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diff --git a/77808-0.txt b/77808-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..848b57d --- /dev/null +++ b/77808-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4132 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77808 *** + + + + + ALL GOD’S CHILLUN GOT WINGS + _and_ + WELDED + + + BY + EUGENE O’NEILL + +[Illustration: Black-and-white emblem showing a stylized globe or +circular seal with the letters “B & L” at the top and irregular dark +shapes suggesting continents, rendered in a rough, high-contrast, inked +style.] + + BONI AND LIVERIGHT + PUBLISHERS :: :: NEW YORK + + + _Copyright, 1924, by_ + BONI & LIVERIGHT, INC. + + + _Printed in the United States of America_ + + + + + _NOTE_ + + +_All rights reserved including that of translation into foreign +languages. All acting rights, both professional and amateur, including +motion picture rights, are reserved in the United States, Great Britain +and all countries of the Copyright Union by the author._ + +_In their present form these plays are dedicated to the reading public +only and no performance may be given without special arrangement with +the author’s agent._ + + + + + CONTENTS + + + PAGE + ALL GOD’S CHILLUN GOT WINGS 13 + WELDED 81 + + + + + ALL GOD’S CHILLUN GOT WINGS + + + + + CHARACTERS + + + JIM HARRIS + MRS. HARRIS, _his mother_ + HATTIE, _his sister_ + ELLA DOWNEY + SHORTY + JOE + MICKEY + _Whites and negroes_ + + + + + SCENES + + + ACT I + + SCENE I—A corner in lower New York. Years ago. End of an afternoon in + Spring. + + SCENE II—The same. Nine years later. End of an evening in Spring. + + SCENE III—The same. Five years later. A night in Spring. + + SCENE IV—The street before a church in the same ward. A morning some + weeks later. + + + ACT II + + SCENE I—A flat in the same ward. A morning two years later. + + SCENE II—The same. At twilight some months later. + + SCENE III—The same. A night some months later. + + + + + ACT I + + + ACT ONE + SCENE ONE + + SCENE—_A corner in lower New York, at the edge of a colored district. + Three narrow streets converge. A triangular building in the rear, + red brick, four-storied, its ground floor a grocery. Four-story + tenements stretch away down the skyline of the two streets. The + fire escapes are crowded with people. In the street leading left, + the faces are all white; in the street leading right, all black. + It is hot Spring. On the sidewalk are eight children, four boys + and four girls. Two of each sex are white, two black. They are + playing marbles. One of the black boys is_ JIM HARRIS. _The little + blonde girl, her complexion rose and white, who sits behind his + elbow and holds his marbles is_ ELLA DOWNEY. _She is eight. They + play the game with concentrated attention for a while. People + pass, black and white, the Negroes frankly participants in the + spirit of Spring, the whites laughing constrainedly, awkward in + natural emotion. Their words are lost. One only hears their + laughter. It expresses the difference in race. There are street + noises—the clattering roar of the Elevated, the puff of its + locomotives, the ruminative lazy sound of a horse-car, the hooves + of its team clacking on the cobbles. From the street of the whites + a high-pitched, nasal tenor sings the chorus of “Only a Bird in a + Gilded Cage.” On the street of the blacks a Negro strikes up the + chorus of: “I Guess I’ll Have to Telegraph My Baby.” As this + singing ends, there is laughter, distinctive in quality, from both + streets. Then silence. The light in the street begins to grow + brilliant with the glow of the setting sun. The game of marbles + goes on._ + +WHITE GIRL—[_Tugging at the elbow of her brother._] Come on, Mickey! + +HER BROTHER—[_Roughly._] Aw, gwan, youse! + +WHITE GIRL—Aw right, den. You kin git a lickin’ if you wanter. [_Gets up +to move off._] + +HER BROTHER—Aw, git off de eart’! + +WHITE GIRL—De old woman’ll be madder’n hell! + +HER BROTHER—[_Worried now._] I’m comin’, ain’t I? Hold your horses. + +BLACK GIRL—[_To a black boy._] Come on, you Joe. We gwine git frailed +too, you don’t hurry. + +JOE—Go long! + +MICKEY—Bust up de game, huh? I gotta run! [_Jumps to his feet._] + +OTHER WHITE BOY—Me, too! [_Jumps up._] + +OTHER BLACK GIRL—Lawdy, it’s late! + +JOE—Me for grub! + +MICKEY—[_To_ JIM HARRIS.] You’s de winner, Jim Crow. Yeh gotta play +tomorrer. + +JIM—[_Readily._] Sure t’ing, Mick. Come one, come all! [_He laughs._] + +OTHER WHITE BOY—Me too! I gotta git back at yuh. + +JIM—Aw right, Shorty. + +LITTLE GIRLS—Hurry! Come on, come on! [_The six start off together. Then +they notice that_ JIM _and_ ELLA _are hesitating, standing awkwardly and +shyly together. They turn to mock._] + +JOE—Look at dat Jim Crow! Land sakes, he got a gal! [_He laughs. They +all laugh._] + +JIM—[_Ashamed._] Ne’er mind, you Chocolate! + +MICKEY—Look at de two softies, will yeh! Mush! Mush! [_He and the two +other boys take this up._] + +LITTLE GIRLS—[_Pointing their fingers at_ ELLA.] Shame! Shame! Everybody +knows your name! Painty Face! Painty Face! + +ELLA—[_Hanging her head._] Shut up! + +LITTLE WHITE GIRL—He’s been carrying her books! + +COLORED GIRL—Can’t you find nuffin better’n him, Ella? Look at de big +feet he got! [_She laughs. They all laugh._ JIM _puts one foot on top of +the other, looking at_ ELLA.] + +ELLA—Mind yer own business, see! [_She strides toward them angrily. They +jump up and dance in an ecstasy, screaming and laughing._] + +ALL—Found yeh out! Found yeh out! + +MICKEY—Mush-head! Jim Crow de Sissy! Stuck on Painty Face! + +JOE—Will Painty Face let you hold her doll, boy? + +SHORTY—Sissy! Softy! [ELLA _suddenly begins to cry. At this they all +howl._] + +ALL—Cry-baby! Cry-baby! Look at her! Painty Face! + +JIM—[_Suddenly rushing at them, with clenched fists, furiously._] Shut +yo’ moufs! I kin lick de hull of you! [_They all run away, laughing, +shouting, and jeering, quite triumphant now that they have made him, +too, lose his temper. He comes back to_ ELLA, _and stands beside her +sheepishly, stepping on one foot after the other. Suddenly he blurts +out_:] Don’t bawl no more. I done chased ’em. + +ELLA—[_Comforted, politely._] T’anks. + +JIM—[_Swelling out._] It was a cinch. I kin wipe up de street wid any +one of dem. [_He stretches out his arms, trying to bulge out his +biceps._] Feel dat muscle! + +ELLA—[_Does so gingerly—then with admiration._] My! + +JIM—[_Protectingly._] You mustn’t never be scared when I’m hanging +round, Painty Face. + +ELLA—Don’t call me that, Jim—please! + +JIM—[_Contritely._] I didn’t mean nuffin’. I didn’t know you’d mind. + +ELLA—I do—more’n anything. + +JIM—You oughtn’t to mind. Dey’s jealous, dat’s what. + +ELLA—Jealous? Of what? + +JIM—[_Pointing to her face._] Of dat. Red ‘n’ white. It’s purty. + +ELLA—I hate it! + +JIM—It’s purty. Yes, it’s—it’s purty. It’s—outa sight! + +ELLA—I hate it. I wish I was black like you. + +JIM—[_Sort of shrinking._] No you don’t. Dey’d call you Crow, den—or +Chocolate—or Smoke. + +ELLA—I wouldn’t mind. + +JIM—[_Somberly._] Dey’d call you nigger sometimes, too. + +ELLA—I wouldn’t mind. + +JIM—[_Humbly._] You wouldn’t mind? + +ELLA—No, I wouldn’t mind. [_An awkward pause._] + +JIM—[_Suddenly._] You know what, Ella? Since I been tuckin’ yo’ books to +school and back, I been drinkin’ lots o’ chalk ‘n’ water tree times a +day. Dat Tom, de barber, he tole me dat make me white, if I drink +enough. [_Pleadingly._] Does I look whiter? + +ELLA—[_Comfortingly._] Yes—maybe—a little bit—— + +JIM—[_Trying a careless tone._] Reckon dat Tom’s a liar, an’ de joke’s +on me! Dat chalk only makes me feel kinder sick inside. + +ELLA—[_Wonderingly._] Why do you want to be white? + +JIM—Because—just because—I lak dat better. + +ELLA—I wouldn’t. I like black. Let’s you and me swap. I’d like to be +black. [_Clapping her hands._] Gee, that’d be fun, if we only could! + +JIM—[_Hesitatingly._] Yes—maybe—— + +ELLA—Then they’d call me Crow, and you’d be Painty Face! + +JIM—They wouldn’t never dast call you nigger, you bet! I’d kill ’em! [_A +long pause. Finally she takes his hand shyly. They both keep looking as +far away from each other as possible._] + +ELLA—I like you. + +JIM—I like you. + +ELLA—Do you want to be my feller? + +JIM—Yes. + +ELLA—Then I’m your girl. + +JIM—Yes. [_Then grandly._] You kin bet none o’ de gang gwine call you +Painty Face from dis out! I lam’ ’em good! [_The sun has set. Twilight +has fallen on the street. An organ grinder comes up to the corner and +plays “Annie Rooney.” They stand hand-in-hand and listen. He goes away. +It is growing dark._] + +ELLA—[_Suddenly._] Golly, it’s late! I’ll git a lickin’! + +JIM—Me, too. + +ELLA—I won’t mind it much. + +JIM—Me nuther. + +ELLA—See you going to school tomorrow? + +JIM—Sure. + +ELLA—I gotta skip now. + +JIM—Me, too. + +ELLA—I like you, Jim. + +JIM—I like you. + +ELLA—Don’t forget. + +JIM—Don’t you. + +ELLA—Good-by. + +JIM—So long. [_They run away from each other—then stop abruptly, and +turn as at a signal._] + +ELLA—Don’t forget. + +JIM—I won’t, you bet! + +ELLA—Here! [_She kisses her hand at him, then runs off in frantic +embarrassment._] + +JIM—[_Overcome._] Gee! [_Then he turns and darts away, as_ + + + [_The Curtain Falls_] + + + ACT ONE + SCENE TWO + + SCENE—_The same corner. Nine years have passed. It is again late + Spring at a time in the evening which immediately follows the hour + of_ SCENE ONE. _Nothing has changed much. One street is still all + white, the other all black. The fire escapes are laden with + drooping human beings. The grocery store is still at the corner. + The street noises are now more rhythmically mechanical, + electricity having taken the place of horse and steam. People + pass, white and black. They laugh as in_ SCENE ONE. _From the + street of the whites the high-pitched nasal tenor sings: “Gee, I + Wish That I Had a Girl,” and the Negro replies with “All I Got Was + Sympathy.” The singing is followed again by laughter from both + streets. Then silence. The dusk grows darker. With a spluttering + flare the arc-lamp at the corner is lit and sheds a pale glare + over the street. Two young roughs slouch up to the corner, as + tough in manner as they can make themselves. One is the_ SHORTY + _of_ SCENE ONE; _the other the Negro_, JOE. _They stand loafing. A + boy of seventeen or so passes by, escorting a girl of about the + same age. Both are dressed in their best, the boy in black with + stiff collar, the girl in white._ + +SHORTY—[_Scornfully._] Hully cripes! Pipe who’s here. [_To the girl, +sneeringly._] Wha’s matter, Liz? Don’t yer recernize yer old fr’ens? + +GIRL—[_Frightenedly._] Hello, Shorty. + +SHORTY—Why de glad rags? Goin’ to graduation? [_He tries to obstruct +their way, but, edging away from him, they turn and run._] + +JOE—Har-har! Look at dem scoot, will you! [SHORTY _grins with +satisfaction_.] + +SHORTY—[_Looking down other street._] Here comes Mickey. + +JOE—He won de semi-final last night easy? + +SHORTY—Knocked de bloke out in de thoid. + +JOE—Dat boy’s suah a-comin’! He’ll be de champeen yit. + +SHORTY—[_Judicially._] Got a good chanct—if he leaves de broads alone. +Dat’s where he’s wide open. [MICKEY _comes in from the left. He is +dressed loudly, a straw hat with a gaudy band cocked over one +cauliflower ear. He has acquired a typical “pug’s” face, with the added +viciousness of a natural bully. One of his eyes is puffed, almost +closed, as a result of his battle the night before. He swaggers up._] + +BOTH—Hello, Mickey. + +MICKEY—Hello. + +JOE—Hear you knocked him col’. + +MICKEY—Sure. I knocked his block off. [_Changing the subject._] Say. +Seen ’em goin’ past to de graduation racket? + +SHORTY—[_With a wink._] Why? You int’rested? + +JOE—[_Chuckling._] Mickey’s gwine roun’ git a good conduct medal. + +MICKEY—Sure. Dey kin pin it on de seat o’ me pants. [_They laugh._] +Listen. Seen Ella Downey goin’? + +SHORTY—Painty Face? No, she ain’t been along. + +MICKEY—[_With authority._] Can dat name, see! Want a bunch o’ fives in +yer kisser? Den nix! She’s me goil, understan’? + +JOE—[_Venturing to joke._] Which one? Yo’ number ten? + +MICKEY—[_Flattered._] Sure. De real K. O. one. + +SHORTY— [_Pointing right—sneeringly._] Gee! Pipe Jim Crow all dolled up +for de racket. + +JOE—[_With disgusted resentment._] You mean tell me dat nigger’s +graduatin’? + +SHORTY—Ask him. [JIM HARRIS _comes in. He is dressed in black, stiff +white collar, etc.—a quiet-mannered Negro boy with a queerly-baffled, +sensitive face._] + +JIM—[_Pleasantly._] Hello, fellows. [_They grunt in reply, looking over +him scornfully._] + +JOE—[_Staring resentfully._] Is you graduatin’ tonight? + +JIM—Yes. + +JOE—[_Spitting disgustedly._] Fo’ Gawd’s sake! You _is_ gittin’ +high-falutin’! + +JIM—[_Smiling deprecatingly._] This is my second try. I didn’t pass last +year. + +JOE—What de hell does it git you, huh? Whatever is you gwine do wid it +now you gits it? Live lazy on yo’ ol’ woman? + +JIM—[_Assertively._] I’m going to study and become a lawyer. + +JOE—[_With a snort._] Fo’ Chris’ sake, nigger! + +JIM—[_Fiercely._] Don’t you call me that—not before them! + +JOE—[_Pugnaciously._] Does you deny you’s a nigger? I shows you—— + +MICKEY—[_Gives them both a push—truculently._] Cut it out, see! I’m +runnin’ dis corner. [_Turning to_ JIM _insultingly._] Say, you! Painty +Face’s gittin’ her ticket tonight, ain’t she? + +JIM—You mean Ella—— + +MICKEY—Painty Face Downey, dat’s who I mean! I don’t have to be perlite +wit’ her. She’s me goil! + +JIM—[_Glumly._] Yes, she’s graduating. + +SHORTY—[_Winks at_ MICKEY.] Smart, huh? + +MICKEY—[_Winks back—meaningly._] Willin’ to loin, take it from me! [JIM +_stands tensely as if a struggle were going on in him._] + +JIM—[_Finally blurts out._] I want to speak to you, Mickey—alone. + +MICKEY—[_Surprised—insultingly._] Aw, what de hell——! + +JIM—[_Excitedly._] It’s important, I tell you! + +MICKEY—Huh? [_Stares at him inquisitively—then motions the others back +carelessly and follows_ JIM _down front_.] + +SHORTY—Some noive! + +JOE—[_Vengefully._] I gits dat Jim alone, you wait! + +MICKEY—Well, spill de big news. I ain’t got all night. I got a date. + +JIM—With—Ella? + +MICKEY—What’s dat to you? + +JIM—[_The words tumbling out._] What—I wanted to say! I know—I’ve +heard—all the stories—what you’ve been doing around the ward—with other +girls—it’s none of my business, with them—but she—Ella—it’s +different—she’s not that kind—— + +MICKEY—[_Insultingly._] Who told yuh so, huh? + +JIM—[_Draws back his fist threateningly._] Don’t you dare—! [MICKEY _is +so paralyzed by this effrontery that he actually steps back_.] + +MICKEY—Say, cut de comedy! [_Beginning to feel insulted._] Listen, you +Jim Crow! Ain’t you wise I could give yuh one poke dat’d knock yuh into +next week? + +JIM—I’m only asking you to act square, Mickey. + +MICKEY—What’s it to yuh? Why, yuh lousy goat, she wouldn’t spit on yuh +even! She hates de sight of a coon. + +JIM—[_In agony._] I—I know—but once she didn’t mind—we were kids +together—— + +MICKEY—Aw, ferget dat! Dis is _now_! + +JIM—And I’m still her friend always—even if she don’t like colored +people—— + +MICKEY—_Coons_, why don’t yuh say it right! De trouble wit’ you is +yuh’re gittin’ stuck up, dat’s what! Stay where yeh belong, see! Yer old +man made coin at de truckin’ game and yuh’re tryin’ to buy yerself +white—graduatin’ and law, for Hell’s sake! Yuh’re gittin’ yerself in +Dutch wit’ everyone in de ward—and it ain’t cause yer a coon neider. +Don’t de gang all train wit’ Joe dere and lots of others? But yuh’re +tryin’ to buy white and it won’t git yuh no place, see! + +JIM—[_Trembling._] Some day—I’ll show you—— + +MICKEY—[_Turning away._] Aw, gwan! + +JIM—D’you think I’d change—be you—your dirty white——! + +MICKEY—[_Whirling about._] What’s dat? + +JIM—[_With hysterical vehemence._] You act square with her—or I’ll show +you up—I’ll report you—I’ll write to the papers—the sporting +writers—I’ll let them know how white you are! + +MICKEY—[_Infuriated._] Yuh damn nigger, I’ll bust yer jaw in! [_Assuming +his ring pose he weaves toward_ JIM, _his face set in a cruel scowl_. +JIM _waits helplessly but with a certain dignity_.] + +SHORTY—Cheese it! A couple bulls! And here’s de Downey skoit comin’, +too. + +MICKEY—I’ll get yuh de next time! [ELLA DOWNEY _enters from the right. +She is seventeen, still has the same rose and white complexion, is +pretty but with a rather repelling bold air about her._] + +ELLA—[_Smiles with pleasure when she sees_ MICKEY.] Hello, Mick. Am I +late? Say, I’m so glad you won last night. [_She glances from one to the +other as she feels something in the air._] Hello! What’s up? + +MICKEY—Dis boob. [_He indicates_ JIM _scornfully_.] + +JIM—[_Diffidently._] Hello, Ella. + +ELLA—[_Shortly, turning away._] Hello. [_Then to_ MICKEY.] Come on, +Mick. Walk down with me. I got to hurry. + +JIM—[_Blurts out._] Wait—just a second. [_Painfully._] Ella, do you +hate—colored people? + +MICKEY—Aw, shut up! + +JIM—Please answer. + +ELLA—[_Forcing a laugh._] Say! What is this—another exam? + +JIM—[_Doggedly._] Please answer. + +ELLA—[_Irritably._] Of course I don’t! Haven’t I been brought up +alongside—Why, some of my oldest—the girls I’ve been to public school +the longest with—— + +JIM—Do you hate me, Ella? + +ELLA—[_Confusedly and more irritably._] Say, is he drunk? Why should I? +I don’t hate anyone. + +JIM—Then why haven’t you ever hardly spoken to me—for years? + +ELLA—[_Resentfully._] What would I speak about? You and me’ve got +nothing in common any more. + +JIM—[_Desperately._] Maybe not any more—but—right on this corner—do you +remember once——? + +ELLA—I don’t remember nothing! [_Angrily._] Say! What’s got into you to +be butting into my business all of a sudden like this? Because you +finally managed to graduate, has it gone to your head? + +JIM—No, I—only want to help you, Ella. + +ELLA—Of all the nerve! You’re certainly forgetting your place! Who’s +asking you for help, I’d like to know? Shut up and stop bothering me! + +JIM—[_Insistently._] If you ever need a friend—a true friend—— + +ELLA—I’ve got lots of friends among my own—kind, I can tell you. +[_Exasperatedly._] You make me sick! Go to—hell! [_She flounces off. The +three men laugh._ MICKEY _follows her_. JIM _is stricken. He goes and +sinks down limply on a box in front of the grocery store._] + +SHORTY—I’m going to shoot a drink. Come on, Joe, and I’ll blow yuh. + +JOE—[_Who has never ceased to follow every move of_ JIM’S _with angry, +resentful eyes_.] Go long. I’se gwine stay here a secon’. I got a lil’ +argyment. [_He points to_ JIM.] + +SHORTY—Suit yerself. Do a good job. See yuh later. [_He goes, +whistling._] + +JOE—[_Stands for a while glaring at_ JIM, _his fierce little eyes +peering out of his black face. Then he spits on his hands aggressively +and strides up to the oblivious_ JIM. _He stands in front of him, +gradually working himself into a fury at the other’s seeming +indifference to his words._] Listen to me, nigger: I got a heap to +whisper in yo’ ear! Who is you, anyhow? Who does you think you is? Don’t +yo’ old man and mine work on de docks togidder befo’ yo’ old man gits +his own truckin’ business? Yo’ ol’ man swallers his nickels, my ol’ man +buys him beer wid dem and swallers dat—dat’s the on’y diff’rence. Don’t +you ‘n’ me drag up togidder? + +JIM—[_Dully._] I’m your friend, Joe. + +JOE—No, you isn’t! I ain’t no fren o’ yourn! I don’t even know who you +is! What’s all dis schoolin’ you doin’? What’s all dis dressin’ up and +graduatin’ an’ sayin’ you gwine study be a lawyer? What’s all dis fakin’ +an’ pretendin’ and swellin’ out grand an’ talkin’ soft and perlite? +What’s all dis denyin’ you’s a nigger—an’ wid de white boys listenin’ to +you say it! Is you aimin’ to buy white wid yo’ ol’ man’s dough like +Mickey say? What is you? [_In a rage at the other’s silence._] You don’t +talk? Den I takes it out o’ yo’ hide! [_He grabs_ JIM _by the throat +with one hand and draws the other fist back_.] Tell me befo’ I wrecks +yo’ face in! Is you a nigger or isn’t you? [_Shaking him._] Is you a +nigger, Nigger? Nigger, is you a nigger? + +JIM—[_Looking into his eyes—quietly._] Yes. I’m a nigger. We’re both +niggers. [_They look at each other for a moment._ JOE’S _rage vanishes. +He slumps onto a box beside_ JIM’S. _He offers him a cigarette._ JIM +_takes it._ JOE _scratches a match and lights both their cigarettes_.] + +JOE—[_After a puff, with full satisfaction._] Man, why didn’t you +’splain dat in de fust place? + +JIM—We’re both niggers. [_The same hand-organ man of_ SCENE ONE _comes +to the corner. He plays the chorus of “Bonbon Buddie,” the “Chocolate +Drop.” They both stare straight ahead listening. Then the organ man goes +away. A silence._ JOE _gets to his feet_.] + +JOE—I’ll go get me a cold beer. [_He starts to move off—then turns._] +Time you was graduatin’, ain’t it? [_He goes_, JIM _remains sitting on +his box staring straight before him as_ + + + [_The Curtain Falls_] + + + ACT ONE + SCENE THREE + + SCENE—_The same corner five years later. Nothing has changed much. It + is a night in Spring. The arc-lamp discovers faces with a + favorless cruelty. The street noises are the same but more + intermittent and dulled with a quality of fatigue. Two people + pass, one black and one white. They are tired. They both yawn, but + neither laughs. There is no laughter from the two streets. From + the street of the whites