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| author | www-data <www-data@mail.pglaf.org> | 2026-01-29 08:04:02 -0800 |
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| committer | www-data <www-data@mail.pglaf.org> | 2026-01-29 08:04:02 -0800 |
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diff --git a/77808-h/77808-h.htm b/77808-h/77808-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b8fb2a6 --- /dev/null +++ b/77808-h/77808-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,5356 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> + <head> + <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <title>All God’s Chillun Got Wings and Welded | Project Gutenberg</title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> + body { margin-left: 8%; margin-right: 10%; } + h1 { text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: xx-large; } + h2 { text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: x-large; } + h3 { text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: large; } + h4 { text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.0em; } + .pageno { right: 1%; font-size: x-small; background-color: inherit; color: silver; + text-indent: 0em; text-align: right; position: absolute; + border: thin solid silver; padding: .1em .2em; font-style: normal; + font-variant: normal; 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} + div.pbb { page-break-before: always; } + hr.pb { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-bottom: 1em; } + .x-ebookmaker hr.pb { display: none; } + .chapter { clear: both; page-break-before: always; } + .figcenter { clear: both; max-width: 100%; margin: 2em auto; text-align: center; } + .figcenter img { max-width: 100%; height: auto; } + .id001 { width:10%; } + .x-ebookmaker .id001 { margin-left:45%; width:10%; } + .ig001 { width:100%; } + .table0 { margin: auto; margin-top: 2em; } + .nf-center { text-align: center; } + .nf-center-c0 { text-align: justify; margin: 0.5em 0; } + .nf-center-c1 { text-align: justify; margin: 1em 0; } + .c000 { margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } + .c001 { page-break-before: always; margin-top: 4em; } + .c002 { margin-top: 2em; } + .c003 { page-break-before:auto; margin-top: 4em; } + .c004 { margin-top: 2em; text-indent: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.25em; } + .c005 { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: 0.25em; margin-bottom: 0.25em; } + .c006 { vertical-align: top; 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text-indent: -5.56%; margin-top: 0.5em; + margin-bottom: 0.5em; } + .c020 { margin-top: 1em; } + .c021 { margin-top: 4em; } + div.tnotes { padding-left:1em;padding-right:1em;background-color:#E3E4FA; + border:thin solid silver; margin:2em 10% 0 10%; font-family: Georgia, serif; + clear: both; } + .covernote { visibility: hidden; display: none; } + div.tnotes p { text-align: justify; } + .x-ebookmaker .covernote { visibility: visible; display: block; } + .figcenter {font-size: .9em; page-break-inside: avoid; max-width: 100%; } + h1 {line-height: 150%; } + .chapter { clear: both; page-break-before: always; } + body {font-family: Garamond, Georgia, serif; text-align: justify; } + table {font-size: .9em; padding: 1.5em .5em 1em; page-break-inside: avoid; + clear: both; } + div.titlepage {text-align: center; page-break-before: always; + page-break-after: always; } + div.titlepage p {text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; + line-height: 1.5; margin-top: 3em; } + .ph2 { text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; font-size: x-large; margin: .75em auto; + page-break-before: always; } + .x-ebookmaker p.dropcap:first-letter { float: left; } + </style> + </head> + <body> +<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 & 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 & 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> diff --git a/77808-h/images/cover.jpg b/77808-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b0f5e2d --- /dev/null +++ b/77808-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/77808-h/images/i_title.jpg b/77808-h/images/i_title.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ff54c2d --- /dev/null +++ b/77808-h/images/i_title.jpg |
