+WOMAN—[_Looking at him queerly._] Say, you talk nutty. Been dopin’ up on
+coke, I bet you.
+
+CAPE—[_With an abrupt exclamation._] Ha! [_He stares at her with
+unnatural intensity._] You seem to take it quite casually that men must
+be either drunk or doped—otherwise——! Marvelous! You,—you are the last
+depth—— [_With a strange, wild exultance, leaps to his feet._] You are
+my salvation! You have the power—and the right—to defile beauty and
+murder love! You can satisfy hate and exhaust it! Will you let me kiss
+you again? [_He strides over to her._]
+
+WOMAN—[_In a stupid state of bewilderment, feeling she has been insulted
+but not exactly knowing by what or how to resent it—angrily, pushing him
+away._] No! Get away from me! [_Then afraid she may lose his trade by
+this rebuff._] Aw, all right. Sure you can. [_Making a tremendous
+visible effort he kisses her on the lips, then shrinks back with a
+shudder and forces a harsh laugh. She stares at him and mutters
+resentfully._] O’ny don’t get so fresh, see? I don’t like your line of
+talk. [_He slumps down on the chair again, sunk in a somber stupor. She
+watches him. She yawns. Finally she asks insinuatingly._] Ain’t you
+gettin’ sleepy?
+
+CAPE—[_Starting—with wild scorn._] Sleep! Do you think I——? [_Staring at
+her._] Oh—I see—you mean, what did I come here for?
+
+WOMAN—[_In same tone._] It’s gettin’ late.
+
+CAPE—[_Dully, with no meaning to his question—like an automaton._] A
+little after two?
+
+WOMAN—Yes. [_She yawns._] You better let me go to bed and come yourself.
+
+CAPE—[_Again staring at her with strange intensity—suddenly with a queer
+laugh._] How long have you and I been united in the unholy bonds
+of—bed-lock? [_He chuckles sardonically at his own play on words._]
+
+WOMAN—[_With a puzzled grin._] Say!
+
+CAPE—Ten thousand years—about—isn’t it? Or twenty? Don’t you remember?
+
+WOMAN—[_Keeping her forced grin._] Tryin’ to kid me, ain’t you?
+
+CAPE—Don’t lie about your age! You were beside the cradle of love, and
+you’ll dance dead drunk on its grave!
+
+WOMAN—I’m only twenty-six, honest.
+
+CAPE—[_With a wild laugh._] A fact! You’re right. Thoughts keep alive.
+Only facts kill—deeds! [_He starts to his feet._] Then hate will let me
+alone. Love will be dead. I will be as ugly as the world. My dreams will
+be low dreams. I’ll “lay me down among the swine.” Will you promise me
+this, you?
+
+WOMAN—[_Vaguely offended—impatiently._] Sure, I’ll promise anything.
+[_She gets up to start undressing. She has been pulling the pins out of
+her hair and, as she rises, it falls over her shoulders in a peroxided
+flood. She turns to him, smiling with childish pride._] D’you like my
+hair, kid? I got a lot of it, ain’t I?
+
+CAPE—[_Laughing sardonically._] “O love of mine, let down your hair and
+I will make my shroud of it.”
+
+WOMAN—[_Coquettishly pleased._] What’s that—po’try? [_Then suddenly
+reminded of something she regards him calculatingly—after a pause,
+coldly._] Say, you ain’t broke, are you? Is that what’s troubling you?
+
+CAPE—[_Startled—then with bitter mockery._] Ha! I see you’re a practical
+person. [_He takes a bill from his pocket and holds it out to
+her—contemptuously._] Here!
+
+WOMAN—[_Stares from the bill to him, flushing beneath her rouge._] Say!
+I don’t like the way you act. [_Proudly._] I don’t take nothin’ for
+nothin’—not from you, see!
+
+CAPE—[_Surprised and ashamed._] I’ll leave it here, then. [_He puts it
+on top of the washstand and turns to her—embarrassedly._] I didn’t
+mean—to offend you.
+
+WOMAN—[_Her face clearing immediately._] Aw, never mind. It’s all right.
+
+CAPE—[_Staring at her intently—suddenly deeply moved._] Poor woman!
+
+WOMAN—[_Stung—excitedly._] Hey, none of that! Nix! Cut it out! I don’t
+stand for that from nobody! [_She sits down on the bed angrily._]
+
+CAPE—[_With unnatural intensity._] Do you know what you are? You’re a
+symbol. You’re all the tortures man inflicts on woman—and you’re the
+revenge of woman! You’re love revenging itself upon itself! You’re the
+suicide of love—of my love—of all love since the world began!
+[_Wildly._] Listen to me! Two hours ago—— [_Then he beats his head with
+both clenched hands—distractedly._] Leave me alone! Leave me alone, damn
+you! [_He flings himself on the chair in a violent outburst of dry
+sobbing._]
+
+WOMAN—[_Bewilderedly._] Say! Say! [_Then touched, she comes to him and
+puts her arms around his shoulders, on the verge of tears herself._] Aw,
+come on, kid. Quit it. It’s all right. Everything’s all right, see. [_As
+his sobbing grows quieter—helpfully._] Say, maybe you ain’t ate nothin’,
+huh? Maybe soup’d fix you. S’posin’ I go round the corner, huh? Sure,
+all I got to do is put up my hair——
+
+CAPE—[_Controlling hysterical laughter—huskily._] No—thanks. [_Then his
+bitter memories rush back agonizingly. He stammers wildly._] She
+confessed—with hate! She was proud of her hate! She was proud of my
+torture. She screamed: “I hate you! I’ll go too.” Go where? Did she go?
+Yes, she must——! Oh, my God! Stop! Stop! [_He springs up, his face
+distorted, and clutches the_ WOMAN _fiercely in his arms_.] Save me,
+you! Help me to kill this beauty which she defiled! Help me to gain the
+peace which is the death of love. [_He kisses her again and again
+frenziedly. She submits stolidly. Finally with a groan he pushes her
+away, shuddering with loathing, and sinks back on the chair._] No! I
+can’t—I can’t!
+
+WOMAN—[_Wiping her lips with the back of her hand—a vague comprehension
+coming into her face—scornfully._] Huh! I got a hunch now what’s eatin’
+you. [_Then with a queer sort of savage triumph._] Well, I’m glad one of
+youse guys got paid back like you oughter!
+
+CAPE—[_With dull impotent rage._] I can’t! I love her! [_As if he were
+defying himself by this confession._] Yes, I still love her! And I
+can’t! I only hate because I love—I’m the weaker. Our love must live on
+in me. There is no death for it. There is no freedom—while I live.
+[_Struck by a sudden thought._] Then, why——? [_A pause._] An end of
+loathing—in a second, peace—no wounds, no memories—sleep!
+
+WOMAN—[_With a shudder._] Say, you’re beginning to give me the creeps.
+
+CAPE—[_Startled—with a forced laugh._] Am I? Well, never mind. [_He
+shakes his head as if to drive some thought from his mind and forces a
+trembling, mocking smile._] That’s over. The great temptation, isn’t it?
+I suppose you’ve known it. But also the great evasion. Too simple for
+the complicated,—too weak for the strong, too strong for the weak. One
+must go on, eh?—even wounded, on one’s knees—if only out of curiosity to
+see what will happen—to oneself. [_He laughs harshly and turns with a
+quick movement toward the door._] Well, good-by, and forgive me. It
+isn’t you, you know. You’re the perfect death—but I’m too strong, or
+weak—no, merely I’m myself—and that myself can’t, you understand—can’t!
+So, good-by. [_He goes to the door._]
+
+WOMAN—[_Frightenedly._] Say! What’re you goin’ to do?
+
+CAPE—Go on in the dark.
+
+WOMAN—You better beat it home, that’s what.
+
+CAPE—[_Violently._] No! [_Then bitterly._] I came home once tonight——
+
+WOMAN—[_Wearily._] Aw, forget it. She’s your wife, ain’t she?
+
+CAPE—How do you know? [_He comes back to her, curiously attracted._]
+
+WOMAN—[_Cynically._] Aw, I’m wise. Stick to her, see? You’ll get over
+it. You can get used to anything, take it from me!
+
+CAPE—[_In anguish._] Don’t! But it’s true—it’s the insult we all swallow
+as the price of life. [_Rebelliously._] But I——!
+
+WOMAN—[_With a sort of forlorn chuckle._] Oh, you’ll go back, aw right!
+Don’t kid yourself. You’ll go back no matter what, and you’ll learn to
+like it. Don’t I know? You love her, don’t you? Well, then! There’s no
+use buckin’ that game. Go home. Kiss and make up. Ferget it. It’s easy
+to ferget—when you got to! [_She finishes up with a cynical, weary
+scorn._]
+
+CAPE—[_Very pale—stammering._] You—you make life despicable.
+
+WOMAN—[_Angrily._] Say! [_Then with groping, growing resentment._] I
+don’t like your talk! You’ve pulled a lot of bum cracks
+about—about—never mind, I got you, anyhow! You ain’t got no right——
+What’d you wanter pick me up for, anyway? Wanter just get me up here to
+say rotten things? Wanter use me to pay her back? Say! Where do I come
+in? Guys go with me ‘cause they like my looks, see?—what I am,
+understand?—but you, you don’t want nothin’. You ain’t drunk, neither!
+You just don’t like me. And you was beatin’ it leavin’ your money
+there—without nothin’. I was goin’ to let you then, I ain’t now. [_She
+suddenly gives him a furious push which sends him reeling back against
+the wall._] G’wan! Take your lousy coin and beat it! I wouldn’t take
+nothin’, nor have nothin’ to do with you if you was to get down on your
+knees!
+
+CAPE—[_Stares at her—an expression comes as if he were seeing her for
+the first time—with great pity._] So—it still survives in you. They
+haven’t killed it—that lonely life of one’s own which suffers in
+solitude. [_Shamefacedly._] I should have known. Can you forgive me?
+
+WOMAN—[_Defensively._] No!
+
+CAPE—Through separate ways love has brought us both to this room. As one
+suffering, lonely human being to another, won’t you——?
+
+WOMAN—[_Struggling with herself—harshly._] No!
+
+CAPE—[_Gently._] Not even if I ask it on my knees? [_He kneels before
+her, looking up into her face._]
+
+WOMAN—[_Bewildered, with hysterical fierceness._] No! Git up, you——!
+Don’t do that, I tell you! Git up or I’ll brain yuh! [_She raises her
+fist threateningly over his head._]
+
+CAPE—[_Gently._] Not until you——
+
+WOMAN—[_Exhaustedly._] Aw right—aw right—I forgive——
+
+CAPE—[_Gets up and takes her face between his hands and stares into her
+eyes—then he kisses her on the forehead._] Sister.
+
+WOMAN—[_With a half sob._] Nix! Lay off of me, can’t you?
+
+CAPE—But I learned that from you.
+
+WOMAN—[_Stammering._] What?—loined what? [_She goes away from him and
+sinks on the bed exhaustedly._] Say, you better beat it.
+
+CAPE—I’m going. [_He points to the bill on the washstand._] You need
+this money. You’ll accept it from me now, won’t you?
+
+WOMAN—[_Dully._] Sure. Leave it there.
+
+CAPE—[_In the same gentle tone._] You’ll have to give it to him in the
+morning?
+
+WOMAN—[_Dully._] Sure.
+
+CAPE—All of it?
+
+WOMAN—Sure.
+
+CAPE—Or he’d beat you?
+
+WOMAN—Sure. [_Then suddenly grinning._] Maybe he’ll beat me up,
+anyway—just for the fun of it.
+
+CAPE—But you love him, don’t you?
+
+WOMAN—Sure. I’m lonesome.
+
+CAPE—Yes. [_After a slight pause._] Why did you smile when you said he’d
+beat you, anyway?
+
+WOMAN—I was thinkin’ of the whole game. It’s funny, ain’t it?
+
+CAPE—[_Slowly._] You mean—life and love?
+
+WOMAN—Sure. You got to laugh, ain’t you? Sure! You got to loin to like
+it!
+
+CAPE—[_This makes an intense impression on him. He nods his head several
+times._] Yes! That’s it! That’s exactly it! That goes deeper than
+wisdom. To learn to love the truth of life—to accept it and be
+exalted—that’s the one faith left to us! [_Then with a tremulous
+smile._] Good-by, I’ve joined your church. I’m going home.
+
+WOMAN—[_With a grin that is queerly affectionate._] Sure. That’s the
+stuff. Close your eyes and your feet’ll take you there.
+
+CAPE—[_Impressed again._] Yes! Yes! Of course they would! They’ve been
+walking there for thousands of years—blindly. However, I’ll keep my eyes
+open—— [_He smiles back at her affectionately._] ——and learn to like it!
+
+WOMAN—[_Grinning._] Sure. Good luck.
+
+CAPE—Good-by. [_He goes out, closing the door after him. She stares at
+the door for a moment, listening to his footsteps as they die out down
+the stairs. Then she takes a comb from her bag and, going to the mirror,
+starts to comb her hair. She is preoccupied and her hand suddenly
+stops._]
+
+WOMAN—[_Confusedly._] Say——? [_She stares at herself with a
+vaguely-troubled, ruminating stolidity. Then with a sigh she goes on
+combing her hair._]
+
+
+                         [_The Curtain Falls_]
+
+
+
+
+                                ACT III
+
+
+                               ACT THREE
+
+  SCENE—_Same as Act One, the_ CAPES’ _apartment, about five o’clock the
+      same morning. The door to the hall is still open, the reading lamp
+      alight, everything exactly as at the close of_ ACT ONE.
+
+      ELEANOR _is standing by the table, leaning her back against it,
+      facing the door, her whole attitude strained, expectant but
+      frightened, tremblingly uncertain whether to run and hide from, or
+      run forward and greet_ CAPE, _who is standing in the doorway. For
+      a long, tense moment they remain fixed, staring into each other’s
+      eyes with an apprehensive questioning. Then, as if unconsciously,
+      falteringly, with trembling smiles, they come toward each other.
+      Their lips move as if they were trying to speak. When they come
+      close, they instinctively reach out their hands in a strange
+      conflicting gesture of a protective warding off and at the same
+      time a seeking possession. Their hands clasp and they again stop,
+      searching each other’s eyes. Finally their lips force out words._
+
+ELEANOR—[_Penitently._] Michael!
+
+CAPE—[_Humbly._] Nelly! [_They smile with a queer understanding, their
+arms move about each other, their lips meet. They seem in a forgetful,
+happy trance at finding each other again. They touch each other
+testingly as if each cannot believe the other is really there. They act
+for the moment like two persons of different races, deeply in love but
+separated by a barrier of language._]
+
+ELEANOR—[_Rambling tenderly._] Michael—I—— Dearest—I was afraid——
+
+CAPE—[_Stammering._] Nelly—it’s so good!—I thought—my own—you’d gone——
+[_They stare at each other—a pause._]
+
+ELEANOR—[_Beginning to be aware—a bit bewilderedly, breaking away from
+him with a little shiver—stupidly._] I feel—there’s a draught, isn’t
+there?
+
+CAPE—[_Becoming aware in his turn—heavily._] I’ll shut the door. [_He
+goes and does so. She walks to her chair and sits down. He comes and
+sits beside her. They are now side by side as in Act One. A pause. They
+stare ahead, each frowningly abstracted. Then each, at the same moment,
+steals a questioning side glance at the other. Their eyes meet, they
+look away, then back, they stare at each other with a peculiar dull
+amazement, recognition yet non-recognition. They seem about to speak,
+then turn away again. Their faces grow sad, their eyes begin to suffer,
+their bodies become nervous and purposeless. Finally_ CAPE _exclaims
+with a dull resentment directed not at her but at life_.] What is—it?
+[_He makes a gesture of repulsing something before him._]
+
+ELEANOR—[_In his tone._] I don’t know.
+
+CAPE—[_Harshly._] A moment ago—there—— [_He indicates where they had
+stood in an embrace._] We knew everything. We understood!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Eagerly._] Oh, yes!
+
+CAPE—[_Bitterly._] Now—we must begin to think—to continue going on,
+getting lost——
+
+ELEANOR—[_Sadly._] It was happy to forget. Let’s not think—yet.
+
+CAPE—[_Grimly._] We’ve begun. [_Then with a harsh laugh._] One must
+explain. Thinking explains. It eliminates the unexplainable—by which we
+live.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Warningly._] By which we love. Sssh! [_A pause._]
+
+CAPE—[_Wonderingly—not looking at her._] You have learned that, too?
+
+ELEANOR—[_With a certain exultance._] Oh, yes, Michael—yes! [_She clasps
+his hand. A pause. Then she murmurs._] Now—we know peace. [_Their hands
+drop apart. She sighs._]
+
+CAPE—[_Slowly._] Peace isn’t our meaning.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Suddenly turns and addresses him directly in a sad,
+sympathetic tone._] You’ve something you want to ask me, Michael?
+
+CAPE—[_Turns to her with an immediate affirmative on his lips, checks it
+as he meets her eyes, turns away—a pause—then he turns back humbly._]
+No.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Her head has been averted since he turned away—without looking
+at him._] Yes.
+
+CAPE—[_Decisively._] No, Nelly. [_She still keeps her head averted.
+After a pause he asks simply._] Why? Is there something you want to ask
+me?
+
+ELEANOR—No. [_After a pause—with a trace of bitter humor._] I can’t be
+less magnanimous than you, can I?
+
+CAPE—Then there is something——?
+
+ELEANOR—Haven’t you something you want to tell?
+
+CAPE—[_Looks at her. Their eyes meet again._] Yes—the truth—if I can.
+And you?
+
+ELEANOR—Yes, I wish to tell you the truth. [_They look into each other’s
+eyes. Suddenly she laughs with a sad self-mockery._] Well, we’ve both
+been noble. I haven’t asked you; you haven’t asked me; and yet—— [_She
+makes a helpless gesture with her hands. A pause. Then abruptly and
+mechanically._] I’ll begin at the beginning. I left here right after you
+did.
+
+CAPE—[_With an involuntary start._] Oh! [_He checks himself._]
+
+ELEANOR—[_Her eyes reading his—after a pause—a bit dryly._] You thought
+I’d stayed here all the time? [_Mockingly._] Waiting for you?
+
+CAPE—[_Wounded._] Don’t! [_After a pause—painfully._] When I found
+you—perhaps I hoped——
+
+ELEANOR—[_Dully._] I had only been back a few minutes. [_After a
+pause._] Was that why you seemed so happy—there——? [_She points to the
+spot where they had stood embraced._]
+
+CAPE—[_Indignantly._] No, no! Don’t think that! I’m not like that—not
+any more! [_Without looking at her he reaches out and clasps her hand._]
+
+ELEANOR—[_Looks at him—after a pause, understandingly._] I’m sorry——
+
+CAPE—[_Self-defensively._] Of course, I knew you must have gone, you’d
+have been a fool to stay. [_Excitedly._] And it doesn’t matter—not a
+damn! I’ve gotten beyond that.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Misunderstanding—coldly._] I’m glad. [_A pause. She asks
+coldly._] Shall I begin again?
+
+CAPE—[_Struggling with himself—disjointedly._] No—not unless—I don’t
+need—— I’ve changed. That doesn’t matter. I—[_With a sudden twisted
+grin._] I’m learning to like it, you see.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Looks at him, strangely impressed—a pause—slowly._] I think I
+know what you mean. We’re both learning.
+
+CAPE—[_Wonderingly._] You——? [_She has turned away from him. He turns to
+stare at her._]
+
+ELEANOR—[_After a pause, taking up her story matter-of-factly._] I went
+to John.
+
+CAPE—[_Trying with agony to take this stoically—mumbling stupidly._]
+Yes—of course—I supposed——
+
+ELEANOR—[_In the same mechanical tone._] He drove me back here in his
+car. He predicted you’d be back any moment, so he went right home again.
+
+CAPE—[_A wild, ironical laugh escapes his control._] Shrewd—Ha!
+
+ELEANOR—[_After a pause—rebukingly._] John is a good man.
+
+CAPE—[_Startled, turns and stares at her averted face—then miserably
+humble, stammers._] Yes, yes—I know—I acknowledge—good—— [_He breaks
+down, cursing pitiably at himself._] God damn you!
+
+ELEANOR—Oh!
+
+CAPE—Not you! Me! [_Then he turns to her—with fierce defiance._] I love
+John!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Moved, without looking at him reaches and clasps his hand._]
+That—is beautiful, Michael. [_A pause._]
+
+CAPE—[_Begins to frown somberly—lets go of her hand._] It’s hard—after
+what you confessed——
+
+ELEANOR—[_Frightenedly._] Ssshh! [_Then calmly._] That was a lie. I lied
+to make you suffer more than you were making me suffer. [_A pause—then
+she turns to him._] Can you believe this?
+
+CAPE—[_Humbly._] I want to believe——
+
+ELEANOR—[_Immediately turning away—significantly._] Oh!
+
+CAPE—[_Fiercely—as if to himself._] I will believe! But what difference
+does it make—believing or not believing? I’ve changed, I tell you! I
+accept!
+
+ELEANOR—I can’t be a lie you live with!
+
+CAPE—[_Turning to her resentfully._] Well, then—— [_As if she were
+goading him to something against his will—threateningly._] Shall I tell
+you what happened to me?
+
+ELEANOR—[_Facing him defiantly._] Yes. [_He turns away. Immediately her
+brave attitude crumbles. She seems about to implore him not to speak._]
+
+CAPE—[_After a pause—hesitatingly._] You said that years ago you had
+offered yourself—to him—— [_He turns suddenly—hopefully._] Was that a
+lie, too?
+
+ELEANOR—No.
+
+CAPE—[_Turns away with a start of pain._] Ah. [_A pause. Suddenly his
+face grows convulsed. He turns back to her, overcome by a craving for
+revenge—viciously._] Then I may as well tell you I—— [_He checks himself
+and turns away._]
+
+ELEANOR—[_Defensively—with feigned indifference._] I don’t doubt—you
+kept your threat.
+
+CAPE—[_Glares at her wildly._] Oho, you don’t doubt that, do you? You
+saw I’d changed, eh?
+
+ELEANOR—I saw—something.
+
+CAPE—[_With bitter irony._] God! [_A pause._]
+
+ELEANOR—[_Turning on him doggedly as if she were impersonally impelled
+to make the statement._] I want to tell you that tonight—John and
+I—nothing you may ever suspect—— [_She falters, turns away with a bitter
+smile._] I only tell you this for my own satisfaction. I don’t expect
+you to believe it.
+
+CAPE—[_With a wry grin._] No. How could you? [_Then turning to
+her—determinedly—after a pause._] But it doesn’t matter.
+
+ELEANOR—I wanted revenge as much as you. I wanted to destroy—and be free
+of our love forever!
+
+CAPE—As I did.
+
+ELEANOR—[_After a pause—simply._] I couldn’t.
+
+CAPE—[_Turns and stares at her—a pause—then he asks wonderingly,
+eagerly._] Why couldn’t you? Tell me that.
+
+ELEANOR—[_After a pause—simply._] Something stronger.
+
+CAPE—[_With a passionate triumph._] Love! [_With intense pleading._]
+Nelly! Will you believe that I, too——? [_He tries to force her eyes to
+return to his._]
+
+ELEANOR—[_After a pause—looking before her—sadly._] You should have been
+generous sooner.
+
+CAPE—It’s the truth, Nelly! [_Desperately._] I swear to you——!
+
+ELEANOR—[_After a pause—wearily._] We’ve sworn to so much.
+
+CAPE—Everything is changed, I tell you! Something extraordinary happened
+to me—a revelation!
+
+ELEANOR—[_With bitter cynicism._] A woman?
+
+CAPE—[_Wounded, turns away from her._] Don’t. [_Then after a pause—with
+deep feeling._] Yes—she was a woman. And I had conceived of her only as
+revenge—the lowest of the low!
+
+ELEANOR—[_With a shudder._] Ah!
+
+CAPE—[_With feeling._] Don’t judge, Nelly. She was—good!
+
+ELEANOR—[_With another shudder._] Not her! You!
+
+CAPE—[Desperately.] I tell you I——! [_He checks himself helplessly. She
+gives no sign. Then he asks sadly._] If you can think that, how could
+you come back?
+
+ELEANOR—[_Stammering hysterically._] How? How? [_Bursting into tears._]
+Because I love you! [_Then turning on him fiercely as if defying him._]
+I love you! I love you!
+
+CAPE—[_Starting up from his chair and trying to take her in his
+arms—exultantly._] Nelly!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Pushing him away—violently._] No! I didn’t come back to you! I
+came back to my love which is mine—mine! It conquered me, not you!
+Something in me—myself—not you! [_She stares him in the eyes defiantly,
+triumphantly._]
+
+CAPE—[_Gently._] It doesn’t matter. [_After a pause._] Did I come back
+to you?
+
+ELEANOR—[_Taken aback, turning away._] No, I suppose—— [CAPE _stares at
+her uncertainly, then sits down in his chair again_.]
+
+CAPE—[_After a pause, looking before him—assertively, as if taking a
+pledge._] But I have faith!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Wearily._] Now—for a moment.
+
+CAPE—No!
+
+ELEANOR—Yes. We shall believe—and disbelieve. We are—that.
+
+CAPE—[_Protestingly._] Nelly! [_For a time they both sit staring bleakly
+before them. Suddenly he turns to her—desperately._] If there is nothing
+left but—resignation!—what use is there?
+
+ELEANOR—I know I love.
+
+CAPE—[_Bitterly—beginning to work himself into a passion._] How can we
+endure having our dream perish in this?
+
+ELEANOR—Have we any choice?
+
+CAPE—[_Intensely._] No! It’s not Fate! Fate lives—moves on! We are
+merely victims of our dead selves. [_He seems to collect all his forces
+and turns on her with a fierce challenge._] We can choose—an end!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Shudders instinctively as she reads his meaning._] Michael!
+[_A pause—then looking into his eyes—as a calm counter-challenge._]
+Yes—if _you_ wish.
+
+CAPE—[_With passionate self-scorn._] We! We have become ignoble.
+
+ELEANOR—As _you_ wish. [_She again accents the you._]
+
+CAPE—I?
+
+ELEANOR—I accept. I can live—or I can die. [_A pause—gently._] I love
+you. You must not suffer too much. [_She reaches out her hand and clasps
+his comfortingly._] It is I who have changed most, Michael. [_Then she
+speaks sadly but firmly as if she had come to a decision._] There is
+only one way we can give life to each other. We must redeem our love
+from ourselves!
+
+CAPE—[_Sharply._] How?
+
+ELEANOR—By releasing each other.
+
+CAPE—[_With a harsh laugh._] Are you forgetting we tried that once
+tonight?
+
+ELEANOR—With hate. This would be because we loved.
+
+CAPE—[_Violently._] Don’t be a fool! [_Controlling himself—forcing a
+smile._] Forgive me. [_Excitedly._] But, my God, what solution——?
+
+ELEANOR—It will give you peace for your work—freedom——
+
+CAPE—Nonsense!
+
+ELEANOR—I will continue to love you. I’ll work for you! We’ll no longer
+stand between each other. Then I can really give you my soul and possess
+yours. [_Rising to her feet in a pitch of dreamy enthusiasm._] Oh,
+Michael, isn’t that a finer love than the old?
+
+CAPE—[_Controlling himself with difficulty._] You’re talking rot!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Hurt._] Michael!
+
+CAPE—You’re mad! [_Then, suddenly glaring at her suspiciously._] Why did
+you come back? Why do you want to go? What are you hiding behind all
+this?
+
+ELEANOR—[_Wounded._] Your faith? You see?