the tenor, more nasal than ever and a bit + drunken, wails in high barber-shop falsetto the last half of the + chorus of “When I Lost You.” The Negro voice, a bit maudlin in + turn, replies with the last half of “Waitin’ for the Robert E. + Lee.” Silence._ SHORTY _enters. He looks tougher than ever, the + typical gangster. He stands waiting, singing a bit drunkenly, + peering down the street._ + +SHORTY—[_Indignantly._] Yuh bum! Ain’t yuh ever comin’? [_He begins to +sing: “And sewed up in her yeller kimona, She had a blue-barreled +forty-five gun, For to get her man Who’d done her wrong.” Then he +comments scornfully._] Not her, dough! No gat for her. She ain’t got de +noive. A little sugar. Dat’ll fix her. [ELLA _enters. She is dressed +poorly, her face is pale and hollow-eyed, her voice cold and tired._] + +SHORTY—Yuh got de message? + +ELLA—Here I am. + +SHORTY—How yuh been? + +ELLA—All right. [_A pause. He looks at her puzzledly._] + +SHORTY—[_A bit embarrassedly._] Well, I s’pose yuh’d like me to give yuh +some dope on Mickey, huh? + +ELLA—No. + +SHORTY—Mean to say yuh don’t wanter know where he is or what he’s doin’? + +ELLA—No. + +SHORTY—Since when? + +ELLA—A long time. + +SHORTY—[_After a pause—with a rat-like viciousness._] Between you’n me, +kid, you’ll get even soon—you’n all de odder dames he’s tossed. I’m on +de inside. I’ve watched him trainin’. His next scrap, watch it! He’ll +go! It won’t be de odder guy. It’ll be all youse dames he’s kidded—and +de ones what’s kidded him. Youse’ll all be in de odder guy’s corner. He +won’t need no odder seconds. Youse’ll trow water on him, and sponge his +face, and take de kinks out of his socker—and Mickey’ll catch it on de +button—and he won’t be able to take it no more—‘cause all your +weight—you and de odders—’ll be behind dat punch. Ha ha! [_He laughs an +evil laugh._] And Mickey’ll go—down to his knees first—[_He sinks to his +knees in the attitude of a groggy boxer._] + +ELLA—I’d like to see him on his knees! + +SHORTY—And den—flat on his pan—dead to de world—de boidies singin’ in de +trees—ten—out! [_He suits his action to the words, sinking flat on the +pavement, then rises and laughs the same evil laugh._] + +ELLA—He’s been out—for me—a long time. [_A pause._] Why did you send for +me? + +SHORTY—He sent me. + +ELLA—Why? + +SHORTY—To slip you this wad o’ dough. [_He reluctantly takes a roll of +bills from his pocket and holds it out to her._] + +ELLA—[_Looks at the money indifferently._] What for? + +SHORTY—For you. + +ELLA—No. + +SHORTY—For de kid den. + +ELLA—The kid’s dead. He took diphtheria. + +SHORTY—Hell yuh say! When? + +ELLA—A long time. + +SHORTY—Why didn’t you write Mickey——? + +ELLA—Why should I? He’d only be glad. + +SHORTY—[_After a pause._] Well—it’s better. + +ELLA—Yes. + +SHORTY—You made up wit yer family? + +ELLA—No chance. + +SHORTY—Livin’ alone? + +ELLA—In Brooklyn. + +SHORTY—Workin’? + +ELLA—In a factory. + +SHORTY—You’re a sucker. There’s lots of softer snaps fer you, kid—— + +ELLA—I know what you mean. No. + +SHORTY—Don’t yuh wanter step out no more—have fun—live? + +ELLA—I’m through. + +SHORTY—[_Mockingly._] Jump in de river, huh? T’ink it over, baby. I kin +start yuh right in my stable. No one’ll bodder yuh den. I got influence. + +ELLA—[_Without emphasis._] You’re a dirty dog. Why doesn’t someone kill +you? + +SHORTY—Is dat so! What’re you? They say you been travelin’ round with +Jim Crow. + +ELLA—He’s been my only friend. + +SHORTY—A nigger! + +ELLA—The only white man in the world! Kind and white. You’re all +black—black to the heart. + +SHORTY—Nigger-lover! [_He throws the money in her face. It falls to the +street._] Listen, you! Mickey says he’s off of yuh for keeps. Dis is de +finish! Dat’s what he sent me to tell you. [_Glances at her +searchingly—a pause._] Yuh won’t make no trouble? + +ELLA—Why should I? He’s free. The kid’s dead. I’m free. No hard +feelings—only—I’ll be there in spirit at his next fight, tell him! I’ll +take your tip—the other corner—second the punch—nine—ten—out! He’s free! +That’s all. [_She grins horribly at_ SHORTY.] Go away, Shorty. + +SHORTY—[_Looking at her and shaking his head—maudlinly._] Groggy! +Groggy! We’re all groggy! Gluttons for punishment! Me for a drink. So +long. [_He goes. A Salvation Army band comes toward the corner. They are +playing and singing “Till We Meet at Jesus’ Feet.” They reach the end as +they enter and stop before_ ELLA. THE CAPTAIN _steps forward_.] + +CAPTAIN—Sister—— + +ELLA—[_Picks up the money and drops it in his hat—mockingly._] Here. Go +save yourself. Leave me alone. + +A WOMAN SALVATIONIST—Sister——- + +ELLA—Never mind that. I’m not in your line—yet. [_As they hesitate, +wonderingly._] I want to be alone. [_To the thud of the big drum they +march off._ ELLA _sits down on a box, her hands hanging at her sides. +Presently_ JIM HARRIS _comes in. He has grown into a quietly-dressed, +studious-looking Negro with an intelligent yet queerly-baffled face._] + +JIM—[_With a joyous but bewildered cry._] Ella! I just saw Shorty—— + +ELLA—[_Smiling at him with frank affection._] He had a message from +Mickey. + +JIM—[_Sadly._] Ah! + +ELLA—[_Pointing to the box behind her._] Sit down. [_He does so. A +pause—then she says indifferently._] It’s finished. I’m free, Jim. + +JIM—[_Wearily._] We’re never free—except to do what we have to do. + +ELLA—What are you getting gloomy about all of a sudden? + +JIM—I’ve got the report from the school. I’ve flunked again. + +ELLA—Poor Jim. + +JIM—Don’t pity me. I’d like to kick myself all over the block. Five +years—and I’m still plugging away where I ought to have been at the end +of two. + +ELLA—Why don’t you give it up? + +JIM—No! + +ELLA—After all, what’s being a lawyer? + +JIM—A lot—to me—what it means. [_Intensely._] Why, if I was a Member of +the Bar right now, Ella, I believe I’d almost have the courage to—— + +ELLA—What? + +JIM—Nothing. [_After a pause—gropingly._] I can’t explain—just—but it +hurts like fire. It brands me in my pride. I swear I know more’n any +member of my class. I ought to, I study harder. I work like the devil. +It’s all in my head—all fine and correct to a T. Then when I’m called +on—I stand up—all the white faces looking at me—and I can feel their +eyes—I hear my own voice sounding funny, trembling—and all of a sudden +it’s all gone in my head—there’s nothing remembered—and I hear myself +stuttering—and give up—sit down—— They don’t laugh, hardly ever. They’re +kind. They’re good people. [_In a frenzy._] They’re considerate, damn +them! But I feel branded! + +ELLA—Poor Jim. + +JIM—[_Going on painfully._] And it’s the same thing in the written +exams. For weeks before I study all night. I can’t sleep anyway. I learn +it all, I see it, I understand it. Then they give me the paper in the +exam room. I look it over, I know each answer—perfectly. I take up my +pen. On all sides are white men starting to write. They’re so sure—even +the ones that I know know nothing. But I know it all—but I can’t +remember any more—it fades—it goes—it’s gone. There’s a blank in my +head—stupidity—I sit like a fool fighting to remember a little bit here, +a little bit there—not enough to pass—not enough for anything—when I +know it all! + +ELLA—[_Compassionately._] Jim. It isn’t worth it. You don’t need to—— + +JIM—I need it more than anyone ever needed anything. I need it to live. + +ELLA—What’ll it prove? + +JIM—Nothing at all much—but everything to me. + +ELLA—You’re so much better than they are in every other way. + +JIM—[_Looking up at her._] Then—you understand? + +ELLA—Of course. [_Affectionately._] Don’t I know how fine you’ve been to +me! You’ve been the only one in the world who’s stood by me—the only +understanding person—and all after the rotten way I used to treat you. + +JIM—But before that—way back so high—you treated me good. [_He smiles._] + +ELLA—You’ve been white to me, Jim. [_She takes his hand._] + +JIM—White—to you! + +ELLA—Yes. + +JIM—All love is white. I’ve always loved you. [_This with the deepest +humility._] + +ELLA—Even now—after all that’s happened! + +JIM—Always. + +ELLA—I like you, Jim—better than anyone else in the world. + +JIM—That’s more than enough, more than I ever hoped for. [_The organ +grinder comes to the corner. He plays the chorus of “Annie Laurie.” They +sit listening, hand in hand._] Would you ever want to marry me, Ella? + +ELLA—Yes, Jim. + +JIM—[_As if this quick consent alarmed him._] No, no, don’t answer now. +Wait! Turn it over in your mind! Think what it means to you! Consider +it—over and over again! I’m in no hurry, Ella. I can wait months—years—— + +ELLA—I’m alone. I’ve got to be helped. I’ve got to help someone—or it’s +the end—one end or another. + +JIM—[_Eagerly._] Oh, I’ll help—I know I can help—I’ll give my life to +help you—that’s what I’ve been living for—— + +ELLA—But can I help you? Can I help you? + +JIM—Yes! Yes! We’ll go abroad where a man is a man—where it don’t make +that difference—where people are kind and wise to see the soul under +skins. I don’t ask you to love me—I don’t dare to hope nothing like +that! I don’t want nothing—only to wait—to know you like me—to be near +you—to keep harm away—to make up for the past—to never let you suffer +any more—to serve you—to lie at your feet like a dog that loves you—to +kneel by your bed like a nurse that watches over you sleeping—to +preserve and protect and shield you from evil and sorrow—to give my life +and my blood and all the strength that’s in me to give you peace and +joy—to become your slave!—yes, be your slave—your black slave that +adores you as sacred! [_He has sunk to his knees. In a frenzy of +self-abnegation, as he says the last words he beats his head on the +flagstones._] + +ELLA—[_Overcome and alarmed._] Jim! Jim! You’re crazy! I want to help +you, Jim—I want to help—— + + + [_The Curtain Falls_] + + + ACT ONE + SCENE FOUR + + SCENE—_Some weeks or so later. A street in the same ward in front of + an old brick church. The church sets back from the sidewalk in a + yard enclosed by a rusty iron railing with a gate at center. On + each side of this yard are tenements. The buildings have a stern, + forbidding look. All the shades on the windows are drawn down, + giving an effect of staring, brutal eyes that pry callously at + human beings without acknowledging them. Even the two tall, narrow + church windows on either side of the arched door are blanked with + dull green shades. It is a bright sunny morning. The district is + unusually still, as if it were waiting, holding its breath._ + + _From the street of the blacks to the right a Negro tenor sings in + a voice of shadowy richness—the first stanza with a contented, + childlike melancholy_— + + Sometimes I feel like a mourning dove, + Sometimes I feel like a mourning dove, + I feel like a mourning dove. + + _The second with a dreamy, boyish exultance_— + + Sometimes I feel like an eagle in the air, + Sometimes I feel like an eagle in the air, + I feel like an eagle in the air. + + _The third with a brooding, earthbound sorrow_— + + Sometimes I wish that I’d never been born, + Sometimes I wish that I’d never been born, + I wish that I’d never been born. + + _As the music dies down there is a pause of waiting stillness. + This is broken by one startling, metallic clang of the + church-bell. As if it were a signal, people—men, women, + children—pour from the two tenements, whites from the tenement to + the left, blacks from the one to the right. They hurry to form + into two racial lines on each side of the gate, rigid and + unyielding, staring across at each other with bitter hostile eyes. + The halves of the big church door swing open and_ JIM _and_ ELLA + _step out from the darkness within into the sunlight. The doors + slam behind them like wooden lips of an idol that has spat them + out._ JIM _is dressed in black._ ELLA _in white, both with extreme + plainness. They stand in the sunlight, shrinking and confused. All + the hostile eyes are now concentrated on them. They become aware + of the two lines through which they must pass; they hesitate and + tremble; then stand there staring back at the people as fixed and + immovable as they are. The organ grinder comes in from the right. + He plays the chorus of “Old Black Joe.” As he finishes the bell of + the church clangs one more single stroke, insistently dismissing._ + +JIM—[_As if the sound had awakened him from a trance, reaches out and +takes her hand._] Come. Time we got to the steamer. Time we sailed away +over the sea. Come, Honey! [_She tries to answer but her lips tremble; +she cannot take her eyes off the eyes of the people; she is unable to +move. He sees this and, keeping the same tone of profound, affectionate +kindness, he points upward in the sky, and gradually persuades her eyes +to look up._] Look up, Honey! See the sun! Feel his warm eye lookin’ +down! Feel how kind he looks! Feel his blessing deep in your heart, your +bones! Look up, Honey! [_Her eyes are fixed on the sky now. Her face is +calm. She tries to smile bravely back at the sun. Now he pulls her by +the hand, urging her gently to walk with him down through the yard and +gate, through the lines of people. He is maintaining an attitude to +support them through the ordeal only by a terrible effort, which +manifests itself in the hysteric quality of ecstasy which breaks into +his voice._] And look at the sky! Ain’t it kind and blue! Blue for hope. +Don’t they say blue’s for hope? Hope! That’s for us, Honey. All those +blessings in the sky! What’s it the Bible says? Falls on just and unjust +alike? No, that’s the sweet rain. Pshaw, what am I saying? All mixed up. +There’s no unjust about it. We’re all the same—equally just—under the +sky—under the sun—under God—sailing over the sea—to the other side of +the world—the side where Christ was born—the kind side that takes count +of the soul—over the sea—the sea’s blue, to——. Let’s not be late—let’s +get that steamer! [_They have reached the curb now, passed the lines of +people. She is looking up to the sky with an expression of trancelike +calm and peace. He is on the verge of collapse, his face twitching, his +eyes staring. He calls hoarsely_:] Taxi! Where is he? Taxi! + + + [_The Curtain Falls_] + + + + + ACT II + + + ACT TWO + SCENE ONE + + SCENE—_Two years later. A flat of the better sort in the Negro + district near the corner of Act One. This is the parlor. Its + furniture is a queer clash. The old pieces are cheaply ornate, + naïvely, childishly gaudy—the new pieces give evidence of a taste + that is diametrically opposed, severe to the point of somberness. + On one wall, in a heavy gold frame, is a colored photograph—the + portrait of an elderly Negro with an able, shrewd face but dressed + in outlandish lodge regalia, a get-up adorned with medals, sashes, + a cocked hat with frills—the whole effect as absurd to contemplate + as one of Napoleon’s Marshals in full uniform. In the left corner, + where a window lights it effectively, is a Negro primitive mask + from the Congo—a grotesque face, inspiring obscure, dim + connotations in one’s mind, but beautifully done, conceived in a + true religious spirit. In this room, however, the mask acquires an + arbitrary accentuation. It dominates by a diabolical quality that + contrast imposes upon it._ + + _There are two windows on the left looking out in the street. In + the rear, a door to the hall of the building. In the right, a + doorway with red and gold portières leading into the bedroom and + the rest of the flat. Everything is cleaned and polished. The dark + brown wall paper is new, the brilliantly figured carpet also. + There is a round mahogany table at center. In a rocking chair by + the table_ MRS. HARRIS _is sitting. She is a mild-looking, + gray-haired Negress of sixty-five, dressed in an old-fashioned + Sunday-best dress. Walking about the room nervously is_ HATTIE, + _her daughter_, JIM’S _sister, a woman of about thirty with a + high-strung, defiant face—an intelligent head showing both power + and courage. She is dressed severely, mannishly._ + + _It is a fine morning in Spring. Sunshine comes through the + windows at the left._ + +MRS. HARRIS—Time dey was here, ain’t it? + +HATTIE—[_Impatiently._] Yes. + +MRS. H.—[_Worriedly._] You ain’t gwine ter kick up a fuss, is you—like +you done wid Jim befo’ de weddin’? + +HATTIE—No. What’s done is done. + +MRS. H.—We mustn’t let her see we hold it agin’ her—de bad dat happened +to her wid dat no-count fighter. + +HATTIE—I certainly never give that a thought. It’s what she’s done to +Jim—making him run away and give up his fight——! + +MRS. H.—Jim loves her a powerful lot, must be. + +HATTIE—[_After a pause—bitterly._] I wonder if she loves Jim! + +MRS. H.—She must, too. Yes, she must, too. Don’t you forget dat it was +hard for her—mighty, mighty hard—harder for de white dan for de black! + +HATTIE—[_Indignantly._] Why should it be? + +MRS. H.—[_Shaking her head._] I ain’t talkin’ of shoulds. It’s too late +for shoulds. Dey’s o’ny one should. [_Solemnly._] De white and de black +shouldn’t mix dat close. Dere’s one road where de white goes on alone; +dere’s anudder road where de black goes on alone—— + +HATTIE—Yes, if they’d only leave us alone! + +MRS. H.—Dey leaves your Pa alone. He comes to de top till he’s got his +own business, lots o’ money in de bank, he owns a building even befo’ he +die. [_She looks up proudly at the picture._ HATTIE _sighs +impatiently—then her mother goes on_.] Dey leaves me alone. I bears four +children into dis worl’, two dies, two lives, I helps you two grow up +fine an’ healthy and eddicated wid schoolin’ and money fo’ yo’ comfort—— + +HATTIE—[_Impatiently._] Ma! + +MRS. H.—I does de duty God set for me in dis worl’. Dey leaves me alone. +[HATTIE _goes to the window to hide her exasperation. The mother broods +for a minute—then goes on._] The worl’ done change. Dey ain’t no +satisfaction wid nuffin’ no more. + +HATTIE—Oh! [_Then after a pause._] They’ll be here any minute now. + +MRS. H.—Why didn’t you go meet ’em at de dock like I axed you? + +HATTIE—I couldn’t. My face and Jim’s among those hundreds of white +faces—— [_With a harsh laugh._] It would give her too much advantage! + +MRS. H.—[_Impatiently._] Don’t talk dat way! What makes you so proud? +[_Then after a pause—sadly._] Hattie. + +HATTIE—[_Turning._] Yes, Ma. + +MRS. H.—I want to see Jim again—my only boy—but—all de same I’d ruther +he stayed away. He say in his letter he’s happy, she’s happy, dey likes +it dere, de folks don’t think nuffin’ but what’s natural at seeing ’em +married. Why don’t dey stay? + +HATTIE—[_Vehemently._] No! They were cowards to run away. If they +believe in what they’ve done, then let them face it out, live it out +here, be strong enough to conquer all prejudice! + +MRS. H.