+
+CAPE—[_Brokenly._] I—I didn’t mean—— [_Then after a struggle with
+desperate bitterness._] Well—I accept! I love you enough for that. Go—if
+you want to!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Hurt._] Michael! It isn’t—— [_Then determinedly._] But even if
+you misunderstand, I must be strong for you!
+
+CAPE—[_Almost tauntingly._] Then go—go now if you can—if you’re strong
+enough. [_Harshly._] Let me see you act nobility! [_Then suddenly
+remorseful, catching her hand and covering it with kisses._] No! I love
+you! Go now before—— Do whatever seems good. Be strong! Be free! I—I
+cannot!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Brokenly._] We can try—— [_She bends down swiftly and kisses
+his head, turns away quickly._] Good-by.
+
+CAPE—[_In a strangled voice._] Good-by. [_He sits in anguish, in a
+tortured restraint. She grabs her cloak from the chair, goes quickly to
+the door, puts her hand on the knob—then stops as tense as he. Suddenly
+he can stand it no longer, he leaps to his feet and jumps toward the
+door with a pleading cry._] Nelly! [_He stands fixed as he sees her
+before the door as if he had expected to find her gone. She does not
+turn but remains staring at the door in front of her. Finally she raises
+her hand and knocks on the door softly—then stops to listen._]
+
+ELEANOR—[_In a queer far-away voice._] No. Never again. “Come out.”
+[_She opens the door and turns to_ CAPE _with a strange smile_.] It
+opens inward, Michael. [_She closes it again, smiles to herself and
+walks back to the foot of the stairway. Then she turns to face_ CAPE.
+_She looks full of some happy certitude. She smiles at him and speaks
+with a tender weariness._] It must be nearly dawn. I’ll say good-night
+instead of good-by. [_They stare into each other’s eyes. It is as if now
+by a sudden flash from within they recognized themselves, shorn of all
+the ideas, attitudes, cheating gestures which constitute the vanity of
+personality. Everything, for this second, becomes simple for
+them—serenely unquestionable. It becomes impossible that they should
+ever deny life, through each other, again._]
+
+ELEANOR—[_With a low tender cry as if she were awakening to maternity._]
+Michael!
+
+CAPE—[_Passionately sure of her now—in a low voice._] Nelly! [_Then
+unable to restrain his triumphant exultance._] You’ve failed!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Smiling at him simply._] Yes. Again. [_Smiling dimly at
+herself._] My acting—didn’t convince me.
+
+CAPE—We’ve failed!
+
+ELEANOR—Are we weak? [_Dreamily._] I’m happy.
+
+CAPE—Strong! We’ve passed through! We can live again!
+
+ELEANOR—[_With a strange dreamy exultance._] We love!
+
+CAPE—[_Exultantly—but as if testing her, warningly._] But we’ll hate!
+
+ELEANOR—[_In her same tone._] Yes!
+
+CAPE—And we’ll torture and tear, and clutch for each other’s souls!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Nodding her head in a simple emphasis of agreement._] Yes.
+
+CAPE—We’ll have to strive on for perfect union—fight each other—fail
+again—blame each other—fail and hate again—[_he raises his voice in
+aggressive triumph_]—but!—fail and hate _with pride_—with joy!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Exulted by his exultation rather than by his words._] Yes!
+
+CAPE—_Our_ life is to bear together our burden which is our goal—on and
+up!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Dreamily._] Your dream.
+
+CAPE—Above the world, beyond its vision—our height—our love—our meaning!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Her eyes fixed on him—passionately._] My love!
+
+CAPE—[_Half-sobbing as the intensity of his passion breaks the spell of
+his exultation._] Oh, Nelly, Nelly, I want to say so much that I feel
+but I can only stutter like an idiot! [_He has fallen on his knees
+before her._]
+
+ELEANOR—[_Intensely moved—passionately._] Like an angel! My lover! I
+know! [_She bends over and kisses him._]
+
+CAPE—[_Straining passionately for expression._] Listen! Often I wake up
+in the night—terrified—in a black world, alone in time—a hundred million
+years of darkness. I feel like crying out to God for mercy because life
+lives! Then instinctively I seek you—my hand touches you! You are
+there—beside me—alive—with you I become a whole, a truth! Life guides me
+back through the hundred million years to you. It reveals a beginning in
+unity that I may have faith in the unity of the end! [_He bows his head
+and kisses her feet ecstatically._] I love you! Forgive me all I’ve ever
+done, all I’ll ever do.
+
+ELEANOR—[_Brokenly._] No. Forgive me—my child, you! [_She begins to sob
+softly._]
+
+CAPE—[_Looking at her—gently._] Why do you cry?
+
+ELEANOR—Because I’m happy. [_Then with a sudden tearful gayety._] You be
+happy! You ought to be! Isn’t our future as hard as you could wish?
+Haven’t we your old dreams back again?
+
+CAPE—Deeper and more beautiful!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Smiling._] Deeper and more beautiful! [_She ascends the stairs
+slowly._] Come! [_She reaches the top of the stairway and stands there
+looking down at him—then stretches out her arms with a passionate,
+tender gesture._] Come!
+
+CAPE—[_Leaping to his feet—intensely._] My Own!
+
+ELEANOR—[_Dreamily._] Love—and sleep. [_With deep, passionate
+tenderness._] My lover!
+
+CAPE—My wife! [_His eyes fixed on her he ascends. As he does so her arms
+move back until they are stretched out straight to right and left,
+forming a cross._ CAPE _stops two steps below her—in a low, wondering
+tone_.] Why do you stand like that?
+
+ELEANOR—[_Her head thrown back, her eyes shut—slowly, dreamily._]
+Perhaps I’m praying. I don’t know. I love.
+
+CAPE—[_Deeply moved._] I love you!
+
+ELEANOR—[_As if from a great distance._] We love! [_He moves close to
+her and his hands reach out for hers. For a moment as their hands touch
+they form together one cross. Then their arms go about each other and
+their lips meet._]
+
+
+                         [_The Curtain Falls_]
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+
+
+                          TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES
+
+
+ ● Typos fixed; non-standard spelling and dialect retained.
+ ● Enclosed italics font in _underscores_.
+ ● Images without captions use HTML alt text.
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77808 ***
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+<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77808 ***</div>
+
+<div class='tnotes covernote'>
+
+<p class='c000'><strong>Transcriber’s Note:</strong></p>
+
+<p class='c000'>New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to the public domain.</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div class='titlepage'>
+
+<div>
+  <h1 class='c001'>ALL GOD’S CHILLUN GOT WINGS<br> <span class='xlarge'><i>and</i></span><br> WELDED</h1>
+</div>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c0'>
+<div class='nf-center c002'>
+    <div><span class='small'>BY</span></div>
+    <div><span class='large'>EUGENE O’NEILL</span></div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<div  class='figcenter id001'>
+<img src='images/i_title.jpg' alt='Black-and-white emblem showing a stylized globe or circular seal with the letters “B &#38; L” at the top and irregular dark shapes suggesting continents, rendered in a rough, high-contrast, inked style.' class='ig001'>
+</div>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c0'>
+  <div class='nf-center'>
+    <div><span class='large'>BONI <span class='fss'>AND</span> LIVERIGHT</span></div>
+    <div><span class='sc'>Publishers</span> :: :: <span class='sc'>New York</span></div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+</div>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c0'>
+<div class='nf-center c002'>
+    <div><span class='small'><i>Copyright, 1924, by</i></span></div>
+    <div><span class='small'><span class='sc'>Boni &#38; Liveright, Inc.</span></span></div>
+    <div class='c002'><span class='small'><i>Printed in the United States of America</i></span></div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c003'><span class='under'>NOTE</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c004'><i>All rights reserved including that of translation into
+foreign languages. All acting rights, both professional
+and amateur, including motion picture rights, are reserved
+in the United States, Great Britain and all
+countries of the Copyright Union by the author.</i></p>
+
+<p class='c005'><i>In their present form these plays are dedicated to the
+reading public only and no performance may be given
+without special arrangement with the author’s agent.</i></p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c003'>CONTENTS</h2>
+</div>
+
+<table class='table0'>
+  <tr>
+    <th class='c006'></th>
+    <th class='c007'>PAGE</th>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>All God’s Chillun Got Wings</span></td>
+    <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_13'>13</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>Welded</span></td>
+    <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_81'>81</a></td>
+  </tr>
+</table>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>
+  <h2 class='c003'>ALL GOD’S CHILLUN GOT WINGS</h2>
+</div>
+
+<h3 class='c001'>CHARACTERS</h3>
+
+<div class='lg-container-l c002'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Jim Harris</span></div>
+      <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Mrs. Harris</span>, <i>his mother</i></div>
+      <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>, <i>his sister</i></div>
+      <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Ella Downey</span></div>
+      <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span></div>
+      <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Joe</span></div>
+      <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Mickey</span></div>
+      <div class='line'><i>Whites and negroes</i></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<h3 class='c001'>SCENES</h3>
+
+<h4 class='c008'>ACT I</h4>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>Scene I</span>—A corner in lower New York. Years ago.
+End of an afternoon in Spring.</p>
+
+<p class='c010'><span class='sc'>Scene II</span>—The same. Nine years later. End of
+an evening in Spring.</p>
+
+<p class='c010'><span class='sc'>Scene III</span>—The same. Five years later. A night
+in Spring.</p>
+
+<p class='c010'><span class='sc'>Scene IV</span>—The street before a church in the same
+ward. A morning some weeks later.</p>
+
+<h4 class='c008'>ACT II</h4>
+
+<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>Scene I</span>—A flat in the same ward. A morning two
+years later.</p>
+
+<p class='c010'><span class='sc'>Scene II</span>—The same. At twilight some months
+later.</p>
+
+<p class='c010'><span class='sc'>Scene III</span>—The same. A night some months later.</p>
+
+<div>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>
+  <h3 class='c001'>ACT I</h3>
+</div>
+
+<div>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>
+  <h4 class='c008'>ACT ONE<br> <span class='c011'>SCENE ONE</span></h4>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c012'><span class='sc'>Scene</span>—<i>A corner in lower New York, at the edge of
+a colored district. Three narrow streets converge.
+A triangular building in the rear, red
+brick, four-storied, its ground floor a grocery.
+Four-story tenements stretch away down the
+skyline of the two streets. The fire escapes are
+crowded with people. In the street leading left,
+the faces are all white; in the street leading
+right, all black. It is hot Spring. On the sidewalk
+are eight children, four boys and four girls.
+Two of each sex are white, two black. They
+are playing marbles. One of the black boys is</i>
+<span class='sc'>Jim Harris</span>. <i>The little blonde girl, her complexion
+rose and white, who sits behind his elbow
+and holds his marbles is</i> <span class='sc'>Ella Downey</span>. <i>She
+is eight. They play the game with concentrated
+attention for a while. People pass, black and
+white, the Negroes frankly participants in the
+spirit of Spring, the whites laughing constrainedly,
+awkward in natural emotion. Their words
+are lost. One only hears their laughter. It expresses
+the difference in race. There are street
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>noises—the clattering roar of the Elevated, the
+puff of its locomotives, the ruminative lazy
+sound of a horse-car, the hooves of its team
+clacking on the cobbles. From the street of the
+whites a high-pitched, nasal tenor sings the
+chorus of “Only a Bird in a Gilded Cage.” On
+the street of the blacks a Negro strikes up the
+chorus of: “I Guess I’ll Have to Telegraph My
+Baby.” As this singing ends, there is laughter,
+distinctive in quality, from both streets. Then
+silence. The light in the street begins to grow
+brilliant with the glow of the setting sun. The
+game of marbles goes on.</i></p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>White Girl</span>—[<i>Tugging at the elbow of her
+brother.</i>] Come on, Mickey!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Her Brother</span>—[<i>Roughly.</i>] Aw, gwan, youse!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>White Girl</span>—Aw right, den. You kin git a
+lickin’ if you wanter. [<i>Gets up to move off.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Her Brother</span>—Aw, git off de eart’!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>White Girl</span>—De old woman’ll be madder’n hell!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Her Brother</span>—[<i>Worried now.</i>] I’m comin’,
+ain’t I? Hold your horses.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Black Girl</span>—[<i>To a black boy.</i>] Come on, you
+Joe. We gwine git frailed too, you don’t hurry.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Joe</span>—Go long!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mickey</span>—Bust up de game, huh? I gotta run!
+[<i>Jumps to his feet.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Other White Boy</span>—Me, too! [<i>Jumps up.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Other Black Girl</span>—Lawdy, it’s late!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span><span class='sc'>Joe</span>—Me for grub!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mickey</span>—[<i>To</i> <span class='sc'>Jim Harris</span>.] You’s de winner,
+Jim Crow. Yeh gotta play tomorrer.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Readily.</i>] Sure t’ing, Mick. Come one,
+come all! [<i>He laughs.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Other White Boy</span>—Me too! I gotta git back
+at yuh.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Aw right, Shorty.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Little Girls</span>—Hurry! Come on, come on! [<i>The
+six start off together. Then they notice that</i> <span class='sc'>Jim</span>
+<i>and</i> <span class='sc'>Ella</span> <i>are hesitating, standing awkwardly and
+shyly together. They turn to mock.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Joe</span>—Look at dat Jim Crow! Land sakes, he got
+a gal! [<i>He laughs. They all laugh.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Ashamed.</i>] Ne’er mind, you Chocolate!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mickey</span>—Look at de two softies, will yeh! Mush!
+Mush! [<i>He and the two other boys take this up.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Little Girls</span>—[<i>Pointing their fingers at</i> <span class='sc'>Ella</span>.]
+Shame! Shame! Everybody knows your name!
+Painty Face! Painty Face!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Hanging her head.</i>] Shut up!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Little White Girl</span>—He’s been carrying her
+books!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Colored Girl</span>—Can’t you find nuffin better’n him,
+Ella? Look at de big feet he got! [<i>She laughs.
+They all laugh.</i> <span class='sc'>Jim</span> <i>puts one foot on top of the
+other, looking at</i> <span class='sc'>Ella</span>.]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—Mind yer own business, see! [<i>She strides
+toward them angrily. They jump up and dance in
+an ecstasy, screaming and laughing.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span><span class='sc'>All</span>—Found yeh out! Found yeh out!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mickey</span>—Mush-head! Jim Crow de Sissy!
+Stuck on Painty Face!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Joe</span>—Will Painty Face let you hold her doll, boy?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—Sissy! Softy! [<span class='sc'>Ella</span> <i>suddenly begins
+to cry. At this they all howl.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>All</span>—Cry-baby! Cry-baby! Look at her!
+Painty Face!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Suddenly rushing at them, with clenched
+fists, furiously.</i>] Shut yo’ moufs! I kin lick de
+hull of you! [<i>They all run away, laughing, shouting,
+and jeering, quite triumphant now that they
+have made him, too, lose his temper. He comes back
+to</i> <span class='sc'>Ella</span>, <i>and stands beside her sheepishly, stepping
+on one foot after the other. Suddenly he blurts
+out</i>:] Don’t bawl no more. I done chased ’em.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Comforted, politely.</i>] T’anks.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Swelling out.</i>] It was a cinch. I kin wipe
+up de street wid any one of dem. [<i>He stretches out
+his arms, trying to bulge out his biceps.</i>] Feel dat
+muscle!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Does so gingerly—then with admiration.</i>]
+My!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Protectingly.</i>] You mustn’t never be
+scared when I’m hanging round, Painty Face.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—Don’t call me that, Jim—please!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Contritely.</i>] I didn’t mean nuffin’. I
+didn’t know you’d mind.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—I do—more’n anything.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—You oughtn’t to mind. Dey’s jealous, dat’s
+what.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—Jealous? Of what?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Pointing to her face.</i>] Of dat. Red ‘n’
+white. It’s purty.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—I hate it!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—It’s purty. Yes, it’s—it’s purty. It’s—outa
+sight!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—I hate it. I wish I was black like you.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Sort of shrinking.</i>] No you don’t. Dey’d
+call you Crow, den—or Chocolate—or Smoke.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—I wouldn’t mind.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Somberly.</i>] Dey’d call you nigger sometimes,
+too.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—I wouldn’t mind.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Humbly.</i>] You wouldn’t mind?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—No, I wouldn’t mind. [<i>An awkward
+pause.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Suddenly.</i>] You know what, Ella? Since
+I been tuckin’ yo’ books to school and back, I been
+drinkin’ lots o’ chalk ‘n’ water tree times a day.
+Dat Tom, de barber, he tole me dat make me white,
+if I drink enough. [<i>Pleadingly.</i>] Does I look
+whiter?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Comfortingly.</i>] Yes—maybe—a little
+bit——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Trying a careless tone.</i>] Reckon dat
+Tom’s a liar, an’ de joke’s on me! Dat chalk only
+makes me feel kinder sick inside.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Wonderingly.</i>] Why do you want to
+be white?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Because—just because—I lak dat better.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—I wouldn’t. I like black. Let’s you and
+me swap. I’d like to be black. [<i>Clapping her
+hands.</i>] Gee, that’d be fun, if we only could!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Hesitatingly.</i>] Yes—maybe——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—Then they’d call me Crow, and you’d be
+Painty Face!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—They wouldn’t never dast call you nigger,
+you bet! I’d kill ’em! [<i>A long pause. Finally she
+takes his hand shyly. They both keep looking as far
+away from each other as possible.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—I like you.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—I like you.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—Do you want to be my feller?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Yes.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—Then I’m your girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Yes. [<i>Then grandly.</i>] You kin bet none
+o’ de gang gwine call you Painty Face from dis out!
+I lam’ ’em good! [<i>The sun has set. Twilight has
+fallen on the street. An organ grinder comes up
+to the corner and plays “Annie Rooney.” They
+stand hand-in-hand and listen. He goes away. It
+is growing dark.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Suddenly.</i>] Golly, it’s late! I’ll git a
+lickin’!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Me, too.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—I won’t mind it much.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Me nuther.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—See you going to school tomorrow?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Sure.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—I gotta skip now.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Me, too.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—I like you, Jim.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—I like you.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—Don’t forget.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Don’t you.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—Good-by.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—So long. [<i>They run away from each
+other—then stop abruptly, and turn as at a signal.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—Don’t forget.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—I won’t, you bet!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—Here! [<i>She kisses her hand at him, then
+runs off in frantic embarrassment.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Overcome.</i>] Gee! [<i>Then he turns and
+darts away, as</i></p>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c1'>
+<div class='nf-center c002'>
+    <div>[<i>The Curtain Falls</i>]</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<div>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>
+  <h4 class='c008'>ACT ONE<br> <span class='c011'>SCENE TWO</span></h4>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c012'><span class='sc'>Scene</span>—<i>The same corner. Nine years have passed.
+It is again late Spring at a time in the evening
+which immediately follows the hour of</i> <span class='sc'>Scene
+One</span>. <i>Nothing has changed much. One street
+is still all white, the other all black. The fire
+escapes are laden with drooping human beings.
+The grocery store is still at the corner. The
+street noises are now more rhythmically mechanical,
+electricity having taken the place of horse
+and steam. People pass, white and black.
+They laugh as in</i> <span class='sc'>Scene One</span>. <i>From the street
+of the whites the high-pitched nasal tenor sings:
+“Gee, I Wish That I Had a Girl,” and the
+Negro replies with “All I Got Was Sympathy.”
+The singing is followed again by laughter from
+both streets. Then silence. The dusk grows
+darker. With a spluttering flare the arc-lamp
+at the corner is lit and sheds a pale glare over
+the street. Two young roughs slouch up to
+the corner, as tough in manner as they can
+make themselves. One is the</i> <span class='sc'>Shorty</span> <i>of</i>
+<span class='sc'>Scene One</span>; <i>the other the Negro</i>, <span class='sc'>Joe</span>. <i>They
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>stand loafing. A boy of seventeen or so passes
+by, escorting a girl of about the same age.
+Both are dressed in their best, the boy in black
+with stiff collar, the girl in white.</i></p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—[<i>Scornfully.</i>] Hully cripes! Pipe who’s
+here. [<i>To the girl, sneeringly.</i>] Wha’s matter, Liz?
+Don’t yer recernize yer old fr’ens?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Girl</span>—[<i>Frightenedly.</i>] Hello, Shorty.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—Why de glad rags? Goin’ to graduation?
+[<i>He tries to obstruct their way, but, edging
+away from him, they turn and run.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Joe</span>—Har-har! Look at dem scoot, will you!
+[<span class='sc'>Shorty</span> <i>grins with satisfaction</i>.]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—[<i>Looking down other street.</i>] Here
+comes Mickey.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Joe</span>—He won de semi-final last night easy?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—Knocked de bloke out in de thoid.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Joe</span>—Dat boy’s suah a-comin’! He’ll be de
+champeen yit.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—[<i>Judicially.</i>] Got a good chanct—if he
+leaves de broads alone. Dat’s where he’s wide open.
+[<span class='sc'>Mickey</span> <i>comes in from the left. He is dressed
+loudly, a straw hat with a gaudy band cocked over
+one cauliflower ear. He has acquired a typical
+“pug’s” face, with the added viciousness of a natural
+bully. One of his eyes is puffed, almost closed, as
+a result of his battle the night before. He swaggers
+up.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Both</span>—Hello, Mickey.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span><span class='sc'>Mickey</span>—Hello.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Joe</span>—Hear you knocked him col’.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mickey</span>—Sure. I knocked his block off. [<i>Changing
+the subject.</i>] Say. Seen ’em goin’ past to de
+graduation racket?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—[<i>With a wink.</i>] Why? You int’rested?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Joe</span>—[<i>Chuckling.</i>] Mickey’s gwine roun’ git a
+good conduct medal.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mickey</span>—Sure. Dey kin pin it on de seat o’ me
+pants. [<i>They laugh.</i>] Listen. Seen Ella Downey
+goin’?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—Painty Face? No, she ain’t been along.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mickey</span>—[<i>With authority.</i>] Can dat name, see!
+Want a bunch o’ fives in yer kisser? Den nix! She’s
+me goil, understan’?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Joe</span>—[<i>Venturing to joke.</i>] Which one? Yo’
+number ten?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mickey</span>—[<i>Flattered.</i>] Sure. De real K. O. one.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>— [<i>Pointing right—sneeringly.</i>] Gee!
+Pipe Jim Crow all dolled up for de racket.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Joe</span>—[<i>With disgusted resentment.</i>] You mean
+tell me dat nigger’s graduatin’?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—Ask him. [<span class='sc'>Jim Harris</span> <i>comes in. He
+is dressed in black, stiff white collar, etc.—a quiet-mannered
+Negro boy with a queerly-baffled, sensitive
+face.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Pleasantly.</i>] Hello, fellows. [<i>They grunt
+in reply, looking over him scornfully.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span><span class='sc'>Joe</span>—[<i>Staring resentfully.</i>] Is you graduatin’
+tonight?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Yes.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Joe</span>—[<i>Spitting disgustedly.</i>] Fo’ Gawd’s sake!
+You <i>is</i> gittin’ high-falutin’!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Smiling deprecatingly.</i>] This is my second
+try. I didn’t pass last year.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Joe</span>—What de hell does it git you, huh? Whatever
+is you gwine do wid it now you gits it? Live
+lazy on yo’ ol’ woman?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Assertively.</i>] I’m going to study and become
+a lawyer.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Joe</span>—[<i>With a snort.</i>] Fo’ Chris’ sake, nigger!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Fiercely.</i>] Don’t you call me that—not
+before them!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Joe</span>—[<i>Pugnaciously.</i>] Does you deny you’s a
+nigger? I shows you——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mickey</span>—[<i>Gives them both a push—truculently.</i>]
+Cut it out, see! I’m runnin’ dis corner. [<i>Turning
+to</i> <span class='sc'>Jim</span> <i>insultingly.</i>] Say, you! Painty Face’s gittin’
+her ticket tonight, ain’t she?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—You mean Ella——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mickey</span>—Painty Face Downey, dat’s who I mean!
+I don’t have to be perlite wit’ her. She’s me goil!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Glumly.</i>] Yes, she’s graduating.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—[<i>Winks at</i> <span class='sc'>Mickey</span>.] Smart, huh?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mickey</span>—[<i>Winks back—meaningly.</i>] Willin’ to
+loin, take it from me! [<span class='sc'>Jim</span> <i>stands tensely as if a
+struggle were going on in him.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Finally blurts out.</i>] I want to speak to
+you, Mickey—alone.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mickey</span>—[<i>Surprised—insultingly.</i>] Aw, what de
+hell——!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Excitedly.</i>] It’s important, I tell you!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mickey</span>—Huh? [<i>Stares at him inquisitively—then
+motions the others back carelessly and follows</i>
+<span class='sc'>Jim</span> <i>down front</i>.]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—Some noive!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Joe</span>—[<i>Vengefully.</i>] I gits dat Jim alone, you
+wait!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mickey</span>—Well, spill de big news. I ain’t got all
+night. I got a date.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—With—Ella?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mickey</span>—What’s dat to you?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>The words tumbling out.</i>] What—I
+wanted to say! I know—I’ve heard—all the
+stories—what you’ve been doing around the ward—with
+other girls—it’s none of my business, with
+them—but she—Ella—it’s different—she’s not that
+kind——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mickey</span>—[<i>Insultingly.</i>] Who told yuh so, huh?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Draws back his fist threateningly.</i>] Don’t
+you dare—! [<span class='sc'>Mickey</span> <i>is so paralyzed by this effrontery
+that he actually steps back</i>.]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mickey</span>—Say, cut de comedy! [<i>Beginning to feel
+insulted.</i>] Listen, you Jim Crow! Ain’t you wise
+I could give yuh one poke dat’d knock yuh into next
+week?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—I’m only asking you to act square, Mickey.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span><span class='sc'>Mickey</span>—What’s it to yuh? Why, yuh lousy
+goat, she wouldn’t spit on yuh even! She hates de
+sight of a coon.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>In agony.</i>] I—I know—but once she
+didn’t mind—we were kids together——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mickey</span>—Aw, ferget dat! Dis is <i>now</i>!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—And I’m still her friend always—even if
+she don’t like colored people——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mickey</span>—<i>Coons</i>, why don’t yuh say it right!
+De trouble wit’ you is yuh’re gittin’ stuck up, dat’s
+what! Stay where yeh belong, see! Yer old man
+made coin at de truckin’ game and yuh’re tryin’ to
+buy yerself white—graduatin’ and law, for Hell’s
+sake! Yuh’re gittin’ yerself in Dutch wit’ everyone
+in de ward—and it ain’t cause yer a coon neider.
+Don’t de gang all train wit’ Joe dere and lots of
+others? But yuh’re tryin’ to buy white and it won’t
+git yuh no place, see!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Trembling.</i>] Some day—I’ll show you——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mickey</span>—[<i>Turning away.</i>] Aw, gwan!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—D’you think I’d change—be you—your
+dirty white——!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mickey</span>—[<i>Whirling about.</i>] What’s dat?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>With hysterical vehemence.</i>] You act
+square with her—or I’ll show you up—I’ll report
+you—I’ll write to the papers—the sporting writers—I’ll
+let them know how white you are!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mickey</span>—[<i>Infuriated.</i>] Yuh damn nigger, I’ll
+bust yer jaw in! [<i>Assuming his ring pose he weaves
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>toward</i> <span class='sc'>Jim</span>, <i>his face set in a cruel scowl</i>. <span class='sc'>Jim</span> <i>waits
+helplessly but with a certain dignity</i>.]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—Cheese it! A couple bulls! And here’s
+de Downey skoit comin’, too.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mickey</span>—I’ll get yuh de next time! [<span class='sc'>Ella
+Downey</span> <i>enters from the right. She is seventeen, still
+has the same rose and white complexion, is pretty but
+with a rather repelling bold air about her.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Smiles with pleasure when she sees</i>
+<span class='sc'>Mickey</span>.] Hello, Mick. Am I late? Say, I’m so
+glad you won last night. [<i>She glances from one to
+the other as she feels something in the air.</i>] Hello!