—Strong? Dey ain’t many strong. Dey ain’t many happy neider. Dey +was happy ovah yondah. + +HATTIE—We don’t deserve happiness till we’ve fought the fight of our +race and won it! [_In the pause that follows there is a ring from back +in the flat._] It’s the door bell! You go, Ma. I—I—I’d rather not. [_Her +mother looks at her rebukingly and goes out agitatedly through the +portières._ HATTIE _waits, nervously walking about, trying to compose +herself. There is a long pause. Finally the portières are parted and_ +JIM _enters. He looks much older, graver, worried._] + +JIM—Hattie! + +HATTIE—Jim! [_They embrace with great affection._] + +JIM—It’s great to see you again! You’re looking fine. + +HATTIE—[_Looking at him searchingly._] You look well, too—thinner +maybe—and tired. [_Then as she sees him frowning._] But where’s Ella? + +JIM—With Ma. [_Apologetically._] She sort of—broke down—when we came in. +The trip wore her out. + +HATTIE—[_Coldly._] I see. + +JIM—Oh, it’s nothing serious. Nerves. She needs a rest. + +HATTIE—Wasn’t living in France restful? + +JIM—Yes, but—too lonely—especially for her. + +HATTIE—[_Resentfully._] Why? Didn’t the people there want to +associate——? + +JIM—[_Quickly._] Oh, no indeedy, they didn’t think anything of that. +[_After a pause._] But—she did. For the first year it was all right. +Ella liked everything a lot. She went out with French folks and got so +she could talk it a little—and I learned it—a little. We were having a +right nice time. I never thought then we’d ever want to come back here. + +HATTIE—[_Frowning._] But—what happened to change you? + +JIM—[_After a pause—haltingly._] Well—you see—the first year—she and I +were living around—like friends—like a brother and sister—like you and I +might. + +HATTIE—[_Her face becoming more and more drawn and tense._] You +mean—then——? [_She shudders—then after a pause._] She loves you, Jim? + +JIM—If I didn’t know that I’d have to jump in the river. + +HATTIE—Are you sure she loves you? + +JIM—Isn’t that why she’s suffering? + +HATTIE—[_Letting her breath escape through her clenched teeth._] Ah! + +JIM—[_Suddenly springs up and shouts almost hysterically._] Why d’you +ask me all those damn questions? Are you trying to make trouble between +us? + +HATTIE—[_Controlling herself—quietly._] No, Jim. + +JIM—[_After a pause—contritely._] I’m sorry, Hattie. I’m kind of on edge +today. [_He sinks down on his chair—then goes on as if something forced +him to speak._] After that we got to living housed in. Ella didn’t want +to see nobody, she said just the two of us was enough. I was happy +then—and I really guess she was happy, too—in a way—for a while. [_Again +a pause._] But she never did get to wanting to go out any place again. +She got to saying she felt she’d be sure to run into someone she +knew—from over here. So I moved us out to the country where no tourist +ever comes—but it didn’t make any difference to her. She got to avoiding +the French folks the same as if they were Americans and I couldn’t get +it out of her mind. She lived in the house and got paler and paler, and +more and more nervous and scarey, always imagining things—until I got to +imagining things, too. I got to feeling blue. Got to sneering at myself +that I wasn’t any better than a quitter because I sneaked away right +after getting married, didn’t face nothing, gave up trying to become a +Member of the Bar—and I got to suspecting Ella must feel that way about +me, too—that I wasn’t a _real man_! + +HATTIE—[_Indignantly._] She couldn’t! + +JIM—[_With hostility._] You don’t need to tell me! All this was only in +my own mind. We never quarreled a single bit. We never said a harsh +word. We were as close to each other as could be. We were all there was +in the world to each other. We were alone together! [_A pause._] Well, +one day I got so I couldn’t stand it. I could see she couldn’t stand it. +So I just up and said: Ella, we’ve got to have a plain talk, look +everything straight in the face, hide nothing, come out with the exact +truth of the way we feel. + +HATTIE—And you decided to come back! + +JIM—Yes. We decided the reason we felt sort of ashamed was we’d acted +like cowards. We’d run away from the thing—and taken it with us. We +decided to come back and face it and live it down in ourselves, and +prove to ourselves we were strong in our love—and then, and that way +only, by being brave we’d free ourselves, and gain confidence, and be +really free inside and able then to go anywhere and live in peace and +equality with ourselves and the world without any guilty uncomfortable +feeling coming up to rile us. [_He has talked himself now into a state +of happy confidence._] + +HATTIE—[_Bending over and kissing him._] Good for you! I admire you so +much, Jim! I admire both of you! And are you going to begin studying +right away and get admitted to the Bar? + +JIM—You bet I am! + +HATTIE—You must, Jim! Our race needs men like you to come to the front +and help—— [_As voices are heard approaching she stops, stiffens, and +her face grows cold._] + +JIM—[_Noticing this—warningly._] Remember Ella’s been sick! [_Losing +control—threateningly._] You be nice to her, you hear! [MRS. HARRIS +_enters, showing_ ELLA _the way. The colored woman is plainly worried +and perplexed._ ELLA _is pale, with a strange, haunted expression in her +eyes. She runs to Jim as to a refuge, clutching his hands in both of +hers, looking from_ MRS. HARRIS _to_ HATTIE _with a frightened +defiance_.] + +MRS. H.—Dere he is, child, big’s life! She was afraid we’d done +kidnapped you away, Jim. + +JIM—[_Patting her hand._] This place ought to be familiar, Ella. Don’t +you remember playing here with us sometimes as a kid? + +ELLA—[_Queerly—with a frown of effort._] I remember playing marbles one +night—but that was on the street. + +JIM—Don’t you remember Hattie? + +HATTIE—[_Coming forward with a forced smile._] It was a long time +ago—but I remember Ella. [_She holds out her hand._] + +ELLA—[_Taking it—looking at_ HATTIE _with the same queer defiance_.] I +remember. But you’ve changed so much. + +HATTIE—[_Stirred to hostility by_ ELLA’S _manner—condescendingly_.] Yes, +I’ve grown older, naturally. [_Then in a tone which, as if in spite of +herself, becomes bragging._] I’ve worked so hard. First I went away to +college, you know—then I took up post-graduate study—when suddenly I +decided I’d accomplish more good if I gave up learning and took up +teaching. [_She suddenly checks herself, ashamed, and stung by_ ELLA’S +_indifference_.] But this sounds like stupid boasting. I don’t mean +that. I was only explaining—— + +ELLA—[_Indifferently._] I didn’t know you’d been to school so long. [_A +pause._] Where are you teaching? In a colored school, I suppose. [_There +is an indifferent superiority in her words that is maddening to_ +HATTIE.] + +HATTIE—[_Controlling herself._] Yes. A private school endowed by some +wealthy members of our race. + +ELLA—[_Suddenly—even eagerly._] Then you must have taken lots of +examinations and managed to pass them, didn’t you? + +HATTIE—[_Biting her lips._] I always passed with honors! + +ELLA—Yes, we both graduated from the same High School, didn’t we? That +was dead easy for me. Why I hardly even looked at a book. But Jim says +it was awfully hard for him. He failed one year, remember? [_She turns +and smiles at_ JIM—_a tolerant, superior smile but one full of genuine +love_. HATTIE _is outraged, but_ JIM _smiles_.] + +JIM—Yes, it was hard for me, Honey. + +ELLA—And the law school examinations Jim hardly ever could pass at all. +Could you? [_She laughs lovingly._] + +HATTIE—[_Harshly._] Yes, he could! He can! He’ll pass them now—if you’ll +give him a chance! + +JIM—[_Angrily._] Hattie! + +MRS. HARRIS—Hold yo’ fool tongue! + +HATTIE—[_Sullenly._] I’m sorry. [ELLA _has shrunk back against_ JIM. +_She regards_ HATTIE _with a sort of wondering hatred. Then she looks +away about the room. Suddenly her eyes fasten on the primitive mask and +she gives a stifled scream._] + +JIM—What’s the matter, Honey? + +ELLA—[_Pointing._] That! For God’s sake, what is it? + +HATTIE—[_Scornfully._] It’s a Congo mask. [_She goes and picks it up._] +I’ll take it away if you wish. I thought you’d like it. It was my +wedding present to Jim. + +ELLA—What is it? + +HATTIE—It’s a mask which used to be worn in religious ceremonies by my +people in Africa. But, aside from that, it’s beautifully made, a work of +Art by a real artist—as real in his way as your Michael Angelo. +[_Forces_ ELLA _to take it_.] Here. Just notice the workmanship. + +ELLA—[_Defiantly._] I’m not scared of it if you’re not. [_Looking at it +with disgust._] Beautiful? Well, some people certainly have queer +notions! It looks ugly to me and stupid—like a kid’s game—making faces! +[_She slaps it contemptuously._] Pooh! You needn’t look hard at me. I’ll +give you the laugh. [_She goes to put it back on the stand._] + +JIM—Maybe, if it disturbs you, we better put it in some other room. + +ELLA—[_Defiantly aggressive._] No. I want it here where I can give it +the laugh! [_She sets it there again—then turns suddenly on_ HATTIE +_with aggressive determination_.] Jim’s not going to take any more +examinations! I won’t let him! + +HATTIE—[_Bursting forth._] Jim! Do you hear that? There’s white +justice!—their fear for their superiority!—— + +ELLA—[_With a terrified pleading._] Make her go away, Jim! + +JIM—[_Losing control—furiously to his sister._] Either you leave here—or +we will! + +MRS. H.—[_Weeping—throws her arms around_ HATTIE.] Let’s go, chile! +Let’s go! + +HATTIE—[_Calmly now._] Yes, Ma. All right. [_They go through the +portières. As soon as they are gone_, JIM _suddenly collapses into a +chair and hides his head in his hands_. ELLA _stands beside him for a +moment. She stares distractedly about her, at the portrait, at the mask, +at the furniture, at_ JIM. _She seems fighting to escape from some +weight on her mind. She throws this off and, completely her old self for +the moment, kneels by_ JIM _and pats his shoulder_.] + +ELLA—[_With kindness and love._] Don’t, Jim! Don’t cry, please! You +don’t suppose I really meant that about the examinations, do you? Why, +of course, I didn’t mean a word! I couldn’t mean it! I want you to take +the examinations! I want you to pass! I want you to be a lawyer! I want +you to be the best lawyer in the country! I want you to show ’em—all the +dirty sneaking; gossiping liars that talk behind our backs—what a man I +married. I want the whole world to know you’re the whitest of the white! +I want you to climb and climb—and step on ’em, stamp right on their mean +faces! I love you, Jim. You know that! + +JIM—[_Calm again—happily._] I hope so, Honey—and I’ll make myself +worthy. + +HATTIE—[_Appears in the doorway—quietly._] We’re going now, Jim. + +ELLA—No. Don’t go. + +HATTIE—We were going to, anyway. This is your house—Mother’s gift to +you, Jim. + +JIM—[_Astonished._] But I can’t accept—— Where are you going? + +HATTIE—We’ve got a nice flat in the Bronx—[_with bitter pride_] in the +heart of the Black Belt—the Congo—among our own people! + +JIM—[_Angrily._] You’re crazy—I’ll see Ma—— [_He goes out._ HATTIE _and_ +ELLA _stare at each other with scorn and hatred for a moment, then_ +HATTIE _goes_. ELLA _remains kneeling for a moment by the chair, her +eyes dazed and strange as she looks about her. Then she gets to her feet +and stands before the portrait of_ JIM’S _father—with a sneer_.] + +ELLA—It’s his Old Man—all dolled up like a circus horse! Well, they +can’t help it. It’s in the blood, I suppose. They’re ignorant, that’s +all there is to it. [_She moves to the mask—forcing a mocking tone._] +Hello, sport! Who d’you think you’re scaring? Not me! I’ll give you the +laugh. He won’t pass, you wait and see. Not in a thousand years! [_She +goes to the window and looks down at the street and mutters._] All +black! Every one of them! [_Then with sudden excitement._] No, there’s +one. Why, it’s Shorty! [_She throws the window open and calls._] Shorty! +Shorty! Hello, Shorty! [_She leans out and waves—then stops, remains +there for a moment looking down, then comes back into the room suddenly +as if she wanted to hide—her whole face in an anguish._] Say! Say! I +wonder?—No, he didn’t hear you. Yes, he did, too! He must have! I yelled +so loud you could hear me in Jersey! No, what are you talking about? How +would he hear with all kids yelling down there? He never heard a word, I +tell you! He did, too! He didn’t want to hear you! He didn’t want to let +anyone know he knew you! Why don’t you acknowledge it? What are you +lying about? I’m not! Why shouldn’t he? Where does he come in to—for +God’s sake, who is Shorty, anyway? A pimp! Yes, and a dope-peddler, too! +D’you mean to say he’d have the nerve to hear me call him and then +deliberately——? Yes, I mean to say it! I do say it! And it’s true, and +you know it, and you might as well be honest for a change and admit it! +He heard you but he didn’t want to hear you! He doesn’t want to know you +any more. No, not even him! He’s afraid it’d get him in wrong with the +old gang. Why? You know well enough! Because you married a—a—a—well, I +won’t say it, but you know without my mentioning names! [ELLA _springs +to her feet in horror and shakes off her obsession with a frantic +effort_.] Stop! [_Then whimpering like a frightened child._] Jim! Jim! +Jim! Where are you? I want you, Jim! [_She runs out of the room as_ + + + [_The Curtain Falls_] + + + ACT TWO + SCENE TWO + + SCENE—_The same. Six months later. It is evening. The walls of the + room appear shrunken in, the ceiling lowered, so that the + furniture, the portrait, the mask look unnaturally large and + domineering._ JIM _is seated at the table studying, law books + piled by his elbows. He is keeping his attention concentrated only + by a driving physical effort which gives his face the expression + of a runner’s near the tape. His forehead shines with + perspiration. He mutters one sentence from Blackstone over and + over again, tapping his forehead with his fist in time to the + rhythm he gives the stale words. But, in spite of himself, his + attention wanders, his eyes have an uneasy, hunted look, he starts + at every sound in the house or from the street. Finally, he + remains rigid, Blackstone forgotten, his eyes fixed on the + portières with tense grief. Then he groans, slams the book shut, + goes to the window and throws it open and sinks down beside it, + his arms on the sill, his head resting wearily on his arms, + staring out into the night, the pale glare from the arc-lamp on + the corner throwing his face into relief. The portières on the + right are parted and_ HATTIE _comes in_. + +HATTIE—[_Not seeing him at the table._] Jim! [_Discovering him._] Oh, +there you are. What’re you doing? + +JIM—[_Turning to her._] Resting. Cooling my head. [_Forcing a smile._] +These law books certainly are a sweating proposition! [_Then, +anxiously._] How is she? + +HATTIE—She’s asleep now. I felt it was safe to leave her for a minute. +[_After a pause._] What did the doctor tell you, Jim? + +JIM—The same old thing. She must have rest, he says, her mind needs +rest—— [_Bitterly._] But he can’t tell me any prescription for that +rest—leastways not any that’d work. + +HATTIE—[_After a pause._] I think you ought to leave her, Jim—or let her +leave you—for a while, anyway. + +JIM—[_Angrily._] You’re like the doctor. Everything’s so simple and +easy. Do this and that happens. Only it don’t. Life isn’t simple like +that—not in this case, anyway—no, it isn’t simple a bit. [_After a +pause._] I can’t leave her. She can’t leave me. And there’s a million +little reasons combining to make one big reason why we can’t. [_A +pause._] For her sake—if it’d do her good—I’d go—I’d leave—I’d do +anything—because I love her. I’d kill myself even—jump out of this +window this second—I’ve thought it over, too—but that’d only make +matters worse for her. I’m all she’s got in the world! Yes, that isn’t +bragging or fooling myself. I know that for a fact! Don’t you know +that’s true? [_There is a pleading for the certainty he claims._] + +HATTIE—Yes, I know she loves you, Jim. I know that now. + +JIM—[_Simply._] Then we’ve got to stick together to the end, haven’t we, +whatever comes—and hope and pray for the best? [_A pause—then +hopefully._] I think maybe this is the crisis in her mind. Once she +settles this in herself, she’s won to the other side. And me—once I +become a Member of the Bar—then I win, too! We’re both free—by our own +fighting down our own weakness! We’re both really, truly free! Then we +can be happy with ourselves here or anywhere. She’ll be proud then! Yes, +she’s told me again and again, she says she’ll be actually proud! + +HATTIE—[_Turning away to conceal her emotion._] Yes, I’m sure—but you +mustn’t study too hard, Jim! You mustn’t study too awfully hard! + +JIM—[_Gets up and goes to the table and sits down wearily._] Yes, I +know. Oh, I’ll pass easily. I haven’t got any scarey feeling about that +any more. And I’m doing two years’ work in one here alone. That’s better +than schools, eh? + +HATTIE—[_Doubtfully._] It’s wonderful, Jim. + +JIM—[_His spirit evaporating._] If I can only hold out! It’s hard! I’m +worn out. I don’t sleep. I get to thinking and thinking. My head aches +and burns like fire with thinking. Round and round my thoughts go +chasing like crazy chickens hopping and flapping before the wind. It +gets me crazy mad—’cause I can’t stop! + +HATTIE—[_Watching him for a while and seeming to force herself to +speak._] The doctor didn’t tell you all, Jim. + +JIM—[_Dully._] What’s that? + +HATTIE—He told me you’re liable to break down too, if you don’t take +care of yourself. + +JIM—[_Abjectly weary._] Let ’er come! I don’t care what happens to me. +Maybe if I get sick she’ll get well. There’s only so much bad luck +allowed to one family, maybe. [_He forces a wan smile._] + +HATTIE—[_Hastily._] Don’t give in to that idea, for the Lord’s sake! + +JIM—I’m tired—and blue—that’s all. + +HATTIE—[_After another long pause._] I’ve got to tell you something +else, Jim. + +JIM—[_Dully._] What? + +HATTIE—The doctor said Ella’s liable to be sick like this a very long +time. + +JIM—He told me that too—that it’d be a long time before she got back her +normal strength. Well, I suppose that’s got to be expected. + +HATTIE—[_Slowly._] He didn’t mean convalescing—what he told me. [_A long +pause._] + +JIM—[_Evasively._] I’m going to get other doctors in to see +Ella—specialists. This one’s a damn fool. + +HATTIE—Be sensible, Jim. You’ll have to face the truth—sooner or later. + +JIM—[_Irritably._] I know the truth about Ella better’n any doctor. + +HATTIE—[_Persuasively._] She’d get better so much sooner if you’d send +her away to some nice sanitarium—— + +JIM—No! She’d die of shame there! + +HATTIE—At least until after you’ve taken your examinations—— + +JIM—To hell with me! + +HATTIE—Six months. That wouldn’t be long to be parted. + +JIM—What are you trying to do—separate us? [_He gets to his +feet—furiously._] Go on out! Go on out! + +HATTIE—[_Calmly._] No, I won’t. [_Sharply._] There’s something that’s +got to be said to you and I’m the only one with the courage—— +[_Intensely._] Tell me, Jim, have you heard her raving when she’s out of +her mind? + +JIM—[_With a shudder._] No! + +HATTIE—You’re lying, Jim. You must have—if you don’t stop your ears—and +the doctor says she may develop a violent mania, dangerous for you—get +worse and worse until—Jim, you’ll go crazy too—living this way. Today +she raved on about “Black! Black!” and cried because she said her skin +was turning black—that you had poisoned her—— + +JIM—[_In anguish._] That’s only when she’s out of her mind. + +HATTIE—And then she suddenly called me a dirty nigger. + +JIM—No! She never said that ever! She never would! + +HATTIE—She did—and kept on and on! [_A tense pause._] She’ll be saying +that to you soon. + +JIM—[_Torturedly._] She don’t mean it! She isn’t responsible for what +she’s saying! + +HATTIE—I know she isn’t—yet she is just the same. It’s deep down in her +or it wouldn’t come out. + +JIM—Deep down in her people—not deep in her. + +HATTIE—I can’t make such distinctions. The race in me, deep in me, can’t +stand it. I can’t play nurse to her any more, Jim,—not even for your +sake. I’m afraid—afraid of myself—afraid sometime I’ll kill her dead to +set you free! [_She loses control and begins to cry._] + +JIM—[_After a long pause—somberly._] Yes, I guess you’d better stay away +from here. Good-by. + +HATTIE—Who’ll you get to nurse her, Jim,—a white woman? + +JIM—Ella’d die of shame. No, I’ll nurse her myself. + +HATTIE—And give up your studies? + +JIM—I can do both. + +HATTIE—You can’t! You’ll get sick yourself! Why, you look terrible even +as it is—and it’s only beginning! + +JIM—I can do anything for her! I’m all she’s got in the world! I’ve got +to prove I can be all to her! I’ve got to prove worthy! I’ve got to +prove she can be proud of me! I’ve got to prove I’m the whitest of the +white! + +HATTIE—[_Stung by this last—with rebellious bitterness._] Is that the +ambition she’s given you? Oh, you soft, weak-minded fool, you traitor to +your race! And the thanks you’ll get—to be called a dirty nigger—to hear +her cursing you because she can never have a child because it’ll be born +black——! + +JIM—[_In a frenzy._] Stop! + +HATTIE—I’ll say what must be said even though you kill me, Jim. Send her +to an asylum before you both have to be sent to one together. + +JIM—[_With a sudden wild laugh._] Do you think you’re threatening me +with something dreadful now? Why, I’d like that. Sure, I’d like that! +Maybe she’d like it better, too. Maybe we’d both find it all simple +then—like you think it is now. Yes. [_He laughs again._] + +HATTIE—[_Frightenedly._] Jim! + +JIM—Together! You can’t scare me even with hell fire if you say she and +I go together. It’s heaven then for me! [_With sudden savagery._] You go +out of here! All you’ve ever been aiming to do is to separate us so we +can’t be together! + +HATTIE—I’ve done what I did for your own good. + +JIM—I have no own good. I only got a good together with her. I’m all +she’s got in the world! Let her call me nigger! Let her call me the +whitest of the white! I’m all she’s got in the world, ain’t I? She’s all +I’ve got! You with your fool talk of the black race and the white race! +Where does the human race get a chance to come in? I suppose that’s +simple for you. You lock it up in asylums and throw away the key! [_With +fresh violence._] Go along! There isn’t going to be no more people +coming in here to separate—excepting the doctor. I’m going to lock the +door and it’s going to stay locked, you hear? Go along, now! + +HATTIE—[_Confusedly._] Jim! + +JIM—[_Pushes her out gently and slams the door after her—vaguely._] Go +along! I got to study. I got to nurse Ella, too. Oh, I can do it! I can +do anything for her! [_He sits down at the table and, opening the book, +begins again to recite the line from Blackstone in a meaningless rhythm, +tapping his forehead with his fist._ ELLA _enters noiselessly through +the portières. She wears a red dressing-gown over her night-dress but is +in her bare feet. She has a carving-knife in her right hand. Her eyes +fasten on_ JIM _with a murderous mania. She creeps up behind him. +Suddenly he senses something and turns. As he sees her he gives a cry, +jumping up and catching her wrist. She stands fixed, her eyes growing +bewildered and frightened._] + +JIM—[_Aghast._] Ella! For God’s sake! Do you want to murder me? [_She +does not answer. He shakes her._] + +ELLA—[_Whimperingly._] They kept calling me names as I was walking +along—I can’t tell you what, Jim—and then I grabbed a knife—— + +JIM—Yes! See! This! [_She looks at it frightenedly._] + +ELLA—Where did I——? I was having a nightmare—— Where did they go—I mean, +how did I get here? [_With sudden terrified pleading—like a little +girl._] Oh, Jim—don’t ever leave me alone! I have such terrible dreams, +Jim—promise you’ll never go away! + +JIM—I promise, Honey. + +ELLA—[_Her manner becoming more and more childishly silly._] I’ll be a +little girl—and you’ll be old Uncle Jim who’s been with us for years and +years—— Will you play that? + +JIM—Yes, Honey. Now you better go back to bed. + +ELLA—[_Like a child._] Yes, Uncle Jim. [_She turns to go. He pretends to +be occupied by his book. She looks at him for a second—then suddenly +asks in her natural woman’s voice._] Are you studying hard, Jim? + +JIM—Yes, Honey. Go to bed now. You need to rest, you know. + +ELLA—[_Stands looking at him, fighting with herself. A startling +transformation comes over her face. It grows mean, vicious, full of +jealous hatred. She cannot contain herself but breaks out harshly with a +cruel, venomous grin._] You dirty nigger! + +JIM—[_Starting as if he’d been shot._] Ella! For the good Lord’s sake! + +ELLA—[_Coming out of her insane mood for a moment, aware of something +terrible, frightened._] Jim! Jim! Why are you looking at me like that? + +JIM—What did you say to me just then? + +ELLA—[_Gropingly._] Why, I—I said—I remember saying, are you studying +hard, Jim? Why? You’re not mad at that, are you? + +JIM—No, Honey. What made you think I was mad? Go to bed now. + +ELLA—[_Obediently._] Yes, Jim. [_She passes behind the portières._ JIM +_stares before him. Suddenly her head is thrust out at the side of the +portières. Her face is again that of a vindictive maniac._] Nigger! +[_The face disappears—she can be heard running away, laughing with cruel +satisfaction._ JIM _bows his head on his outstretched arms but he is too +stricken for tears_.] + + + [_The Curtain Falls_] + + + ACT TWO + SCENE THREE + + SCENE—_The same, six months later. The sun has just gone down. The + Spring twilight sheds a vague, gray light about the room, picking + out the Congo mask on the stand by the window. The walls have + shrunken in still more, the ceiling now barely clears the people’s + heads, the furniture and the characters appear enormously + magnified. Law books are stacked in two great piles on each side + of the table._ ELLA _comes in from the right, the carving-knife in + her hand. She is pitifully thin, her face is wasted, but her eyes + glow with a mad energy, her movements are abrupt and spring-like. + She looks stealthily about the room, then advances and stands + before the mask, her arms akimbo, her attitude one of crazy + mockery, fear and bravado. She is dressed in the red + dressing-gown, grown dirty and ragged now, and is in her bare + feet._ + +ELLA—I’ll give you the laugh, wait and see! [_Then in a confidential +tone._] He thought I was asleep! He called, Ella, Ella—but I kept my +eyes shut, I pretended to snore. I fooled him good. [_She gives a little +hoarse laugh._] This is the first time he’s dared to leave me alone for +months and months. I’ve been wanting to talk to you every day but this +is the only chance—— [_With sudden violence—flourishing her knife._] +What’re you grinning about, you dirty nigger, you? How dare you grin at +me? I guess you forget what you are! That’s always the way. Be kind to +you, treat you decent, and in a second you’ve got a swelled head, you +think you’re somebody, you’re all over the place putting on airs, why, +it’s got so I can’t even walk down the street without seeing niggers, +niggers everywhere. Hanging around, grinning, grinning—going to +school—pretending they’re white—taking examinations——[_She stops, +arrested by the word, then suddenly._] That’s where he’s gone—down to +the mail-box—to see if there’s a letter from the Board—telling him—— But +why is he so long? [_She calls pitifully._] Jim! [_Then in a terrified +whimper._] Maybe he’s passed! Maybe he’s passed! [_In a frenzy._] No! +No! He can’t! I’d kill him! I’d kill myself! [_Threatening the Congo +mask._] It’s you who’re to blame for this! Yes, you! Oh, I’m on to you! +[_Then appealingly._] But why d’you want to do this to us? What have I +ever done wrong to you? What have you got against me? I married you, +didn’t I? Why don’t you let Jim alone? Why don’t you let him be happy as +he is—with me? Why don’t you let me be happy? He’s white, isn’t he—the +whitest man that ever lived? Where do you come in to interfere? Black! +Black! Black as dirt! You’ve poisoned me! I can’t wash myself clean! Oh, +I hate you! I hate you! Why don’t you let Jim and I be happy? [_She +sinks down in his chair, her arms outstretched on the table. The door +from the hall is slowly opened and_ JIM _appears. His bloodshot, +sleepless eyes stare from deep hollows. His expression is one of crushed +numbness. He holds an open letter in his hand._] + +JIM—[_Seeing_ ELLA—_in an absolutely dead voice_.] Honey—I thought you +were asleep. + +ELLA—[_Starts and wheels about in her chair._] What’s that? You got—you +got a letter——? + +JIM—[_Turning to close the door after him._] From the Board of Examiners +for admission to the Bar, State of New York—God’s country! [_He finishes +up with a chuckle of ironic self-pity so spent as to be barely +audible._] + +ELLA—[_Writhing out of her chair like some fierce animal, the knife held +behind her—with fear and hatred._] You didn’t—you didn’t—you didn’t +pass, did you? + +JIM—[_Looking at her wildly._] Pass? Pass? [_He begins to chuckle and +laugh between sentences and phrases, rich, Negro laughter, but +heart-breaking in its mocking grief._] Good Lord, child, how come you +can ever imagine such a crazy idea? Pass? Me? Jim Crow Harris? Nigger +Jim Harris—become a full-fledged Member of the Bar! Why the mere notion +of it is enough to kill you with laughing! It’d be against all natural +laws, all human right and justice. It’d be miraculous, there’d be +earthquakes and catastrophes, the seven Plagues’d come again and +locusts’d devour all the money in the banks, the second Flood’d come +roaring and Noah’d fall overboard, the sun’d drop out of the sky like a +ripe fig, and the Devil’d perform miracles, and God’d be tipped head +first right out of the Judgment seat! [_He laughs, maudlinly +uproarious._] + +ELLA—[_Her face beginning to relax, to light up._] Then you—you didn’t +pass? + +JIM—[_Spent—giggling and gasping idiotically._] Well, I should say not! +I should certainly say not! + +ELLA—[_With a cry of joy, pushes all the law books crashing to the +floor—then with childish happiness she grabs_ JIM _by both hands and +dances up and down_.] Oh, Jim, I knew it! I knew you couldn’t! Oh, I’m +so glad, Jim! I’m so happy! You’re still my old Jim—and I’m so glad! +[_He looks at her dazedly, a fierce rage slowly gathering on his face. +She dances away from him. His eyes follow her. His hands clench. She +stands in front of the mask—triumphantly._] There! What did I tell you? +I told you I’d give you the laugh! [_She begins to laugh with wild +unrestraint, grabs the mask from its place, sets it in the middle of the +table and plunging the knife down through it pins it to the table._] +There! Who’s got the laugh now? + +JIM—[_His eyes bulging—hoarsely._] You devil! You white devil woman! +[_In a terrible roar, raising his fists above her head._] You devil! + +ELLA—[_Looking up at him with a bewildered cry of terror._] Jim! [_Her +appeal recalls him to himself. He lets his arms slowly drop to his +sides, bowing his head._ ELLA _points tremblingly to the mask_.] It’s +all right, Jim! It’s dead. The devil’s dead. See! It couldn’t +live—unless you passed. If you’d passed it would have lived in you. Then +I’d have had to kill you, Jim, don’t you see—or it would have killed me. +But now I’ve killed it. [_She pats his hand._] So you needn’t ever be +afraid any more, Jim. + +JIM—[_Dully._] I’ve got to sit down, Honey. I’m tired. I haven’t had +much chance for sleep in so long—— [_He slumps down in the chair by the +table._] + +ELLA—[_Sits down on the floor beside him and holds his hand. Her face is +gradually regaining an expression that is happy, childlike and pretty._] +I know, Jim! That was my fault. I wouldn’t let you sleep. I couldn’t let +you. I kept thinking if he sleeps good then he’ll be sure to study good +and then he’ll pass—and the devil’ll win! + +JIM—[_With a groan._] Don’t, Honey! + +ELLA—[_With a childish grin._] That was why I carried that knife +around—[_she frowns—puzzled_]—one reason—to keep you from studying and +sleeping by scaring you. + +JIM—I wasn’t scared of being killed. I was scared of what they’d do to +you after. + +ELLA—[_After a pause—like a child._] Will God forgive me, Jim? + +JIM—Maybe He can forgive what you’ve done to me; and maybe He can +forgive what I’ve done to you; but I don’t see how He’s going to +forgive—Himself. + +ELLA—I prayed and prayed. When you were away taking the examinations and +I was alone with the nurse, I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep +but I was praying with all my might: O God, don’t let Jim pass! + +JIM—[_With a sob._] Don’t, Honey, don’t! For the good Lord’s sake! +You’re hurting me! + +ELLA—[_Frightenedly._] How, Jim? Where? [_Then after a pause—suddenly._] +I’m sick, Jim. I don’t think I’ll live long. + +JIM—[_Simply._] Then I won’t either. Somewhere yonder maybe—together—our +luck’ll change. But I wanted—here and now—before you—we—I wanted to +prove to you—to myself—to become a full-fledged Member—so you could be +proud—— [_He stops. Words fail and he is beyond tears._] + +ELLA—[_Brightly._] Well, it’s all over, Jim. Everything’ll be all right +now. [_Chattering along._] I’ll be just your little girl, Jim—and you’ll +be my little boy—just as we used to be, remember, when we were beaux; +and I’ll put shoe blacking on my face and pretend I’m black and you can +put chalk on your face and pretend you’re white just as we used to +do—and we can play marbles—only you mustn’t all the time be a boy. +Sometimes you must be my old kind Uncle Jim who’s been with us for years +and years. Will you, Jim? + +JIM—[_With utter resignation._] Yes, Honey. + +ELLA—And you’ll never, never, never, never leave me, Jim? + +JIM—Never, Honey. + +ELLA—’Cause you’re all I’ve got in the world—and I love you, Jim. [_She +kisses his hand as a child might, tenderly and gratefully._] + +JIM—[_Suddenly throws himself on his knees and raises his shining eyes, +his transfigured face._] Forgive me, God—and make me worthy! Now I see +Your Light again! Now I hear Your Voice! [_He begins to weep in an +ecstasy of religious humility._] Forgive me, God, for blaspheming You! +Let this fire of burning suffering purify me of selfishness and make me +worthy of the child You send me for the woman You take away! + +ELLA—[_Jumping to her feet—excitedly._] Don’t cry, Jim! You mustn’t cry! +I’ve got only a little time left and I want to play. Don’t be old Uncle +Jim now. Be my little boy, Jim. Pretend you’re Painty Face and I’m Jim +Crow. Come and play! + +JIM—[_Still deeply exalted._] Honey, Honey, I’ll play right up to the +gates of Heaven with you! [_She tugs at one of his hands, laughingly +trying to pull him up from his knees as_ + + + [_The Curtain Falls_] + + + + + WELDED + + A Play in Three Acts + + + + + CHARACTERS + + + MICHAEL CAPE + ELEANOR OWEN, _his wife_ + JOHN DARNTON + A WOMAN + + + ACT I + + + SCENE—The Capes’ apartment. + + + ACT II + + SCENE I—Library, Darnton’s home + + SCENE II—A room + + + ACT III + + SCENE—Same as Act I + + + + + ACT I + + + ACT ONE + + SCENE—_The Capes’ studio apartment on Fifty-ninth Street, New York + City—a large room with a high ceiling. In the rear there is a + balcony with a stairway at center leading down to the studio + floor. This balcony is the second story of the apartment, on which + are situated the bedrooms, bathroom, etc. The section of the + studio beneath the balcony is used as a dining room. The studio + proper is a combination of tasteful comfort with the + practicability of a workroom. Well-filled bookcases line the + walls. There is a typewriting table with a machine on it, a big + desk, a reading and writing table with books, magazines, etc. Easy + chairs, a chaise longue, rugs, etc._ + + _It is about eleven-thirty. The room is in darkness except for the + reading lamp on the table. The chaise longue has been pulled up + within the circle of light and_ ELEANOR _is lying back on this, + reading from a manuscript. She is a woman of thirty. Her figure is + tall, with the lithe lines of nervous strength. Her face, with its + high, rather prominent cheek-bones, lacks harmony; but each + feature is in itself arresting. It is dominated by passionate, + blue-gray eyes, restrained by a high forehead from which the mass + of her dark brown hair is combed straight back. The first + impression of her whole personality is one of charm, partly + innate, partly imposed by years of self-discipline. The motions of + her body are free and sure. Each movement is a complete reason for + itself. The low notes of her voice are disturbing. She is + something of every character she has ever played, of every woman + one has ever met._ + + _She reads, puts the script down, and her lips move as if she were + memorizing. She hesitates, frowns, utters an exclamation of + annoyance, looks at the script, finally flings it on the table + with a sigh of irritation at her mistakes, gets up, lights a + cigarette, resumes her former position, starts to take up the + script again but instead, with a sudden impulse which has + something in it of girlish embarrassment, picks up a letter from + the table. This she opens and reads, an expression of delight and + love coming over her face. She kisses the letter impulsively—then + gives a gay laugh at herself. She lets the letter fall on her lap + and stares straight before her, lost in a sentimental reverie._ + + _The door at right, underneath the balcony, is noiselessly opened and + Cape appears. He is thirty-five, tall and dark. His unusual face + impresses one. It is older and wiser than he, a harrowed + battlefield of super-sensitiveness, the features at war with one + another though the general effect is of a handsome face. He has + the forehead of a thinker, the eyes of a dreamer, the nose and + mouth of a sensualist. One feels a powerful imagination tinged + with somber sadness—a driving force of creation which can be + sympathetic and cruel at the same time. His manner is + extraordinarily nervous and self-conscious. He is never at ease, + is always watching himself. There is something tortured about him. + Yet at moments he can be astonishingly boyish and outpouring. His + body is gracefully made but his nervousness gives his movements an + uncoördinated quality. One feels perpetual strain about him, a + passionate tension, a self-protecting and intellectually arrogant + defiance of life and his own weakness, a deep need to love and be + loved, for a faith in which to relax._ + + _He has a suitcase, hat, and overcoat which he sets inside on the + floor by wall to rear of door, glancing toward his wife, trying + not to make the slightest noise. But she suddenly becomes aware of + some presence in the room, starts nervously, then turns boldly to + face it. She gives an exclamation of delighted astonishment when + she sees_ CAPE _and jumps up to meet him as he strides toward + her_. + +ELEANOR—Michael! + +CAPE—[_With a boyish grin._] You’ve spoiled it, Nelly; I wanted a kiss +to announce me. [_They are in each other’s arms. He kisses her +tenderly._] + +ELEANOR—[_Kissing him—joyfully._] This is a surprise! + +CAPE—[_Straining her in his arms and kissing her passionately._] Own +little wife! + +ELEANOR—Dearest! [_They look into each other’s eyes for a long moment._] + +CAPE—[_Tenderly._] Happy? + +ELEANOR—Yes, yes! Why do you always ask? You know. [_She kisses him +again and nestles her face against his shoulder._] + +CAPE—[_Pressing her to him._] Darling! + +ELEANOR—[_Suddenly pushing him to arms’ length—with a happy laugh._] +It’s positively immoral for an old married couple to act this way. [_She +leads him by the hand to the chaise longue._] And you must explain. You +wrote not to expect you till the end of the week. [_She sits down._] Get +a cushion. Sit down here. [_He puts a cushion on the floor beside the +chaise longue and sits down._] Tell me all about it. + +CAPE—[_Notices the letter lying on the floor._] Were you reading my +letter? [_She nods. He gives a happy grin._] Do you mean to say you +still read them over—after five years of me? + +ELEANOR—[_With a tender smile._] Oh—sometimes. + +CAPE—[_Kissing her hand._] Sweetheart! [_Smiling._] What were you +dreaming about when I intruded? + +ELEANOR—Never mind. You’re enough of an egotist already. [_Her hand +caressing his face and hair._] I’ve been feeling so lonely—and it’s only +been a few weeks, hasn’t it?—but it’s seemed—ages. [_She laughs._] How +was everything in the country? [_Suddenly kissing him._] Oh, I’m so +happy you’re back. [_With mock severity._] But ought I? Have you +finished the fourth act? You know you promised not to return until you +did. + +CAPE—This afternoon! + +ELEANOR—That’s splendid! + +CAPE—When I wrote you last it was dragging damnably—then suddenly +everything cleared and there was nothing to do but write like the devil. +[_With smiling elation._] From then on it rode me unmercifully to the +finish! + +ELEANOR—You’re sure you didn’t force it—[_with a tender smile at +him_]—because you were lonely, too? + +CAPE—[_With a sudden change in manner that is almost stern._] No. I +wouldn’t—I couldn’t—— You know that. + +ELEANOR—[_Her face showing a trace of hurt in spite of herself._] I was +only fooling. [_Then rousing herself as if conquering a growing +depression._] Tell me about the last act. I’m terribly anxious to hear +what you’ve done. + +CAPE—[_Enthusiastically._] It’s _real_, Nelly! You’ll see when I read +you—— The whole play has power and truth, I know it! And you’re going to +be marvelous! I could see you in it every second I was writing! It’s +going to be the finest thing we’ve ever done! + +ELEANOR—[_Kissing him impulsively._] Dear! I love you for saying “we.” +But the “we” is you. I only—[_with a smile of ironical self-pity_]—act a +part you’ve created. + +CAPE—[_Impetuously._] Nonsense! You’re an artist. Each performance of +yours has taught me something new. Why, my women used to be—death masks. +But now I flatter myself they’re as alive as you are—[_with a sudden +grin_]—at least, when you play them, Wonderful! [_He kisses her hand._] + +ELEANOR—[_Her eyes shining with excited pleasure._] You don’t know how +much it means to have you talk like that! Oh, I’m going to work so hard +on this play, Michael! I’ve been studying the first three acts—— +[_Impetuously._] You’ve simply got to read me that last act right now! + +CAPE—[_Jumping to his feet eagerly._] All right. [_He walks toward his +bag—then stops when he is half-way and, hesitating, turns slowly and +comes back. He bends down and lifts her face to his and kisses her +tenderly, looking into her eyes—with a loving smile, slowly._] No, on +second thoughts, I won’t read it now. + +ELEANOR—[_Disappointed—but tenderly._] Oh. Why not, dear? + +CAPE—[_With a smile._] Because—— + +ELEANOR—[_Smiling._] Plagiarist! + +CAPE—Because I’ve been hoping for this night as our own. Let’s forget +the actress and playwright. Let’s just be—us—lovers. + +ELEANOR—[_With a tender smile—musingly._] We _have_ remained lovers—in +spite of marriage—haven’t we? + +CAPE—[_With a grin._] Fights and all. + +ELEANOR—[_With a little frown._] We don’t fight so much. + +CAPE—[_Frowning himself._] Too much. + +ELEANOR—[_Forcing a smile._] Perhaps that’s the price. + +CAPE—[_With a wry smile._] Don’t grow fatalistic—just when I was about +to propose reform. + +ELEANOR—[_Smiling—quickly._] Oh, I’ll promise to be good—if you will. +[_Gently reproachful._] Do you think I enjoy fighting with you? +[_Intensely._] Don’t you realize how it destroys me? + +CAPE—[_With deep seriousness._] Then let’s resolve—once and for all—to +refuse to wound each other again—— [_With passion._] It’s wrong, Nelly. +It’s evil! We love too deeply. + +ELEANOR—Ssshh! We promise, dear. + +CAPE—[_Kissing her; then, hesitatingly._] We’ve been taking each other +too much for granted. That may do very well with the earthly loves of +the world—but ours has a God in it! And when the worshipers nod, the God +deserts their shrine. [_He suddenly laughs with awkward +self-consciousness._] I’m afraid that sounds like preaching. [_He +suddenly pulls her head down and kisses her impulsively._] But you +understand! Oh, Nelly, I love you—love you with all my soul! + +ELEANOR—[_Deeply moved._] And I love you, Michael—always and forever! +[_They sit close, she staring dreamily before her, he watching her +face._] + +CAPE—[_After a pause._] What are you thinking? + +ELEANOR—[_With a tender smile._] Of the first time we met—at rehearsal, +remember? I was thinking of how mistakenly I had pictured you before +that. [_She pauses—then frowning a little._] I’d heard such a lot of +gossip about your love affairs. + +CAPE—[_With a wry grin._] You must have been disappointed if you +expected Don Juan. [_A pause—then forcing a short laugh._] I also had +heard a lot of rumors about your previous—— [_He stops abruptly with an +expression of extreme bitterness._] + +ELEANOR—[_Sharply._] Don’t! [_A pause—then she goes on sadly._] It was +only our past together I wanted to remember. [_A pause—then with a trace +of scornful resentment._] I was forgetting your morbid obsession—— + +CAPE—[_With gloomy irritation._] Obsession? Why——? [_Then determinedly +throwing off this mood—reproachfully forcing a joking tone._] We’re not +“starting something” now, are we—after our promise? + +ELEANOR—[_Impulsively