+What’s up?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mickey</span>—Dis boob. [<i>He indicates</i> <span class='sc'>Jim</span> <i>scornfully</i>.]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Diffidently.</i>] Hello, Ella.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Shortly, turning away.</i>] Hello. [<i>Then
+to</i> <span class='sc'>Mickey</span>.] Come on, Mick. Walk down with me.
+I got to hurry.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Blurts out.</i>] Wait—just a second. [<i>Painfully.</i>]
+Ella, do you hate—colored people?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mickey</span>—Aw, shut up!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Please answer.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Forcing a laugh.</i>] Say! What is this—another
+exam?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Doggedly.</i>] Please answer.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Irritably.</i>] Of course I don’t! Haven’t
+I been brought up alongside—Why, some of my
+oldest—the girls I’ve been to public school the longest
+with——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Do you hate me, Ella?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Confusedly and more irritably.</i>] Say, is
+he drunk? Why should I? I don’t hate anyone.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Then why haven’t you ever hardly spoken
+to me—for years?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Resentfully.</i>] What would I speak
+about? You and me’ve got nothing in common any
+more.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Desperately.</i>] Maybe not any more—but—right
+on this corner—do you remember once——?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—I don’t remember nothing! [<i>Angrily.</i>]
+Say! What’s got into you to be butting into my
+business all of a sudden like this? Because you finally
+managed to graduate, has it gone to your head?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—No, I—only want to help you, Ella.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—Of all the nerve! You’re certainly forgetting
+your place! Who’s asking you for help, I’d like
+to know? Shut up and stop bothering me!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Insistently.</i>] If you ever need a friend—a
+true friend——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—I’ve got lots of friends among my own—kind,
+I can tell you. [<i>Exasperatedly.</i>] You make
+me sick! Go to—hell! [<i>She flounces off. The three
+men laugh.</i> <span class='sc'>Mickey</span> <i>follows her</i>. <span class='sc'>Jim</span> <i>is stricken.
+He goes and sinks down limply on a box in front of
+the grocery store.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—I’m going to shoot a drink. Come on,
+Joe, and I’ll blow yuh.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Joe</span>—[<i>Who has never ceased to follow every
+move of</i> <span class='sc'>Jim’s</span> <i>with angry, resentful eyes</i>.] Go long.
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>I’se gwine stay here a secon’. I got a lil’ argyment.
+[<i>He points to</i> <span class='sc'>Jim</span>.]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—Suit yerself. Do a good job. See yuh
+later. [<i>He goes, whistling.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Joe</span>—[<i>Stands for a while glaring at</i> <span class='sc'>Jim</span>, <i>his fierce
+little eyes peering out of his black face. Then he
+spits on his hands aggressively and strides up to the
+oblivious</i> <span class='sc'>Jim</span>. <i>He stands in front of him, gradually
+working himself into a fury at the other’s seeming indifference
+to his words.</i>] Listen to me, nigger: I got
+a heap to whisper in yo’ ear! Who is you, anyhow?
+Who does you think you is? Don’t yo’ old man
+and mine work on de docks togidder befo’ yo’ old
+man gits his own truckin’ business? Yo’ ol’ man
+swallers his nickels, my ol’ man buys him beer wid
+dem and swallers dat—dat’s the on’y diff’rence.
+Don’t you ‘n’ me drag up togidder?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Dully.</i>] I’m your friend, Joe.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Joe</span>—No, you isn’t! I ain’t no fren o’ yourn!
+I don’t even know who you is! What’s all dis schoolin’
+you doin’? What’s all dis dressin’ up and graduatin’
+an’ sayin’ you gwine study be a lawyer? What’s
+all dis fakin’ an’ pretendin’ and swellin’ out grand
+an’ talkin’ soft and perlite? What’s all dis denyin’
+you’s a nigger—an’ wid de white boys listenin’ to
+you say it! Is you aimin’ to buy white wid yo’ ol’
+man’s dough like Mickey say? What is you? [<i>In
+a rage at the other’s silence.</i>] You don’t talk? Den
+I takes it out o’ yo’ hide! [<i>He grabs</i> <span class='sc'>Jim</span> <i>by the
+throat with one hand and draws the other fist back</i>.]
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>Tell me befo’ I wrecks yo’ face in! Is you a nigger
+or isn’t you? [<i>Shaking him.</i>] Is you a nigger,
+Nigger? Nigger, is you a nigger?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Looking into his eyes—quietly.</i>] Yes. I’m
+a nigger. We’re both niggers. [<i>They look at each
+other for a moment.</i> <span class='sc'>Joe’s</span> <i>rage vanishes. He slumps
+onto a box beside</i> <span class='sc'>Jim’s</span>. <i>He offers him a cigarette.</i>
+<span class='sc'>Jim</span> <i>takes it.</i> <span class='sc'>Joe</span> <i>scratches a match and lights both
+their cigarettes</i>.]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Joe</span>—[<i>After a puff, with full satisfaction.</i>]
+Man, why didn’t you ’splain dat in de fust place?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—We’re both niggers. [<i>The same hand-organ
+man of</i> <span class='sc'>Scene One</span> <i>comes to the corner. He plays
+the chorus of “Bonbon Buddie,” the “Chocolate
+Drop.” They both stare straight ahead listening.
+Then the organ man goes away. A silence.</i> <span class='sc'>Joe</span>
+<i>gets to his feet</i>.]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Joe</span>—I’ll go get me a cold beer. [<i>He starts to
+move off—then turns.</i>] Time you was graduatin’,
+ain’t it? [<i>He goes</i>, <span class='sc'>Jim</span> <i>remains sitting on his box
+staring straight before him as</i></p>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c1'>
+<div class='nf-center c002'>
+    <div>[<i>The Curtain Falls</i>]</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<div>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>
+  <h4 class='c008'>ACT ONE<br> <span class='c011'>SCENE THREE</span></h4>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c012'><span class='sc'>Scene</span>—<i>The same corner five years later. Nothing
+has changed much. It is a night in Spring. The
+arc-lamp discovers faces with a favorless cruelty.
+The street noises are the same but more intermittent
+and dulled with a quality of fatigue.
+Two people pass, one black and one white. They
+are tired. They both yawn, but neither laughs.
+There is no laughter from the two streets.
+From the street of the whites the tenor, more
+nasal than ever and a bit drunken, wails in high
+barber-shop falsetto the last half of the chorus
+of “When I Lost You.” The Negro voice, a
+bit maudlin in turn, replies with the last half
+of “Waitin’ for the Robert E. Lee.” Silence.</i>
+<span class='sc'>Shorty</span> <i>enters. He looks tougher than ever, the
+typical gangster. He stands waiting, singing a
+bit drunkenly, peering down the street.</i></p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—[<i>Indignantly.</i>] Yuh bum! Ain’t yuh
+ever comin’? [<i>He begins to sing: “And sewed up
+in her yeller kimona, She had a blue-barreled forty-five
+gun, For to get her man Who’d done her wrong.”
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>Then he comments scornfully.</i>] Not her, dough!
+No gat for her. She ain’t got de noive. A little
+sugar. Dat’ll fix her. [<span class='sc'>Ella</span> <i>enters. She is dressed
+poorly, her face is pale and hollow-eyed, her voice
+cold and tired.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—Yuh got de message?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—Here I am.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—How yuh been?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—All right. [<i>A pause. He looks at her
+puzzledly.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—[<i>A bit embarrassedly.</i>] Well, I s’pose
+yuh’d like me to give yuh some dope on Mickey, huh?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—No.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—Mean to say yuh don’t wanter know
+where he is or what he’s doin’?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—No.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—Since when?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—A long time.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—[<i>After a pause—with a rat-like viciousness.</i>]
+Between you’n me, kid, you’ll get even soon—you’n
+all de odder dames he’s tossed. I’m on de
+inside. I’ve watched him trainin’. His next scrap,
+watch it! He’ll go! It won’t be de odder guy. It’ll
+be all youse dames he’s kidded—and de ones what’s
+kidded him. Youse’ll all be in de odder guy’s corner.
+He won’t need no odder seconds. Youse’ll trow
+water on him, and sponge his face, and take de kinks
+out of his socker—and Mickey’ll catch it on de
+button—and he won’t be able to take it no more—‘cause
+all your weight—you and de odders—’ll be
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>behind dat punch. Ha ha! [<i>He laughs an evil
+laugh.</i>] And Mickey’ll go—down to his knees first—[<i>He
+sinks to his knees in the attitude of a groggy
+boxer.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—I’d like to see him on his knees!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—And den—flat on his pan—dead to de
+world—de boidies singin’ in de trees—ten—out!
+[<i>He suits his action to the words, sinking flat on the
+pavement, then rises and laughs the same evil laugh.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—He’s been out—for me—a long time. [<i>A
+pause.</i>] Why did you send for me?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—He sent me.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—Why?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—To slip you this wad o’ dough. [<i>He
+reluctantly takes a roll of bills from his pocket and
+holds it out to her.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Looks at the money indifferently.</i>] What
+for?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—For you.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—No.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—For de kid den.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—The kid’s dead. He took diphtheria.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—Hell yuh say! When?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—A long time.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—Why didn’t you write Mickey——?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—Why should I? He’d only be glad.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—[<i>After a pause.</i>] Well—it’s better.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—Yes.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—You made up wit yer family?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—No chance.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—Livin’ alone?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—In Brooklyn.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—Workin’?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—In a factory.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—You’re a sucker. There’s lots of softer
+snaps fer you, kid——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—I know what you mean. No.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—Don’t yuh wanter step out no more—have
+fun—live?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—I’m through.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—[<i>Mockingly.</i>] Jump in de river, huh?
+T’ink it over, baby. I kin start yuh right in my
+stable. No one’ll bodder yuh den. I got influence.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Without emphasis.</i>] You’re a dirty
+dog. Why doesn’t someone kill you?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—Is dat so! What’re you? They say
+you been travelin’ round with Jim Crow.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—He’s been my only friend.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—A nigger!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—The only white man in the world! Kind
+and white. You’re all black—black to the heart.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—Nigger-lover! [<i>He throws the money
+in her face. It falls to the street.</i>] Listen, you!
+Mickey says he’s off of yuh for keeps. Dis is de
+finish! Dat’s what he sent me to tell you. [<i>Glances
+at her searchingly—a pause.</i>] Yuh won’t make no
+trouble?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—Why should I? He’s free. The kid’s dead.
+I’m free. No hard feelings—only—I’ll be there in
+spirit at his next fight, tell him! I’ll take your tip—the
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>other corner—second the punch—nine—ten—out!
+He’s free! That’s all. [<i>She grins horribly
+at</i> <span class='sc'>Shorty</span>.] Go away, Shorty.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Shorty</span>—[<i>Looking at her and shaking his head—maudlinly.</i>]
+Groggy! Groggy! We’re all groggy!
+Gluttons for punishment! Me for a drink. So long.
+[<i>He goes. A Salvation Army band comes toward the
+corner. They are playing and singing “Till We
+Meet at Jesus’ Feet.” They reach the end as they
+enter and stop before</i> <span class='sc'>Ella</span>. <span class='sc'>The Captain</span> <i>steps
+forward</i>.]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Captain</span>—Sister——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Picks up the money and drops it in his
+hat—mockingly.</i>] Here. Go save yourself. Leave
+me alone.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>A Woman Salvationist</span>—Sister——-</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—Never mind that. I’m not in your line—yet.
+[<i>As they hesitate, wonderingly.</i>] I want to be
+alone. [<i>To the thud of the big drum they march off.</i>
+<span class='sc'>Ella</span> <i>sits down on a box, her hands hanging at her
+sides. Presently</i> <span class='sc'>Jim Harris</span> <i>comes in. He has
+grown into a quietly-dressed, studious-looking Negro
+with an intelligent yet queerly-baffled face.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>With a joyous but bewildered cry.</i>] Ella!
+I just saw Shorty——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Smiling at him with frank affection.</i>] He
+had a message from Mickey.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Sadly.</i>] Ah!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Pointing to the box behind her.</i>] Sit
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>down. [<i>He does so. A pause—then she says indifferently.</i>]
+It’s finished. I’m free, Jim.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Wearily.</i>] We’re never free—except to do
+what we have to do.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—What are you getting gloomy about all
+of a sudden?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—I’ve got the report from the school. I’ve
+flunked again.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—Poor Jim.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Don’t pity me. I’d like to kick myself all
+over the block. Five years—and I’m still plugging
+away where I ought to have been at the end of two.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—Why don’t you give it up?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—No!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—After all, what’s being a lawyer?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—A lot—to me—what it means. [<i>Intensely.</i>]
+Why, if I was a Member of the Bar right now, Ella,
+I believe I’d almost have the courage to——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—What?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Nothing. [<i>After a pause—gropingly.</i>] I
+can’t explain—just—but it hurts like fire. It brands
+me in my pride. I swear I know more’n any member
+of my class. I ought to, I study harder. I work like
+the devil. It’s all in my head—all fine and correct
+to a T. Then when I’m called on—I stand up—all
+the white faces looking at me—and I can feel their
+eyes—I hear my own voice sounding funny, trembling—and
+all of a sudden it’s all gone in my head—there’s
+nothing remembered—and I hear myself
+stuttering—and give up—sit down—— They don’t
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>laugh, hardly ever. They’re kind. They’re good
+people. [<i>In a frenzy.</i>] They’re considerate, damn
+them! But I feel branded!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—Poor Jim.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Going on painfully.</i>] And it’s the same
+thing in the written exams. For weeks before I
+study all night. I can’t sleep anyway. I learn it
+all, I see it, I understand it. Then they give me the
+paper in the exam room. I look it over, I know each
+answer—perfectly. I take up my pen. On all sides
+are white men starting to write. They’re so sure—even
+the ones that I know know nothing. But I
+know it all—but I can’t remember any more—it fades—it
+goes—it’s gone. There’s a blank in my head—stupidity—I
+sit like a fool fighting to remember a
+little bit here, a little bit there—not enough to pass—not
+enough for anything—when I know it all!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Compassionately.</i>] Jim. It isn’t worth
+it. You don’t need to——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—I need it more than anyone ever needed anything.
+I need it to live.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—What’ll it prove?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Nothing at all much—but everything to me.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—You’re so much better than they are in
+every other way.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Looking up at her.</i>] Then—you understand?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—Of course. [<i>Affectionately.</i>] Don’t I
+know how fine you’ve been to me! You’ve been the
+only one in the world who’s stood by me—the only
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>understanding person—and all after the rotten way
+I used to treat you.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—But before that—way back so high—you
+treated me good. [<i>He smiles.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—You’ve been white to me, Jim. [<i>She takes
+his hand.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—White—to you!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—Yes.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—All love is white. I’ve always loved you.
+[<i>This with the deepest humility.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—Even now—after all that’s happened!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Always.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—I like you, Jim—better than anyone else
+in the world.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—That’s more than enough, more than I ever
+hoped for. [<i>The organ grinder comes to the corner.
+He plays the chorus of “Annie Laurie.” They sit
+listening, hand in hand.</i>] Would you ever want to
+marry me, Ella?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—Yes, Jim.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>As if this quick consent alarmed him.</i>] No,
+no, don’t answer now. Wait! Turn it over in your
+mind! Think what it means to you! Consider it—over
+and over again! I’m in no hurry, Ella. I can
+wait months—years——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—I’m alone. I’ve got to be helped. I’ve got
+to help someone—or it’s the end—one end or another.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Eagerly.</i>] Oh, I’ll help—I know I can
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>help—I’ll give my life to help you—that’s what I’ve
+been living for——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—But can I help you? Can I help you?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Yes! Yes! We’ll go abroad where a man
+is a man—where it don’t make that difference—where
+people are kind and wise to see the soul under skins.
+I don’t ask you to love me—I don’t dare to hope
+nothing like that! I don’t want nothing—only to
+wait—to know you like me—to be near you—to keep
+harm away—to make up for the past—to never let
+you suffer any more—to serve you—to lie at your
+feet like a dog that loves you—to kneel by your bed
+like a nurse that watches over you sleeping—to preserve
+and protect and shield you from evil and sorrow—to
+give my life and my blood and all the
+strength that’s in me to give you peace and joy—to
+become your slave!—yes, be your slave—your black
+slave that adores you as sacred! [<i>He has sunk to
+his knees. In a frenzy of self-abnegation, as he says
+the last words he beats his head on the flagstones.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Overcome and alarmed.</i>] Jim! Jim!
+You’re crazy! I want to help you, Jim—I want
+to help——</p>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c1'>
+<div class='nf-center c002'>
+    <div>[<i>The Curtain Falls</i>]</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<div>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>
+  <h4 class='c008'>ACT ONE<br> <span class='c011'>SCENE FOUR</span></h4>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c012'><span class='sc'>Scene</span>—<i>Some weeks or so later. A street in the
+same ward in front of an old brick church. The
+church sets back from the sidewalk in a yard
+enclosed by a rusty iron railing with a gate at
+center. On each side of this yard are tenements.
+The buildings have a stern, forbidding look. All
+the shades on the windows are drawn down, giving
+an effect of staring, brutal eyes that pry
+callously at human beings without acknowledging
+them. Even the two tall, narrow church
+windows on either side of the arched door are
+blanked with dull green shades. It is a bright
+sunny morning. The district is unusually still,
+as if it were waiting, holding its breath.</i></p>
+
+<p class='c013'><i>From the street of the blacks to the right a
+Negro tenor sings in a voice of shadowy richness—the
+first stanza with a contented, childlike
+melancholy</i>—</p>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c014'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>Sometimes I feel like a mourning dove,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Sometimes I feel like a mourning dove,</div>
+      <div class='line in4'>I feel like a mourning dove.</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span><i>The second with a dreamy, boyish exultance</i>—</p>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c014'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>Sometimes I feel like an eagle in the air,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Sometimes I feel like an eagle in the air,</div>
+      <div class='line in4'>I feel like an eagle in the air.</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c013'><i>The third with a brooding, earthbound sorrow</i>—</p>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c014'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>Sometimes I wish that I’d never been born,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Sometimes I wish that I’d never been born,</div>
+      <div class='line in4'>I wish that I’d never been born.</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c013'><i>As the music dies down there is a pause of
+waiting stillness. This is broken by one
+startling, metallic clang of the church-bell. As
+if it were a signal, people—men, women, children—pour
+from the two tenements, whites from
+the tenement to the left, blacks from the one to
+the right. They hurry to form into two racial
+lines on each side of the gate, rigid and unyielding,
+staring across at each other with bitter hostile
+eyes. The halves of the big church door
+swing open and</i> <span class='sc'>Jim</span> <i>and</i> <span class='sc'>Ella</span> <i>step out from
+the darkness within into the sunlight. The doors
+slam behind them like wooden lips of an idol that
+has spat them out.</i> <span class='sc'>Jim</span> <i>is dressed in black.</i>
+<span class='sc'>Ella</span> <i>in white, both with extreme plainness.
+They stand in the sunlight, shrinking and confused.
+All the hostile eyes are now concentrated
+on them. They become aware of the two lines
+through which they must pass; they hesitate
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>and tremble; then stand there staring back at
+the people as fixed and immovable as they are.
+The organ grinder comes in from the right. He
+plays the chorus of “Old Black Joe.” As he
+finishes the bell of the church clangs one more
+single stroke, insistently dismissing.</i></p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>As if the sound had awakened him from a
+trance, reaches out and takes her hand.</i>] Come.
+Time we got to the steamer. Time we sailed away
+over the sea. Come, Honey! [<i>She tries to answer
+but her lips tremble; she cannot take her eyes off
+the eyes of the people; she is unable to move. He
+sees this and, keeping the same tone of profound,
+affectionate kindness, he points upward in the sky,
+and gradually persuades her eyes to look up.</i>] Look
+up, Honey! See the sun! Feel his warm eye lookin’
+down! Feel how kind he looks! Feel his blessing
+deep in your heart, your bones! Look up, Honey!
+[<i>Her eyes are fixed on the sky now. Her face is
+calm. She tries to smile bravely back at the sun.
+Now he pulls her by the hand, urging her gently to
+walk with him down through the yard and gate,
+through the lines of people. He is maintaining an
+attitude to support them through the ordeal only
+by a terrible effort, which manifests itself in the
+hysteric quality of ecstasy which breaks into his
+voice.</i>] And look at the sky! Ain’t it kind and
+blue! Blue for hope. Don’t they say blue’s for hope?
+Hope! That’s for us, Honey. All those blessings
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>in the sky! What’s it the Bible says? Falls on just
+and unjust alike? No, that’s the sweet rain. Pshaw,
+what am I saying? All mixed up. There’s no unjust
+about it. We’re all the same—equally just—under
+the sky—under the sun—under God—sailing
+over the sea—to the other side of the world—the side
+where Christ was born—the kind side that takes
+count of the soul—over the sea—the sea’s blue,
+to——. Let’s not be late—let’s get that steamer!
+[<i>They have reached the curb now, passed the lines
+of people. She is looking up to the sky with an
+expression of trancelike calm and peace. He is on
+the verge of collapse, his face twitching, his eyes
+staring. He calls hoarsely</i>:] Taxi! Where is he?
+Taxi!</p>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c1'>
+<div class='nf-center c002'>
+    <div>[<i>The Curtain Falls</i>]</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<div>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>
+  <h3 class='c001'>ACT II</h3>
+</div>
+
+<div>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>
+  <h4 class='c008'>ACT TWO<br> <span class='c011'>SCENE ONE</span></h4>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c012'><span class='sc'>Scene</span>—<i>Two years later. A flat of the better sort in
+the Negro district near the corner of Act One.
+This is the parlor. Its furniture is a queer
+clash. The old pieces are cheaply ornate,
+naïvely, childishly gaudy—the new pieces give
+evidence of a taste that is diametrically opposed,
+severe to the point of somberness. On
+one wall, in a heavy gold frame, is a colored
+photograph—the portrait of an elderly Negro
+with an able, shrewd face but dressed in outlandish
+lodge regalia, a get-up adorned with
+medals, sashes, a cocked hat with frills—the
+whole effect as absurd to contemplate as one of
+Napoleon’s Marshals in full uniform. In the
+left corner, where a window lights it effectively,
+is a Negro primitive mask from the Congo—a
+grotesque face, inspiring obscure, dim connotations
+in one’s mind, but beautifully done, conceived
+in a true religious spirit. In this room,
+however, the mask acquires an arbitrary accentuation.
+It dominates by a diabolical quality
+that contrast imposes upon it.</i></p>
+
+<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span><i>There are two windows on the left looking out
+in the street. In the rear, a door to the hall of
+the building. In the right, a doorway with
+red and gold portières leading into the bedroom
+and the rest of the flat. Everything is cleaned
+and polished. The dark brown wall paper is
+new, the brilliantly figured carpet also. There
+is a round mahogany table at center. In a
+rocking chair by the table</i> <span class='sc'>Mrs. Harris</span> <i>is sitting.
+She is a mild-looking, gray-haired
+Negress of sixty-five, dressed in an old-fashioned
+Sunday-best dress. Walking about the
+room nervously is</i> <span class='sc'>Hattie</span>, <i>her daughter</i>, <span class='sc'>Jim’s</span>
+<i>sister, a woman of about thirty with a high-strung,
+defiant face—an intelligent head showing
+both power and courage. She is dressed severely,
+mannishly.</i></p>
+
+<p class='c013'><i>It is a fine morning in Spring. Sunshine
+comes through the windows at the left.</i></p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mrs. Harris</span>—Time dey was here, ain’t it?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Impatiently.</i>] Yes.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mrs. H.</span>—[<i>Worriedly.</i>] You ain’t gwine ter
+kick up a fuss, is you—like you done wid Jim befo’
+de weddin’?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—No. What’s done is done.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mrs. H.</span>—We mustn’t let her see we hold it agin’
+her—de bad dat happened to her wid dat no-count
+fighter.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—I certainly never give that a thought.
+It’s what she’s done to Jim—making him run away
+and give up his fight——!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mrs. H.</span>—Jim loves her a powerful lot, must be.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>After a pause—bitterly.</i>] I wonder
+if she loves Jim!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mrs. H.</span>—She must, too. Yes, she must, too.
+Don’t you forget dat it was hard for her—mighty,
+mighty hard—harder for de white dan for de black!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Indignantly.</i>] Why should it be?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mrs. H.</span>—[<i>Shaking her head.</i>] I ain’t talkin’ of
+shoulds. It’s too late for shoulds. Dey’s o’ny one
+should. [<i>Solemnly.</i>] De white and de black
+shouldn’t mix dat close. Dere’s one road where de
+white goes on alone; dere’s anudder road where de
+black goes on alone——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—Yes, if they’d only leave us alone!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mrs. H.</span>—Dey leaves your Pa alone. He comes
+to de top till he’s got his own business, lots o’ money
+in de bank, he owns a building even befo’ he die.
+[<i>She looks up proudly at the picture.</i> <span class='sc'>Hattie</span> <i>sighs
+impatiently—then her mother goes on</i>.] Dey leaves
+me alone. I bears four children into dis worl’, two
+dies, two lives, I helps you two grow up fine an’
+healthy and eddicated wid schoolin’ and money fo’
+yo’ comfort——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Impatiently.</i>] Ma!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mrs. H.</span>—I does de duty God set for me in dis
+worl’. Dey leaves me alone. [<span class='sc'>Hattie</span> <i>goes to the
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span>window to hide her exasperation. The mother
+broods for a minute—then goes on.</i>] The worl’
+done change. Dey ain’t no satisfaction wid nuffin’
+no more.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—Oh! [<i>Then after a pause.</i>] They’ll be
+here any minute now.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mrs. H.</span>—Why didn’t you go meet ’em at de dock
+like I axed you?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—I couldn’t. My face and Jim’s among
+those hundreds of white faces—— [<i>With a harsh
+laugh.</i>] It would give her too much advantage!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mrs. H.</span>—[<i>Impatiently.</i>] Don’t talk dat way!
+What makes you so proud? [<i>Then after a pause—sadly.</i>]
+Hattie.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Turning.</i>] Yes, Ma.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mrs. H.</span>—I want to see Jim again—my only boy—but—all
+de same I’d ruther he stayed away. He
+say in his letter he’s happy, she’s happy, dey likes
+it dere, de folks don’t think nuffin’ but what’s natural
+at seeing ’em married. Why don’t dey stay?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Vehemently.</i>] No! They were cowards
+to run away. If they believe in what they’ve
+done, then let them face it out, live it out here, be
+strong enough to conquer all prejudice!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mrs. H.</span>—Strong? Dey ain’t many strong. Dey
+ain’t many happy neider. Dey was happy ovah yondah.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—We don’t deserve happiness till we’ve
+fought the fight of our race and won it! [<i>In the
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>pause that follows there is a ring from back in the
+flat.</i>] It’s the door bell! You go, Ma. I—I—I’d
+rather not. [<i>Her mother looks at her rebukingly
+and goes out agitatedly through the portières.</i>
+<span class='sc'>Hattie</span> <i>waits, nervously walking about, trying to
+compose herself. There is a long pause. Finally
+the portières are parted and</i> <span class='sc'>Jim</span> <i>enters. He looks
+much older, graver, worried.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Hattie!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—Jim! [<i>They embrace with great affection.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—It’s great to see you again! You’re looking
+fine.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Looking at him searchingly.</i>] You
+look well, too—thinner maybe—and tired. [<i>Then
+as she sees him frowning.</i>] But where’s Ella?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—With Ma. [<i>Apologetically.</i>] She sort of—broke
+down—when we came in. The trip wore her
+out.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Coldly.</i>] I see.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Oh, it’s nothing serious. Nerves. She needs
+a rest.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—Wasn’t living in France restful?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Yes, but—too lonely—especially for her.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Resentfully.</i>] Why? Didn’t the people
+there want to associate——?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Quickly.</i>] Oh, no indeedy, they didn’t
+think anything of that. [<i>After a pause.</i>] But—she
+did. For the first year it was all right. Ella
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>liked everything a lot. She went out with French
+folks and got so she could talk it a little—and I
+learned it—a little. We were having a right nice
+time. I never thought then we’d ever want to come
+back here.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Frowning.</i>] But—what happened to
+change you?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>After a pause—haltingly.</i>] Well—you
+see—the first year—she and I were living around—like
+friends—like a brother and sister—like you
+and I might.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Her face becoming more and more
+drawn and tense.</i>] You mean—then——? [<i>She
+shudders—then after a pause.</i>] She loves you,
+Jim?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—If I didn’t know that I’d have to jump in the
+river.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—Are you sure she loves you?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Isn’t that why she’s suffering?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Letting her breath escape through her
+clenched teeth.</i>] Ah!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Suddenly springs up and shouts almost hysterically.</i>]
+Why d’you ask me all those damn questions?
+Are you trying to make trouble between us?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Controlling herself—quietly.</i>] No,
+Jim.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>After a pause—contritely.</i>] I’m sorry,
+Hattie. I’m kind of on edge today. [<i>He sinks
+down on his chair—then goes on as if something
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>forced him to speak.</i>] After that we got to living
+housed in. Ella didn’t want to see nobody, she said
+just the two of us was enough. I was happy then—and
+I really guess she was happy, too—in a way—for
+a while. [<i>Again a pause.</i>] But she never
+did get to wanting to go out any place again. She
+got to saying she felt she’d be sure to run into someone
+she knew—from over here. So I moved us out
+to the country where no tourist ever comes—but it
+didn’t make any difference to her. She got to avoiding
+the French folks the same as if they were Americans
+and I couldn’t get it out of her mind. She
+lived in the house and got paler and paler, and more
+and more nervous and scarey, always imagining
+things—until I got to imagining things, too. I got
+to feeling blue. Got to sneering at myself that I
+wasn’t any better than a quitter because I sneaked
+away right after getting married, didn’t face nothing,
+gave up trying to become a Member of the Bar—and
+I got to suspecting Ella must feel that way
+about me, too—that I wasn’t a <i>real man</i>!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Indignantly.</i>] She couldn’t!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>With hostility.</i>] You don’t need to tell
+me! All this was only in my own mind. We never
+quarreled a single bit. We never said a harsh word.
+We were as close to each other as could be. We
+were all there was in the world to each other. We
+were alone together! [<i>A pause.</i>] Well, one day
+I got so I couldn’t stand it. I could see she couldn’t
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span>stand it. So I just up and said: Ella, we’ve got to
+have a plain talk, look everything straight in the
+face, hide nothing, come out with the exact truth
+of the way we feel.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—And you decided to come back!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Yes. We decided the reason we felt sort of
+ashamed was we’d acted like cowards. We’d run
+away from the thing—and taken it with us. We
+decided to come back and face it and live it down
+in ourselves, and prove to ourselves we were strong
+in our love—and then, and that way only, by being
+brave we’d free ourselves, and gain confidence, and
+be really free inside and able then to go anywhere
+and live in peace and equality with ourselves and the
+world without any guilty uncomfortable feeling coming
+up to rile us. [<i>He has talked himself now into
+a state of happy confidence.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Bending over and kissing him.</i>] Good
+for you! I admire you so much, Jim! I admire
+both of you! And are you going to begin studying
+right away and get admitted to the Bar?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—You bet I am!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—You must, Jim! Our race needs men
+like you to come to the front and help——   [<i>As
+voices are heard approaching she stops, stiffens, and
+her face grows cold.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Noticing this—warningly.</i>] Remember
+Ella’s been sick! [<i>Losing control—threateningly.</i>]
+You be nice to her, you hear! [<span class='sc'>Mrs. Harris</span> <i>enters,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>showing</i> <span class='sc'>Ella</span> <i>the way. The colored woman is
+plainly worried and perplexed.</i> <span class='sc'>Ella</span> <i>is pale, with
+a strange, haunted expression in her eyes. She runs
+to Jim as to a refuge, clutching his hands in both of
+hers, looking from</i> <span class='sc'>Mrs. Harris</span> <i>to</i> <span class='sc'>Hattie</span> <i>with a
+frightened defiance</i>.]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mrs. H.</span>—Dere he is, child, big’s life! She was
+afraid we’d done kidnapped you away, Jim.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Patting her hand.</i>] This place ought to
+be familiar, Ella. Don’t you remember playing here
+with us sometimes as a kid?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Queerly—with a frown of effort.</i>] I remember
+playing marbles one night—but that was
+on the street.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Don’t you remember Hattie?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Coming forward with a forced smile.</i>]
+It was a long time ago—but I remember Ella. [<i>She
+holds out her hand.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Taking it—looking at</i> <span class='sc'>Hattie</span> <i>with the
+same queer defiance</i>.] I remember. But you’ve
+changed so much.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Stirred to hostility by</i> <span class='sc'>Ella’s</span> <i>manner—condescendingly</i>.]
+Yes, I’ve grown older, naturally.
+[<i>Then in a tone which, as if in spite of herself,
+becomes bragging.</i>] I’ve worked so hard. First
+I went away to college, you know—then I took up
+post-graduate study—when suddenly I decided I’d
+accomplish more good if I gave up learning and took
+up teaching. [<i>She suddenly checks herself, ashamed,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>and stung by</i> <span class='sc'>Ella’s</span> <i>indifference</i>.] But this sounds
+like stupid boasting. I don’t mean that. I was
+only explaining——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Indifferently.</i>] I didn’t know you’d
+been to school so long. [<i>A pause.</i>] Where are
+you teaching? In a colored school, I suppose.
+[<i>There is an indifferent superiority in her words that
+is maddening to</i> <span class='sc'>Hattie</span>.]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Controlling herself.</i>] Yes. A private
+school endowed by some wealthy members of our
+race.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Suddenly—even eagerly.</i>] Then you
+must have taken lots of examinations and managed
+to pass them, didn’t you?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Biting her lips.</i>] I always passed with
+honors!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—Yes, we both graduated from the same
+High School, didn’t we? That was dead easy for
+me. Why I hardly even looked at a book. But
+Jim says it was awfully hard for him. He failed
+one year, remember? [<i>She turns and smiles at</i> <span class='sc'>Jim</span>—<i>a
+tolerant, superior smile but one full of genuine
+love</i>. <span class='sc'>Hattie</span> <i>is outraged, but</i> <span class='sc'>Jim</span> <i>smiles</i>.]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Yes, it was hard for me, Honey.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—And the law school examinations Jim
+hardly ever could pass at all. Could you? [<i>She
+laughs lovingly.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Harshly.</i>] Yes, he could! He can!
+He’ll pass them now—if you’ll give him a chance!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Angrily.</i>] Hattie!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mrs. Harris</span>—Hold yo’ fool tongue!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Sullenly.</i>] I’m sorry. [<span class='sc'>Ella</span> <i>has
+shrunk back against</i> <span class='sc'>Jim</span>. <i>She regards</i> <span class='sc'>Hattie</span> <i>with
+a sort of wondering hatred. Then she looks away
+about the room. Suddenly her eyes fasten on the
+primitive mask and she gives a stifled scream.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—What’s the matter, Honey?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Pointing.</i>] That! For God’s sake,
+what is it?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Scornfully.</i>] It’s a Congo mask.
+[<i>She goes and picks it up.</i>] I’ll take it away if you
+wish. I thought you’d like it. It was my wedding
+present to Jim.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—What is it?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—It’s a mask which used to be worn in religious
+ceremonies by my people in Africa. But,
+aside from that, it’s beautifully made, a work of Art
+by a real artist—as real in his way as your Michael
+Angelo. [<i>Forces</i> <span class='sc'>Ella</span> <i>to take it</i>.] Here. Just
+notice the workmanship.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Defiantly.</i>] I’m not scared of it if
+you’re not. [<i>Looking at it with disgust.</i>] Beautiful?
+Well, some people certainly have queer notions!
+It looks ugly to me and stupid—like a kid’s
+game—making faces! [<i>She slaps it contemptuously.</i>]
+Pooh! You needn’t look hard at me.
+I’ll give you the laugh. [<i>She goes to put it back on
+the stand.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Maybe, if it disturbs you, we better put it
+in some other room.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Defiantly aggressive.</i>] No. I want it
+here where I can give it the laugh! [<i>She sets it there
+again—then turns suddenly on</i> <span class='sc'>Hattie</span> <i>with aggressive
+determination</i>.] Jim’s not going to take
+any more examinations! I won’t let him!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Bursting forth.</i>] Jim! Do you hear
+that? There’s white justice!—their fear for their
+superiority!——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>With a terrified pleading.</i>] Make her go
+away, Jim!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Losing control—furiously to his sister.</i>]
+Either you leave here—or we will!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mrs. H.</span>—[<i>Weeping—throws her arms around</i>
+<span class='sc'>Hattie</span>.] Let’s go, chile! Let’s go!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Calmly now.</i>] Yes, Ma. All right.
+[<i>They go through the portières. As soon as they
+are gone</i>, <span class='sc'>Jim</span> <i>suddenly collapses into a chair and
+hides his head in his hands</i>. <span class='sc'>Ella</span> <i>stands beside him
+for a moment. She stares distractedly about her, at
+the portrait, at the mask, at the furniture, at</i> <span class='sc'>Jim</span>.
+<i>She seems fighting to escape from some weight on her
+mind. She throws this off and, completely her old
+self for the moment, kneels by</i> <span class='sc'>Jim</span> <i>and pats his
+shoulder</i>.]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>With kindness and love.</i>] Don’t, Jim!
+Don’t cry, please! You don’t suppose I really
+meant that about the examinations, do you? Why,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>of course, I didn’t mean a word! I couldn’t mean
+it! I want you to take the examinations! I want
+you to pass! I want you to be a lawyer! I want you
+to be the best lawyer in the country! I want
+you to show ’em—all the dirty sneaking; gossiping
+liars that talk behind our backs—what a man I
+married. I want the whole world to know you’re
+the whitest of the white! I want you to climb and
+climb—and step on ’em, stamp right on their mean
+faces! I love you, Jim. You know that!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Calm again—happily.</i>] I hope so, Honey—and
+I’ll make myself worthy.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Appears in the doorway—quietly.</i>]
+We’re going now, Jim.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—No. Don’t go.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—We were going to, anyway. This is
+your house—Mother’s gift to you, Jim.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Astonished.</i>] But I can’t accept——  Where
+are you going?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—We’ve got a nice flat in the Bronx—[<i>with
+bitter pride</i>] in the heart of the Black Belt—the
+Congo—among our own people!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Angrily.</i>] You’re crazy—I’ll see Ma——  [<i>He
+goes out.</i> <span class='sc'>Hattie</span> <i>and</i> <span class='sc'>Ella</span> <i>stare at each
+other with scorn and hatred for a moment, then</i>
+<span class='sc'>Hattie</span> <i>goes</i>. <span class='sc'>Ella</span> <i>remains kneeling for a moment
+by the chair, her eyes dazed and strange as she looks
+about her. Then she gets to her feet and stands before
+the portrait of</i> <span class='sc'>Jim’s</span> <i>father—with a sneer</i>.]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—It’s his Old Man—all dolled up like a circus
+horse! Well, they can’t help it. It’s in the blood,
+I suppose. They’re ignorant, that’s all there is to
+it. [<i>She moves to the mask—forcing a mocking
+tone.</i>] Hello, sport! Who d’you think you’re scaring?
+Not me! I’ll give you the laugh. He won’t
+pass, you wait and see. Not in a thousand years!
+[<i>She goes to the window and looks down at the street
+and mutters.</i>] All black! Every one of them!
+[<i>Then with sudden excitement.</i>] No, there’s one.
+Why, it’s Shorty! [<i>She throws the window open
+and calls.</i>] Shorty! Shorty! Hello, Shorty!
+[<i>She leans out and waves—then stops, remains there
+for a moment looking down, then comes back into the
+room suddenly as if she wanted to hide—her whole
+face in an anguish.</i>] Say! Say! I wonder?—No,
+he didn’t hear you. Yes, he did, too! He must
+have! I yelled so loud you could hear me in Jersey!
+No, what are you talking about? How would he
+hear with all kids yelling down there? He never
+heard a word, I tell you! He did, too! He didn’t
+want to hear you! He didn’t want to let anyone
+know he knew you! Why don’t you acknowledge
+it? What are you lying about? I’m not! Why
+shouldn’t he? Where does he come in to—for
+God’s sake, who is Shorty, anyway? A pimp! Yes,
+and a dope-peddler, too! D’you mean to say he’d
+have the nerve to hear me call him and then deliberately——?
+Yes, I mean to say it! I do say it!
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>And it’s true, and you know it, and you might as
+well be honest for a change and admit it! He heard
+you but he didn’t want to hear you! He doesn’t
+want to know you any more. No, not even him!
+He’s afraid it’d get him in wrong with the old gang.
+Why? You know well enough! Because you married
+a—a—a—well, I won’t say it, but you know
+without my mentioning names! [<span class='sc'>Ella</span> <i>springs to
+her feet in horror and shakes off her obsession with a
+frantic effort</i>.] Stop! [<i>Then whimpering like a
+frightened child.</i>] Jim! Jim! Jim! Where are
+you? I want you, Jim! [<i>She runs out of the room
+as</i></p>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c1'>
+<div class='nf-center c002'>
+    <div>[<i>The Curtain Falls</i>]</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<div>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>
+  <h4 class='c008'>ACT TWO<br> <span class='c011'>SCENE TWO</span></h4>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c012'><span class='sc'>Scene</span>—<i>The same. Six months later. It is evening.
+The walls of the room appear shrunken
+in, the ceiling lowered, so that the furniture, the
+portrait, the mask look unnaturally large and
+domineering.</i> <span class='sc'>Jim</span> <i>is seated at the table studying,
+law books piled by his elbows. He is keeping
+his attention concentrated only by a driving
+physical effort which gives his face the expression
+of a runner’s near the tape. His forehead
+shines with perspiration. He mutters one sentence
+from Blackstone over and over again,
+tapping his forehead with his fist in time to the
+rhythm he gives the stale words. But, in spite
+of himself, his attention wanders, his eyes have
+an uneasy, hunted look, he starts at every sound
+in the house or from the street. Finally, he
+remains rigid, Blackstone forgotten, his eyes
+fixed on the portières with tense grief. Then
+he groans, slams the book shut, goes to the window
+and throws it open and sinks down beside
+it, his arms on the sill, his head resting wearily
+on his arms, staring out into the night, the pale
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>glare from the arc-lamp on the corner throwing
+his face into relief. The portières on the right
+are parted and</i> <span class='sc'>Hattie</span> <i>comes in</i>.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Not seeing him at the table.</i>] Jim!
+[<i>Discovering him.</i>] Oh, there you are. What’re
+you doing?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Turning to her.</i>] Resting. Cooling my
+head. [<i>Forcing a smile.</i>] These law books certainly
+are a sweating proposition! [<i>Then, anxiously.</i>]
+How is she?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—She’s asleep now. I felt it was safe to
+leave her for a minute. [<i>After a pause.</i>] What
+did the doctor tell you, Jim?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—The same old thing. She must have rest, he
+says, her mind needs rest—— [<i>Bitterly.</i>] But he
+can’t tell me any prescription for that rest—leastways
+not any that’d work.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>After a pause.</i>] I think you ought to
+leave her, Jim—or let her leave you—for a while,
+anyway.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Angrily.</i>] You’re like the doctor. Everything’s
+so simple and easy. Do this and that happens.
+Only it don’t. Life isn’t simple like that—not
+in this case, anyway—no, it isn’t simple a bit.
+[<i>After a pause.</i>] I can’t leave her. She can’t leave
+me. And there’s a million little reasons combining
+to make one big reason why we can’t. [<i>A pause.</i>]
+For her sake—if it’d do her good—I’d go—I’d leave—I’d
+do anything—because I love her. I’d kill
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>myself even—jump out of this window this second—I’ve
+thought it over, too—but that’d only make matters
+worse for her. I’m all she’s got in the world!
+Yes, that isn’t bragging or fooling myself. I know
+that for a fact! Don’t you know that’s true?
+[<i>There is a pleading for the certainty he claims.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—Yes, I know she loves you, Jim. I know
+that now.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Simply.</i>] Then we’ve got to stick together
+to the end, haven’t we, whatever comes—and hope
+and pray for the best? [<i>A pause—then hopefully.</i>]
+I think maybe this is the crisis in her mind. Once
+she settles this in herself, she’s won to the other side.
+And me—once I become a Member of the Bar—then
+I win, too! We’re both free—by our own fighting
+down our own weakness! We’re both really, truly
+free! Then we can be happy with ourselves here or
+anywhere. She’ll be proud then! Yes, she’s told
+me again and again, she says she’ll be actually proud!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Turning away to conceal her emotion.</i>]
+Yes, I’m sure—but you mustn’t study too hard, Jim!
+You mustn’t study too awfully hard!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Gets up and goes to the table and sits down
+wearily.</i>] Yes, I know. Oh, I’ll pass easily. I
+haven’t got any scarey feeling about that any more.
+And I’m doing two years’ work in one here alone.
+That’s better than schools, eh?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Doubtfully.</i>] It’s wonderful, Jim.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>His spirit evaporating.</i>] If I can only
+hold out! It’s hard! I’m worn out. I don’t sleep.
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>I get to thinking and thinking. My head aches and
+burns like fire with thinking. Round and round my
+thoughts go chasing like crazy chickens hopping
+and flapping before the wind. It gets me crazy mad—’cause
+I can’t stop!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Watching him for a while and seeming
+to force herself to speak.</i>] The doctor didn’t tell
+you all, Jim.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Dully.</i>] What’s that?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—He told me you’re liable to break down
+too, if you don’t take care of yourself.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Abjectly weary.</i>] Let ’er come! I don’t
+care what happens to me. Maybe if I get sick she’ll
+get well. There’s only so much bad luck allowed to
+one family, maybe. [<i>He forces a wan smile.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Hastily.</i>] Don’t give in to that idea,
+for the Lord’s sake!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—I’m tired—and blue—that’s all.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>After another long pause.</i>] I’ve got
+to tell you something else, Jim.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Dully.</i>] What?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—The doctor said Ella’s liable to be sick
+like this a very long time.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—He told me that too—that it’d be a long
+time before she got back her normal strength. Well,
+I suppose that’s got to be expected.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Slowly.</i>] He didn’t mean convalescing—what
+he told me. [<i>A long pause.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Evasively.</i>] I’m going to get other doctors
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>in to see Ella—specialists. This one’s a damn
+fool.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—Be sensible, Jim. You’ll have to face
+the truth—sooner or later.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Irritably.</i>] I know the truth about Ella
+better’n any doctor.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Persuasively.</i>] She’d get better so
+much sooner if you’d send her away to some nice
+sanitarium——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—No! She’d die of shame there!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—At least until after you’ve taken your
+examinations——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—To hell with me!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—Six months. That wouldn’t be long to
+be parted.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—What are you trying to do—separate us?
+[<i>He gets to his feet—furiously.</i>] Go on out! Go
+on out!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Calmly.</i>] No, I won’t. [<i>Sharply.</i>]
+There’s something that’s got to be said to you and
+I’m the only one with the courage—— [<i>Intensely.</i>]
+Tell me, Jim, have you heard her raving when she’s
+out of her mind?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>With a shudder.</i>] No!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—You’re lying, Jim. You must have—if
+you don’t stop your ears—and the doctor says she
+may develop a violent mania, dangerous for you—get
+worse and worse until—Jim, you’ll go crazy
+too—living this way. Today she raved on about
+“Black! Black!” and cried because she said her skin
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>was turning black—that you had poisoned her——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>In anguish.</i>] That’s only when she’s out
+of her mind.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—And then she suddenly called me a dirty
+nigger.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—No! She never said that ever! She never
+would!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—She did—and kept on and on! [<i>A tense
+pause.</i>] She’ll be saying that to you soon.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Torturedly.</i>] She don’t mean it! She
+isn’t responsible for what she’s saying!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—I know she isn’t—yet she is just the
+same. It’s deep down in her or it wouldn’t come
+out.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Deep down in her people—not deep in her.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—I can’t make such distinctions. The
+race in me, deep in me, can’t stand it. I can’t play
+nurse to her any more, Jim,—not even for your sake.
+I’m afraid—afraid of myself—afraid sometime I’ll
+kill her dead to set you free! [<i>She loses control and
+begins to cry.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>After a long pause—somberly.</i>] Yes, I
+guess you’d better stay away from here. Good-by.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—Who’ll you get to nurse her, Jim,—a
+white woman?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Ella’d die of shame. No, I’ll nurse her myself.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—And give up your studies?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—I can do both.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—You can’t! You’ll get sick yourself!
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>Why, you look terrible even as it is—and it’s only
+beginning!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—I can do anything for her! I’m all she’s
+got in the world! I’ve got to prove I can be all to
+her! I’ve got to prove worthy! I’ve got to prove
+she can be proud of me! I’ve got to prove I’m the
+whitest of the white!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Stung by this last—with rebellious bitterness.</i>]
+Is that the ambition she’s given you?
+Oh, you soft, weak-minded fool, you traitor to your
+race! And the thanks you’ll get—to be called a
+dirty nigger—to hear her cursing you because she
+can never have a child because it’ll be born
+black——!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>In a frenzy.</i>] Stop!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—I’ll say what must be said even though
+you kill me, Jim. Send her to an asylum before
+you both have to be sent to one together.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>With a sudden wild laugh.</i>] Do you think
+you’re threatening me with something dreadful now?
+Why, I’d like that. Sure, I’d like that! Maybe
+she’d like it better, too. Maybe we’d both find it all
+simple then—like you think it is now. Yes. [<i>He
+laughs again.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Frightenedly.</i>] Jim!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Together! You can’t scare me even with
+hell fire if you say she and I go together. It’s heaven
+then for me! [<i>With sudden savagery.</i>] You go
+out of here! All you’ve ever been aiming to do is
+to separate us so we can’t be together!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—I’ve done what I did for your own good.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—I have no own good. I only got a good together
+with her. I’m all she’s got in the world! Let
+her call me nigger! Let her call me the whitest of
+the white! I’m all she’s got in the world, ain’t I?
+She’s all I’ve got! You with your fool talk of the
+black race and the white race! Where does the
+human race get a chance to come in? I suppose
+that’s simple for you. You lock it up in asylums
+and throw away the key! [<i>With fresh violence.</i>]
+Go along! There isn’t going to be no more people
+coming in here to separate—excepting the doctor.
+I’m going to lock the door and it’s going to stay
+locked, you hear? Go along, now!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Hattie</span>—[<i>Confusedly.</i>] Jim!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Pushes her out gently and slams the door
+after her—vaguely.</i>] Go along! I got to study.
+I got to nurse Ella, too. Oh, I can do it! I can
+do anything for her! [<i>He sits down at the table
+and, opening the book, begins again to recite the line
+from Blackstone in a meaningless rhythm, tapping
+his forehead with his fist.</i> <span class='sc'>Ella</span> <i>enters noiselessly
+through the portières. She wears a red dressing-gown
+over her night-dress but is in her bare feet.
+She has a carving-knife in her right hand. Her eyes
+fasten on</i> <span class='sc'>Jim</span> <i>with a murderous mania. She creeps
+up behind him. Suddenly he senses something and
+turns. As he sees her he gives a cry, jumping up
+and catching her wrist. She stands fixed, her eyes
+growing bewildered and frightened.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Aghast.</i>] Ella! For God’s sake! Do you
+want to murder me? [<i>She does not answer. He
+shakes her.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Whimperingly.</i>] They kept calling me
+names as I was walking along—I can’t tell you what,
+Jim—and then I grabbed a knife——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Yes! See! This! [<i>She looks at it frightenedly.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—Where did I——? I was having a nightmare—— Where
+did they go—I mean, how did
+I get here? [<i>With sudden terrified pleading—like
+a little girl.</i>] Oh, Jim—don’t ever leave me alone!
+I have such terrible dreams, Jim—promise you’ll
+never go away!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—I promise, Honey.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Her manner becoming more and more
+childishly silly.</i>] I’ll be a little girl—and you’ll be
+old Uncle Jim who’s been with us for years and
+years—— Will you play that?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Yes, Honey. Now you better go back to
+bed.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Like a child.</i>] Yes, Uncle Jim. [<i>She
+turns to go. He pretends to be occupied by his book.
+She looks at him for a second—then suddenly asks
+in her natural woman’s voice.</i>] Are you studying
+hard, Jim?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Yes, Honey. Go to bed now. You need to
+rest, you know.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Stands looking at him, fighting with herself.
+A startling transformation comes over her
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>face. It grows mean, vicious, full of jealous hatred.
+She cannot contain herself but breaks out harshly
+with a cruel, venomous grin.</i>] You dirty nigger!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Starting as if he’d been shot.</i>] Ella! For
+the good Lord’s sake!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Coming out of her insane mood for a moment,
+aware of something terrible, frightened.</i>]
+Jim! Jim! Why are you looking at me like that?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—What did you say to me just then?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Gropingly.</i>] Why, I—I said—I remember
+saying, are you studying hard, Jim? Why?
+You’re not mad at that, are you?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—No, Honey. What made you think I was
+mad? Go to bed now.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Obediently.</i>] Yes, Jim. [<i>She passes behind
+the portières.</i> <span class='sc'>Jim</span> <i>stares before him. Suddenly
+her head is thrust out at the side of the portières.
+Her face is again that of a vindictive
+maniac.</i>] Nigger! [<i>The face disappears—she can
+be heard running away, laughing with cruel satisfaction.</i>
+<span class='sc'>Jim</span> <i>bows his head on his outstretched
+arms but he is too stricken for tears</i>.]</p>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c1'>
+<div class='nf-center c002'>
+    <div>[<i>The Curtain Falls</i>]</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<div>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>
+  <h4 class='c008'>ACT TWO<br> <span class='c011'>SCENE THREE</span></h4>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c012'><span class='sc'>Scene</span>—<i>The same, six months later. The sun has
+just gone down. The Spring twilight sheds a
+vague, gray light about the room, picking out
+the Congo mask on the stand by the window.
+The walls have shrunken in still more, the ceiling
+now barely clears the people’s heads, the
+furniture and the characters appear enormously
+magnified. Law books are stacked in two great
+piles on each side of the table.</i> <span class='sc'>Ella</span> <i>comes in
+from the right, the carving-knife in her hand.
+She is pitifully thin, her face is wasted, but her
+eyes glow with a mad energy, her movements are
+abrupt and spring-like. She looks stealthily
+about the room, then advances and stands before
+the mask, her arms akimbo, her attitude
+one of crazy mockery, fear and bravado. She
+is dressed in the red dressing-gown, grown dirty
+and ragged now, and is in her bare feet.</i></p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—I’ll give you the laugh, wait and see!
+[<i>Then in a confidential tone.</i>] He thought I was
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span>asleep! He called, Ella, Ella—but I kept my eyes
+shut, I pretended to snore. I fooled him good.