kissing him and straining her arms around him._] +No, no—of course not! Dearest! + +CAPE—[_After a pause—a bit awkwardly._] But you guessed my desire, at +that. I wanted to dream with you in our past—to find together in our old +love—a new faith—— + +ELEANOR—[_Smiling—a bit mockingly._] Another Grand Ideal for our +marriage? + +CAPE—[_Frowning._] Don’t mock. + +ELEANOR—[_Smiling teasingly._] But you’re such a relentless idealist. +You needn’t frown. That was exactly what drew me to you in those first +days. [_Earnestly._] I had lost faith in everything. Your love saved me. +Your work saved mine. [_Intensely._] I owe you myself, Michael! [_She +kisses him. Then she goes on intensely._] Do you remember—our first +night together? + +CAPE—[_Kissing her hand—tenderly reproachful._] Do you imagine I +could’ve forgotten? + +ELEANOR—[_Continuing as if she hadn’t heard._] The play was such a +marvelous success! I knew I had finally won recognition—through your +work. I loved myself! I loved you! You came to me—and my whole being +strained out—— [_More and more intensely._] Oh, it was beautiful +madness! I found and lost myself, I began living in you. I wanted to die +and become you! + +CAPE—[_Passionately._] And I, you! + +ELEANOR—[_Softly._] And do you remember the dawn creeping in—and how we +began to discuss our future? [_He kisses her hand. She exclaims +impulsively._] Oh, I’d give anything in the world to live those days +over again! + +CAPE—[_Smiling reproachfully._] Why? Hasn’t our marriage kept the spirit +of that time—with a growth of something deeper—finer—— + +ELEANOR—Yes,—but—— Oh, you know what I mean! It was revelation, then—a +miracle out of the sky. + +CAPE—[_Insistently._] But haven’t we realized the ideal we conceived of +our marriage—— [_Smiling but with deep earnestness nevertheless._] We +approached our wedding extremely cautiously, if you’ll remember, even +after months of successful living together. Not for us the convenient +sanction, the family rite. We swore to have a true sacrament—our own—or +nothing! Our marriage must be a consummation of creative love, demanding +and combining the best in each of us! Hard, difficult, guarded from the +commonplace, kept sacred as the outward form of our deep, inner harmony! +[_With an awkward sense of having become rhetorical he adds +self-mockingly._] We’d tend our flame on an altar, not in a kitchen +range! [_He forces a grin—then abruptly changing again, with a sudden +fierce pleading._] It has been what we dreamed, hasn’t it, Nelly? + +ELEANOR—[_Thoughtfully._] Our ideal was difficult—for human beings. But +even when we’ve hurt each other most cruelly—I’ve always known—— + +CAPE—[_Putting his arms about her and straining her to him._] We must +learn to love even the things we hate in each other. We must accept each +other wholly, as we are, as we must become! + +ELEANOR—[_Sadly._] Sometimes I think we have loved too +intensely—demanded too much of each other. Now there’s nothing left but +that something which can’t give itself. And I blame you for this—because +I can neither take more nor give more—and you blame me! [_She smiles +tenderly._] And then we fight! + +CAPE—[_Excitedly._] Then let’s be proud of our fight! It’s the penalty +of a love that strives to surpass itself—by regaining unity. It began +with the splitting of a cell a hundred million years ago into you and +me, leaving an eternal yearning to become one life again. + +ELEANOR—[_Kissing him passionately._] At moments—we do. + +CAPE—Yes! Yes! [_He kisses her—then intensely._] You and I—year after +year—together—forms of our two bodies coalescing into one form; rhythm +of our separate lives beating against each other, forming slowly the one +rhythm—the life of Us—our life created by us—outside, beyond, above! +[_With sudden furious anger._] God, what I feel of the truth of this—the +beauty!—but how can I express it? + +ELEANOR—[_Kissing him._] I understand. + +CAPE—[_Straining her to him with fierce passion._] Oh, My Own, My +Own—and I your own—to the end of time! I love you! I love you! + +ELEANOR—[_Returning his kisses._] I love you! + +CAPE—[_With passionate exultance._] Why do you regret our first days? +Their fire still burns in us—but deeper—more sacred. Don’t you feel +that? [_Kissing her again and again._] My Own! My Own! I have become +you! You have become me! One heart! One blood! Ours! [_He pulls her to +her feet and kisses her._] My wife!——Come! + +ELEANOR—[_Almost swooning in his arms._] My lover—yes—— My lover—— + +CAPE—Come! [_With his arms around her he leads her to the stairway. As +they get to the foot, there is a noise from the hall. She hears it, +starts, seems suddenly brought back to herself._ CAPE _is oblivious and +continues up the stairs. She stands swaying, holding on to the banister +as if in a daze. At the top_, CAPE _turns in surprise at not finding +her, as if he had felt her behind him. He looks down passionately, +stretching out his arms, his eyes glowing._] Come! + +ELEANOR—[_Weakly._] Ssshh! A moment—— Listen! + +CAPE—[_Bewilderedly._] What? What is it? + +ELEANOR—Ssshh—Listen—Someone—— [_She speaks in an unnatural, mechanical +tone. A knock comes at the door. She gives a sort of gasp of relief._] +There. + +CAPE—[_Still bewilderedly as if something mysterious were happening that +he cannot grasp._] What—what——? [_Then as she takes a slow, mechanical +step toward the door—with tense pleading._] Nelly! Come here! [_She +turns to look at him and is held by his imploring eyes. She sways +irresolutely toward him, again reaching to the banister for support. +Then a sharper knock comes at the door. It acts like a galvanic shock on +her. Her eyes move in that direction, she takes another jerky step_, +CAPE _stammers in a fierce whisper_.] No! Don’t go! + +ELEANOR—[_Without looking at him—mechanically._] I must. + +CAPE—[_Frantically._] They’ll go away. Nelly, don’t! Don’t! [_Again she +stops irresolutely like a hypnotized person torn by two conflicting +suggestions. The knock is repeated, this time with authority, assurance. +Her body reacts as if she were throwing off a load._] + +ELEANOR—[_With a return to her natural tone—but hysterically._] +Please—don’t be silly, Michael. It might be—something important. [_She +hurries to the door._] + +CAPE—[_Rushing down the stairs—frantically._] No! No! [_He just gets to +the bottom as she opens the door. He stands there fixed, disorganized, +trembling all over._] + +ELEANOR—[_As she sees who it is—in a relieved tone of surprise._] Why, +hello, John. Come in! Here’s Michael. Michael, it’s John. [DARNTON +_steps into the room. He is a man of about fifty, tall, loose-limbed, a +bit stoop-shouldered, with iron-gray hair, and a long, gaunt, shrewd +face. He is not handsome but his personality compels affection. His eyes +are round and childlike. They seem to understand sorrow without ever +having known it. They see everyone with understanding, they never judge. +The whole man has the quality of steadfastness. You feel he will always +be there, unchanged, unchangeable, always serene and kindly, a cool rock +for the fevered. He has no nerves. His voice is low and calming. He is +dressed negligently but in expensive tweed._] + +DARNTON—[_Shaking Eleanor by the hand._] Hello, Nelly. I was on my way +home from the theater and I thought I’d drop in for a second. Hello, +Michael. When’d you get in? Glad to see you back. [_He comes to him and +shakes his hand which_ CAPE _extends jerkily, as if in spite of himself, +without a word_.] + +ELEANOR—[_After a glance at her husband—in a forced tone._] We’re so +glad you’ve come. Sit down. + +DARNTON—[_He becomes aware of the disharmonious atmosphere his +appearance has created._] I can’t stay a second. [_To_ CAPE.] I wanted +some news of the big play. I thought Nelly’d probably have heard from +you. [_He slaps_ CAPE _on the back with jovial familiarity_.] Well, +how’s it coming? + +CAPE—[_In a frozen tone._] Oh,—all right—all right. + +ELEANOR—[_Uneasily._] Won’t you have a cigarette, John? [_She takes the +box from the table and holds it out to him._] + +DARNTON—[_Taking one._] Thanks, Nelly. [_He half-sits on the arm of a +chair. She holds out a light to him._] Thanks. + +ELEANOR—[_Nervously._] Why don’t you sit down, Michael? [_He doesn’t +answer. She goes to him with the cigarettes._] Don’t you want a +cigarette? [CAPE _stares at her with a hot glance of scorn. She recoils +from it, turning quickly away from him, visibly shaken. Without +appearing to notice_, DARNTON _scrutinizes their faces keenly, sizing up +the situation_.] + +DARNTON—[_Breaking in matter-of-factly._] You look done up, Michael. + +CAPE—[_With a guilty start._] I—I—I’m tired out. + +ELEANOR—[_With a forced air._] He’s been working too hard. He finished +the last act only this afternoon. + +DARNTON—[_With a grunt of satisfaction._] Glad to hear it—mighty glad. +[_Abruptly._] When can I see it? + +CAPE—In a day or so—I want to go over—— + +DARNTON—All right. [_Getting to his feet._] Well, that’s that. I’ll run +along. + +ELEANOR—[_Almost frightenedly._] Do stay. Why don’t you read us the last +act now, Michael? + +CAPE—[_Fiercely._] No! It’s rotten! I hate the whole play! + +DARNTON—[_Easily._] Suffering from the reaction. This play’s the finest +thing you’ve done. [_He comes to_ CAPE _and slaps him on the back +reassuringly_.] And it’s the biggest chance the lady here has ever had. +It’ll be a triumph for you both, wait and see. So cheer up—and get a +good night’s rest. [CAPE _smiles with bitter irony_.] Well, good-night. +[CAPE _nods without speaking_, DARNTON _goes to the door_, ELEANOR +_accompanying him_.] Good-night, Nelly. Better start on your part—only +don’t you overdo it, too. [_He pats her on the back._] Good-night. + +ELEANOR—Good-night. [_She closes the door after him. She remains there +for a moment staring at the closed door, afraid to turn and meet_ CAPE’S +_fiercely accusing eyes which she feels fixed upon her. Finally, making +an effort of will, she walks back to the table, avoiding his eyes, +assuming a careless air._] + +CAPE—[_Suddenly explodes in furious protest._] Why did you do that? + +ELEANOR—[_With an assumed surprise but with a guilty air, turning over +the pages of a magazine._] Do what? + +CAPE—[_Tensely, clutching her by the arm._] You know what I mean! +[_Unconsciously he grips her tighter, almost shaking her._] + +ELEANOR—[_Coldly._] You are hurting me. [_A bit shamefacedly_, CAPE +_lets go of her arm. She glances quickly at his face, then speaks with a +kind of dull remorse._] I suppose I can guess—my going to the door? + +CAPE—He would have gone away—— [_With anguish._] Nelly, why did you? + +ELEANOR—[_Defensively._] Wasn’t it important you should see John? + +CAPE—[_With helpless anger._] Don’t evade! [_With deep feeling._] I +should think you’d be ashamed. + +ELEANOR—[_After a pause—dully._] Perhaps—I am. [_A pause._] I couldn’t +help myself. + +CAPE—[_Intensely._] You should have been oblivious to everything! +[_Miserably._] I—I can’t understand! + +ELEANOR—That’s you, Michael. The other is me—or a part of me—I hardly +understand myself. + +CAPE—[_Sinking down on a chair, his head in his hands._] After all we’d +been to each other tonight—! [_With bitter despondency._] Ruined +now—gone—a rare moment of beauty! It seems at times as if some jealous +demon of the commonplace were mocking our love—— [_With a violent +gesture of loathing._] Oh, how intolerably insulting life can be! [_Then +brokenly._] Nelly, why, why did you? + +ELEANOR—[_Dully._] I—I don’t know. [_Then after a pause she comes over +and puts her hand on his shoulder._] Don’t brood, dear. I’m sorry. I +hate myself. [_A pause. She looks down at him, seeming to make up her +mind to something—in a forced tone._] But—why is it gone—irrevocably—our +beautiful moment? [_She strokes his hair._] We have the whole night—— +[_He stares up at her wonderingly. She forces a smile, half turning +away._] + +CAPE—[_In wild protest._] Nelly, what are you offering me—a sacrifice? +Please! + +ELEANOR—[_Revolted._] Michael! [_Then hysterically._] No, forgive me! +I’m the disgusting one! Forgive me! [_She turns away from him and throws +herself on a chair, staring straight before her. Their chairs are side +by side, each facing front, so near that by a slight movement each could +touch the other, but during the following scene they stare straight +ahead and remain motionless. They speak, ostensibly to the other, but +showing by their tone it is a thinking aloud to oneself, and neither +appears to hear what the other has said._] + +CAPE—[_After a long pause._] More and more frequently. There’s always +some knock at the door, some reminder of the life outside which calls +you away from me. + +ELEANOR—It is so beautiful—and then—suddenly I’m being crushed. I feel a +cruel presence in you paralyzing me, creeping over my body, possessing +it so it is no longer my body—then grasping at some last inmost thing +which makes me me—my soul—demanding to have that, too! I have to rebel +with all my strength—seize any pretext! Just now at the foot of the +stairs—the knock on the door was—liberation. [_In anguish._] And yet I +love you! It’s because I love you! If I am destroyed, what is left to +love you, what is left for you to love? + +CAPE—I’ve grown inward into our life. But you keep trying to escape as +if it were a prison. You feel the need of what is outside. I am not +enough for you. + +ELEANOR—Why is it I can never know you? I love you—and you’re strange. I +try to know you and I can’t. I desire to take all of you into my heart, +but there is a great alien force—— I hate that unknown power in you +which would destroy me. [_Pleadingly._] Haven’t I a right to myself as +you have to yourself? + +CAPE—You fight against me as if I were your enemy. Every word or action +of mine which affects you, you resent. At every turn you feel your +individuality invaded—while at the same time you are jealous of any +separateness in me. You demand more and more while you give less and +less. And I have to acquiesce. Have to? Yes, because I love you. I +cannot live without you! You realize that! You take advantage of it +while you despise me for my helplessness! [_This seems to goad him to +desperation._] But look out! I still have the strength to——! [_He turns +his head and stares at her challengingly._] + +ELEANOR—[_As before._] You insist that I have no life at all outside +you. Even my work must exist only as an echo of yours. You hate my need +of easy, casual associations. You think that weakness. You hate my +friends. You are jealous of everything and everybody. You would wall me +in——[_Resentfully._] I have to fight. You are too severe. Your ideal is +too inhuman. Why can’t you understand and be generous—be just! [_She +turns to meet his eyes, staring back with resentful accusation. They +look at each other in this manner for a long moment._] + +CAPE—[_Averting his eyes and addressing her directly in a cold, +sarcastic tone._] Strange—that Darnton should pop in on us suddenly like +that. + +ELEANOR—[_Resentfully._] I don’t see anything strange about it. + +CAPE—It’s past twelve—— + +ELEANOR—You’re in New York now. + +CAPE—[_Sharply._] I’m quite aware of that. Nevertheless—— + +ELEANOR—[_Shortly._] He explained. Didn’t you hear him? He wanted news +of the play and thought I might have a letter—— + +CAPE—That’s just the point. He had no idea he would find me here. + +ELEANOR—[_About to fly at him, checks herself after a pause, coldly._] +Why shouldn’t he come to see me? He’s the oldest friend I’ve got. He +gave me my first chance and he’s always helped me since. I owe whatever +success I’ve made of my acting to his advice and direction. + +CAPE—[_Stung—sarcastically._] Oh, undoubtedly! + +ELEANOR—I suppose you think I ought to have said it’s to you I owe +everything? + +CAPE—[_Dryly._] I’d prefer to say it was to yourself, and no one else. +[_After a pause—attempting a casual tone._] Has he been in the habit of +calling here while I’ve been gone? [_Hurriedly._] Don’t misunderstand +me. I’m merely asking a question. + +ELEANOR—[_Scornfully._] Oh! [_A pause. She bites her lips—then coldly._] +Yes, he’s been here once before. [_Mockingly._] And after the theater, +too! Think of that! + +CAPE—[_Sneeringly._] The same insatiable curiosity about my play? + +ELEANOR—[_Angrily._] Michael! [_A pause—then scornfully._] Don’t tell me +you’re becoming jealous of John again! + +CAPE—[_Meaningly._] Again. That’s just it. + +ELEANOR—[_Springing from her chair—excitedly._] This is insufferable! +[_Then calming herself with an effort—with a forced laugh._] Please +don’t be so ridiculous, Michael. I’ll only lose my temper if you keep +on. [_Then suddenly she makes up her mind and comes to him._] Please +stop, dear. We’ve made up our minds not to quarrel. Let’s drop it. [_She +pats his head with a friendly smile._] + +CAPE—[_Impulsively takes her hand and kisses it._] All right. Forgive +me. I’m all unstrung. His breaking in on us like that—— [_He relapses +into frowning brooding again. She sits down, this time facing him, and +looks at him uneasily._] + +ELEANOR—[_After a pause—rather irritably._] It’s too absolutely silly, +your being jealous of John. + +CAPE—I’m not jealous of him. I’m jealous of you—the perverse something +in you that repulses our love—the stranger in you. + +ELEANOR—[_With a short laugh._] I should think after five years—— + +CAPE—[_Unheeding._] And what makes me hate you at those times is that I +know you like to make me jealous, that my suffering pleases you, that it +satisfies some craving in you—for revenge! + +ELEANOR—[_Scornfully._] Can’t you realize how absurd you are? [_Then +with a forced placating laugh._] No, really, Michael, it would be +funny—if it weren’t so exasperating. + +CAPE—[_After a pause—somberly._] You mentioned our years together as +proof. What of the years that preceded? + +ELEANOR—[_Challengingly._] Well, what of them? + +CAPE—By their light, I have plausible grounds for jealousy in Darnton’s +case. Or don’t you acknowledge that? + +ELEANOR—I deny it absolutely! + +CAPE—Why, you’ve told me yourself he was in love with you for years, +that he once asked you to marry him! + +ELEANOR—Well, did I marry him? + +CAPE—But he still loves you. + +ELEANOR—Don’t be stupid! + +CAPE—He does, I tell you! + +ELEANOR—If you had any sense you’d know that his love has become purely +that of an old friend. And I refuse to give up his friendship for your +silly whims. + +CAPE—[_After a pause in which they each brood +resentfully—sarcastically._] You were a shining exception, it appears. +The other women he helped could hardly claim he had remained—merely +their friend. + +ELEANOR—[_Vehemently._] It’s a lie! You’re repeating low Broadway +scandal. And even if it were true, you’d find it was they who offered +themselves. + +CAPE—[_Significantly._] Ah! [_Then after a pause._] Perhaps because they +felt it necessary for their careers. + +ELEANOR—[_Dryly._] Perhaps. [_Then after a pause._] But they discovered +their mistake, then. John isn’t that type. + +CAPE—[_Suddenly._] Why do you act so jealous—of those others? + +ELEANOR—[_Flushing angrily._] I don’t. It’s your stupid imagination. + +CAPE—Then why lose your temper? + +ELEANOR—Because I resent your superior attitude that John had to bribe +women to love him. Isn’t he as worthy of love—as you are? + +CAPE—[_Sarcastically._] If I am to believe your story, you didn’t think +so. + +ELEANOR—[_Irritably._] Then let’s stop arguing, for heaven’s sake! Why +do you always have to rake up the past? For the last year or so you’ve +begun to act more and more as you did when we first lived +together—jealous and suspicious of everything and everybody! +[_Hysterically._] I can’t bear it, Michael! + +CAPE—[_Ironically._] You used to love me for it then. + +ELEANOR—[_Calming herself._] Well, I can’t endure it now. It’s too +degrading. I have a right to your complete faith. [_Reaching over and +grasping his hands—earnestly._] You know I have in your heart of hearts. +You know I love you, that there can never be anyone but you. Forget the +past. It wasn’t us. For your peace—and mine, Michael! + +CAPE—[_Moved—pressing her hands._] All right. Let’s stop. It’s only that +I’ve thought I’ve felt you drawing away——! Perhaps it’s all my +super-sensitiveness—— [_Patting her hand and forcing a smile._] Let’s +talk of something else. [_Cheerfully—after a pause._] You can’t imagine +how wonderful it’s been up in the country. There’s just enough winter in +the air to make one energetic. No summer fools about. Solitude and work. +I was happy—that is, as happy as I ever can be without you. + +ELEANOR—[_Withdrawing her hands from his with a quick +movement—sarcastically._] Thanks for that afterthought—but do you expect +me to believe it? When you’re working I might die and you’d never know +it. + +CAPE—[_Amused but irritated._] There you go! You denounce my jealousy, +but it seems to me your brand of it is much more ridiculous. + +ELEANOR—[_Sharply._] You imagine I’m jealous of your work? You—you +flatter yourself! + +CAPE—[_Stung—bitingly._] It’s an unnatural passion certainly—in your +case. And an extremely ungrateful passion, I might add! + +ELEANOR—[_Losing her temper completely._] You mean I ought to be +grateful for—— I suppose you think that without your work I—— +[_Springing to her feet._] Your egotism is making a fool of you! You’re +becoming so exaggeratedly conceited no one can stand you! Everyone +notices it! + +CAPE—[_Angrily._] You know that’s untrue. You only say it to be mean. As +for my work, you’ve acknowledged a million times—— + +ELEANOR—If I have—but please remember there are other playwrights in the +world! + +CAPE—[_Bitingly._] You were on the stage seven years before I met you. +Your appearance in the work of other playwrights—you must admit you were +anything but successful! + +ELEANOR—[_With a sneer of rage._] And I suppose you were? + +CAPE—Yes! Not in your Broadway sense, perhaps, but—— + +ELEANOR—You’re contemptible! You know that’s the very last thing you can +say of me. It was exactly because I wasn’t that kind—because I was an +artist—that I found it so hard! + +CAPE—[_Unheeding._] My plays had been written. The one you played in +first was written three years before. The work was done. That’s the +proof. + +ELEANOR—[_Scathingly._] That’s absurd! You know very well if it hadn’t +been for John, you—— + +CAPE—[_Violently._] Nonsense! There were other managers who—— + +ELEANOR—They didn’t want your work, you know it! + +CAPE—[_Enraged._] I see what you’re driving at! You’d like to pretend I +was as much dependent on Darnton as you were! [_Trembling all over with +the violence of his passion._] I should think you’d be ashamed to boast +so brazenly—to me!—of what he had done for you! + +ELEANOR—Why should I be ashamed of my gratitude? + +CAPE—To drag that relationship out of the past and throw it in my face! + +ELEANOR—[_Very pale—tensely._] What relationship? + +CAPE—[_Incoherently, strangled by his passion._] Ask anyone—here—to +Forty-second Street! [_Then suddenly with anguished remorse._] No, no! I +don’t mean that! [_Torturedly._] Wounds! Wounds! For God’s sake, let’s +stop! + +ELEANOR—[_Trembling with rage._] I’ll never forget you said that! You +cur! + +CAPE—[_Stung—in a passion again at once._] Cur? Because I resent that +man’s being here—late at night—when I was away? I would be a cur if I +didn’t! Oh, I don’t mean I suspect you—now—— + +ELEANOR—[_Viciously._] What noble faith! Maybe you’re going to discover +I don’t deserve it! + +CAPE—[_Unheeding._] But there was scandal enough about you and him, and +if you had any respect for me—— + +ELEANOR—I’ve lost it now! + +CAPE—You wouldn’t deliberately open the way—— + +ELEANOR—[_Tensely._] So you believe—that gutter gossip? You think I——? +Then all these years you’ve really believed——? Oh, you mean hypocrite! + +CAPE—[_Stung—bitingly._] Don’t act moral indignation! What else could I +have thought? When we first fell in love, you confessed frankly you had +had lovers—not Darnton but others—— + +ELEANOR—[_Brokenly—with mingled grief and rage._] I was an idiot! I +should have lied to you! But I thought you’d understand—that I’d been +searching for something—that I needed love—something I found at last in +you! I tried to make you see the truth—the truth!—that those experiences +had only served to make me appreciate you all the more when I found you! +I told you how little these men had meant to me. I tried to convince you +that in the state of mind I had been in it had no significance either +one way or the other, and that such an attitude is possible for a woman +without her being base. I thought you understood. But you didn’t, you’re +not big enough for that! By your own experiences in the past you had +made sex a degradation to yourself—and physical virtue the highest +virtue in women! [_With a gesture of loathing._] Always the physical! As +if there could be only one attitude toward it for women! + +CAPE—[_Angrily protesting._] What has all this silly generalizing to do +with us? You forget that when we conceived the ideal of our marriage we +_both_ agreed that unfaithfulness would be the unpardonable sin—not +because we regarded it as a crime in itself but because it was a symbol +of our separate weak attitudes toward love in the past,—a sin against +love, do you hear?—our love which we wished to make unique, beautiful, +finer than other loves! + +ELEANOR—[_With a wild ironical laugh._] Words! Now I know why the women +in your plays are so wooden! You ought to get down on your knees and +thank me for breathing life into them! + +CAPE—[_Furiously._] Good God, how dare you criticize creative work, +actress! + +ELEANOR—[_Violently._] You deny that I create——? Perhaps if I’d consent +to give up the stage, have children and a home, take up knitting—— [_She +laughs wildly._] I’d be safe then, wouldn’t I?—reliable, guaranteed not +to—— [_Her face seems suddenly to congeal._] So you think that I was +Darnton’s mistress—that I loved him—or do you believe I just sold myself +for a career? + +CAPE—[_In agony._] No, no! For God’s sake, stop! I may have thought you +once loved—— + +ELEANOR—[_Frozenly._] Well, it was—that—just that! When he first engaged +me—I’d heard the gossip—I thought he expected—and I agreed with +myself—it meant nothing to me one way or the other—nothing meant +anything then but a chance to do my work, live my life—yes, I agreed—but +you see he didn’t, he didn’t agree. He loved me but he saw I didn’t love +him—that way—and he’s a finer man than you dream! + +CAPE—[_Hoarsely._] You’re lying! [_Bewilderedly._] I can’t believe—— + +ELEANOR—[_Fiercely._] Oh, yes you can! You want to! You do! And you’re +glad! It makes me seem a lower creature than you thought, but you’re +glad to know it just the same! You’re glad because now you can really +believe that—nothing ever happened between us! [_She stares into his +eyes and seems to read some confirmation of her statement there, for she +cries with triumphant bitterness._] It’s true! You can’t deny it! + +CAPE—[_Wildly._] No! You devil, you, you read thoughts into my mind! + +ELEANOR—[_With wild hysterical scorn._] It’s true! How can I love you? +How could I ever love you? + +CAPE—[_Clutching her in his arms fiercely._] Stop! Stop! You do love me! +[_He kisses her frantically. For a moment she submits, appears even to +return his kisses in spite of herself._ CAPE _cries triumphantly_.] You +do! [_She suddenly pushes him away and glares at him at arms’ length. +Her features are working convulsively. Her whole tortured face expresses +an abysmal self-loathing, a frightful hatred for him._] + +ELEANOR—[_As if to herself—in a strangled voice._] No! You cannot +crush—my loathing! [_Her face becomes deadly calm. She speaks with +intense, cold hatred._] Don’t kiss me. I despise you! I love him. He +was—my lover—when you were away! + +CAPE—[_Stares dumbly into her eyes for a long moment—hoarsely, in +agony._] You lie! You lie! You only want to torture—— + +ELEANOR—[_Deathly calm._] It’s true! [CAPE _stares at her another +second—then, with a snarl of fury like an animal’s he seizes her about +the throat with both hands. He chokes her, forcing her down to her +knees. She does not struggle but continues to look into his eyes with +the same defiant hate. At last he comes to himself with a shudder and +steps away from her. She remains where she is, only putting out her hand +on the floor to support herself._] + +CAPE—[_In a terrible state, sobbing with rage and anguish._] Gone! Dead! +All our beauty gone! Oh, how I hate you! And you don’t love him! You +lie! You did this out of hatred for me! You dragged our ideal in the +gutter—with delight! [_Wildly._] And you pride yourself you’ve killed +it, do you, you actress, you barren soul? [_With savage triumph._] But I +tell you only a creator can really destroy! [_With a climax of frenzy._] +And I will! I will! I won’t give your hatred the satisfaction of seeing +our love live on in me—to torture me! I’ll drag it lower than you! I’ll +stamp it into the vilest depth! I’ll leave it dead! I’ll murder it—and +be free! [_Again he threatens her, his hands twitching back toward her +neck—then he rushes out of the door as if furies were pursuing him, +slamming it shut behind him._] + +ELEANOR—[_With a cry of despair._] Michael! [_She stops as hatred and +rage overpower her again—leaps up and runs to the door—opens it and +screams after him violently._] Go! Go! I’m glad! I hate you. I’ll go, +too! I’m free! I’ll go—— [_She turns and runs up the stairs. She +disappears for a moment, then comes back with a hat and coat on and, +hurrying down the stairs again, rushes out leaving the door open behind +her._] + + + [_The Curtain Falls_] + + + + + ACT II + + + ACT TWO + SCENE ONE + + SCENE—_Library of_ JOHN DARNTON’S _home in Connecticut, an hour or so + from the city. The room is spacious, furnished in excellent taste. + The rear wall is lined with bookshelves. On the wall above the + shelves are hung framed photographs of stage-sets. A door is in + the rear, toward right. A grand piano at left of door. Near it a + round table with a bronze lamp. A smaller table with another lamp + is in the left corner. In the right corner a big cushioned chair + and an expensive Victrola. In the right wall, French windows + opening on a porch. In the left wall, an open fireplace in which + logs are burning. Before the fireplace, a double couch facing left + and right. The lamp in the left corner is the only one lit. Over + the fireplace, a framed, enlarged portrait study of_ ELEANOR, + _evidently taken some years before_. + + _As the curtain rises_, JOHN DARNTON _is discovered. He is sitting + in front of the fireplace, lost in an apathetic dream. His body is + bent over wearily, the shoulders bowed, his long arms resting on + his knees, his hands dangling. He sits on the extreme edge in the + exact middle of the big couch, and this heightens the sense of + loneliness about him, of a man growing old among dreams which + become profitless as he feels the lack of a love that could + understand and share them._ + + _Suddenly he starts as the sound of a motor comes from the + driveway. The car is heard driving up; it stops before the front + door; its door is slammed, it drives off; a ringing of the + doorbell sounds from somewhere back in the house._ DARNTON _has + gotten up, gone toward the door in the rear, exclaiming irritably + as the bell continues to ring_—All right, damn it! Who the + devil——? [_He is heard opening the front door—in blank + amazement._] Nelly! [_Then her voice in a strained, hysterical + pitch._] John! I—— [_The rest is lost incoherently. Then his voice + soothingly._] Come in by the fire! Come in. [_He follows her into + the room. Her face is pale, distraught, desperate. She comes + quickly to the couch and flings herself down in one corner, + staring into the fire. He stands nearby uncertainly, watching her. + His face holds a confused mixture of alarm, tenderness, + perplexity, passionate hope._] + +DARNTON—You’re shivering. Come closer to the fire. + +ELEANOR—[_With a startled movement._] No—I—I’m warm. [_A pause. He waits +for her to speak, not knowing what to think. She gradually collects +herself. Memory crowds back on her and her face twitches with pain which +turns to hatred and rage. She becomes conscious of_ DARNTON’S _eyes, +forces this back, her face growing mask-like and determined. She looks +up at_ DARNTON _and forces the words out slowly_.] John—you said, if +ever—— You once said I might always come—— + +DARNTON—[_His face lights up for a second with a joy that is +incongruously savage—at once controlling this—simply._] Yes, Nelly. + +ELEANOR—[_A bit brokenly now._] I hope—you meant that. + +DARNTON—[_Simply._] Yes, I meant it. + +ELEANOR—I mean—that you still mean it——? + +DARNTON—[_Forcing an awkward smile._] Then—now—forever after, amen—any +old time at all, Nelly. [_Then overcome by a rush of bewildered +joy—stammering._] Why—you ought to know——! + +ELEANOR—[_Smiling tensely._] Would I still be welcome if I’d come—to +stay? + +DARNTON—[_His voice quivering._] Nelly! [_He starts toward her, then +stops—in a low, uncertain voice._] And Michael? + +ELEANOR—[_With an exclamation of pain._] Don’t! [_Quickly recovering +herself—in a cold, hard voice._] That’s—dead! [DARNTON _lets a held-back +breath of suspense escape him_. ELEANOR _stammers a bit hysterically_.] +Don’t talk of him! I’ve forgotten—as if he’d never lived! Do you still +love me? Do you? Then tell me! I must know someone—— + +DARNTON—[_Still uncertain, but coming nearer to her—simply._] You knew +once. Since then—— My God, you’ve guessed, haven’t you? + +ELEANOR—I need to hear. You’ve never spoken—for years—— + +DARNTON—There was—Michael. + +ELEANOR—[_Wildly, putting her hands up to her ears as if to shut out the +name._] Don’t! + +DARNTON—You loved him. + +ELEANOR—[_Intensely._] I hate him! And he hates me! [_She shudders—then, +driven by a desperate determination, forces a twisted smile._] Why do +you stand there? Are you afraid? I’m beginning to suspect—perhaps, +you’ve only imagined you loved me—— + +DARNTON—Nelly! [_He seizes one of her hands awkwardly and covers it with +kisses—confusedly, with deep emotion._] I—— You know—— Don’t joke—— You +know I love you! + +ELEANOR—[_With the same fixed smile._] You must put your arms around +me—and kiss me—on the lips—— + +DARNTON—[_Takes her in his arms awkwardly and kisses her on the +lips—with passionate incoherence._] Nelly! I’d given up hoping—I—I can’t +believe—— [_She submits to his kisses with closed eyes, her face like a +mask, her body trembling with revulsion. Suddenly he seems to sense +something disharmonious—confusedly._] But you—you don’t care for me. + +ELEANOR—[_Still with closed eyes—dully._] Yes. [_With a spurt of +desperate energy she kisses him wildly several times, then sinks back +again closing her eyes._] I’m so tired, John—so tired! + +DARNTON—[_Immediately all concern._] You’re trembling all over. I’m an +idiot not to have seen—— Forgive me. [_He puts his hand on her +forehead._] You’re feverish. You’d better go to bed, young lady, right +away. Come. [_He raises her to her feet._] + +ELEANOR—[_Wearily._] Yes, I’m tired. [_Bitterly._] Oh, it’s good to be +loved by someone who is unselfish and kind—after all the hate—— + +DARNTON—Ssshh! [_Forcing a joking tone._] I’m cast for the Doctor now. +Doctor’s orders: don’t talk, don’t think, sleep. Come, I’ll show you +your room. + +ELEANOR—[_Dully._] Yes. [_As if she were not aware of what she is doing, +she allows him to lead her to the door at right, rear. There she +suddenly starts as if awakening—frightenedly._] Where are we going? + +DARNTON—[_With gentle bullying._] You’re going upstairs to bed. + +ELEANOR—[_With a shudder—incoherently._] No, no! Not now—no—wait—you +must wait—— [_Then calming herself and trying to speak +matter-of-factly._] I’d rather stay up and sit with you. I must have +gotten chilled. I want to sit by the fire. + +DARNTON—[_Worriedly, but giving in to her at once._] All right. Whatever +suits you. [_They go back to the fire. She sits in a chair which he +pushes near it. He puts a cushion in back of her._] How’s that? + +ELEANOR—[_With a wan, grateful smile._] You’re so kind, John. You’ve +always been kind. You’re so different—— [_She checks herself, her face +growing hard, and stares into the fire._ DARNTON _watches her face. +There is a long pause._] + +DARNTON—[_Finally—in a gentle tone._] Nelly, don’t you think it’d help +if you told me—everything that’s happened? + +ELEANOR—[_With a shudder._] No! It was all horror—and hatred—and +disgust! [_Wildly resentful._] Why do you make me remember? I’ve come to +you. Why do you ask for reasons? [_With a harsh laugh._] Are you +jealous—of him? + +DARNTON—[_Quietly._] I’ve always envied Michael. + +ELEANOR—If you’d seen him tonight, you wouldn’t envy him. You’d despise +him as I do. He is mean and contemptible! He makes everything as low as +he is! He went away threatening, boasting he would——[_Hysterically._] +Why do you make me think of him? I hate him, I tell you! I want to be +yours—yours! [_She throws herself into his arms._] + +DARNTON—[_Straining her to him—with awkward passion._] Nelly! Yes—yes— +[_Under his kisses her face again becomes mask-like, her body rigid, her +eyes closed._ DARNTON _suddenly grows aware of this. He stares down at +her face, his own growing bewildered and afraid. He stammers._] Nelly! +What is it? + +ELEANOR—[_Opening her eyes—in alarm._] What——? + +DARNTON—[_With a sigh of relief._] You gave me a scare. You were like a +corpse. + +ELEANOR—[_Breaks away from him and bends over the fire with her +trembling hands spread out to it._] I—I’m so cold. I believe I do feel +ill. I’ll go to bed. [_She moves toward the door._] + +DARNTON—[_Uneasily—with a forced heartiness._] Now you’re talking sense. +Come on. [_He leads the way into the hall. She goes as far as the +doorway—then stops. A queer struggle is apparent in her face, her whole +body, as if she were fighting with all her will to overcome some +invisible barrier which bars her way._ DARNTON _is watching her keenly +now, a sad foreboding coming into his eyes. He steps past her back into +the room, saying kindly but with a faint trace of bitterness._] It’s the +first door upstairs on your right—if you’d rather go alone. [_He walks +still further away, then turns to watch her, his face growing more and +more aware and melancholy._] + +ELEANOR—[_Vaguely._] No—you don’t understand—— [_She stands swaying, +reaching out her hand to the side of the doorway for support—dully._] +The first door to the right—upstairs? + +DARNTON—Yes. + +ELEANOR—[_Struggles with herself, confused and impotent, trying to +will—finally turns to_ DARNTON _like a forlorn child_.] John. Can’t you +help me? + +DARNTON—[_Gravely._] No—not now when I do understand. You must do it +alone. + +ELEANOR—[_With a desperate cry._] I can! I’m as strong as he! I do! +[_This breaks the spell which has chained her. She grows erect and +strong. She walks through the doorway._] + +DARNTON—[_With a triumphant exclamation of joy._] Ah! [_He strides +toward the doorway—then stops as he notices that she also has stopped at +the bottom of the stairs, one foot on the first stair, looking up at the +top. Then she wavers and suddenly bolts back into the room, gropingly, +her face strained and frightened._ DARNTON _questions her with fierce +disappointment_.] What is it? Why did you stop? + +ELEANOR—[_Forcing a twisted smile—wildly._] You’re right. I must be +feverish. [_Trying to control herself—self-mockingly._] Seeing spooks, +that’s pretty far gone, isn’t it? [_Laughing hysterically._] Yes—I swear +I saw him—standing at the head of the stairs waiting for me—just as he +was standing when you knocked at our door, remember? [_She laughs._] +Really, it was too ridiculous—so plain—— + +DARNTON—Ssshh! [_Glancing at her worriedly._] Won’t you lie down here? +Try and rest. + +ELEANOR—[_Allowing him to make her comfortable on the couch before the +fire._] Yes. [_Her eyes glance up into his bewilderedly._] + +DARNTON—[_After a long pause—slowly._] You don’t love me, Nelly. + +ELEANOR—[_Pitifully protesting._] But I do, John! I do! You’re kind! +You’re unselfish and fine! I do love you! + +DARNTON—[_With a wry smile._] That isn’t me. You don’t love me. + +ELEANOR—[_Desperately defiant, leaps to her feet._] I do! [_She takes +his face between her hands and bringing her own close to it, stares into +his eyes. He looks back into hers. She mutters fiercely between her +clenched teeth._] I do! I do love you! [_For a long moment they remain +there, as she brings her face nearer and nearer striving with all her +will to kiss him on the lips. Finally her eyes falter, her body grows +limp, she turns away and throws herself on the couch in a fit of +abandoned sobbing._] + +DARNTON—[_With a sad smile._] You see? + +ELEANOR—[_Her voice muffled—between sobs._] But I—want to! And I will—I +know—some day—I promise! + +DARNTON—[_Forcing a light tone._] Well, I’ll be resigned to wait and +hope then—and trust in your good intentions. [_After a pause—in a +calming, serious tone._] You’re calmer now? Tell me what happened +between you and Michael. + +ELEANOR—No! Please! + +DARNTON—[_Smiling but earnestly._] It’ll relieve your mind, Nelly—and +besides, how can I help you otherwise? + +ELEANOR—[_After a pause—with resigned dullness._] We’ve quarreled, but +never like this before. This was final! [_She shudders—then suddenly +bursts out wildly._] Oh, John, for God’s sake don’t ask me! I want to +forget! We tore each other to pieces, we destroyed one another! I +realized I hated him! I couldn’t restrain my hate! I had to crush him as +he was crushing me! [_After a pause—dully again._] And so that was the +end. + +DARNTON—[_Tensely, hoping again now—pleadingly._] You’re sure, Nelly? +You’re sure your love is dead—— + +ELEANOR—[_Fiercely._] I hate him! + +DARNTON—[_After a pause—earnestly._] Then stay here. I think I can help +you forget. Never mind what people say. Make this your home—and maybe—in +time—— [_He forces a smile._] You see, I’m already starting to nurse +along that crumb of hope you gave. [_She is looking down, preoccupied +with her own thoughts. He looks at her embarrassedly, then goes on +gently, timidly persuasive._] I don’t mind waiting. I’m used to it. And +I’ve been hoping ever since I first met you—eight years ago, isn’t it? +[_Forcing a half laugh._] I’ll admit when you married him the waiting +and hoping seemed excess labor. I tried to fire them—thought I had—but +when you came tonight—there they were right onto the job again! [_He +laughs—then catching himself awkwardly._] But hell! I don’t want to +bother you now. Forget me. Will you stay here and rest up—treat this as +your house? That’s the point. + +ELEANOR—[_In a bland, absent-minded tone which wounds him._] You’re so +kind, John. [_Then following her own line of thought, she breaks out +savagely._] I told him I’d been your mistress while he was away! + +DARNTON—[_Amazed._] Nelly! + +ELEANOR—I had to tell that lie! He was degrading me! I had to revenge +myself! + +DARNTON—But certainly he could never believe—— + +ELEANOR—[_With fierce triumph._] Oh, I made him believe! [_Then dully._] +Then—he went away. He said he would kill our love as I had—worse—— +[_With a twisted smile._] That’s what he’s doing now. He has gone to one +of those women he lived with before—— [_Laughing harshly._] No! They +wouldn’t be vile enough—for his beautiful revenge on me! He has a +wonderful imagination. Everyone acknowledges that! [_She laughs with +wild bitterness—this is transformed into a frenzy of rage._] Oh, how I +loathe him! [_Then in agony._] My God, why do I think——? Help me, John! +Help me to forget—to love you! + +DARNTON—[_After a pause—with a sad, bitter helplessness._] You mean—to +hate him! Help you—to revenge yourself! But don’t you realize I +can’t—you can’t—because—I see this damn clear now so don’t deny +it!