+[<i>She gives a little hoarse laugh.</i>] This is the first
+time he’s dared to leave me alone for months and
+months. I’ve been wanting to talk to you every
+day but this is the only chance—— [<i>With sudden
+violence—flourishing her knife.</i>] What’re you grinning
+about, you dirty nigger, you? How dare you
+grin at me? I guess you forget what you are!
+That’s always the way. Be kind to you, treat you
+decent, and in a second you’ve got a swelled head,
+you think you’re somebody, you’re all over the place
+putting on airs, why, it’s got so I can’t even walk
+down the street without seeing niggers, niggers everywhere.
+Hanging around, grinning, grinning—going
+to school—pretending they’re white—taking examinations——[<i>She
+stops, arrested by the word, then
+suddenly.</i>] That’s where he’s gone—down to the
+mail-box—to see if there’s a letter from the Board—telling
+him—— But why is he so long? [<i>She calls
+pitifully.</i>] Jim! [<i>Then in a terrified whimper.</i>]
+Maybe he’s passed! Maybe he’s passed! [<i>In a
+frenzy.</i>] No! No! He can’t! I’d kill him! I’d
+kill myself! [<i>Threatening the Congo mask.</i>] It’s
+you who’re to blame for this! Yes, you! Oh, I’m
+on to you! [<i>Then appealingly.</i>] But why d’you
+want to do this to us? What have I ever done
+wrong to you? What have you got against me? I
+married you, didn’t I? Why don’t you let Jim
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>alone? Why don’t you let him be happy as he is—with
+me? Why don’t you let me be happy? He’s
+white, isn’t he—the whitest man that ever lived?
+Where do you come in to interfere? Black! Black!
+Black as dirt! You’ve poisoned me! I can’t wash
+myself clean! Oh, I hate you! I hate you! Why
+don’t you let Jim and I be happy? [<i>She sinks down
+in his chair, her arms outstretched on the table. The
+door from the hall is slowly opened and</i> <span class='sc'>Jim</span> <i>appears.
+His bloodshot, sleepless eyes stare from deep hollows.
+His expression is one of crushed numbness.
+He holds an open letter in his hand.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Seeing</i> <span class='sc'>Ella</span>—<i>in an absolutely dead voice</i>.]
+Honey—I thought you were asleep.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Starts and wheels about in her chair.</i>]
+What’s that? You got—you got a letter——?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Turning to close the door after him.</i>]
+From the Board of Examiners for admission to the
+Bar, State of New York—God’s country! [<i>He finishes
+up with a chuckle of ironic self-pity so spent as
+to be barely audible.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Writhing out of her chair like some fierce
+animal, the knife held behind her—with fear and
+hatred.</i>] You didn’t—you didn’t—you didn’t pass,
+did you?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Looking at her wildly.</i>] Pass? Pass?
+[<i>He begins to chuckle and laugh between sentences
+and phrases, rich, Negro laughter, but heart-breaking
+in its mocking grief.</i>] Good Lord, child, how
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span>come you can ever imagine such a crazy idea? Pass?
+Me? Jim Crow Harris? Nigger Jim Harris—become
+a full-fledged Member of the Bar! Why the
+mere notion of it is enough to kill you with laughing!
+It’d be against all natural laws, all human right and
+justice. It’d be miraculous, there’d be earthquakes
+and catastrophes, the seven Plagues’d come again
+and locusts’d devour all the money in the banks, the
+second Flood’d come roaring and Noah’d fall overboard,
+the sun’d drop out of the sky like a ripe fig,
+and the Devil’d perform miracles, and God’d be
+tipped head first right out of the Judgment seat!
+[<i>He laughs, maudlinly uproarious.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Her face beginning to relax, to light up.</i>]
+Then you—you didn’t pass?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Spent—giggling and gasping idiotically.</i>]
+Well, I should say not! I should certainly say not!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>With a cry of joy, pushes all the law books
+crashing to the floor—then with childish happiness
+she grabs</i> <span class='sc'>Jim</span> <i>by both hands and dances up
+and down</i>.] Oh, Jim, I knew it! I knew you
+couldn’t! Oh, I’m so glad, Jim! I’m so happy!
+You’re still my old Jim—and I’m so glad! [<i>He looks
+at her dazedly, a fierce rage slowly gathering on his
+face. She dances away from him. His eyes follow
+her. His hands clench. She stands in front of the
+mask—triumphantly.</i>] There! What did I tell
+you? I told you I’d give you the laugh! [<i>She
+begins to laugh with wild unrestraint, grabs the mask
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>from its place, sets it in the middle of the table and
+plunging the knife down through it pins it to the
+table.</i>] There! Who’s got the laugh now?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>His eyes bulging—hoarsely.</i>] You devil!
+You white devil woman! [<i>In a terrible roar, raising
+his fists above her head.</i>] You devil!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Looking up at him with a bewildered cry
+of terror.</i>] Jim! [<i>Her appeal recalls him to himself.
+He lets his arms slowly drop to his sides, bowing
+his head.</i> <span class='sc'>Ella</span> <i>points tremblingly to the mask</i>.]
+It’s all right, Jim! It’s dead. The devil’s dead.
+See! It couldn’t live—unless you passed. If you’d
+passed it would have lived in you. Then I’d have
+had to kill you, Jim, don’t you see—or it would have
+killed me. But now I’ve killed it. [<i>She pats his
+hand.</i>] So you needn’t ever be afraid any more, Jim.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Dully.</i>] I’ve got to sit down, Honey. I’m
+tired. I haven’t had much chance for sleep in so
+long—— [<i>He slumps down in the chair by the
+table.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Sits down on the floor beside him and
+holds his hand. Her face is gradually regaining an
+expression that is happy, childlike and pretty.</i>] I
+know, Jim! That was my fault. I wouldn’t let you
+sleep. I couldn’t let you. I kept thinking if he
+sleeps good then he’ll be sure to study good and then
+he’ll pass—and the devil’ll win!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>With a groan.</i>] Don’t, Honey!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>With a childish grin.</i>] That was why I
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>carried that knife around—[<i>she frowns—puzzled</i>]—one
+reason—to keep you from studying and sleeping
+by scaring you.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—I wasn’t scared of being killed. I was
+scared of what they’d do to you after.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>After a pause—like a child.</i>] Will God
+forgive me, Jim?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Maybe He can forgive what you’ve done to
+me; and maybe He can forgive what I’ve done to you;
+but I don’t see how He’s going to forgive—Himself.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—I prayed and prayed. When you were
+away taking the examinations and I was alone with
+the nurse, I closed my eyes and pretended to be
+asleep but I was praying with all my might: O God,
+don’t let Jim pass!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>With a sob.</i>] Don’t, Honey, don’t! For
+the good Lord’s sake! You’re hurting me!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Frightenedly.</i>] How, Jim? Where?
+[<i>Then after a pause—suddenly.</i>] I’m sick, Jim.
+I don’t think I’ll live long.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Simply.</i>] Then I won’t either. Somewhere
+yonder maybe—together—our luck’ll change.
+But I wanted—here and now—before you—we—I
+wanted to prove to you—to myself—to become a
+full-fledged Member—so you could be proud—— [<i>He
+stops. Words fail and he is beyond tears.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Brightly.</i>] Well, it’s all over, Jim.
+Everything’ll be all right now. [<i>Chattering along.</i>]
+I’ll be just your little girl, Jim—and you’ll be my
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>little boy—just as we used to be, remember, when
+we were beaux; and I’ll put shoe blacking on my face
+and pretend I’m black and you can put chalk on your
+face and pretend you’re white just as we used to do—and
+we can play marbles—only you mustn’t all the
+time be a boy. Sometimes you must be my old kind
+Uncle Jim who’s been with us for years and years.
+Will you, Jim?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>With utter resignation.</i>] Yes, Honey.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—And you’ll never, never, never, never leave
+me, Jim?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—Never, Honey.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—’Cause you’re all I’ve got in the world—and
+I love you, Jim. [<i>She kisses his hand as a child
+might, tenderly and gratefully.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Suddenly throws himself on his knees and
+raises his shining eyes, his transfigured face.</i>] Forgive
+me, God—and make me worthy! Now I see Your
+Light again! Now I hear Your Voice! [<i>He begins
+to weep in an ecstasy of religious humility.</i>] Forgive
+me, God, for blaspheming You! Let this fire of
+burning suffering purify me of selfishness and make
+me worthy of the child You send me for the woman
+You take away!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Ella</span>—[<i>Jumping to her feet—excitedly.</i>] Don’t
+cry, Jim! You mustn’t cry! I’ve got only a little
+time left and I want to play. Don’t be old Uncle
+Jim now. Be my little boy, Jim. Pretend you’re
+Painty Face and I’m Jim Crow. Come and play!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span><span class='sc'>Jim</span>—[<i>Still deeply exalted.</i>] Honey, Honey, I’ll
+play right up to the gates of Heaven with you! [<i>She
+tugs at one of his hands, laughingly trying to pull
+him up from his knees as</i></p>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c1'>
+<div class='nf-center c002'>
+    <div>[<i>The Curtain Falls</i>]</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>
+  <h2 class='c003'>WELDED</h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c1'>
+<div class='nf-center c002'>
+    <div>A Play in Three Acts</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<div>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span>
+  <h3 class='c001'>CHARACTERS</h3>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-l c002'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Michael Cape</span></div>
+      <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Eleanor Owen</span>, <i>his wife</i></div>
+      <div class='line'><span class='sc'>John Darnton</span></div>
+      <div class='line'><span class='sc'>A Woman</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<div>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>
+  <h3 class='c015'>ACT I</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c016'><span class='sc'>Scene</span>—The Capes’ apartment.</p>
+
+<h3 class='c008'>ACT II</h3>
+
+<p class='c017'><span class='sc'>Scene I</span>—Library, Darnton’s home</p>
+
+<p class='c018'><span class='sc'>Scene II</span>—A room</p>
+
+<h3 class='c008'>ACT III</h3>
+
+<p class='c017'><span class='sc'>Scene</span>—Same as Act I</p>
+
+<div>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span>
+  <h3 class='c001'>ACT I</h3>
+</div>
+
+<div>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span>
+  <h4 class='c008'>ACT ONE</h4>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c012'><span class='sc'>Scene</span>—<i>The Capes’ studio apartment on Fifty-ninth
+Street, New York City—a large room with a
+high ceiling. In the rear there is a balcony with
+a stairway at center leading down to the studio
+floor. This balcony is the second story of the
+apartment, on which are situated the bedrooms,
+bathroom, etc. The section of the studio beneath
+the balcony is used as a dining room. The
+studio proper is a combination of tasteful comfort
+with the practicability of a workroom.
+Well-filled bookcases line the walls. There is a
+typewriting table with a machine on it, a big
+desk, a reading and writing table with books,
+magazines, etc. Easy chairs, a chaise longue,
+rugs, etc.</i></p>
+
+<p class='c019'><i>It is about eleven-thirty. The room is in
+darkness except for the reading lamp on the
+table. The chaise longue has been pulled up
+within the circle of light and</i> <span class='sc'>Eleanor</span> <i>is lying
+back on this, reading from a manuscript. She
+is a woman of thirty. Her figure is tall, with
+the lithe lines of nervous strength. Her face,
+with its high, rather prominent cheek-bones,
+lacks harmony; but each feature is in itself
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>arresting. It is dominated by passionate, blue-gray
+eyes, restrained by a high forehead from
+which the mass of her dark brown hair is combed
+straight back. The first impression of her
+whole personality is one of charm, partly innate,
+partly imposed by years of self-discipline.
+The motions of her body are free and sure.
+Each movement is a complete reason for itself.
+The low notes of her voice are disturbing. She
+is something of every character she has ever
+played, of every woman one has ever met.</i></p>
+
+<p class='c019'><i>She reads, puts the script down, and her lips
+move as if she were memorizing. She hesitates,
+frowns, utters an exclamation of annoyance,
+looks at the script, finally flings it on the table
+with a sigh of irritation at her mistakes, gets
+up, lights a cigarette, resumes her former position,
+starts to take up the script again but instead,
+with a sudden impulse which has something
+in it of girlish embarrassment, picks up a
+letter from the table. This she opens and reads,
+an expression of delight and love coming over
+her face. She kisses the letter impulsively—then
+gives a gay laugh at herself. She lets the
+letter fall on her lap and stares straight before
+her, lost in a sentimental reverie.</i></p>
+
+<p class='c019'><i>The door at right, underneath the balcony,
+is noiselessly opened and Cape appears. He is
+thirty-five, tall and dark. His unusual face impresses
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>one. It is older and wiser than he, a
+harrowed battlefield of super-sensitiveness, the
+features at war with one another though the
+general effect is of a handsome face. He has
+the forehead of a thinker, the eyes of a dreamer,
+the nose and mouth of a sensualist. One feels
+a powerful imagination tinged with somber sadness—a
+driving force of creation which can be
+sympathetic and cruel at the same time. His
+manner is extraordinarily nervous and self-conscious.
+He is never at ease, is always watching
+himself. There is something tortured about
+him. Yet at moments he can be astonishingly
+boyish and outpouring. His body is gracefully
+made but his nervousness gives his movements
+an uncoördinated quality. One feels perpetual
+strain about him, a passionate tension, a self-protecting
+and intellectually arrogant defiance
+of life and his own weakness, a deep need to love
+and be loved, for a faith in which to relax.</i></p>
+
+<p class='c019'><i>He has a suitcase, hat, and overcoat which
+he sets inside on the floor by wall to rear of
+door, glancing toward his wife, trying not to
+make the slightest noise. But she suddenly becomes
+aware of some presence in the room, starts
+nervously, then turns boldly to face it. She
+gives an exclamation of delighted astonishment
+when she sees</i> <span class='sc'>Cape</span> <i>and jumps up to meet him
+as he strides toward her</i>.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—Michael!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>With a boyish grin.</i>] You’ve spoiled it,
+Nelly; I wanted a kiss to announce me. [<i>They are
+in each other’s arms. He kisses her tenderly.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Kissing him—joyfully.</i>] This is a
+surprise!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Straining her in his arms and kissing her
+passionately.</i>] Own little wife!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—Dearest! [<i>They look into each other’s
+eyes for a long moment.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Tenderly.</i>] Happy?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—Yes, yes! Why do you always ask?
+You know. [<i>She kisses him again and nestles her
+face against his shoulder.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Pressing her to him.</i>] Darling!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Suddenly pushing him to arms’ length—with
+a happy laugh.</i>] It’s positively immoral for
+an old married couple to act this way. [<i>She leads
+him by the hand to the chaise longue.</i>] And you
+must explain. You wrote not to expect you till the
+end of the week. [<i>She sits down.</i>] Get a cushion.
+Sit down here. [<i>He puts a cushion on the floor beside
+the chaise longue and sits down.</i>] Tell me all
+about it.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Notices the letter lying on the floor.</i>]
+Were you reading my letter? [<i>She nods. He gives
+a happy grin.</i>] Do you mean to say you still read
+them over—after five years of me?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>With a tender smile.</i>] Oh—sometimes.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Kissing her hand.</i>] Sweetheart! [<i>Smiling.</i>]
+What were you dreaming about when I intruded?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—Never mind. You’re enough of an
+egotist already. [<i>Her hand caressing his face and
+hair.</i>] I’ve been feeling so lonely—and it’s only
+been a few weeks, hasn’t it?—but it’s seemed—ages.
+[<i>She laughs.</i>] How was everything in the country?
+[<i>Suddenly kissing him.</i>] Oh, I’m so happy you’re
+back. [<i>With mock severity.</i>] But ought I? Have
+you finished the fourth act? You know you promised
+not to return until you did.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—This afternoon!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—That’s splendid!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—When I wrote you last it was dragging
+damnably—then suddenly everything cleared and
+there was nothing to do but write like the devil.
+[<i>With smiling elation.</i>] From then on it rode me
+unmercifully to the finish!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—You’re sure you didn’t force it—[<i>with
+a tender smile at him</i>]—because you were
+lonely, too?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>With a sudden change in manner that is
+almost stern.</i>] No. I wouldn’t—I couldn’t—— You
+know that.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Her face showing a trace of hurt in
+spite of herself.</i>] I was only fooling. [<i>Then rousing
+herself as if conquering a growing depression.</i>] Tell
+me about the last act. I’m terribly anxious to hear
+what you’ve done.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Enthusiastically.</i>] It’s <i>real</i>, Nelly!
+You’ll see when I read you—— The whole play has
+power and truth, I know it! And you’re going to
+be marvelous! I could see you in it every second I
+was writing! It’s going to be the finest thing we’ve
+ever done!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Kissing him impulsively.</i>] Dear! I
+love you for saying “we.” But the “we” is you. I
+only—[<i>with a smile of ironical self-pity</i>]—act a
+part you’ve created.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Impetuously.</i>] Nonsense! You’re an
+artist. Each performance of yours has taught me
+something new. Why, my women used to be—death
+masks. But now I flatter myself they’re as alive as
+you are—[<i>with a sudden grin</i>]—at least, when you
+play them, Wonderful! [<i>He kisses her hand.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Her eyes shining with excited pleasure.</i>]
+You don’t know how much it means to have
+you talk like that! Oh, I’m going to work so hard
+on this play, Michael! I’ve been studying the first
+three acts—— [<i>Impetuously.</i>] You’ve simply got
+to read me that last act right now!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Jumping to his feet eagerly.</i>] All right.
+[<i>He walks toward his bag—then stops when he is
+half-way and, hesitating, turns slowly and comes
+back. He bends down and lifts her face to his and
+kisses her tenderly, looking into her eyes—with a
+loving smile, slowly.</i>] No, on second thoughts, I
+won’t read it now.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Disappointed—but tenderly.</i>] Oh.
+Why not, dear?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>With a smile.</i>] Because——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Smiling.</i>] Plagiarist!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—Because I’ve been hoping for this night as
+our own. Let’s forget the actress and playwright.
+Let’s just be—us—lovers.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>With a tender smile—musingly.</i>] We
+<i>have</i> remained lovers—in spite of marriage—haven’t
+we?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>With a grin.</i>] Fights and all.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>With a little frown.</i>] We don’t fight
+so much.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Frowning himself.</i>] Too much.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Forcing a smile.</i>] Perhaps that’s the
+price.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>With a wry smile.</i>] Don’t grow fatalistic—just
+when I was about to propose reform.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Smiling—quickly.</i>] Oh, I’ll promise
+to be good—if you will. [<i>Gently reproachful.</i>] Do
+you think I enjoy fighting with you? [<i>Intensely.</i>]
+Don’t you realize how it destroys me?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>With deep seriousness.</i>] Then let’s resolve—once
+and for all—to refuse to wound each
+other again—— [<i>With passion.</i>] It’s wrong, Nelly.
+It’s evil! We love too deeply.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—Ssshh! We promise, dear.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Kissing her; then, hesitatingly.</i>] We’ve
+been taking each other too much for granted. That
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>may do very well with the earthly loves of the world—but
+ours has a God in it! And when the worshipers
+nod, the God deserts their shrine. [<i>He suddenly
+laughs with awkward self-consciousness.</i>] I’m
+afraid that sounds like preaching. [<i>He suddenly
+pulls her head down and kisses her impulsively.</i>] But
+you understand! Oh, Nelly, I love you—love you
+with all my soul!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Deeply moved.</i>] And I love you,
+Michael—always and forever! [<i>They sit close, she
+staring dreamily before her, he watching her face.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>After a pause.</i>] What are you thinking?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>With a tender smile.</i>] Of the first
+time we met—at rehearsal, remember? I was thinking
+of how mistakenly I had pictured you before that.
+[<i>She pauses—then frowning a little.</i>] I’d heard such
+a lot of gossip about your love affairs.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>With a wry grin.</i>] You must have been
+disappointed if you expected Don Juan. [<i>A pause—then
+forcing a short laugh.</i>] I also had heard a
+lot of rumors about your previous—— [<i>He stops
+abruptly with an expression of extreme bitterness.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Sharply.</i>] Don’t! [<i>A pause—then
+she goes on sadly.</i>] It was only our past together I
+wanted to remember. [<i>A pause—then with a trace
+of scornful resentment.</i>] I was forgetting your morbid
+obsession——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>With gloomy irritation.</i>] Obsession?
+Why——? [<i>Then determinedly throwing off this
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span>mood—reproachfully forcing a joking tone.</i>] We’re
+not “starting something” now, are we—after our
+promise?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Impulsively kissing him and straining
+her arms around him.</i>] No, no—of course not!
+Dearest!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>After a pause—a bit awkwardly.</i>] But
+you guessed my desire, at that. I wanted to dream
+with you in our past—to find together in our old
+love—a new faith——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Smiling—a bit mockingly.</i>] Another
+Grand Ideal for our marriage?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Frowning.</i>] Don’t mock.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Smiling teasingly.</i>] But you’re such
+a relentless idealist. You needn’t frown. That was
+exactly what drew me to you in those first days.
+[<i>Earnestly.</i>] I had lost faith in everything. Your
+love saved me. Your work saved mine. [<i>Intensely.</i>]
+I owe you myself, Michael! [<i>She kisses him. Then
+she goes on intensely.</i>] Do you remember—our first
+night together?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Kissing her hand—tenderly reproachful.</i>]
+Do you imagine I could’ve forgotten?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Continuing as if she hadn’t heard.</i>]
+The play was such a marvelous success! I knew I
+had finally won recognition—through your work. I
+loved myself! I loved you! You came to me—and
+my whole being strained out—— [<i>More and more
+intensely.</i>] Oh, it was beautiful madness! I found
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>and lost myself, I began living in you. I wanted to
+die and become you!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Passionately.</i>] And I, you!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Softly.</i>] And do you remember the
+dawn creeping in—and how we began to discuss our
+future? [<i>He kisses her hand. She exclaims impulsively.</i>]
+Oh, I’d give anything in the world to live
+those days over again!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Smiling reproachfully.</i>] Why? Hasn’t
+our marriage kept the spirit of that time—with a
+growth of something deeper—finer——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—Yes,—but—— Oh, you know what
+I mean! It was revelation, then—a miracle out of
+the sky.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Insistently.</i>] But haven’t we realized the
+ideal we conceived of our marriage—— [<i>Smiling but
+with deep earnestness nevertheless.</i>] We approached
+our wedding extremely cautiously, if you’ll remember,
+even after months of successful living together. Not
+for us the convenient sanction, the family rite. We
+swore to have a true sacrament—our own—or
+nothing! Our marriage must be a consummation of
+creative love, demanding and combining the best in
+each of us! Hard, difficult, guarded from the commonplace,
+kept sacred as the outward form of our
+deep, inner harmony! [<i>With an awkward sense of
+having become rhetorical he adds self-mockingly.</i>]
+We’d tend our flame on an altar, not in a kitchen
+range! [<i>He forces a grin—then abruptly changing
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span>again, with a sudden fierce pleading.</i>] It has been
+what we dreamed, hasn’t it, Nelly?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Thoughtfully.</i>] Our ideal was difficult—for
+human beings. But even when we’ve hurt
+each other most cruelly—I’ve always known——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Putting his arms about her and straining
+her to him.</i>] We must learn to love even the things
+we hate in each other. We must accept each other
+wholly, as we are, as we must become!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Sadly.</i>] Sometimes I think we have
+loved too intensely—demanded too much of each
+other. Now there’s nothing left but that something
+which can’t give itself. And I blame you for this—because
+I can neither take more nor give more—and
+you blame me! [<i>She smiles tenderly.</i>] And then we
+fight!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Excitedly.</i>] Then let’s be proud of our
+fight! It’s the penalty of a love that strives to surpass
+itself—by regaining unity. It began with the
+splitting of a cell a hundred million years ago into
+you and me, leaving an eternal yearning to become
+one life again.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Kissing him passionately.</i>] At moments—we
+do.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—Yes! Yes! [<i>He kisses her—then intensely.</i>]
+You and I—year after year—together—forms
+of our two bodies coalescing into one form;
+rhythm of our separate lives beating against each
+other, forming slowly the one rhythm—the life of
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>Us—our life created by us—outside, beyond, above!
+[<i>With sudden furious anger.</i>] God, what I feel of
+the truth of this—the beauty!—but how can I express
+it?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Kissing him.</i>] I understand.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Straining her to him with fierce passion.</i>]
+Oh, My Own, My Own—and I your own—to the end
+of time! I love you! I love you!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Returning his kisses.</i>] I love you!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>With passionate exultance.</i>] Why do you
+regret our first days? Their fire still burns in us—but
+deeper—more sacred. Don’t you feel that?
+[<i>Kissing her again and again.</i>] My Own! My Own!
+I have become you! You have become me! One
+heart! One blood! Ours! [<i>He pulls her to her feet
+and kisses her.</i>] My wife!——Come!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Almost swooning in his arms.</i>] My
+lover—yes—— My lover——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—Come! [<i>With his arms around her he leads
+her to the stairway. As they get to the foot, there
+is a noise from the hall. She hears it, starts, seems
+suddenly brought back to herself.</i> <span class='sc'>Cape</span> <i>is oblivious
+and continues up the stairs. She stands swaying,
+holding on to the banister as if in a daze. At the
+top</i>, <span class='sc'>Cape</span> <i>turns in surprise at not finding her, as if
+he had felt her behind him. He looks down passionately,
+stretching out his arms, his eyes glowing.</i>]
+Come!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Weakly.</i>] Ssshh! A moment—— Listen!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Bewilderedly.</i>] What? What is it?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—Ssshh—Listen—Someone—— [<i>She
+speaks in an unnatural, mechanical tone. A knock
+comes at the door. She gives a sort of gasp of relief.</i>]
+There.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Still bewilderedly as if something mysterious
+were happening that he cannot grasp.</i>]
+What—what——? [<i>Then as she takes a slow,
+mechanical step toward the door—with tense pleading.</i>]
+Nelly! Come here! [<i>She turns to look at
+him and is held by his imploring eyes. She sways
+irresolutely toward him, again reaching to the banister
+for support. Then a sharper knock comes at
+the door. It acts like a galvanic shock on her. Her
+eyes move in that direction, she takes another jerky
+step</i>, <span class='sc'>Cape</span> <i>stammers in a fierce whisper</i>.] No! Don’t
+go!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Without looking at him—mechanically.</i>]
+I must.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Frantically.</i>] They’ll go away. Nelly,
+don’t! Don’t! [<i>Again she stops irresolutely like a
+hypnotized person torn by two conflicting suggestions.
+The knock is repeated, this time with authority,
+assurance. Her body reacts as if she were throwing
+off a load.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>With a return to her natural tone—but
+hysterically.</i>] Please—don’t be silly, Michael.
+It might be—something important. [<i>She hurries to
+the door.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Rushing down the stairs—frantically.</i>]
+No! No! [<i>He just gets to the bottom as she opens
+the door. He stands there fixed, disorganized, trembling
+all over.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>As she sees who it is—in a relieved
+tone of surprise.</i>] Why, hello, John. Come in!
+Here’s Michael. Michael, it’s John. [<span class='sc'>Darnton</span>
+<i>steps into the room. He is a man of about fifty, tall,
+loose-limbed, a bit stoop-shouldered, with iron-gray
+hair, and a long, gaunt, shrewd face. He is not
+handsome but his personality compels affection. His
+eyes are round and childlike. They seem to understand
+sorrow without ever having known it. They
+see everyone with understanding, they never judge.
+The whole man has the quality of steadfastness. You
+feel he will always be there, unchanged, unchangeable,
+always serene and kindly, a cool rock for the
+fevered. He has no nerves. His voice is low and
+calming. He is dressed negligently but in expensive
+tweed.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>Shaking Eleanor by the hand.</i>]
+Hello, Nelly. I was on my way home from the
+theater and I thought I’d drop in for a second.