—because you still love him! + +ELEANOR—[_Fiercely._] No! [_After a pause—brokenly._] Don’t! I know! I +hate myself for loving him! I hate him because I love him! [_She sobs +heart-brokenly._] + +DARNTON—[_After a pause, as her sobbing grows quieter—sadly._] Go home. + +ELEANOR—No! [_After a pause, brokenly._] He hates me. + +DARNTON—[_With a grim smile._] Because he loves you. + +ELEANOR—He’ll never come back now. + +DARNTON—[_With bitter humor._] Oh, yes he will; take my word for it. I +know—because I happen to love you, too. + +ELEANOR—[_Faintly._] And do you—hate me? + +DARNTON—[_After a pause—with melancholy self-disgust._] No. I’m too +soft. That’s why you’ve always liked me and never loved me. +[_Bitterly._] I ought to hate you! Twice now you’ve treated my love with +the most humiliating contempt—— Once, years ago, when you were willing +to endure it as the price of a career—again tonight, when you try to +give yourself out of hate and love—love!—for him! [_In sudden furious +revolt._] Christ! What am I, eh? [_Then checking his anger and forcing a +wry smile._] I think your treatment has been rather hard to take, +Nelly—and even now I’m not cured, at that! [_He laughs harshly and turns +away to conceal his real hurt._] + +ELEANOR—[_With deep grief._] Forgive me. + +DARNTON—[_As if to himself—reassuringly._] Still—I would have been the +poorest slave. I couldn’t have fought you like Michael. Perhaps, deep +down, I’m glad—— + +ELEANOR—Don’t say that! If I could have loved you—if I could love you +now—I’d be happy. + +DARNTON—You’d have grown to despise a slave long ago. [_Then bluntly._] +You’d better go home right away. + +ELEANOR—[_Dully._] Even if he has—— + +DARNTON—[_Brusquely._] You know you’ve got to—no matter what! + +ELEANOR—How can I have faith? And how can I ever make him believe I lied +about you? How can he ever trust me about us—here—tonight? +[_Miserably._] Oh, don’t you see how impossible——! + +DARNTON—[_Impatiently._] But evidently you must. Face the truth in +yourself. Must you—or mustn’t you? + +ELEANOR—[_After a moment’s defiant struggle with herself—forlornly._] +Yes. [_After a pause, with a gesture toward the door and a weary, beaten +smile._] Upstairs—if I could have gone—I’d have been free. But he’s +trained me too well in his ideal. And I love him. From the depths of my +humiliation I love him! [_Despairingly._] But when I think of what he’s +doing, of what he will do to crush——! I hate him! I hate him so terribly +that——! [_She stops, trembling with passion, her face convulsed—then, +shrugging her shoulders, fatalistically._] It’s broken me. I’m no longer +anything. So what does it matter how weak I am? Let him win. [_A slight +pause._] I begin to know—something. [_With a sudden queer, exultant +pride._] I love him! But my love for him is my own, not his! My love for +him he can never possess! It is _my_ own! It is _my_ life! [_She turns +to_ DARNTON _determinedly_.] I must go home now. + +DARNTON—[_Wonderingly._] Good. I’ll drive you back. [_He starts for the +door._] + +ELEANOR—[_Suddenly grasping his arm._] Wait. [_Affectionately._] I was +forgetting you—as usual. How can you forgive me? What can I do——? + +DARNTON—[_With a wry smile._] Forget, Nelly. Remember me as a manager. +Study your part; help Michael; and we’ll all three be enormously +successful! [_He laughs mockingly._] + +ELEANOR—[_Tenderly._] I’ll always believe Fate should have let me love +you, instead. + +DARNTON—[_With the same wry smile._] While I begin to suspect that in a +way I’m lucky—to be heart-broken. Our might-have-beens are more +enjoyable—as dreams, eh? [_With a laugh._] Curtain! You’ll want to go +upstairs and powder your nose. There’s no angel with a flaming sword +there now, is there? [_He points to the doorway._] + +ELEANOR—[_With a tired smile._] No. [_She goes to the doorway. He +follows her. They both stop there for a moment instinctively and smile +forlornly at each other._] + +DARNTON—[_Impulsively._] One question: That time you stood here and +called to me for help—if I could have given you a push, mental, moral, +physical——? + +ELEANOR—[_Smiling._] Might-have-beens, John! [_Then earnestly._] You +didn’t because you couldn’t. It wouldn’t have helped, anyway. The angel +was here. [_She touches her breast._] + +DARNTON—[_With a sigh._] Thanks. That saves me a life-long regret. + +ELEANOR—[_Earnestly—gripping his right hand in hers and holding his +eyes._] There must be no regrets—ever—between old friends. + +DARNTON—[_Gripping her hand in turn._] No, I promise, Nelly. [_Then, +letting her hand drop and turning away to conceal his emotion—forcing a +joking tone._] After all, friendship is sounder, saner—more in the +picture for my type, eh? + +ELEANOR—[_Absent-minded again now—vaguely._] I don’t know. [_Then +briskly._] We must hurry. I’ll be right down. [_She goes out and up the +stairway in the hall._] + +DARNTON—[_Stares up after her for a second, then smiling grimly._] Well, +business of living on as usual. [_He passes his arm here and there in +the open doorway as if he were a magician—with bitter irony._] You +see—nothing there! Invisible cobwebs—cast-iron cobwebs! [_He laughs +harshly._] Catching title for a play. I’ll tell Michael! [_He laughs +again—checks himself—then walks out, calling up the stairs._] I’m going +to get the car, Nelly. + + + [_The Curtain Falls_] + + + ACT TWO + SCENE TWO + + SCENE—_A dingy bedroom in a Sixth Avenue “bed house.” In the rear, + center, a door leading into the hall. A chair to left of door. In + the left corner, a washstand with bowl, pitcher, towels, etc. In + the left wall, center, a small window with a torn dark shade + pulled down. On the right, a bed. A filthy threadbare carpet on + the floor. Ugly wall paper, dirty, stained, criss-crossed with + match-strokes._ + + _When the curtain rises, the room is in darkness except for a + faint glow on the window shade from some street lamp. Then the + door is opened and a woman’s figure is silhouetted against the + dim, yellow light of the hall. She turns and speaks to someone who + is following her. Her voice is heavy and slow with the strong + trace of a foreign intonation, although the words are clearly + enough defined._ + +WOMAN—Got a match? [_A man’s figure appears behind hers. He fumbles in +his pockets, hands her a match without speaking. She strikes it on the +wall, lights the gas jet near the door. The room is revealed in sordid +detail in the tarnished yellow light. The_ WOMAN _is fairly young. Her +face, rouged, powdered, penciled, is broad and stupid. Her small eyes +have a glazed look. Yet she is not ugly—rather pretty for her bovine, +stolid type—and her figure is still attractive although its movements +just now are those of a tired scrubwoman’s. She takes off her coat, +hangs it on a hook, then goes to a mirror on the wall over the +washstand, and removes her hat._ + +_The man is_ MICHAEL CAPE. _He is bare-headed, his hair disheveled, his +eyes wild, his face has a feverish, mad expression. He stands in the +doorway watching each movement of the_ WOMAN’S _with an unnatural +preoccupied concentration_.] + +WOMAN—[_Having removed her hat and put it on the washstand, turns to him +impatiently._] Ain’t you comin’ in? [_He starts and nods stupidly, +moving his lips as if answering but not making a sound._] Come in! Shut +the door. [_He does so and locks it mechanically—then looks from her +around the room with a frightened, puzzled glance as if he were aware of +his surroundings for the first time._] + +WOMAN—[_Forcing a trade smile—with an attempt at lightness._] Well, here +we are, dearie. [_Then with a sigh of physical weariness as she sits on +the side of the bed._] Gawd, I’m tired! My feet hurt fierce! I been +walkin’ miles. I got corns, too. [_She sighs again, this time with a +sort of restful content._] It’s good ‘n’ warm in this dump, I’ll hand it +that. [_A pause._] I’d gave up hope and was beatin’ it home when you +come along. [_A pause during which she takes him in calculatingly._] +How’d you lose your hat? [_He starts, passes a trembling hand through +his hair bewilderedly but does not answer. A pause—then the_ WOMAN +_sighs and yawns wearily—bored_.] Can’t you say nothin’? You was full +enough of bull when you met me. Gawd, I thought you’d get us both +pinched. You acted like you was crazy. Remember kissing me on the corner +with a whole mob pipin’ us off? + +CAPE—[_With a start—evidently answering some train of thought in his +mind—with a wild laugh._] Remember? [_He sinks on the chair with his +head in his hands. There is a pause._] + +WOMAN—[_Insinuatingly._] Goin’ to stay all night? [_He glances up at her +stupidly but doesn’t answer. The_ WOMAN _insists dully_.] Say, you got +ear-muffs on? I ast you, d’you wanta stay all night? + +CAPE—[_After a moment’s groping, nods emphatically again and again, +swallowing hard several times as if he were striving to get control of +his voice—finally blurts out in a tone of desperation._] Yes—yes—of +course!—Where else would I go? + +WOMAN—Home. [_Indifferently._] That’s where most of ’em goes—afterwards. + +CAPE—[_With a sudden burst of wild laughter._] Ha-ha-ha. Home! Is that +your private brand of revenge—to go with men with homes? I congratulate +you! [_He laughs to himself with bitter irony—then suddenly deadly +calm._] Yes, I have a home, come to think of it—from now on Hell is my +home! I suspect we’re fellow-citizens. [_He laughs._] + +WOMAN—[_Superstitiously._] You oughtn’t to say them things. + +CAPE—[_With dull surprise._] Why? + +WOMAN—Somep’n might happen. [_A pause._] Don’t you believe in no God? + +CAPE—I believe in the devil! + +WOMAN—[_Frightened._] Say! [_Then after a pause, forcing a smile._] I’m +wise to what’s wrong with you. You been lappin’ up some bum hooch. + +CAPE—[_Jerkily._] No. I’m not drunk. I thought of that—but—it’s evasion. +[_Wildly._] And I must be conscious—fully conscious, do you +understand?—of what I do! I will this act as a symbol of release—of the +end of all things! [_He stops, shuddering. She looks at him stolidly. A +pause. He presses his hands to his forehead._] My brain burns up! +[_Suddenly striking his head with both fists—in a frenzy._] Stop +thinking, damn you! Stop! [_Then after a pause—dully._] How long——? What +time is it? + +WOMAN—Little after two, I guess. + +CAPE—[_Amazed._] Only that? [_She nods._] Only two hours since——? [_A +pause._] I remember streets—lights—dead faces—— Then you—your face alone +was alive for me, alive with my deliverance! That was why I kissed you. +You shall avenge me! + +WOMAN—[_Looking at him queerly._] Say, you talk nutty. Been dopin’ up on +coke, I bet you. + +CAPE—[_With an abrupt exclamation._] Ha! [_He stares at her with +unnatural intensity._] You seem to take it quite casually that men must +be either drunk or doped—otherwise——! Marvelous! You,—you are the last +depth—— [_With a strange, wild exultance, leaps to his feet._] You are +my salvation! You have the power—and the right—to defile beauty and +murder love! You can satisfy hate and exhaust it! Will you let me kiss +you again? [_He strides over to her._] + +WOMAN—[_In a stupid state of bewilderment, feeling she has been insulted +but not exactly knowing by what or how to resent it—angrily, pushing him +away._] No! Get away from me! [_Then afraid she may lose his trade by +this rebuff._] Aw, all right. Sure you can. [_Making a tremendous +visible effort he kisses her on the lips, then shrinks back with a +shudder and forces a harsh laugh. She stares at him and mutters +resentfully._] O’ny don’t get so fresh, see? I don’t like your line of +talk. [_He slumps down on the chair again, sunk in a somber stupor. She +watches him. She yawns. Finally she asks insinuatingly._] Ain’t you +gettin’ sleepy? + +CAPE—[_Starting—with wild scorn._] Sleep! Do you think I——? [_Staring at +her._] Oh—I see—you mean, what did I come here for? + +WOMAN—[_In same tone._] It’s gettin’ late. + +CAPE—[_Dully, with no meaning to his question—like an automaton._] A +little after two? + +WOMAN—Yes. [_She yawns._] You better let me go to bed and come yourself. + +CAPE—[_Again staring at her with strange intensity—suddenly with a queer +laugh._] How long have you and I been united in the unholy bonds +of—bed-lock? [_He chuckles sardonically at his own play on words._] + +WOMAN—[_With a puzzled grin._] Say! + +CAPE—Ten thousand years—about—isn’t it? Or twenty? Don’t you remember? + +WOMAN—[_Keeping her forced grin._] Tryin’ to kid me, ain’t you? + +CAPE—Don’t lie about your age! You were beside the cradle of love, and +you’ll dance dead drunk on its grave! + +WOMAN—I’m only twenty-six, honest. + +CAPE—[_With a wild laugh._] A fact! You’re right. Thoughts keep alive. +Only facts kill—deeds! [_He starts to his feet._] Then hate will let me +alone. Love will be dead. I will be as ugly as the world. My dreams will +be low dreams. I’ll “lay me down among the swine.” Will you promise me +this, you? + +WOMAN—[_Vaguely offended—impatiently._] Sure, I’ll promise anything. +[_She gets up to start undressing. She has been pulling the pins out of +her hair and, as she rises, it falls over her shoulders in a peroxided +flood. She turns to him, smiling with childish pride._] D’you like my +hair, kid? I got a lot of it, ain’t I? + +CAPE—[_Laughing sardonically._] “O love of mine, let down your hair and +I will make my shroud of it.” + +WOMAN—[_Coquettishly pleased._] What’s that—po’try? [_Then suddenly +reminded of something she regards him calculatingly—after a pause, +coldly._] Say, you ain’t broke, are you? Is that what’s troubling you? + +CAPE—[_Startled—then with bitter mockery._] Ha! I see you’re a practical +person. [_He takes a bill from his pocket and holds it out to +her—contemptuously._] Here! + +WOMAN—[_Stares from the bill to him, flushing beneath her rouge._] Say! +I don’t like the way you act. [_Proudly._] I don’t take nothin’ for +nothin’—not from you, see! + +CAPE—[_Surprised and ashamed._] I’ll leave it here, then. [_He puts it +on top of the washstand and turns to her—embarrassedly._] I didn’t +mean—to offend you. + +WOMAN—[_Her face clearing immediately._] Aw, never mind. It’s all right. + +CAPE—[_Staring at her intently—suddenly deeply moved._] Poor woman! + +WOMAN—[_Stung—excitedly._] Hey, none of that! Nix! Cut it out! I don’t +stand for that from nobody! [_She sits down on the bed angrily._] + +CAPE—[_With unnatural intensity._] Do you know what you are? You’re a +symbol. You’re all the tortures man inflicts on woman—and you’re the +revenge of woman! You’re love revenging itself upon itself! You’re the +suicide of love—of my love—of all love since the world began! +[_Wildly._] Listen to me! Two hours ago—— [_Then he beats his head with +both clenched hands—distractedly._] Leave me alone! Leave me alone, damn +you! [_He flings himself on the chair in a violent outburst of dry +sobbing._] + +WOMAN—[_Bewilderedly._] Say! Say! [_Then touched, she comes to him and +puts her arms around his shoulders, on the verge of tears herself._] Aw, +come on, kid. Quit it. It’s all right. Everything’s all right, see. [_As +his sobbing grows quieter—helpfully._] Say, maybe you ain’t ate nothin’, +huh? Maybe soup’d fix you. S’posin’ I go round the corner, huh? Sure, +all I got to do is put up my hair—— + +CAPE—[_Controlling hysterical laughter—huskily._] No—thanks. [_Then his +bitter memories rush back agonizingly. He stammers wildly._] She +confessed—with hate! She was proud of her hate! She was proud of my +torture. She screamed: “I hate you! I’ll go too.” Go where? Did she go? +Yes, she must——! Oh, my God! Stop! Stop! [_He springs up, his face +distorted, and clutches the_ WOMAN _fiercely in his arms_.] Save me, +you! Help me to kill this beauty which she defiled! Help me to gain the +peace which is the death of love. [_He kisses her again and again +frenziedly. She submits stolidly. Finally with a groan he pushes her +away, shuddering with loathing, and sinks back on the chair._] No! I +can’t—I can’t! + +WOMAN—[_Wiping her lips with the back of her hand—a vague comprehension +coming into her face—scornfully._] Huh! I got a hunch now what’s eatin’ +you. [_Then with a queer sort of savage triumph._] Well, I’m glad one of +youse guys got paid back like you oughter! + +CAPE—[_With dull impotent rage._] I can’t! I love her! [_As if he were +defying himself by this confession._] Yes, I still love her! And I +can’t! I only hate because I love—I’m the weaker. Our love must live on +in me. There is no death for it. There is no freedom—while I live. +[_Struck by a sudden thought._] Then, why——? [_A pause._] An end of +loathing—in a second, peace—no wounds, no memories—sleep! + +WOMAN—[_With a shudder._] Say, you’re beginning to give me the creeps. + +CAPE—[_Startled—with a forced laugh._] Am I? Well, never mind. [_He +shakes his head as if to drive some thought from his mind and forces a +trembling, mocking smile._] That’s over. The great temptation, isn’t it? +I suppose you’ve known it. But also the great evasion. Too simple for +the complicated,—too weak for the strong, too strong for the weak. One +must go on, eh?—even wounded, on one’s knees—if only out of curiosity to +see what will happen—to oneself. [_He laughs harshly and turns with a +quick movement toward the door._] Well, good-by, and forgive me. It +isn’t you, you know. You’re the perfect death—but I’m too strong, or +weak—no, merely I’m myself—and that myself can’t, you understand—can’t! +So, good-by. [_He goes to the door._] + +WOMAN—[_Frightenedly._] Say! What’re you goin’ to do? + +CAPE—Go on in the dark. + +WOMAN—You better beat it home, that’s what. + +CAPE—[_Violently._] No! [_Then bitterly._] I came home once tonight—— + +WOMAN—[_Wearily._] Aw, forget it. She’s your wife, ain’t she? + +CAPE—How do you know? [_He comes back to her, curiously attracted._] + +WOMAN—[_Cynically._] Aw, I’m wise. Stick to her, see? You’ll get over +it. You can get used to anything, take it from me! + +CAPE—[_In anguish._] Don’t! But it’s true—it’s the insult we all swallow +as the price of life. [_Rebelliously._] But I——! + +WOMAN—[_With a sort of forlorn chuckle._] Oh, you’ll go back, aw right! +Don’t kid yourself. You’ll go back no matter what, and you’ll learn to +like it. Don’t I know? You love her, don’t you? Well, then! There’s no +use buckin’ that game. Go home. Kiss and make up. Ferget it. It’s easy +to ferget—when you got to! [_She finishes up with a cynical, weary +scorn._] + +CAPE—[_Very pale—stammering._] You—you make life despicable. + +WOMAN—[_Angrily._] Say! [_Then with groping, growing resentment._] I +don’t like your talk! You’ve pulled a lot of bum cracks +about—about—never mind, I got you, anyhow! You ain’t got no right—— +What’d you wanter pick me up for, anyway? Wanter just get me up here to +say rotten things? Wanter use me to pay her back? Say! Where do I come +in? Guys go with me ‘cause they like my looks, see?—what I am, +understand?—but you, you don’t want nothin’. You ain’t drunk, neither! +You just don’t like me. And you was beatin’ it leavin’ your money +there—without nothin’. I was goin’ to let you then, I ain’t now. [_She +suddenly gives him a furious push which sends him reeling back against +the wall._] G’wan! Take your lousy coin and beat it! I wouldn’t take +nothin’, nor have nothin’ to do with you if you was to get down on your +knees! + +CAPE—[_Stares at her—an expression comes as if he were seeing her for +the first time—with great pity._] So—it still survives in you. They +haven’t killed it—that lonely life of one’s own which suffers in +solitude. [_Shamefacedly._] I should have known. Can you forgive me? + +WOMAN—[_Defensively._] No! + +CAPE—Through separate ways love has brought us both to this room. As one +suffering, lonely human being to another, won’t you——? + +WOMAN—[_Struggling with herself—harshly._] No! + +CAPE—[_Gently._] Not even if I ask it on my knees? [_He kneels before +her, looking up into her face._] + +WOMAN—[_Bewildered, with hysterical fierceness._] No! Git up, you——! +Don’t do that, I tell you! Git up or I’ll brain yuh! [_She raises her +fist threateningly over his head._] + +CAPE—[_Gently._] Not until you—— + +WOMAN—[_Exhaustedly._] Aw right—aw right—I forgive—— + +CAPE—[_Gets up and takes her face between his hands and stares into her +eyes—then he kisses her on the forehead._] Sister. + +WOMAN—[_With a half sob._] Nix! Lay off of me, can’t you? + +CAPE—But I learned that from you. + +WOMAN—[_Stammering._] What?—loined what? [_She goes away from him and +sinks on the bed exhaustedly._] Say, you better beat it. + +CAPE—I’m going. [_He points to the bill on the washstand._] You need +this money. You’ll accept it from me now, won’t you? + +WOMAN—[_Dully._] Sure. Leave it there. + +CAPE—[_In the same gentle tone._] You’ll have to give it to him in the +morning? + +WOMAN—[_Dully._] Sure. + +CAPE—All of it? + +WOMAN—Sure. + +CAPE—Or he’d beat you? + +WOMAN—Sure. [_Then suddenly grinning._] Maybe he’ll beat me up, +anyway—just for the fun of it. + +CAPE—But you love him, don’t you? + +WOMAN—Sure. I’m lonesome. + +CAPE—Yes. [_After a slight pause._] Why did you smile when you said he’d +beat you, anyway? + +WOMAN—I was thinkin’ of the whole game. It’s funny, ain’t it? + +CAPE—[_Slowly._] You mean—life and love? + +WOMAN—Sure. You got to laugh, ain’t you? Sure! You got to loin to like +it! + +CAPE—[_This makes an intense impression on him. He nods his head several +times._] Yes! That’s it! That’s exactly it! That goes deeper than +wisdom. To learn to love the truth of life—to accept it and be +exalted—that’s the one faith left to us! [_Then with a tremulous +smile._] Good-by, I’ve joined your church. I’m going home. + +WOMAN—[_With a grin that is queerly affectionate._] Sure. That’s the +stuff. Close your eyes and your feet’ll take you there. + +CAPE—[_Impressed again._] Yes! Yes! Of course they would! They’ve been +walking there for thousands of years—blindly. However, I’ll keep my eyes +open—— [_He smiles back at her affectionately._] ——and learn to like it! + +WOMAN—[_Grinning._] Sure. Good luck. + +CAPE—Good-by. [_He goes out, closing the door after him. She stares at +the door for a moment, listening to his footsteps as they die out down +the stairs. Then she takes a comb from her bag and, going to the mirror, +starts to comb her hair. She is preoccupied and her hand suddenly +stops._] + +WOMAN—[_Confusedly._] Say——? [_She stares at herself with a +vaguely-troubled, ruminating stolidity. Then with a sigh she goes on +combing her hair._] + + + [_The Curtain Falls_] + + + + + ACT III + + + ACT THREE + + SCENE—_Same as Act One, the_ CAPES’ _apartment, about five o’clock the + same morning. The door to the hall is still open, the reading lamp + alight, everything exactly as at the close of_ ACT ONE. + + ELEANOR _is standing by the table, leaning her back against it, + facing the door, her whole attitude strained, expectant but + frightened, tremblingly uncertain whether to run and hide from, or + run forward and greet_ CAPE, _who is standing in the doorway. For + a long, tense moment they remain fixed, staring into each other’s + eyes with an apprehensive questioning. Then, as if unconsciously, + falteringly, with trembling smiles, they come toward each other. + Their lips move as if they were trying to speak. When they come + close, they instinctively reach out their hands in a strange + conflicting gesture of a protective warding off and at the same + time a seeking possession. Their hands clasp and they again stop, + searching each other’s eyes. Finally their lips force out words._ + +ELEANOR—[_Penitently._] Michael! + +CAPE—[_Humbly._] Nelly! [_They smile with a queer understanding, their +arms move about each other, their lips meet. They seem in a forgetful, +happy trance at finding each other again. They touch each other +testingly as if each cannot believe the other is really there. They act +for the moment like two persons of different races, deeply in love but +separated by a barrier of language._] + +ELEANOR—[_Rambling tenderly._] Michael—I—— Dearest—I was afraid—— + +CAPE—[_Stammering._] Nelly—it’s so good!—I thought—my own—you’d gone—— +[_They stare at each other—a pause._] + +ELEANOR—[_Beginning to be aware—a bit bewilderedly, breaking away from +him with a little shiver—stupidly._] I feel—there’s a draught, isn’t +there? + +CAPE—[_Becoming aware in his turn—heavily._] I’ll shut the door. [_He +goes and does so. She walks to her chair and sits down. He comes and +sits beside her. They are now side by side as in Act One. A pause. They +stare ahead, each frowningly abstracted. Then each, at the same moment, +steals a questioning side glance at the other. Their eyes meet, they +look away, then back, they stare at each other with a peculiar dull +amazement, recognition yet non-recognition. They seem about to speak, +then turn away again. Their faces grow sad, their eyes begin to suffer, +their bodies become nervous and purposeless. Finally_ CAPE _exclaims +with a dull resentment directed not at her but at life_.] What is—it? +[_He makes a gesture of repulsing something before him._] + +ELEANOR—[_In his tone._] I don’t know. + +CAPE—[_Harshly._] A moment ago—there—— [_He indicates where they had +stood in an embrace._] We knew everything. We understood! + +ELEANOR—[_Eagerly._] Oh, yes! + +CAPE—[_Bitterly._] Now—we must begin to think—to continue going on, +getting lost—— + +ELEANOR—[_Sadly._] It was happy to forget. Let’s not think—yet. + +CAPE—[_Grimly._] We’ve begun. [_Then with a harsh laugh._] One must +explain. Thinking explains. It eliminates the unexplainable—by which we +live. + +ELEANOR—[_Warningly._] By which we love. Sssh! [_A pause._] + +CAPE—[_Wonderingly—not looking at her._] You have learned that, too? + +ELEANOR—[_With a certain exultance._] Oh, yes, Michael—yes! [_She clasps +his hand. A pause. Then she murmurs._] Now—we know peace. [_Their hands +drop apart. She sighs._] + +CAPE—[_Slowly._] Peace isn’t our meaning. + +ELEANOR—[_Suddenly turns and addresses him directly in a sad, +sympathetic tone._] You’ve something you want to ask me, Michael? + +CAPE—[_Turns to her with an immediate affirmative on his lips, checks it +as he meets her eyes, turns away—a pause—then he turns back humbly._] +No. + +ELEANOR—[_Her head has been averted since he turned away—without looking +at him._] Yes. + +CAPE—[_Decisively._] No, Nelly. [_She still keeps her head averted. +After a pause he asks simply._] Why? Is there something you want to ask +me? + +ELEANOR—No. [_After a pause—with a trace of bitter humor._] I can’t be +less magnanimous than you, can I? + +CAPE—Then there is something——? + +ELEANOR—Haven’t you something you want to tell? + +CAPE—[_Looks at her. Their eyes meet again._] Yes—the truth—if I can. +And you? + +ELEANOR—Yes, I wish to tell you the truth. [_They look into each other’s +eyes. Suddenly she laughs with a sad self-mockery._] Well, we’ve both +been noble. I haven’t asked you; you haven’t asked me; and yet—— [_She +makes a helpless gesture with her hands. A pause. Then abruptly and +mechanically._] I’ll begin at the beginning. I left here right after you +did. + +CAPE—[_With an involuntary start._] Oh! [_He checks himself._] + +ELEANOR—[_Her eyes reading his—after a pause—a bit dryly._] You thought +I’d stayed here all the time? [_Mockingly._] Waiting for you? + +CAPE—[_Wounded._] Don’t! [_After a pause—painfully._] When I found +you—perhaps I hoped—— + +ELEANOR—[_Dully._] I had only been back a few minutes. [_After a +pause._] Was that why you seemed so happy—there——? [_She points to the +spot where they had stood embraced._] + +CAPE—[_Indignantly._] No, no! Don’t think that! I’m not like that—not +any more! [_Without looking at her he reaches out and clasps her hand._] + +ELEANOR—[_Looks at him—after a pause, understandingly._] I’m sorry—— + +CAPE—[_Self-defensively._] Of course, I knew you must have gone, you’d +have been a fool to stay. [_Excitedly._] And it doesn’t matter—not a +damn! I’ve gotten beyond that. + +ELEANOR—[_Misunderstanding—coldly._] I’m glad. [_A pause. She asks +coldly._] Shall I begin again? + +CAPE—[_Struggling with himself—disjointedly._] No—not unless—I don’t +need—— I’ve changed. That doesn’t matter. I—[_With a sudden twisted +grin._] I’m learning to like it, you see. + +ELEANOR—[_Looks at him, strangely impressed—a pause—slowly._] I think I +know what you mean. We’re both learning. + +CAPE—[_Wonderingly._] You——? [_She has turned away from him. He turns to +stare at her._] + +ELEANOR—[_After a pause, taking up her story matter-of-factly._] I went +to John. + +CAPE—[_Trying with agony to take this stoically—mumbling stupidly._] +Yes—of course—I supposed—— + +ELEANOR—[_In the same mechanical tone._] He drove me back here in his +car. He predicted you’d be back any moment, so he went right home again. + +CAPE—[_A wild, ironical laugh escapes his control._] Shrewd—Ha! + +ELEANOR—[_After a pause—rebukingly._] John is a good man. + +CAPE—[_Startled, turns and stares at her averted face—then miserably +humble, stammers._] Yes, yes—I know—I acknowledge—good—— [_He breaks +down, cursing pitiably at himself._] God damn you! + +ELEANOR—Oh! + +CAPE—Not you! Me! [_Then he turns to her—with fierce defiance._] I love +John! + +ELEANOR—[_Moved, without looking at him reaches and clasps his hand._] +That—is beautiful, Michael. [_A pause._] + +CAPE—[_Begins to frown somberly—lets go of her hand._] It’s hard—after +what you confessed—— + +ELEANOR—[_Frightenedly._] Ssshh! [_Then calmly._] That was a lie. I lied +to make you suffer more than you were making me suffer. [_A pause—then +she turns to him._] Can you believe this? + +CAPE—[_Humbly._] I want to believe—— + +ELEANOR—[_Immediately turning away—significantly._] Oh! + +CAPE—[_Fiercely—as if to himself._] I will believe! But what difference +does it make—believing or not believing? I’ve changed, I tell you! I +accept! + +ELEANOR—I can’t be a lie you live with! + +CAPE—[_Turning to her resentfully._] Well, then—— [_As if she were +goading him to something against his will—threateningly._] Shall I tell +you what happened to me? + +ELEANOR—[_Facing him defiantly._] Yes. [_He turns away. Immediately her +brave attitude crumbles. She seems about to implore him not to speak._] + +CAPE—[_After a pause—hesitatingly._] You said that years ago you had +offered yourself—to him—— [_He turns suddenly—hopefully._] Was that a +lie, too? + +ELEANOR—No. + +CAPE—[_Turns away with a start of pain._] Ah. [_A pause. Suddenly his +face grows convulsed. He turns back to her, overcome by a craving for +revenge—viciously._] Then I may as well tell you I—— [_He checks himself +and turns away._] + +ELEANOR—[_Defensively—with feigned indifference._] I don’t doubt—you +kept your threat. + +CAPE—[_Glares at her wildly._] Oho, you don’t doubt that, do you? You +saw I’d changed, eh? + +ELEANOR—I saw—something. + +CAPE—[_With bitter irony._] God! [_A pause._] + +ELEANOR—[_Turning on him doggedly as if she were impersonally impelled +to make the statement._] I want to tell you that tonight—John and +I—nothing you may ever suspect—— [_She falters, turns away with a bitter +smile._] I only tell you this for my own satisfaction. I don’t expect +you to believe it. + +CAPE—[_With a wry grin._] No. How could you? [_Then turning to +her—determinedly—after a pause._] But it doesn’t matter. + +ELEANOR—I wanted revenge as much as you. I wanted to destroy—and be free +of our love forever! + +CAPE—As I did. + +ELEANOR—[_After a pause—simply._] I couldn’t. + +CAPE—[_Turns and stares at her—a pause—then he asks wonderingly, +eagerly._] Why couldn’t you? Tell me that. + +ELEANOR—[_After a pause—simply._] Something stronger. + +CAPE—[_With a passionate triumph._] Love! [_With intense pleading._] +Nelly! Will you believe that I, too——? [_He tries to force her eyes to +return to his._] + +ELEANOR—[_After a pause—looking before her—sadly._] You should have been +generous sooner. + +CAPE—It’s the truth, Nelly! [_Desperately._] I swear to you——! + +ELEANOR—[_After a pause—wearily._] We’ve sworn to so much. + +CAPE—Everything is changed, I tell you! Something extraordinary happened +to me—a revelation! + +ELEANOR—[_With bitter cynicism._] A woman? + +CAPE—[_Wounded, turns away from her._] Don’t. [_Then after a pause—with +deep feeling._] Yes—she was a woman. And I had conceived of her only as +revenge—the lowest of the low! + +ELEANOR—[_With a shudder._] Ah! + +CAPE—[_With feeling._] Don’t judge, Nelly. She was—good! + +ELEANOR—[_With another shudder._] Not her! You! + +CAPE—[Desperately.] I tell you I——! [_He checks himself helplessly. She +gives no sign. Then he asks sadly._] If you can think that, how could +you come back? + +ELEANOR—[_Stammering hysterically._] How? How? [_Bursting into tears._] +Because I love you! [_Then turning on him fiercely as if defying him._] +I love you! I love you! + +CAPE—[_Starting up from his chair and trying to take her in his +arms—exultantly._] Nelly! + +ELEANOR—[_Pushing him away—violently._] No! I didn’t come back to you! I +came back to my love which is mine—mine! It conquered me, not you! +Something in me—myself—not you! [_She stares him in the eyes defiantly, +triumphantly._] + +CAPE—[_Gently._] It doesn’t matter. [_After a pause._] Did I come back +to you? + +ELEANOR—[_Taken aback, turning away._] No, I suppose—— [CAPE _stares at +her uncertainly, then sits down in his chair again_.] + +CAPE—[_After a pause, looking before him—assertively, as if taking a +pledge._] But I have faith! + +ELEANOR—[_Wearily._] Now—for a moment. + +CAPE—No! + +ELEANOR—Yes. We shall believe—and disbelieve. We are—that. + +CAPE—[_Protestingly._] Nelly! [_For a time they both sit staring bleakly +before them. Suddenly he turns to her—desperately._] If there is nothing +left but—resignation!—what use is there? + +ELEANOR—I know I love. + +CAPE—[_Bitterly—beginning to work himself into a passion._] How can we +endure having our dream perish in this? + +ELEANOR—Have we any choice? + +CAPE—[_Intensely._] No! It’s not Fate! Fate lives—moves on! We are +merely victims of our dead selves. [_He seems to collect all his forces +and turns on her with a fierce challenge._] We can choose—an end! + +ELEANOR—[_Shudders instinctively as she reads his meaning._] Michael! +[_A pause—then looking into his eyes—as a calm counter-challenge._] +Yes—if _you_ wish. + +CAPE—[_With passionate self-scorn._] We! We have become ignoble. + +ELEANOR—As _you_ wish. [_She again accents the you._] + +CAPE—I? + +ELEANOR—I accept. I can live—or I can die. [_A pause—gently._] I love +you. You must not suffer too much. [_She reaches out her hand and clasps +his comfortingly._] It is I who have changed most, Michael. [_Then she +speaks sadly but firmly as if she had come to a decision._] There is +only one way we can give life to each other. We must redeem our love +from ourselves! + +CAPE—[_Sharply._] How? + +ELEANOR—By releasing each other. + +CAPE—[_With a harsh laugh._] Are you forgetting we tried that once +tonight? + +ELEANOR—With hate. This would be because we loved. + +CAPE—[_Violently._] Don’t be a fool! [_Controlling himself—forcing a +smile._] Forgive me. [_Excitedly._] But, my God, what solution——? + +ELEANOR—It will give you peace for your work—freedom—— + +CAPE—Nonsense! + +ELEANOR—I will continue to love you. I’ll work for you! We’ll no longer +stand between each other. Then I can really give you my soul and possess +yours. [_Rising to her feet in a pitch of dreamy enthusiasm._] Oh, +Michael, isn’t that a finer love than the old? + +CAPE—[_Controlling himself with difficulty._] You’re talking rot! + +ELEANOR—[_Hurt._] Michael! + +CAPE—You’re mad! [_Then, suddenly glaring at her suspiciously._] Why did +you come back? Why do you want to go? What are you hiding behind all +this? + +ELEANOR—[_Wounded._] Your faith? You see? + +CAPE—[_Brokenly._] I—I didn’t mean—— [_Then after a struggle with +desperate bitterness._] Well—I accept! I love you enough for that. Go—if +you want to! + +ELEANOR—[_Hurt._] Michael! It isn’t—— [_Then determinedly._] But even if +you misunderstand, I must be strong for you! + +CAPE—[_Almost tauntingly._] Then go—go now if you can—if you’re strong +enough. [_Harshly._] Let me see you act nobility! [_Then suddenly +remorseful, catching her hand and covering it with kisses._] No! I love +you! Go now before—— Do whatever seems good. Be strong! Be free! I—I +cannot! + +ELEANOR—[_Brokenly._] We can try—— [_She bends down swiftly and kisses +his head, turns away quickly._] Good-by. + +CAPE—[_In a strangled voice._] Good-by. [_He sits in anguish, in a +tortured restraint. She grabs her cloak from the chair, goes quickly to +the door, puts her hand on the knob—then stops as tense as he. Suddenly +he can stand it no longer, he leaps to his feet and jumps toward the +door with a pleading cry._] Nelly! [_He stands fixed as he sees her +before the door as if he had expected to find her gone. She does not +turn but remains staring at the door in front of her. Finally she raises +her hand and knocks on the door softly—then stops to listen._] + +ELEANOR—[_In a queer far-away voice._] No. Never again. “Come out.” +[_She opens the door and turns to_ CAPE _with a strange smile_.] It +opens inward, Michael. [_She closes it again, smiles to herself and +walks back to the foot of the stairway. Then she turns to face_ CAPE. +_She looks full of some happy certitude. She smiles at him and speaks +with a tender weariness._] It must be nearly dawn. I’ll say good-night +instead of good-by. [_They stare into each other’s eyes. It is as if now +by a sudden flash from within they recognized themselves, shorn of all +the ideas, attitudes, cheating gestures which constitute the vanity of +personality. Everything, for this second, becomes simple for +them—serenely unquestionable. It becomes impossible that they should +ever deny life, through each other, again._] + +ELEANOR—[_With a low tender cry as if she were awakening to maternity._] +Michael! + +CAPE—[_Passionately sure of her now—in a low voice._] Nelly! [_Then +unable to restrain his triumphant exultance._] You’ve failed! + +ELEANOR—[_Smiling at him simply._] Yes. Again. [_Smiling dimly at +herself._] My acting—didn’t convince me. + +CAPE—We’ve failed! + +ELEANOR—Are we weak? [_Dreamily._] I’m happy. + +CAPE—Strong! We’ve passed through! We can live again! + +ELEANOR—[_With a strange dreamy exultance._] We love! + +CAPE—[_Exultantly—but as if testing her, warningly._] But we’ll hate! + +ELEANOR—[_In her same tone._] Yes! + +CAPE—And we’ll torture and tear, and clutch for each other’s souls! + +ELEANOR—[_Nodding her head in a simple emphasis of agreement._] Yes. + +CAPE—We’ll have to strive on for perfect union—fight each other—fail +again—blame each other—fail and hate again—[_he raises his voice in +aggressive triumph_]—but!—fail and hate _with pride_—with joy! + +ELEANOR—[_Exulted by his exultation rather than by his words._] Yes! + +CAPE—_Our_ life is to bear together our burden which is our goal—on and +up! + +ELEANOR—[_Dreamily._] Your dream. + +CAPE—Above the world, beyond its vision—our height—our love—our meaning! + +ELEANOR—[_Her eyes fixed on him—passionately._] My love! + +CAPE—[_Half-sobbing as the intensity of his passion breaks the spell of +his exultation._] Oh, Nelly, Nelly, I want to say so much that I feel +but I can only stutter like an idiot! [_He has fallen on his knees +before her._] + +ELEANOR—[_Intensely moved—passionately._] Like an angel! My lover! I +know! [_She bends over and kisses him._] + +CAPE—[_Straining passionately for expression._] Listen! Often I wake up +in the night—terrified—in a black world, alone in time—a hundred million +years of darkness. I feel like crying out to God for mercy because life +lives! Then instinctively I seek you—my hand touches you! You are +there—beside me—alive—with you I become a whole, a truth! Life guides me +back through the hundred million years to you. It reveals a beginning in +unity that I may have faith in the unity of the end! [_He bows his head +and kisses her feet ecstatically._] I love you! Forgive me all I’ve ever +done, all I’ll ever do. + +ELEANOR—[_Brokenly._] No. Forgive me—my child, you! [_She begins to sob +softly._] + +CAPE—[_Looking at her—gently._] Why do you cry? + +ELEANOR—Because I’m happy. [_Then with a sudden tearful gayety._] You be +happy! You ought to be! Isn’t our future as hard as you could wish? +Haven’t we your old dreams back again? + +CAPE—Deeper and more beautiful! + +ELEANOR—[_Smiling._] Deeper and more beautiful! [_She ascends the stairs +slowly._] Come! [_She reaches the top of the stairway and stands there +looking down at him—then stretches out her arms with a passionate, +tender gesture._] Come! + +CAPE—[_Leaping to his feet—intensely._] My Own! + +ELEANOR—[_Dreamily._] Love—and sleep. [_With deep, passionate +tenderness._] My lover! + +CAPE—My wife! [_His eyes fixed on her he ascends. As he does so her arms +move back until they are stretched out straight to right and left, +forming a cross._ CAPE _stops two steps below her—in a low, wondering +tone_.] Why do you stand like that? + +ELEANOR—[_Her head thrown back, her eyes shut—slowly, dreamily._] +Perhaps I’m praying. I don’t know. I love. + +CAPE—[_Deeply moved._] I love you! + +ELEANOR—[_As if from a great distance._] We love! [_He moves close to +her and his hands reach out for hers. For a moment as their hands touch +they form together one cross. Then their arms go about each other and +their lips meet._] + + + [_The Curtain Falls_] + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + + + + TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES + + + ● Typos fixed; non-standard spelling and dialect retained. + ● Enclosed italics font in _underscores_. + ● Images without captions use HTML alt text. + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77808 *** |