+Hello, Michael. When’d you get in? Glad to see
+you back. [<i>He comes to him and shakes his hand
+which</i> <span class='sc'>Cape</span> <i>extends jerkily, as if in spite of himself,
+without a word</i>.]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>After a glance at her husband—in a
+forced tone.</i>] We’re so glad you’ve come. Sit down.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>He becomes aware of the disharmonious
+atmosphere his appearance has created.</i>] I
+can’t stay a second. [<i>To</i> <span class='sc'>Cape</span>.] I wanted some
+news of the big play. I thought Nelly’d probably
+have heard from you. [<i>He slaps</i> <span class='sc'>Cape</span> <i>on the back
+with jovial familiarity</i>.] Well, how’s it coming?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>In a frozen tone.</i>] Oh,—all right—all
+right.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Uneasily.</i>] Won’t you have a cigarette,
+John? [<i>She takes the box from the table and
+holds it out to him.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>Taking one.</i>] Thanks, Nelly. [<i>He
+half-sits on the arm of a chair. She holds out a
+light to him.</i>] Thanks.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Nervously.</i>] Why don’t you sit down,
+Michael? [<i>He doesn’t answer. She goes to him with
+the cigarettes.</i>] Don’t you want a cigarette? [<span class='sc'>Cape</span>
+<i>stares at her with a hot glance of scorn. She recoils
+from it, turning quickly away from him, visibly
+shaken. Without appearing to notice</i>, <span class='sc'>Darnton</span>
+<i>scrutinizes their faces keenly, sizing up the situation</i>.]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>Breaking in matter-of-factly.</i>] You
+look done up, Michael.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>With a guilty start.</i>] I—I—I’m tired
+out.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>With a forced air.</i>] He’s been working
+too hard. He finished the last act only this
+afternoon.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>With a grunt of satisfaction.</i>] Glad
+to hear it—mighty glad. [<i>Abruptly.</i>] When can
+I see it?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—In a day or so—I want to go over——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—All right. [<i>Getting to his feet.</i>] Well,
+that’s that. I’ll run along.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Almost frightenedly.</i>] Do stay. Why
+don’t you read us the last act now, Michael?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Fiercely.</i>] No! It’s rotten! I hate the
+whole play!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>Easily.</i>] Suffering from the reaction.
+This play’s the finest thing you’ve done. [<i>He comes
+to</i> <span class='sc'>Cape</span> <i>and slaps him on the back reassuringly</i>.]
+And it’s the biggest chance the lady here has ever
+had. It’ll be a triumph for you both, wait and see.
+So cheer up—and get a good night’s rest. [<span class='sc'>Cape</span>
+<i>smiles with bitter irony</i>.] Well, good-night. [<span class='sc'>Cape</span>
+<i>nods without speaking</i>, <span class='sc'>Darnton</span> <i>goes to the door</i>,
+<span class='sc'>Eleanor</span> <i>accompanying him</i>.] Good-night, Nelly.
+Better start on your part—only don’t you overdo
+it, too. [<i>He pats her on the back.</i>] Good-night.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—Good-night. [<i>She closes the door
+after him. She remains there for a moment staring
+at the closed door, afraid to turn and meet</i> <span class='sc'>Cape’s</span>
+<i>fiercely accusing eyes which she feels fixed upon her.
+Finally, making an effort of will, she walks back to
+the table, avoiding his eyes, assuming a careless air.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Suddenly explodes in furious protest.</i>]
+Why did you do that?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>With an assumed surprise but with a
+guilty air, turning over the pages of a magazine.</i>]
+Do what?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Tensely, clutching her by the arm.</i>] You
+know what I mean! [<i>Unconsciously he grips her
+tighter, almost shaking her.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Coldly.</i>] You are hurting me. [<i>A
+bit shamefacedly</i>, <span class='sc'>Cape</span> <i>lets go of her arm. She
+glances quickly at his face, then speaks with a kind
+of dull remorse.</i>] I suppose I can guess—my going
+to the door?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—He would have gone away—— [<i>With
+anguish.</i>] Nelly, why did you?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Defensively.</i>] Wasn’t it important
+you should see John?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>With helpless anger.</i>] Don’t evade!
+[<i>With deep feeling.</i>] I should think you’d be
+ashamed.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>After a pause—dully.</i>] Perhaps—I
+am. [<i>A pause.</i>] I couldn’t help myself.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Intensely.</i>] You should have been oblivious
+to everything! [<i>Miserably.</i>] I—I can’t
+understand!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—That’s you, Michael. The other is me—or
+a part of me—I hardly understand myself.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Sinking down on a chair, his head in his
+hands.</i>] After all we’d been to each other tonight—!
+[<i>With bitter despondency.</i>] Ruined now—gone—a
+rare moment of beauty! It seems at times as if some
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>jealous demon of the commonplace were mocking our
+love—— [<i>With a violent gesture of loathing.</i>] Oh,
+how intolerably insulting life can be! [<i>Then
+brokenly.</i>] Nelly, why, why did you?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Dully.</i>] I—I don’t know. [<i>Then
+after a pause she comes over and puts her hand on
+his shoulder.</i>] Don’t brood, dear. I’m sorry. I
+hate myself. [<i>A pause. She looks down at him,
+seeming to make up her mind to something—in a
+forced tone.</i>] But—why is it gone—irrevocably—our
+beautiful moment? [<i>She strokes his hair.</i>] We
+have the whole night—— [<i>He stares up at her wonderingly.
+She forces a smile, half turning away.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>In wild protest.</i>] Nelly, what are you
+offering me—a sacrifice? Please!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Revolted.</i>] Michael! [<i>Then hysterically.</i>]
+No, forgive me! I’m the disgusting
+one! Forgive me! [<i>She turns away from him and
+throws herself on a chair, staring straight before
+her. Their chairs are side by side, each facing front,
+so near that by a slight movement each could touch
+the other, but during the following scene they stare
+straight ahead and remain motionless. They speak,
+ostensibly to the other, but showing by their tone it
+is a thinking aloud to oneself, and neither appears to
+hear what the other has said.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>After a long pause.</i>] More and more
+frequently. There’s always some knock at the door,
+some reminder of the life outside which calls you
+away from me.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—It is so beautiful—and then—suddenly
+I’m being crushed. I feel a cruel presence in you
+paralyzing me, creeping over my body, possessing it
+so it is no longer my body—then grasping at some
+last inmost thing which makes me me—my soul—demanding
+to have that, too! I have to rebel with all
+my strength—seize any pretext! Just now at the
+foot of the stairs—the knock on the door was—liberation.
+[<i>In anguish.</i>] And yet I love you! It’s
+because I love you! If I am destroyed, what is left
+to love you, what is left for you to love?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—I’ve grown inward into our life. But you
+keep trying to escape as if it were a prison. You
+feel the need of what is outside. I am not enough
+for you.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—Why is it I can never know you? I
+love you—and you’re strange. I try to know you
+and I can’t. I desire to take all of you into my heart,
+but there is a great alien force—— I hate that unknown
+power in you which would destroy me. [<i>Pleadingly.</i>]
+Haven’t I a right to myself as you have to
+yourself?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—You fight against me as if I were your
+enemy. Every word or action of mine which affects
+you, you resent. At every turn you feel your individuality
+invaded—while at the same time you are
+jealous of any separateness in me. You demand
+more and more while you give less and less. And I
+have to acquiesce. Have to? Yes, because I love
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span>you. I cannot live without you! You realize that!
+You take advantage of it while you despise me for
+my helplessness! [<i>This seems to goad him to desperation.</i>]
+But look out! I still have the strength
+to——! [<i>He turns his head and stares at her challengingly.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>As before.</i>] You insist that I have
+no life at all outside you. Even my work must exist
+only as an echo of yours. You hate my need of easy,
+casual associations. You think that weakness. You
+hate my friends. You are jealous of everything and
+everybody. You would wall me in——[<i>Resentfully.</i>]
+I have to fight. You are too severe. Your ideal is
+too inhuman. Why can’t you understand and be
+generous—be just! [<i>She turns to meet his eyes,
+staring back with resentful accusation. They look
+at each other in this manner for a long moment.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Averting his eyes and addressing her
+directly in a cold, sarcastic tone.</i>] Strange—that
+Darnton should pop in on us suddenly like that.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Resentfully.</i>] I don’t see anything
+strange about it.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—It’s past twelve——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—You’re in New York now.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Sharply.</i>] I’m quite aware of that.
+Nevertheless——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Shortly.</i>] He explained. Didn’t you
+hear him? He wanted news of the play and thought
+I might have a letter——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—That’s just the point. He had no idea he
+would find me here.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>About to fly at him, checks herself
+after a pause, coldly.</i>] Why shouldn’t he come to
+see me? He’s the oldest friend I’ve got. He gave
+me my first chance and he’s always helped me since.
+I owe whatever success I’ve made of my acting to his
+advice and direction.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Stung—sarcastically.</i>] Oh, undoubtedly!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—I suppose you think I ought to have
+said it’s to you I owe everything?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Dryly.</i>] I’d prefer to say it was to yourself,
+and no one else. [<i>After a pause—attempting a
+casual tone.</i>] Has he been in the habit of calling
+here while I’ve been gone? [<i>Hurriedly.</i>] Don’t misunderstand
+me. I’m merely asking a question.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Scornfully.</i>] Oh! [<i>A pause. She
+bites her lips—then coldly.</i>] Yes, he’s been here once
+before. [<i>Mockingly.</i>] And after the theater, too!
+Think of that!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Sneeringly.</i>] The same insatiable curiosity
+about my play?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Angrily.</i>] Michael! [<i>A pause—then
+scornfully.</i>] Don’t tell me you’re becoming
+jealous of John again!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Meaningly.</i>] Again. That’s just it.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Springing from her chair—excitedly.</i>]
+This is insufferable! [<i>Then calming herself
+with an effort—with a forced laugh.</i>] Please don’t
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>be so ridiculous, Michael. I’ll only lose my temper
+if you keep on. [<i>Then suddenly she makes up her
+mind and comes to him.</i>] Please stop, dear. We’ve
+made up our minds not to quarrel. Let’s drop it.
+[<i>She pats his head with a friendly smile.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Impulsively takes her hand and kisses it.</i>]
+All right. Forgive me. I’m all unstrung. His
+breaking in on us like that—— [<i>He relapses into
+frowning brooding again. She sits down, this time
+facing him, and looks at him uneasily.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>After a pause—rather irritably.</i>]
+It’s too absolutely silly, your being jealous of John.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—I’m not jealous of him. I’m jealous of you—the
+perverse something in you that repulses our
+love—the stranger in you.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>With a short laugh.</i>] I should think
+after five years——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Unheeding.</i>] And what makes me hate
+you at those times is that I know you like to make
+me jealous, that my suffering pleases you, that it
+satisfies some craving in you—for revenge!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Scornfully.</i>] Can’t you realize how
+absurd you are? [<i>Then with a forced placating
+laugh.</i>] No, really, Michael, it would be funny—if
+it weren’t so exasperating.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>After a pause—somberly.</i>] You mentioned
+our years together as proof. What of the
+years that preceded?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Challengingly.</i>] Well, what of them?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—By their light, I have plausible grounds
+for jealousy in Darnton’s case. Or don’t you acknowledge
+that?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—I deny it absolutely!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—Why, you’ve told me yourself he was in
+love with you for years, that he once asked you to
+marry him!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—Well, did I marry him?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—But he still loves you.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—Don’t be stupid!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—He does, I tell you!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—If you had any sense you’d know that
+his love has become purely that of an old friend.
+And I refuse to give up his friendship for your silly
+whims.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>After a pause in which they each brood
+resentfully—sarcastically.</i>] You were a shining exception,
+it appears. The other women he helped
+could hardly claim he had remained—merely their
+friend.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Vehemently.</i>] It’s a lie! You’re repeating
+low Broadway scandal. And even if it were
+true, you’d find it was they who offered themselves.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Significantly.</i>] Ah! [<i>Then after a
+pause.</i>] Perhaps because they felt it necessary for
+their careers.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Dryly.</i>] Perhaps. [<i>Then after a
+pause.</i>] But they discovered their mistake, then.
+John isn’t that type.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Suddenly.</i>] Why do you act so jealous—of
+those others?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Flushing angrily.</i>] I don’t. It’s
+your stupid imagination.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—Then why lose your temper?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—Because I resent your superior attitude
+that John had to bribe women to love him. Isn’t
+he as worthy of love—as you are?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Sarcastically.</i>] If I am to believe your
+story, you didn’t think so.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Irritably.</i>] Then let’s stop arguing,
+for heaven’s sake! Why do you always have to rake
+up the past? For the last year or so you’ve begun
+to act more and more as you did when we first lived
+together—jealous and suspicious of everything and
+everybody! [<i>Hysterically.</i>] I can’t bear it, Michael!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Ironically.</i>] You used to love me for it
+then.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Calming herself.</i>] Well, I can’t endure
+it now. It’s too degrading. I have a right to
+your complete faith. [<i>Reaching over and grasping
+his hands—earnestly.</i>] You know I have in your
+heart of hearts. You know I love you, that there
+can never be anyone but you. Forget the past. It
+wasn’t us. For your peace—and mine, Michael!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Moved—pressing her hands.</i>] All right.
+Let’s stop. It’s only that I’ve thought I’ve felt you
+drawing away——! Perhaps it’s all my super-sensitiveness—— [<i>Patting
+her hand and forcing a
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>smile.</i>] Let’s talk of something else. [<i>Cheerfully—after
+a pause.</i>] You can’t imagine how wonderful
+it’s been up in the country. There’s just enough
+winter in the air to make one energetic. No summer
+fools about. Solitude and work. I was happy—that
+is, as happy as I ever can be without you.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Withdrawing her hands from his with
+a quick movement—sarcastically.</i>] Thanks for that
+afterthought—but do you expect me to believe it?
+When you’re working I might die and you’d never
+know it.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Amused but irritated.</i>] There you go!
+You denounce my jealousy, but it seems to me your
+brand of it is much more ridiculous.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Sharply.</i>] You imagine I’m jealous
+of your work? You—you flatter yourself!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Stung—bitingly.</i>] It’s an unnatural passion
+certainly—in your case. And an extremely ungrateful
+passion, I might add!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Losing her temper completely.</i>] You
+mean I ought to be grateful for—— I suppose you
+think that without your work I—— [<i>Springing to
+her feet.</i>] Your egotism is making a fool of you!
+You’re becoming so exaggeratedly conceited no one
+can stand you! Everyone notices it!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Angrily.</i>] You know that’s untrue. You
+only say it to be mean. As for my work, you’ve
+acknowledged a million times——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—If I have—but please remember there
+are other playwrights in the world!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Bitingly.</i>] You were on the stage seven
+years before I met you. Your appearance in the
+work of other playwrights—you must admit you were
+anything but successful!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>With a sneer of rage.</i>] And I suppose
+you were?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—Yes! Not in your Broadway sense, perhaps,
+but——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—You’re contemptible! You know that’s
+the very last thing you can say of me. It was exactly
+because I wasn’t that kind—because I was an artist—that
+I found it so hard!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Unheeding.</i>] My plays had been written.
+The one you played in first was written three years
+before. The work was done. That’s the proof.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Scathingly.</i>] That’s absurd! You
+know very well if it hadn’t been for John, you——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Violently.</i>] Nonsense! There were other
+managers who——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—They didn’t want your work, you
+know it!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Enraged.</i>] I see what you’re driving at!
+You’d like to pretend I was as much dependent on
+Darnton as you were! [<i>Trembling all over with the
+violence of his passion.</i>] I should think you’d be
+ashamed to boast so brazenly—to me!—of what he
+had done for you!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—Why should I be ashamed of my gratitude?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—To drag that relationship out of the past
+and throw it in my face!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Very pale—tensely.</i>] What relationship?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Incoherently, strangled by his passion.</i>]
+Ask anyone—here—to Forty-second Street! [<i>Then
+suddenly with anguished remorse.</i>] No, no! I don’t
+mean that! [<i>Torturedly.</i>] Wounds! Wounds!
+For God’s sake, let’s stop!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Trembling with rage.</i>] I’ll never forget
+you said that! You cur!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Stung—in a passion again at once.</i>] Cur?
+Because I resent that man’s being here—late at night—when
+I was away? I would be a cur if I didn’t!
+Oh, I don’t mean I suspect you—now——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Viciously.</i>] What noble faith! Maybe
+you’re going to discover I don’t deserve it!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Unheeding.</i>] But there was scandal
+enough about you and him, and if you had any respect
+for me——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—I’ve lost it now!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—You wouldn’t deliberately open the
+way——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Tensely.</i>] So you believe—that gutter
+gossip? You think I——? Then all these
+years you’ve really believed——? Oh, you mean
+hypocrite!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Stung—bitingly.</i>] Don’t act moral indignation!
+What else could I have thought? When
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>we first fell in love, you confessed frankly you had
+had lovers—not Darnton but others——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Brokenly—with mingled grief and
+rage.</i>] I was an idiot! I should have lied to you!
+But I thought you’d understand—that I’d been
+searching for something—that I needed love—something
+I found at last in you! I tried to make you
+see the truth—the truth!—that those experiences
+had only served to make me appreciate you all the
+more when I found you! I told you how little these
+men had meant to me. I tried to convince you that
+in the state of mind I had been in it had no significance
+either one way or the other, and that such an
+attitude is possible for a woman without her being
+base. I thought you understood. But you didn’t,
+you’re not big enough for that! By your own experiences
+in the past you had made sex a degradation
+to yourself—and physical virtue the highest virtue in
+women! [<i>With a gesture of loathing.</i>] Always the
+physical! As if there could be only one attitude
+toward it for women!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Angrily protesting.</i>] What has all this
+silly generalizing to do with us? You forget that
+when we conceived the ideal of our marriage we <i>both</i>
+agreed that unfaithfulness would be the unpardonable
+sin—not because we regarded it as a crime in
+itself but because it was a symbol of our separate
+weak attitudes toward love in the past,—a sin against
+love, do you hear?—our love which we wished to
+make unique, beautiful, finer than other loves!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>With a wild ironical laugh.</i>] Words!
+Now I know why the women in your plays are so
+wooden! You ought to get down on your knees and
+thank me for breathing life into them!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Furiously.</i>] Good God, how dare you
+criticize creative work, actress!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Violently.</i>] You deny that I create——?
+Perhaps if I’d consent to give up the
+stage, have children and a home, take up knitting—— [<i>She
+laughs wildly.</i>] I’d be safe then, wouldn’t I?—reliable,
+guaranteed not to—— [<i>Her face seems
+suddenly to congeal.</i>] So you think that I was Darnton’s
+mistress—that I loved him—or do you believe
+I just sold myself for a career?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>In agony.</i>] No, no! For God’s sake,
+stop! I may have thought you once loved——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Frozenly.</i>] Well, it was—that—just
+that! When he first engaged me—I’d heard the
+gossip—I thought he expected—and I agreed with
+myself—it meant nothing to me one way or the other—nothing
+meant anything then but a chance to do
+my work, live my life—yes, I agreed—but you see
+he didn’t, he didn’t agree. He loved me but he saw
+I didn’t love him—that way—and he’s a finer man
+than you dream!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Hoarsely.</i>] You’re lying! [<i>Bewilderedly.</i>]
+I can’t believe——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Fiercely.</i>] Oh, yes you can! You
+want to! You do! And you’re glad! It makes me
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span>seem a lower creature than you thought, but you’re
+glad to know it just the same! You’re glad because
+now you can really believe that—nothing ever happened
+between us! [<i>She stares into his eyes and
+seems to read some confirmation of her statement
+there, for she cries with triumphant bitterness.</i>] It’s
+true! You can’t deny it!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Wildly.</i>] No! You devil, you, you read
+thoughts into my mind!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>With wild hysterical scorn.</i>] It’s
+true! How can I love you? How could I ever love
+you?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Clutching her in his arms fiercely.</i>] Stop!
+Stop! You do love me! [<i>He kisses her frantically.
+For a moment she submits, appears even to return
+his kisses in spite of herself.</i> <span class='sc'>Cape</span> <i>cries triumphantly</i>.]
+You do! [<i>She suddenly pushes him
+away and glares at him at arms’ length. Her features
+are working convulsively. Her whole tortured
+face expresses an abysmal self-loathing, a frightful
+hatred for him.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>As if to herself—in a strangled
+voice.</i>] No! You cannot crush—my loathing!
+[<i>Her face becomes deadly calm. She speaks with
+intense, cold hatred.</i>] Don’t kiss me. I despise you!
+I love him. He was—my lover—when you were
+away!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Stares dumbly into her eyes for a long
+moment—hoarsely, in agony.</i>] You lie! You lie!
+You only want to torture——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Deathly calm.</i>] It’s true! [<span class='sc'>Cape</span>
+<i>stares at her another second—then, with a snarl of
+fury like an animal’s he seizes her about the throat
+with both hands. He chokes her, forcing her down
+to her knees. She does not struggle but continues
+to look into his eyes with the same defiant hate. At
+last he comes to himself with a shudder and steps
+away from her. She remains where she is, only putting
+out her hand on the floor to support herself.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>In a terrible state, sobbing with rage and
+anguish.</i>] Gone! Dead! All our beauty gone! Oh,
+how I hate you! And you don’t love him! You lie!
+You did this out of hatred for me! You dragged
+our ideal in the gutter—with delight! [<i>Wildly.</i>]
+And you pride yourself you’ve killed it, do you, you
+actress, you barren soul? [<i>With savage triumph.</i>]
+But I tell you only a creator can really destroy!
+[<i>With a climax of frenzy.</i>] And I will! I will! I
+won’t give your hatred the satisfaction of seeing our
+love live on in me—to torture me! I’ll drag it lower
+than you! I’ll stamp it into the vilest depth! I’ll
+leave it dead! I’ll murder it—and be free! [<i>Again
+he threatens her, his hands twitching back toward
+her neck—then he rushes out of the door as if furies
+were pursuing him, slamming it shut behind him.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>With a cry of despair.</i>] Michael!
+[<i>She stops as hatred and rage overpower her again—leaps
+up and runs to the door—opens it and screams
+after him violently.</i>] Go! Go! I’m glad! I hate
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>you. I’ll go, too! I’m free! I’ll go—— [<i>She turns
+and runs up the stairs. She disappears for a moment,
+then comes back with a hat and coat on and,
+hurrying down the stairs again, rushes out leaving
+the door open behind her.</i>]</p>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c1'>
+<div class='nf-center c002'>
+    <div>[<i>The Curtain Falls</i>]</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<div>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>
+  <h3 class='c001'>ACT II</h3>
+</div>
+
+<div>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span>
+  <h4 class='c008'>ACT TWO<br> <span class='c011'>SCENE ONE</span></h4>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c012'><span class='sc'>Scene</span>—<i>Library of</i> <span class='sc'>John Darnton’s</span> <i>home in Connecticut,
+an hour or so from the city. The
+room is spacious, furnished in excellent taste.
+The rear wall is lined with bookshelves. On the
+wall above the shelves are hung framed photographs
+of stage-sets. A door is in the rear,
+toward right. A grand piano at left of door.
+Near it a round table with a bronze lamp. A
+smaller table with another lamp is in the left
+corner. In the right corner a big cushioned
+chair and an expensive Victrola. In the right
+wall, French windows opening on a porch. In
+the left wall, an open fireplace in which logs are
+burning. Before the fireplace, a double couch
+facing left and right. The lamp in the left corner
+is the only one lit. Over the fireplace, a
+framed, enlarged portrait study of</i> <span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>,
+<i>evidently taken some years before</i>.</p>
+
+<p class='c013'><i>As the curtain rises</i>, <span class='sc'>John Darnton</span> <i>is discovered.
+He is sitting in front of the fireplace,
+lost in an apathetic dream. His body is bent
+over wearily, the shoulders bowed, his long arms
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span>resting on his knees, his hands dangling. He
+sits on the extreme edge in the exact middle of
+the big couch, and this heightens the sense of
+loneliness about him, of a man growing old
+among dreams which become profitless as he feels
+the lack of a love that could understand and
+share them.</i></p>
+
+<p class='c013'><i>Suddenly he starts as the sound of a motor
+comes from the driveway. The car is heard
+driving up; it stops before the front door; its
+door is slammed, it drives off; a ringing of the
+doorbell sounds from somewhere back in the
+house.</i> <span class='sc'>Darnton</span> <i>has gotten up, gone toward
+the door in the rear, exclaiming irritably as the
+bell continues to ring</i>—All right, damn it! Who
+the devil——? [<i>He is heard opening the front
+door—in blank amazement.</i>] Nelly! [<i>Then
+her voice in a strained, hysterical pitch.</i>] John!
+I—— [<i>The rest is lost incoherently. Then his
+voice soothingly.</i>] Come in by the fire! Come
+in. [<i>He follows her into the room. Her face
+is pale, distraught, desperate. She comes quickly
+to the couch and flings herself down in one corner,
+staring into the fire. He stands nearby
+uncertainly, watching her. His face holds a
+confused mixture of alarm, tenderness, perplexity,
+passionate hope.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—You’re shivering. Come closer to the
+fire.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>With a startled movement.</i>] No—I—I’m
+warm. [<i>A pause. He waits for her to speak,
+not knowing what to think. She gradually collects
+herself. Memory crowds back on her and her face
+twitches with pain which turns to hatred and rage.
+She becomes conscious of</i> <span class='sc'>Darnton’s</span> <i>eyes, forces this
+back, her face growing mask-like and determined.
+She looks up at</i> <span class='sc'>Darnton</span> <i>and forces the words out
+slowly</i>.] John—you said, if ever—— You once said
+I might always come——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>His face lights up for a second with
+a joy that is incongruously savage—at once controlling
+this—simply.</i>] Yes, Nelly.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>A bit brokenly now.</i>] I hope—you
+meant that.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>Simply.</i>] Yes, I meant it.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—I mean—that you still mean it——?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>Forcing an awkward smile.</i>] Then—now—forever
+after, amen—any old time at all,
+Nelly. [<i>Then overcome by a rush of bewildered joy—stammering.</i>]
+Why—you ought to know——!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Smiling tensely.</i>] Would I still be
+welcome if I’d come—to stay?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>His voice quivering.</i>] Nelly! [<i>He
+starts toward her, then stops—in a low, uncertain
+voice.</i>] And Michael?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>With an exclamation of pain.</i>] Don’t!
+[<i>Quickly recovering herself—in a cold, hard voice.</i>]
+That’s—dead! [<span class='sc'>Darnton</span> <i>lets a held-back breath
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span>of suspense escape him</i>. <span class='sc'>Eleanor</span> <i>stammers a bit
+hysterically</i>.] Don’t talk of him! I’ve forgotten—as
+if he’d never lived! Do you still love me? Do
+you? Then tell me! I must know someone——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>Still uncertain, but coming nearer to
+her—simply.</i>] You knew once. Since then—— My
+God, you’ve guessed, haven’t you?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—I need to hear. You’ve never spoken—for
+years——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—There was—Michael.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Wildly, putting her hands up to her
+ears as if to shut out the name.</i>] Don’t!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—You loved him.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Intensely.</i>] I hate him! And he
+hates me! [<i>She shudders—then, driven by a desperate
+determination, forces a twisted smile.</i>] Why
+do you stand there? Are you afraid? I’m beginning
+to suspect—perhaps, you’ve only imagined you loved
+me——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—Nelly! [<i>He seizes one of her hands
+awkwardly and covers it with kisses—confusedly,
+with deep emotion.</i>] I—— You know—— Don’t
+joke—— You know I love you!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>With the same fixed smile.</i>] You
+must put your arms around me—and kiss me—on
+the lips——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>Takes her in his arms awkwardly and
+kisses her on the lips—with passionate incoherence.</i>]
+Nelly! I’d given up hoping—I—I can’t believe—— [<i>She
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span>submits to his kisses with closed eyes, her face
+like a mask, her body trembling with revulsion. Suddenly
+he seems to sense something disharmonious—confusedly.</i>]
+But you—you don’t care for me.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Still with closed eyes—dully.</i>] Yes.
+[<i>With a spurt of desperate energy she kisses him
+wildly several times, then sinks back again closing
+her eyes.</i>] I’m so tired, John—so tired!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>Immediately all concern.</i>] You’re
+trembling all over. I’m an idiot not to have seen—— Forgive
+me. [<i>He puts his hand on her forehead.</i>]
+You’re feverish. You’d better go to bed, young lady,
+right away. Come. [<i>He raises her to her feet.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Wearily.</i>] Yes, I’m tired. [<i>Bitterly.</i>]
+Oh, it’s good to be loved by someone who is unselfish
+and kind—after all the hate——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—Ssshh! [<i>Forcing a joking tone.</i>]
+I’m cast for the Doctor now. Doctor’s orders: don’t
+talk, don’t think, sleep. Come, I’ll show you your
+room.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Dully.</i>] Yes. [<i>As if she were not
+aware of what she is doing, she allows him to lead her
+to the door at right, rear. There she suddenly starts
+as if awakening—frightenedly.</i>] Where are we
+going?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>With gentle bullying.</i>] You’re going
+upstairs to bed.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>With a shudder—incoherently.</i>] No,
+no! Not now—no—wait—you must wait—— [<i>Then
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span>calming herself and trying to speak matter-of-factly.</i>]
+I’d rather stay up and sit with you. I
+must have gotten chilled. I want to sit by the fire.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>Worriedly, but giving in to her at
+once.</i>] All right. Whatever suits you. [<i>They go
+back to the fire. She sits in a chair which he pushes
+near it. He puts a cushion in back of her.</i>] How’s
+that?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>With a wan, grateful smile.</i>] You’re
+so kind, John. You’ve always been kind. You’re so
+different—— [<i>She checks herself, her face growing
+hard, and stares into the fire.</i> <span class='sc'>Darnton</span> <i>watches her
+face. There is a long pause.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>Finally—in a gentle tone.</i>] Nelly,
+don’t you think it’d help if you told me—everything
+that’s happened?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>With a shudder.</i>] No! It was all
+horror—and hatred—and disgust! [<i>Wildly resentful.</i>]
+Why do you make me remember? I’ve come
+to you. Why do you ask for reasons? [<i>With a
+harsh laugh.</i>] Are you jealous—of him?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>Quietly.</i>] I’ve always envied Michael.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—If you’d seen him tonight, you wouldn’t
+envy him. You’d despise him as I do. He is mean
+and contemptible! He makes everything as low as
+he is! He went away threatening, boasting he
+would——[<i>Hysterically.</i>] Why do you make me
+think of him? I hate him, I tell you! I want to be
+yours—yours! [<i>She throws herself into his arms.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_129'>129</span><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>Straining her to him—with awkward
+passion.</i>] Nelly! Yes—yes— [<i>Under his kisses
+her face again becomes mask-like, her body rigid,
+her eyes closed.</i> <span class='sc'>Darnton</span> <i>suddenly grows aware of
+this. He stares down at her face, his own growing
+bewildered and afraid. He stammers.</i>] Nelly!
+What is it?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Opening her eyes—in alarm.</i>]
+What——?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>With a sigh of relief.</i>] You gave me
+a scare. You were like a corpse.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Breaks away from him and bends over
+the fire with her trembling hands spread out to it.</i>]
+I—I’m so cold. I believe I do feel ill. I’ll go to bed.
+[<i>She moves toward the door.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>Uneasily—with a forced heartiness.</i>]
+Now you’re talking sense. Come on. [<i>He leads the
+way into the hall. She goes as far as the doorway—then
+stops. A queer struggle is apparent in her face,
+her whole body, as if she were fighting with all her
+will to overcome some invisible barrier which bars
+her way.</i> <span class='sc'>Darnton</span> <i>is watching her keenly now, a
+sad foreboding coming into his eyes. He steps past
+her back into the room, saying kindly but with a
+faint trace of bitterness.</i>] It’s the first door upstairs
+on your right—if you’d rather go alone. [<i>He
+walks still further away, then turns to watch her, his
+face growing more and more aware and melancholy.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Vaguely.</i>] No—you don’t understand——
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_130'>130</span>[<i>She stands swaying, reaching out her
+hand to the side of the doorway for support—dully.</i>]
+The first door to the right—upstairs?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—Yes.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Struggles with herself, confused and
+impotent, trying to will—finally turns to</i> <span class='sc'>Darnton</span>
+<i>like a forlorn child</i>.] John. Can’t you help me?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>Gravely.</i>] No—not now when I do
+understand. You must do it alone.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>With a desperate cry.</i>] I can! I’m
+as strong as he! I do! [<i>This breaks the spell which
+has chained her. She grows erect and strong. She
+walks through the doorway.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>With a triumphant exclamation of
+joy.</i>] Ah! [<i>He strides toward the doorway—then
+stops as he notices that she also has stopped at the
+bottom of the stairs, one foot on the first stair, looking
+up at the top. Then she wavers and suddenly
+bolts back into the room, gropingly, her face strained
+and frightened.</i> <span class='sc'>Darnton</span> <i>questions her with fierce
+disappointment</i>.] What is it? Why did you stop?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Forcing a twisted smile—wildly.</i>]
+You’re right. I must be feverish. [<i>Trying to control
+herself—self-mockingly.</i>] Seeing spooks, that’s
+pretty far gone, isn’t it? [<i>Laughing hysterically.</i>]
+Yes—I swear I saw him—standing at the head of the
+stairs waiting for me—just as he was standing when
+you knocked at our door, remember? [<i>She laughs.</i>]
+Really, it was too ridiculous—so plain——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—Ssshh! [<i>Glancing at her worriedly.</i>]
+Won’t you lie down here? Try and rest.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Allowing him to make her comfortable
+on the couch before the fire.</i>] Yes. [<i>Her eyes
+glance up into his bewilderedly.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>After a long pause—slowly.</i>] You
+don’t love me, Nelly.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Pitifully protesting.</i>] But I do,
+John! I do! You’re kind! You’re unselfish and
+fine! I do love you!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>With a wry smile.</i>] That isn’t me.
+You don’t love me.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Desperately defiant, leaps to her
+feet.</i>] I do! [<i>She takes his face between her hands
+and bringing her own close to it, stares into his eyes.
+He looks back into hers. She mutters fiercely between
+her clenched teeth.</i>] I do! I do love you!
+[<i>For a long moment they remain there, as she brings
+her face nearer and nearer striving with all her will
+to kiss him on the lips. Finally her eyes falter, her
+body grows limp, she turns away and throws herself
+on the couch in a fit of abandoned sobbing.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>With a sad smile.</i>] You see?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Her voice muffled—between sobs.</i>]
+But I—want to! And I will—I know—some day—I
+promise!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>Forcing a light tone.</i>] Well, I’ll be
+resigned to wait and hope then—and trust in your
+good intentions. [<i>After a pause—in a calming, serious
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_132'>132</span>tone.</i>] You’re calmer now? Tell me what happened
+between you and Michael.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—No! Please!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>Smiling but earnestly.</i>] It’ll relieve
+your mind, Nelly—and besides, how can I help you
+otherwise?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>After a pause—with resigned dullness.</i>]
+We’ve quarreled, but never like this before.
+This was final! [<i>She shudders—then suddenly bursts
+out wildly.</i>] Oh, John, for God’s sake don’t ask
+me! I want to forget! We tore each other to
+pieces, we destroyed one another! I realized I hated
+him! I couldn’t restrain my hate! I had to crush
+him as he was crushing me! [<i>After a pause—dully
+again.</i>] And so that was the end.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>Tensely, hoping again now—pleadingly.</i>]
+You’re sure, Nelly? You’re sure your love
+is dead——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Fiercely.</i>] I hate him!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>After a pause—earnestly.</i>] Then
+stay here. I think I can help you forget. Never
+mind what people say. Make this your home—and
+maybe—in time—— [<i>He forces a smile.</i>] You see,
+I’m already starting to nurse along that crumb of
+hope you gave. [<i>She is looking down, preoccupied
+with her own thoughts. He looks at her embarrassedly,
+then goes on gently, timidly persuasive.</i>]
+I don’t mind waiting. I’m used to it. And I’ve been
+hoping ever since I first met you—eight years ago,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_133'>133</span>isn’t it? [<i>Forcing a half laugh.</i>] I’ll admit when
+you married him the waiting and hoping seemed excess
+labor. I tried to fire them—thought I had—but
+when you came tonight—there they were right
+onto the job again! [<i>He laughs—then catching
+himself awkwardly.</i>] But hell! I don’t want to
+bother you now. Forget me. Will you stay here
+and rest up—treat this as your house? That’s the
+point.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>In a bland, absent-minded tone which
+wounds him.</i>] You’re so kind, John. [<i>Then following
+her own line of thought, she breaks out savagely.</i>]
+I told him I’d been your mistress while
+he was away!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>Amazed.</i>] Nelly!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—I had to tell that lie! He was degrading
+me! I had to revenge myself!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—But certainly he could never believe——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>With fierce triumph.</i>] Oh, I made
+him believe! [<i>Then dully.</i>] Then—he went away.
+He said he would kill our love as I had—worse—— [<i>With
+a twisted smile.</i>] That’s what he’s doing now.
+He has gone to one of those women he lived
+with before—— [<i>Laughing harshly.</i>] No! They
+wouldn’t be vile enough—for his beautiful revenge
+on me! He has a wonderful imagination. Everyone
+acknowledges that! [<i>She laughs with wild bitterness—this
+is transformed into a frenzy of rage.</i>] Oh,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_134'>134</span>how I loathe him! [<i>Then in agony.</i>] My God, why
+do I think——? Help me, John! Help me to forget—to
+love you!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>After a pause—with a sad, bitter
+helplessness.</i>] You mean—to hate him! Help you—to
+revenge yourself! But don’t you realize I can’t—you
+can’t—because—I see this damn clear now
+so don’t deny it!—because you still love him!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Fiercely.</i>] No! [<i>After a pause—brokenly.</i>]
+Don’t! I know! I hate myself for loving
+him! I hate him because I love him! [<i>She sobs
+heart-brokenly.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>After a pause, as her sobbing grows
+quieter—sadly.</i>] Go home.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—No! [<i>After a pause, brokenly.</i>] He
+hates me.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>With a grim smile.</i>] Because he loves
+you.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—He’ll never come back now.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>With bitter humor.</i>] Oh, yes he will;
+take my word for it. I know—because I happen to
+love you, too.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Faintly.</i>] And do you—hate me?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>After a pause—with melancholy self-disgust.</i>]
+No. I’m too soft. That’s why you’ve
+always liked me and never loved me. [<i>Bitterly.</i>] I
+ought to hate you! Twice now you’ve treated my
+love with the most humiliating contempt—— Once,
+years ago, when you were willing to endure it as the
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span>price of a career—again tonight, when you try to
+give yourself out of hate and love—love!—for him!
+[<i>In sudden furious revolt.</i>] Christ! What am I,
+eh? [<i>Then checking his anger and forcing a wry
+smile.</i>] I think your treatment has been rather hard
+to take, Nelly—and even now I’m not cured, at that!
+[<i>He laughs harshly and turns away to conceal his
+real hurt.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>With deep grief.</i>] Forgive me.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>As if to himself—reassuringly.</i>] Still—I
+would have been the poorest slave. I couldn’t
+have fought you like Michael. Perhaps, deep down,
+I’m glad——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—Don’t say that! If I could have loved
+you—if I could love you now—I’d be happy.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—You’d have grown to despise a slave
+long ago. [<i>Then bluntly.</i>] You’d better go home
+right away.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Dully.</i>] Even if he has——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>Brusquely.</i>] You know you’ve got
+to—no matter what!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—How can I have faith? And how can
+I ever make him believe I lied about you? How can
+he ever trust me about us—here—tonight? [<i>Miserably.</i>]
+Oh, don’t you see how impossible——!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>Impatiently.</i>] But evidently you
+must. Face the truth in yourself. Must you—or
+mustn’t you?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>After a moment’s defiant struggle
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span>with herself—forlornly.</i>] Yes. [<i>After a pause, with
+a gesture toward the door and a weary, beaten smile.</i>]
+Upstairs—if I could have gone—I’d have been free.
+But he’s trained me too well in his ideal. And I
+love him. From the depths of my humiliation I love
+him! [<i>Despairingly.</i>] But when I think of what he’s
+doing, of what he will do to crush——! I hate him!
+I hate him so terribly that——! [<i>She stops, trembling
+with passion, her face convulsed—then, shrugging
+her shoulders, fatalistically.</i>] It’s broken me.
+I’m no longer anything. So what does it matter
+how weak I am? Let him win. [<i>A slight pause.</i>]
+I begin to know—something. [<i>With a sudden queer,
+exultant pride.</i>] I love him! But my love for him
+is my own, not his! My love for him he can never
+possess! It is <i>my</i> own! It is <i>my</i> life! [<i>She turns to</i>
+<span class='sc'>Darnton</span> <i>determinedly</i>.] I must go home now.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>Wonderingly.</i>] Good. I’ll drive you
+back. [<i>He starts for the door.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Suddenly grasping his arm.</i>] Wait.
+[<i>Affectionately.</i>] I was forgetting you—as usual.
+How can you forgive me? What can I do——?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>With a wry smile.</i>] Forget, Nelly.
+Remember me as a manager. Study your part; help
+Michael; and we’ll all three be enormously successful!
+[<i>He laughs mockingly.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Tenderly.</i>] I’ll always believe Fate
+should have let me love you, instead.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>With the same wry smile.</i>] While
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span>I begin to suspect that in a way I’m lucky—to be
+heart-broken. Our might-have-beens are more enjoyable—as
+dreams, eh? [<i>With a laugh.</i>] Curtain!
+You’ll want to go upstairs and powder your nose.
+There’s no angel with a flaming sword there now, is
+there? [<i>He points to the doorway.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>With a tired smile.</i>] No. [<i>She goes
+to the doorway. He follows her. They both stop
+there for a moment instinctively and smile forlornly
+at each other.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>Impulsively.</i>] One question: That
+time you stood here and called to me for help—if I
+could have given you a push, mental, moral, physical——?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Smiling.</i>] Might-have-beens, John!
+[<i>Then earnestly.</i>] You didn’t because you couldn’t.
+It wouldn’t have helped, anyway. The angel was
+here. [<i>She touches her breast.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>With a sigh.</i>] Thanks. That saves
+me a life-long regret.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Earnestly—gripping his right hand
+in hers and holding his eyes.</i>] There must be no
+regrets—ever—between old friends.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>Gripping her hand in turn.</i>] No, I
+promise, Nelly. [<i>Then, letting her hand drop and
+turning away to conceal his emotion—forcing a joking
+tone.</i>] After all, friendship is sounder, saner—more
+in the picture for my type, eh?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Absent-minded again now—vaguely.</i>]
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span>I don’t know. [<i>Then briskly.</i>] We must hurry. I’ll
+be right down. [<i>She goes out and up the stairway
+in the hall.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Darnton</span>—[<i>Stares up after her for a second,
+then smiling grimly.</i>] Well, business of living on as
+usual. [<i>He passes his arm here and there in the
+open doorway as if he were a magician—with bitter
+irony.</i>] You see—nothing there! Invisible cobwebs—cast-iron
+cobwebs! [<i>He laughs harshly.</i>] Catching
+title for a play. I’ll tell Michael! [<i>He laughs
+again—checks himself—then walks out, calling up
+the stairs.</i>] I’m going to get the car, Nelly.</p>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c1'>
+<div class='nf-center c002'>
+    <div>[<i>The Curtain Falls</i>]</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<div>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span>
+  <h4 class='c008'>ACT TWO<br> <span class='c011'>SCENE TWO</span></h4>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c012'><span class='sc'>Scene</span>—<i>A dingy bedroom in a Sixth Avenue “bed
+house.” In the rear, center, a door leading into
+the hall. A chair to left of door. In the left
+corner, a washstand with bowl, pitcher, towels,
+etc. In the left wall, center, a small window with
+a torn dark shade pulled down. On the right,
+a bed. A filthy threadbare carpet on the floor.
+Ugly wall paper, dirty, stained, criss-crossed
+with match-strokes.</i></p>
+
+<p class='c013'><i>When the curtain rises, the room is in darkness
+except for a faint glow on the window shade
+from some street lamp. Then the door is opened
+and a woman’s figure is silhouetted against the
+dim, yellow light of the hall. She turns and
+speaks to someone who is following her. Her
+voice is heavy and slow with the strong trace
+of a foreign intonation, although the words are
+clearly enough defined.</i></p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—Got a match? [<i>A man’s figure appears
+behind hers. He fumbles in his pockets, hands her
+a match without speaking. She strikes it on the wall,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>lights the gas jet near the door. The room is revealed
+in sordid detail in the tarnished yellow light.
+The</i> <span class='sc'>Woman</span> <i>is fairly young. Her face, rouged, powdered,
+penciled, is broad and stupid. Her small eyes
+have a glazed look. Yet she is not ugly—rather
+pretty for her bovine, stolid type—and her figure is
+still attractive although its movements just now are
+those of a tired scrubwoman’s. She takes off her
+coat, hangs it on a hook, then goes to a mirror on the
+wall over the washstand, and removes her hat.</i></p>
+
+<p class='c000'><i>The man is</i> <span class='sc'>Michael Cape</span>. <i>He is bare-headed,
+his hair disheveled, his eyes wild, his face has a feverish,
+mad expression. He stands in the doorway
+watching each movement of the</i> <span class='sc'>Woman’s</span> <i>with an
+unnatural preoccupied concentration</i>.]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>Having removed her hat and put it on
+the washstand, turns to him impatiently.</i>] Ain’t you
+comin’ in? [<i>He starts and nods stupidly, moving
+his lips as if answering but not making a sound.</i>]
+Come in! Shut the door. [<i>He does so and locks it
+mechanically—then looks from her around the room
+with a frightened, puzzled glance as if he were aware
+of his surroundings for the first time.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>Forcing a trade smile—with an attempt
+at lightness.</i>] Well, here we are, dearie.
+[<i>Then with a sigh of physical weariness as she sits
+on the side of the bed.</i>] Gawd, I’m tired! My feet
+hurt fierce! I been walkin’ miles. I got corns, too.
+[<i>She sighs again, this time with a sort of restful
+content.</i>] It’s good ‘n’ warm in this dump, I’ll
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span>hand it that. [<i>A pause.</i>] I’d gave up hope and was
+beatin’ it home when you come along. [<i>A pause during
+which she takes him in calculatingly.</i>] How’d
+you lose your hat? [<i>He starts, passes a trembling
+hand through his hair bewilderedly but does not answer.
+A pause—then the</i> <span class='sc'>Woman</span> <i>sighs and yawns
+wearily—bored</i>.] Can’t you say nothin’? You was
+full enough of bull when you met me. Gawd, I
+thought you’d get us both pinched. You acted like
+you was crazy. Remember kissing me on the corner
+with a whole mob pipin’ us off?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>With a start—evidently answering some
+train of thought in his mind—with a wild laugh.</i>]
+Remember? [<i>He sinks on the chair with his head in
+his hands. There is a pause.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>Insinuatingly.</i>] Goin’ to stay all
+night? [<i>He glances up at her stupidly but doesn’t
+answer. The</i> <span class='sc'>Woman</span> <i>insists dully</i>.] Say, you got
+ear-muffs on? I ast you, d’you wanta stay all night?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>After a moment’s groping, nods emphatically
+again and again, swallowing hard several times
+as if he were striving to get control of his voice—finally
+blurts out in a tone of desperation.</i>] Yes—yes—of
+course!—Where else would I go?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—Home. [<i>Indifferently.</i>] That’s where
+most of ’em goes—afterwards.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>With a sudden burst of wild laughter.</i>]
+Ha-ha-ha. Home! Is that your private brand of
+revenge—to go with men with homes? I congratulate
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_142'>142</span>you! [<i>He laughs to himself with bitter irony—then
+suddenly deadly calm.</i>] Yes, I have a home,
+come to think of it—from now on Hell is my home!
+I suspect we’re fellow-citizens. [<i>He laughs.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>Superstitiously.</i>] You oughtn’t to say
+them things.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>With dull surprise.</i>] Why?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—Somep’n might happen. [<i>A pause.</i>]
+Don’t you believe in no God?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—I believe in the devil!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>Frightened.</i>] Say! [<i>Then after a
+pause, forcing a smile.</i>] I’m wise to what’s wrong
+with you. You been lappin’ up some bum hooch.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Jerkily.</i>] No. I’m not drunk. I thought
+of that—but—it’s evasion. [<i>Wildly.</i>] And I must
+be conscious—fully conscious, do you understand?—of
+what I do! I will this act as a symbol of release—of
+the end of all things! [<i>He stops, shuddering.
+She looks at him stolidly. A pause. He
+presses his hands to his forehead.</i>] My brain burns
+up! [<i>Suddenly striking his head with both fists—in
+a frenzy.</i>] Stop thinking, damn you! Stop! [<i>Then
+after a pause—dully.</i>] How long——? What time
+is it?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—Little after two, I guess.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Amazed.</i>] Only that? [<i>She nods.</i>]
+Only two hours since——? [<i>A pause.</i>] I remember
+streets—lights—dead faces—— Then you—your
+face alone was alive for me, alive with my deliverance!
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span>That was why I kissed you. You shall
+avenge me!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>Looking at him queerly.</i>] Say, you
+talk nutty. Been dopin’ up on coke, I bet you.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>With an abrupt exclamation.</i>] Ha!
+[<i>He stares at her with unnatural intensity.</i>] You
+seem to take it quite casually that men must be either
+drunk or doped—otherwise——! Marvelous! You,—you
+are the last depth—— [<i>With a strange, wild
+exultance, leaps to his feet.</i>] You are my salvation!
+You have the power—and the right—to defile beauty
+and murder love! You can satisfy hate and exhaust
+it! Will you let me kiss you again? [<i>He
+strides over to her.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>In a stupid state of bewilderment, feeling
+she has been insulted but not exactly knowing
+by what or how to resent it—angrily, pushing him
+away.</i>] No! Get away from me! [<i>Then afraid
+she may lose his trade by this rebuff.</i>] Aw, all right.
+Sure you can. [<i>Making a tremendous visible effort
+he kisses her on the lips, then shrinks back with a
+shudder and forces a harsh laugh. She stares at him
+and mutters resentfully.</i>] O’ny don’t get so fresh,
+see? I don’t like your line of talk. [<i>He slumps
+down on the chair again, sunk in a somber stupor.
+She watches him. She yawns. Finally she asks insinuatingly.</i>]
+Ain’t you gettin’ sleepy?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Starting—with wild scorn.</i>] Sleep! Do
+you think I——? [<i>Staring at her.</i>] Oh—I see—you
+mean, what did I come here for?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_144'>144</span><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>In same tone.</i>] It’s gettin’ late.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Dully, with no meaning to his question—like
+an automaton.</i>] A little after two?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—Yes. [<i>She yawns.</i>] You better let me
+go to bed and come yourself.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Again staring at her with strange intensity—suddenly
+with a queer laugh.</i>] How long
+have you and I been united in the unholy bonds of—bed-lock?
+[<i>He chuckles sardonically at his own play
+on words.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>With a puzzled grin.</i>] Say!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—Ten thousand years—about—isn’t it? Or
+twenty? Don’t you remember?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>Keeping her forced grin.</i>] Tryin’ to
+kid me, ain’t you?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—Don’t lie about your age! You were beside
+the cradle of love, and you’ll dance dead drunk on
+its grave!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—I’m only twenty-six, honest.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>With a wild laugh.</i>] A fact! You’re
+right. Thoughts keep alive. Only facts kill—deeds!
+[<i>He starts to his feet.</i>] Then hate will let me alone.
+Love will be dead. I will be as ugly as the world.
+My dreams will be low dreams. I’ll “lay me down
+among the swine.” Will you promise me this, you?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>Vaguely offended—impatiently.</i>] Sure,
+I’ll promise anything. [<i>She gets up to start undressing.
+She has been pulling the pins out of her
+hair and, as she rises, it falls over her shoulders in
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span>a peroxided flood. She turns to him, smiling with
+childish pride.</i>] D’you like my hair, kid? I got a
+lot of it, ain’t I?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Laughing sardonically.</i>] “O love of mine,
+let down your hair and I will make my shroud of it.”</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>Coquettishly pleased.</i>] What’s that—po’try?
+[<i>Then suddenly reminded of something she
+regards him calculatingly—after a pause, coldly.</i>]
+Say, you ain’t broke, are you? Is that what’s
+troubling you?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Startled—then with bitter mockery.</i>]
+Ha! I see you’re a practical person. [<i>He takes a
+bill from his pocket and holds it out to her—contemptuously.</i>]
+Here!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>Stares from the bill to him, flushing
+beneath her rouge.</i>] Say! I don’t like the way you
+act. [<i>Proudly.</i>] I don’t take nothin’ for nothin’—not
+from you, see!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Surprised and ashamed.</i>] I’ll leave it
+here, then. [<i>He puts it on top of the washstand
+and turns to her—embarrassedly.</i>] I didn’t mean—to
+offend you.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>Her face clearing immediately.</i>] Aw,
+never mind. It’s all right.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Staring at her intently—suddenly deeply
+moved.</i>] Poor woman!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>Stung—excitedly.</i>] Hey, none of that!
+Nix! Cut it out! I don’t stand for that from
+nobody! [<i>She sits down on the bed angrily.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>With unnatural intensity.</i>] Do you know
+what you are? You’re a symbol. You’re all the
+tortures man inflicts on woman—and you’re the
+revenge of woman! You’re love revenging itself upon
+itself! You’re the suicide of love—of my love—of all
+love since the world began! [<i>Wildly.</i>] Listen to me!
+Two hours ago—— [<i>Then he beats his head with
+both clenched hands—distractedly.</i>] Leave me alone!
+Leave me alone, damn you! [<i>He flings himself on the
+chair in a violent outburst of dry sobbing.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>Bewilderedly.</i>] Say! Say! [<i>Then
+touched, she comes to him and puts her arms around
+his shoulders, on the verge of tears herself.</i>] Aw,
+come on, kid. Quit it. It’s all right. Everything’s
+all right, see. [<i>As his sobbing grows quieter—helpfully.</i>]
+Say, maybe you ain’t ate nothin’, huh?
+Maybe soup’d fix you. S’posin’ I go round the corner,
+huh? Sure, all I got to do is put up my hair——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Controlling hysterical laughter—huskily.</i>]
+No—thanks. [<i>Then his bitter memories rush
+back agonizingly. He stammers wildly.</i>] She confessed—with
+hate! She was proud of her hate! She
+was proud of my torture. She screamed: “I hate
+you! I’ll go too.” Go where? Did she go? Yes,
+she must——! Oh, my God! Stop! Stop! [<i>He
+springs up, his face distorted, and clutches the</i>
+<span class='sc'>Woman</span> <i>fiercely in his arms</i>.] Save me, you! Help
+me to kill this beauty which she defiled! Help me
+to gain the peace which is the death of love. [<i>He
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span>kisses her again and again frenziedly. She submits
+stolidly. Finally with a groan he pushes her away,
+shuddering with loathing, and sinks back on the
+chair.</i>] No! I can’t—I can’t!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>Wiping her lips with the back of her
+hand—a vague comprehension coming into her face—scornfully.</i>]
+Huh! I got a hunch now what’s eatin’
+you. [<i>Then with a queer sort of savage triumph.</i>]
+Well, I’m glad one of youse guys got paid back like
+you oughter!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>With dull impotent rage.</i>] I can’t! I
+love her! [<i>As if he were defying himself by this confession.</i>]
+Yes, I still love her! And I can’t! I only
+hate because I love—I’m the weaker. Our love must
+live on in me. There is no death for it. There is
+no freedom—while I live. [<i>Struck by a sudden
+thought.</i>] Then, why——? [<i>A pause.</i>] An end of
+loathing—in a second, peace—no wounds, no memories—sleep!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>With a shudder.</i>] Say, you’re beginning
+to give me the creeps.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Startled—with a forced laugh.</i>] Am I?
+Well, never mind. [<i>He shakes his head as if to drive
+some thought from his mind and forces a trembling,
+mocking smile.</i>] That’s over. The great temptation,
+isn’t it? I suppose you’ve known it. But also the
+great evasion. Too simple for the complicated,—too
+weak for the strong, too strong for the weak. One
+must go on, eh?—even wounded, on one’s knees—if
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span>only out of curiosity to see what will happen—to oneself.
+[<i>He laughs harshly and turns with a quick
+movement toward the door.</i>] Well, good-by, and
+forgive me. It isn’t you, you know. You’re the
+perfect death—but I’m too strong, or weak—no,
+merely I’m myself—and that myself can’t, you understand—can’t!
+So, good-by. [<i>He goes to the
+door.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>Frightenedly.</i>] Say! What’re you
+goin’ to do?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—Go on in the dark.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—You better beat it home, that’s what.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Violently.</i>] No! [<i>Then bitterly.</i>] I
+came home once tonight——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>Wearily.</i>] Aw, forget it. She’s your
+wife, ain’t she?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—How do you know? [<i>He comes back to
+her, curiously attracted.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>Cynically.</i>] Aw, I’m wise. Stick to
+her, see? You’ll get over it. You can get used to
+anything, take it from me!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>In anguish.</i>] Don’t! But it’s true—it’s
+the insult we all swallow as the price of life. [<i>Rebelliously.</i>]
+But I——!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>With a sort of forlorn chuckle.</i>] Oh,
+you’ll go back, aw right! Don’t kid yourself. You’ll
+go back no matter what, and you’ll learn to like it.
+Don’t I know? You love her, don’t you? Well,
+then! There’s no use buckin’ that game. Go home.
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span>Kiss and make up. Ferget it. It’s easy to ferget—when
+you got to! [<i>She finishes up with a cynical,
+weary scorn.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Very pale—stammering.</i>] You—you
+make life despicable.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>Angrily.</i>] Say! [<i>Then with groping,
+growing resentment.</i>] I don’t like your talk! You’ve
+pulled a lot of bum cracks about—about—never
+mind, I got you, anyhow! You ain’t got no right—— What’d
+you wanter pick me up for, anyway? Wanter
+just get me up here to say rotten things? Wanter
+use me to pay her back? Say! Where do I come in?
+Guys go with me ‘cause they like my looks, see?—what
+I am, understand?—but you, you don’t want
+nothin’. You ain’t drunk, neither! You just don’t
+like me. And you was beatin’ it leavin’ your money
+there—without nothin’. I was goin’ to let you then,
+I ain’t now. [<i>She suddenly gives him a furious push
+which sends him reeling back against the wall.</i>]
+G’wan! Take your lousy coin and beat it! I
+wouldn’t take nothin’, nor have nothin’ to do with
+you if you was to get down on your knees!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Stares at her—an expression comes as if
+he were seeing her for the first time—with great
+pity.</i>] So—it still survives in you. They haven’t
+killed it—that lonely life of one’s own which suffers
+in solitude. [<i>Shamefacedly.</i>] I should have known.
+Can you forgive me?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>Defensively.</i>] No!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—Through separate ways love has brought
+us both to this room. As one suffering, lonely human
+being to another, won’t you——?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>Struggling with herself—harshly.</i>]
+No!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Gently.</i>] Not even if I ask it on my
+knees? [<i>He kneels before her, looking up into her
+face.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>Bewildered, with hysterical fierceness.</i>]
+No! Git up, you——! Don’t do that, I tell you!
+Git up or I’ll brain yuh! [<i>She raises her fist threateningly
+over his head.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Gently.</i>] Not until you——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>Exhaustedly.</i>] Aw right—aw right—I
+forgive——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Gets up and takes her face between his
+hands and stares into her eyes—then he kisses her on
+the forehead.</i>] Sister.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>With a half sob.</i>] Nix! Lay off of
+me, can’t you?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—But I learned that from you.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>Stammering.</i>] What?—loined what?
+[<i>She goes away from him and sinks on the bed exhaustedly.</i>]
+Say, you better beat it.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—I’m going. [<i>He points to the bill on the
+washstand.</i>] You need this money. You’ll accept
+it from me now, won’t you?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>Dully.</i>] Sure. Leave it there.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>In the same gentle tone.</i>] You’ll have to
+give it to him in the morning?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>Dully.</i>] Sure.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—All of it?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—Sure.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—Or he’d beat you?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—Sure. [<i>Then suddenly grinning.</i>]
+Maybe he’ll beat me up, anyway—just for the fun
+of it.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—But you love him, don’t you?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—Sure. I’m lonesome.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—Yes. [<i>After a slight pause.</i>] Why did
+you smile when you said he’d beat you, anyway?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—I was thinkin’ of the whole game. It’s
+funny, ain’t it?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Slowly.</i>] You mean—life and love?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—Sure. You got to laugh, ain’t you?
+Sure! You got to loin to like it!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>This makes an intense impression on him.
+He nods his head several times.</i>] Yes! That’s it!
+That’s exactly it! That goes deeper than wisdom.
+To learn to love the truth of life—to accept it and
+be exalted—that’s the one faith left to us! [<i>Then
+with a tremulous smile.</i>] Good-by, I’ve joined your
+church. I’m going home.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>With a grin that is queerly affectionate.</i>]
+Sure. That’s the stuff. Close your eyes and
+your feet’ll take you there.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Impressed again.</i>] Yes! Yes! Of course
+they would! They’ve been walking there for
+thousands of years—blindly. However, I’ll keep
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span>my eyes open—— [<i>He smiles back at her affectionately.</i>] ——and
+learn to like it!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>Grinning.</i>] Sure. Good luck.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—Good-by. [<i>He goes out, closing the door
+after him. She stares at the door for a moment,
+listening to his footsteps as they die out down the
+stairs. Then she takes a comb from her bag and,
+going to the mirror, starts to comb her hair. She
+is preoccupied and her hand suddenly stops.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Woman</span>—[<i>Confusedly.</i>] Say——? [<i>She stares
+at herself with a vaguely-troubled, ruminating
+stolidity. Then with a sigh she goes on combing
+her hair.</i>]</p>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c1'>
+<div class='nf-center c002'>
+    <div>[<i>The Curtain Falls</i>]</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<div>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span>
+  <h3 class='c001'>ACT III</h3>
+</div>
+
+<div>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span>
+  <h4 class='c008'>ACT THREE</h4>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c012'><span class='sc'>Scene</span>—<i>Same as Act One, the</i> <span class='sc'>Capes’</span> <i>apartment,
+about five o’clock the same morning. The door
+to the hall is still open, the reading lamp alight,
+everything exactly as at the close of</i> <span class='sc'>Act One</span>.</p>
+
+<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span> <i>is standing by the table, leaning her
+back against it, facing the door, her whole attitude
+strained, expectant but frightened,
+tremblingly uncertain whether to run and hide
+from, or run forward and greet</i> <span class='sc'>Cape</span>, <i>who is
+standing in the doorway. For a long, tense moment
+they remain fixed, staring into each other’s
+eyes with an apprehensive questioning. Then,
+as if unconsciously, falteringly, with trembling
+smiles, they come toward each other. Their lips
+move as if they were trying to speak. When
+they come close, they instinctively reach out
+their hands in a strange conflicting gesture of
+a protective warding off and at the same time
+a seeking possession. Their hands clasp and
+they again stop, searching each other’s eyes.
+Finally their lips force out words.</i></p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Penitently.</i>] Michael!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Humbly.</i>] Nelly! [<i>They smile with a
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>queer understanding, their arms move about each
+other, their lips meet. They seem in a forgetful,
+happy trance at finding each other again. They
+touch each other testingly as if each cannot believe
+the other is really there. They act for the moment
+like two persons of different races, deeply in love but
+separated by a barrier of language.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Rambling tenderly.</i>] Michael—I—— Dearest—I
+was afraid——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Stammering.</i>] Nelly—it’s so good!—I
+thought—my own—you’d gone—— [<i>They stare
+at each other—a pause.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Beginning to be aware—a bit bewilderedly,
+breaking away from him with a little
+shiver—stupidly.</i>] I feel—there’s a draught, isn’t
+there?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Becoming aware in his turn—heavily.</i>]
+I’ll shut the door. [<i>He goes and does so. She
+walks to her chair and sits down. He comes and sits
+beside her. They are now side by side as in Act
+One. A pause. They stare ahead, each frowningly
+abstracted. Then each, at the same moment, steals
+a questioning side glance at the other. Their eyes
+meet, they look away, then back, they stare at each
+other with a peculiar dull amazement, recognition
+yet non-recognition. They seem about to speak, then
+turn away again. Their faces grow sad, their eyes
+begin to suffer, their bodies become nervous and
+purposeless. Finally</i> <span class='sc'>Cape</span> <i>exclaims with a dull
+resentment directed not at her but at life</i>.] What
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span>is—it? [<i>He makes a gesture of repulsing something
+before him.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>In his tone.</i>] I don’t know.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Harshly.</i>] A moment ago—there—— [<i>He
+indicates where they had stood in an embrace.</i>]
+We knew everything. We understood!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Eagerly.</i>] Oh, yes!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Bitterly.</i>] Now—we must begin to think—to
+continue going on, getting lost——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Sadly.</i>] It was happy to forget.
+Let’s not think—yet.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Grimly.</i>] We’ve begun. [<i>Then with a
+harsh laugh.</i>] One must explain. Thinking explains.
+It eliminates the unexplainable—by which
+we live.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Warningly.</i>] By which we love.
+Sssh! [<i>A pause.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Wonderingly—not looking at her.</i>] You
+have learned that, too?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>With a certain exultance.</i>] Oh, yes,
+Michael—yes! [<i>She clasps his hand. A pause.
+Then she murmurs.</i>] Now—we know peace. [<i>Their
+hands drop apart. She sighs.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Slowly.</i>] Peace isn’t our meaning.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Suddenly turns and addresses him directly
+in a sad, sympathetic tone.</i>] You’ve something
+you want to ask me, Michael?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Turns to her with an immediate affirmative
+on his lips, checks it as he meets her eyes, turns
+away—a pause—then he turns back humbly.</i>] No.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Her head has been averted since he
+turned away—without looking at him.</i>] Yes.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Decisively.</i>] No, Nelly. [<i>She still keeps
+her head averted. After a pause he asks simply.</i>]
+Why? Is there something you want to ask me?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—No. [<i>After a pause—with a trace of
+bitter humor.</i>] I can’t be less magnanimous than you,
+can I?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—Then there is something——?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—Haven’t you something you want to
+tell?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Looks at her. Their eyes meet again.</i>]
+Yes—the truth—if I can. And you?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—Yes, I wish to tell you the truth.
+[<i>They look into each other’s eyes. Suddenly she
+laughs with a sad self-mockery.</i>] Well, we’ve both
+been noble. I haven’t asked you; you haven’t asked
+me; and yet—— [<i>She makes a helpless gesture with
+her hands. A pause. Then abruptly and mechanically.</i>]
+I’ll begin at the beginning. I left here right
+after you did.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>With an involuntary start.</i>] Oh! [<i>He
+checks himself.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Her eyes reading his—after a pause—a
+bit dryly.</i>] You thought I’d stayed here all
+the time? [<i>Mockingly.</i>] Waiting for you?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Wounded.</i>] Don’t! [<i>After a pause—painfully.</i>]
+When I found you—perhaps I
+hoped——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Dully.</i>] I had only been back a few
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span>minutes. [<i>After a pause.</i>] Was that why you
+seemed so happy—there——? [<i>She points to the
+spot where they had stood embraced.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Indignantly.</i>] No, no! Don’t think
+that! I’m not like that—not any more! [<i>Without
+looking at her he reaches out and clasps her hand.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Looks at him—after a pause, understandingly.</i>]
+I’m sorry——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Self-defensively.</i>] Of course, I knew you
+must have gone, you’d have been a fool to stay.
+[<i>Excitedly.</i>] And it doesn’t matter—not a damn!
+I’ve gotten beyond that.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Misunderstanding—coldly.</i>] I’m glad.
+[<i>A pause. She asks coldly.</i>] Shall I begin again?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Struggling with himself—disjointedly.</i>]
+No—not unless—I don’t need—— I’ve changed.
+That doesn’t matter. I—[<i>With a sudden twisted
+grin.</i>] I’m learning to like it, you see.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Looks at him, strangely impressed—a
+pause—slowly.</i>] I think I know what you mean.
+We’re both learning.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Wonderingly.</i>] You——? [<i>She has
+turned away from him. He turns to stare at her.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>After a pause, taking up her story
+matter-of-factly.</i>] I went to John.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Trying with agony to take this stoically—mumbling
+stupidly.</i>] Yes—of course—I supposed——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>In the same mechanical tone.</i>] He
+drove me back here in his car. He predicted you’d
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_160'>160</span>be back any moment, so he went right home again.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>A wild, ironical laugh escapes his control.</i>]
+Shrewd—Ha!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>After a pause—rebukingly.</i>] John
+is a good man.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Startled, turns and stares at her averted
+face—then miserably humble, stammers.</i>] Yes, yes—I
+know—I acknowledge—good—— [<i>He breaks
+down, cursing pitiably at himself.</i>] God damn you!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—Oh!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—Not you! Me! [<i>Then he turns to her—with
+fierce defiance.</i>] I love John!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Moved, without looking at him
+reaches and clasps his hand.</i>] That—is beautiful,
+Michael. [<i>A pause.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Begins to frown somberly—lets go of her
+hand.</i>] It’s hard—after what you confessed——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Frightenedly.</i>] Ssshh! [<i>Then calmly.</i>]
+That was a lie. I lied to make you suffer more than
+you were making me suffer. [<i>A pause—then she
+turns to him.</i>] Can you believe this?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Humbly.</i>] I want to believe——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Immediately turning away—significantly.</i>]
+Oh!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Fiercely—as if to himself.</i>] I will believe!
+But what difference does it make—believing
+or not believing? I’ve changed, I tell you! I accept!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—I can’t be a lie you live with!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Turning to her resentfully.</i>] Well,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span>then—— [<i>As if she were goading him to something
+against his will—threateningly.</i>] Shall I tell you
+what happened to me?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Facing him defiantly.</i>] Yes. [<i>He
+turns away. Immediately her brave attitude
+crumbles. She seems about to implore him not to
+speak.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>After a pause—hesitatingly.</i>] You said
+that years ago you had offered yourself—to him—— [<i>He
+turns suddenly—hopefully.</i>] Was that a lie,
+too?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—No.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Turns away with a start of pain.</i>] Ah.
+[<i>A pause. Suddenly his face grows convulsed. He
+turns back to her, overcome by a craving for revenge—viciously.</i>]
+Then I may as well tell you
+I—— [<i>He checks himself and turns away.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Defensively—with feigned indifference.</i>]
+I don’t doubt—you kept your threat.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Glares at her wildly.</i>] Oho, you don’t
+doubt that, do you? You saw I’d changed, eh?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—I saw—something.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>With bitter irony.</i>] God! [<i>A pause.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Turning on him doggedly as if she
+were impersonally impelled to make the statement.</i>]
+I want to tell you that tonight—John and I—nothing
+you may ever suspect—— [<i>She falters, turns
+away with a bitter smile.</i>] I only tell you this for
+my own satisfaction. I don’t expect you to believe it.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>With a wry grin.</i>] No. How could you?
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span>[<i>Then turning to her—determinedly—after a
+pause.</i>] But it doesn’t matter.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—I wanted revenge as much as you. I
+wanted to destroy—and be free of our love forever!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—As I did.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>After a pause—simply.</i>] I couldn’t.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Turns and stares at her—a pause—then
+he asks wonderingly, eagerly.</i>] Why couldn’t you?
+Tell me that.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>After a pause—simply.</i>] Something
+stronger.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>With a passionate triumph.</i>] Love!
+[<i>With intense pleading.</i>] Nelly! Will you believe
+that I, too——? [<i>He tries to force her eyes to return
+to his.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>After a pause—looking before her—sadly.</i>]
+You should have been generous sooner.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—It’s the truth, Nelly! [<i>Desperately.</i>] I
+swear to you——!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>After a pause—wearily.</i>] We’ve
+sworn to so much.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—Everything is changed, I tell you! Something
+extraordinary happened to me—a revelation!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>With bitter cynicism.</i>] A woman?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Wounded, turns away from her.</i>] Don’t.
+[<i>Then after a pause—with deep feeling.</i>] Yes—she
+was a woman. And I had conceived of her only as
+revenge—the lowest of the low!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>With a shudder.</i>] Ah!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_163'>163</span><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>With feeling.</i>] Don’t judge, Nelly. She
+was—good!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>With another shudder.</i>] Not her!
+You!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[Desperately.] I tell you I——! [<i>He
+checks himself helplessly. She gives no sign. Then
+he asks sadly.</i>] If you can think that, how could
+you come back?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Stammering hysterically.</i>] How?
+How? [<i>Bursting into tears.</i>] Because I love you!
+[<i>Then turning on him fiercely as if defying him.</i>]
+I love you! I love you!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Starting up from his chair and trying to
+take her in his arms—exultantly.</i>] Nelly!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Pushing him away—violently.</i>] No!
+I didn’t come back to you! I came back to my love
+which is mine—mine! It conquered me, not you!
+Something in me—myself—not you! [<i>She stares
+him in the eyes defiantly, triumphantly.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Gently.</i>] It doesn’t matter. [<i>After a
+pause.</i>] Did I come back to you?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Taken aback, turning away.</i>] No, I
+suppose—— [<span class='sc'>Cape</span> <i>stares at her uncertainly, then
+sits down in his chair again</i>.]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>After a pause, looking before him—assertively,
+as if taking a pledge.</i>] But I have faith!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Wearily.</i>] Now—for a moment.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—No!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—Yes. We shall believe—and disbelieve.
+We are—that.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_164'>164</span><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Protestingly.</i>] Nelly! [<i>For a time they
+both sit staring bleakly before them. Suddenly he
+turns to her—desperately.</i>] If there is nothing left
+but—resignation!—what use is there?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—I know I love.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Bitterly—beginning to work himself into
+a passion.</i>] How can we endure having our dream
+perish in this?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—Have we any choice?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Intensely.</i>] No! It’s not Fate! Fate
+lives—moves on! We are merely victims of our dead
+selves. [<i>He seems to collect all his forces and turns
+on her with a fierce challenge.</i>] We can choose—an
+end!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Shudders instinctively as she reads his
+meaning.</i>] Michael! [<i>A pause—then looking into
+his eyes—as a calm counter-challenge.</i>] Yes—if <i>you</i>
+wish.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>With passionate self-scorn.</i>] We! We
+have become ignoble.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—As <i>you</i> wish. [<i>She again accents the
+you.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—I?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—I accept. I can live—or I can die.
+[<i>A pause—gently.</i>] I love you. You must not suffer
+too much. [<i>She reaches out her hand and clasps his
+comfortingly.</i>] It is I who have changed most,
+Michael. [<i>Then she speaks sadly but firmly as if she
+had come to a decision.</i>] There is only one way we
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_165'>165</span>can give life to each other. We must redeem our
+love from ourselves!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Sharply.</i>] How?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—By releasing each other.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>With a harsh laugh.</i>] Are you forgetting
+we tried that once tonight?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—With hate. This would be because we
+loved.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Violently.</i>] Don’t be a fool! [<i>Controlling
+himself—forcing a smile.</i>] Forgive me. [<i>Excitedly.</i>]
+But, my God, what solution——?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—It will give you peace for your work—freedom——</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—Nonsense!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—I will continue to love you. I’ll work
+for you! We’ll no longer stand between each other.
+Then I can really give you my soul and possess
+yours. [<i>Rising to her feet in a pitch of dreamy enthusiasm.</i>]
+Oh, Michael, isn’t that a finer love than
+the old?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Controlling himself with difficulty.</i>]
+You’re talking rot!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Hurt.</i>] Michael!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—You’re mad! [<i>Then, suddenly glaring at
+her suspiciously.</i>] Why did you come back? Why
+do you want to go? What are you hiding behind
+all this?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Wounded.</i>] Your faith? You see?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Brokenly.</i>] I—I didn’t mean—— [<i>Then
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_166'>166</span>after a struggle with desperate bitterness.</i>] Well—I
+accept! I love you enough for that. Go—if you
+want to!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Hurt.</i>] Michael! It isn’t—— [<i>Then
+determinedly.</i>] But even if you misunderstand, I
+must be strong for you!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Almost tauntingly.</i>] Then go—go now
+if you can—if you’re strong enough. [<i>Harshly.</i>]
+Let me see you act nobility! [<i>Then suddenly remorseful,
+catching her hand and covering it with
+kisses.</i>] No! I love you! Go now before—— Do
+whatever seems good. Be strong! Be free! I—I
+cannot!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Brokenly.</i>] We can try—— [<i>She
+bends down swiftly and kisses his head, turns away
+quickly.</i>] Good-by.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>In a strangled voice.</i>] Good-by. [<i>He
+sits in anguish, in a tortured restraint. She grabs
+her cloak from the chair, goes quickly to the door,
+puts her hand on the knob—then stops as tense as
+he. Suddenly he can stand it no longer, he leaps to
+his feet and jumps toward the door with a pleading
+cry.</i>] Nelly! [<i>He stands fixed as he sees her before
+the door as if he had expected to find her gone.
+She does not turn but remains staring at the door in
+front of her. Finally she raises her hand and knocks
+on the door softly—then stops to listen.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>In a queer far-away voice.</i>] No.
+Never again. “Come out.” [<i>She opens the door and
+turns to</i> <span class='sc'>Cape</span> <i>with a strange smile</i>.] It opens inward,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_167'>167</span>Michael. [<i>She closes it again, smiles to herself
+and walks back to the foot of the stairway. Then she
+turns to face</i> <span class='sc'>Cape</span>. <i>She looks full of some happy
+certitude. She smiles at him and speaks with a tender
+weariness.</i>] It must be nearly dawn. I’ll say good-night
+instead of good-by. [<i>They stare into each
+other’s eyes. It is as if now by a sudden flash from
+within they recognized themselves, shorn of all the
+ideas, attitudes, cheating gestures which constitute
+the vanity of personality. Everything, for this second,
+becomes simple for them—serenely unquestionable.
+It becomes impossible that they should ever
+deny life, through each other, again.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>With a low tender cry as if she were
+awakening to maternity.</i>] Michael!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Passionately sure of her now—in a low
+voice.</i>] Nelly! [<i>Then unable to restrain his triumphant
+exultance.</i>] You’ve failed!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Smiling at him simply.</i>] Yes. Again.
+[<i>Smiling dimly at herself.</i>] My acting—didn’t
+convince me.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—We’ve failed!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—Are we weak? [<i>Dreamily.</i>] I’m
+happy.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—Strong! We’ve passed through! We can
+live again!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>With a strange dreamy exultance.</i>]
+We love!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Exultantly—but as if testing her, warningly.</i>]
+But we’ll hate!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_168'>168</span><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>In her same tone.</i>] Yes!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—And we’ll torture and tear, and clutch for
+each other’s souls!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Nodding her head in a simple emphasis
+of agreement.</i>] Yes.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—We’ll have to strive on for perfect union—fight
+each other—fail again—blame each other—fail
+and hate again—[<i>he raises his voice in aggressive
+triumph</i>]—but!—fail and hate <i>with pride</i>—with
+joy!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Exulted by his exultation rather than
+by his words.</i>] Yes!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—<i>Our</i> life is to bear together our burden
+which is our goal—on and up!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Dreamily.</i>] Your dream.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—Above the world, beyond its vision—our
+height—our love—our meaning!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Her eyes fixed on him—passionately.</i>]
+My love!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Half-sobbing as the intensity of his passion
+breaks the spell of his exultation.</i>] Oh, Nelly,
+Nelly, I want to say so much that I feel but I can
+only stutter like an idiot! [<i>He has fallen on his
+knees before her.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Intensely moved—passionately.</i>]
+Like an angel! My lover! I know! [<i>She bends
+over and kisses him.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Straining passionately for expression.</i>]
+Listen! Often I wake up in the night—terrified—in
+a black world, alone in time—a hundred million
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_169'>169</span>years of darkness. I feel like crying out to God for
+mercy because life lives! Then instinctively I seek
+you—my hand touches you! You are there—beside
+me—alive—with you I become a whole, a truth!
+Life guides me back through the hundred million
+years to you. It reveals a beginning in unity that
+I may have faith in the unity of the end! [<i>He bows
+his head and kisses her feet ecstatically.</i>] I love
+you! Forgive me all I’ve ever done, all I’ll ever do.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Brokenly.</i>] No. Forgive me—my
+child, you! [<i>She begins to sob softly.</i>]</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Looking at her—gently.</i>] Why do you
+cry?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—Because I’m happy. [<i>Then with a
+sudden tearful gayety.</i>] You be happy! You ought
+to be! Isn’t our future as hard as you could wish?
+Haven’t we your old dreams back again?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—Deeper and more beautiful!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Smiling.</i>] Deeper and more beautiful!
+[<i>She ascends the stairs slowly.</i>] Come! [<i>She
+reaches the top of the stairway and stands there
+looking down at him—then stretches out her arms
+with a passionate, tender gesture.</i>] Come!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Leaping to his feet—intensely.</i>] My
+Own!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Dreamily.</i>] Love—and sleep. [<i>With
+deep, passionate tenderness.</i>] My lover!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—My wife! [<i>His eyes fixed on her he ascends.
+As he does so her arms move back until they
+are stretched out straight to right and left, forming
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_170'>170</span>a cross.</i> <span class='sc'>Cape</span> <i>stops two steps below her—in a low,
+wondering tone</i>.] Why do you stand like that?</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>Her head thrown back, her eyes shut—slowly,
+dreamily.</i>] Perhaps I’m praying. I
+don’t know. I love.</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cape</span>—[<i>Deeply moved.</i>] I love you!</p>
+
+<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Eleanor</span>—[<i>As if from a great distance.</i>] We
+love! [<i>He moves close to her and his hands reach
+out for hers. For a moment as their hands touch
+they form together one cross. Then their arms go
+about each other and their lips meet.</i>]</p>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c1'>
+<div class='nf-center c002'>
+    <div>[<i>The Curtain Falls</i>]</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<div class='pbb'>
+ <hr class='pb c020'>
+</div>
+<div class='tnotes x-ebookmaker'>
+
+<div class='chapter ph2'>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c1'>
+<div class='nf-center c021'>
+    <div>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+</div>
+
+ <ul class='ul_1 c002'>
+    <li>Typos fixed; non-standard spelling and dialect retained.
+    </li>
+  </ul>
+
+</div>
+
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77808 ***</div>
+  </body>
+  <!-- created with ppgen.py 3.57i (with regex) on 2026-01-08 00:00:14 GMT -->
+</html>
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+
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for eBook #77808
+(https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/77808)