_At "The Hermitage," on the Bronx River, the next afternoon. The house
is on the Left, and on the Right and at the back are the green lattice
arches. Snow lies thick everywhere, on the benches at the Right and on
the little iron table beside it, on the swing between two trees at the
Right, in the red boxes of dead shrubs, on the rocks and dried grass of
a "rookery" in the centre, and on the branches of the trees._ CLARA
_comes out from the house, followed by_ TROTTER.
CLARA. Come on and let mama rest awhile--naturally she's excited and
tired out, being married so suddenly and away from home. [_She stops
beside the swing, taking hold of its side rope with her hand._] It isn't
every mother who can elope without her oldest child's consent and have
her youngest daughter for a bridesmaid.
[_Laughing._
TROTTER. I hope Mrs. Sterling will forgive me. Perhaps she will when she
sees how my money can help your mother and me to get right in with all
the smarties!
CLARA. Oh, don't you be too sure about your getting in; it isn't as easy
as the papers say! But, anyway, that wouldn't make any difference to
Blanche. She was never a climber like mama and me. I suppose that's why
she is asked to all sorts of houses through Aunt Ruth that wouldn't let
mama and me even leave our cards on the butler!
TROTTER. I thought your mother could go anywhere she liked.
CLARA. Oh, no, she couldn't! if she made you think that, it was only a
jolly! Blanche is the only one of us who really went everywhere. Come
along, "_Poppa_," give me a swing! I haven't had one for years!
[_She sweeps off the snow from the seat of the swing with her hand._
TROTTER. Your mother certainly did represent--
CLARA. [_Sitting in the swing._] Oh, well, now don't blame mama! She
couldn't help herself; she always thought you _dreadfully handsome_!
Swing me!
TROTTER. I don't care, anyway. I'm deucedly proud of your mother,--I
mean of _my wife_,--and I'd just as lief throw up the whole society
business and go off and live happily by ourselves.
CLARA. O dear! I think mama would find that awfully dull. Go on, swing
me! [TROTTER _swings her._] Of course, you'll find mama a little
different when you see her all the time. You really won't see much more
of her, though, than you do now. She doesn't get up till noon, and has
her masseuse for an hour every morning, her manicure and her mental
science visitor every other day, and her face steamed three times a
week! She has to lie down a lot, too, but you mustn't mind that; you
must remember she isn't our age!
TROTTER. [_Swings her._] She _suits_ me!
CLARA. That's just what _I feel_! You'll take care of her, and me, too,
all our lives, and that's what makes me so happy. I'm full of plans!
We'll go abroad soon and stay two years. [_He has stopped swinging
her._] Go on, swing me!
TROTTER. [_Holding the swing still._] Say! if you think you are going to
run me and the whole family, you're a Dodo bird! Remember that you're my
daughter; you must wait a little if you want to be a mother-in-law.
[_Sleigh-bells are heard in the distance, coming nearer._
CLARA. Good gracious! If you ask _me_, I think mama has got her hands
full. What's become of Miss Godesby and her brother?
TROTTER. When you went upstairs with your mother, they went down the
road.
CLARA. You know originally the idea was _I_ was to marry you.
TROTTER. Really--
CLARA. [_Laughingly._] Yes, and mama cut me out.
TROTTER. Oh, well, it can't be helped; we can't marry everybody.
CLARA. [_Noticing the bells._] _Somebody else arriving!_ That's
queer--nobody comes here in the winter; that's why we chose it, because
it would be quiet! Let's play this game.
[_Going to an iron frog on a box which stands near the house._
TROTTER. Perhaps it's Mrs. Sterling.
CLARA. No; if she was coming at all, she'd have come in time for the
wedding. [_She takes up the disks which lie beside the frog._] I should
hate to get married like you and mama--no splurge and no presents! Why,
the presents'd be half the fun! And think of all those you and she've
given in your life, and have lost now a good chance of getting back.
[_Throws a disk into the frog's open mouth._
TROTTER. _I'll_ give your mother all the presents she wants. I can
afford it; I don't want anybody to give us anything!
CLARA. You talk like Jess! [_Throws another disk._] You know Jess earns
her own living. She goes around to smart women's houses answering their
invitations and letters for 'em. She calls it being a visiting
secretary, but I tell her she's a _co-respon-dent_!
[_Throws a disk._
[WARDEN _and_ MASON _enter from behind the house quickly, with a manner
of suppressed excitement. They are surprised to find_ CLARA _and_
TROTTER.
WARDEN. Why, here they are!
MASON. No, only Miss Clara and Trotter.
WARDEN. Lucky I met you--you must take me back in your sleigh.
MASON. Yes, the riding's beastly.
TROTTER. Hello! I say, were you invited?
CLARA. Merry Christmas!
WARDEN. We came to see the Godesbys.
CLARA. They've gone down the road.
MASON. Sterling isn't here, is he?
TROTTER. No, haven't seen him.
CLARA. Do you know _why_ we're here?
[MASON _and_ WARDEN _are embarrassed._
MASON. Yes--er--er--a--many happy returns, Mr. Trotter.
TROTTER. It's a great day for me, Mr. Mason!
WARDEN. Wish you joy, Trotter!
[_Embarrassed and not going near him._ TROTTER _rushes eagerly to him
and grasps his hand warmly._
TROTTER. Thank you, old man! I say! _Thank you!_
MASON. Miss Clara, would you do me the great favor of going down the
road and hurrying the Godesbys back if you see them?
CLARA. Yes, I don't mind; come along, Trotty!
WARDEN. You must excuse Trotter. I want a talk with him if he will give
me five minutes.
CLARA. Oh, certainly.
[_She goes out Left behind the house._
WARDEN. [_To_ MASON.] Will you see Mrs. Hunter?
TROTTER. I beg your pardon, Mrs. _Trotter_!
WARDEN. [_Politely._] I beg yours. [_To_ MASON.] See Mrs. Trotter.
MASON. [_Aside to_ WARDEN.] You're going to ask _him_ to go on Dick's
note for Ryder?
WARDEN. [_In a low voice._] Yes.
MASON. You're a wonder! As if _he_ would!
WARDEN. _Somebody must_, and there's nobody else. That boy and that
mother have got to be saved!
MASON. I'm sorry my name's no good for us.
WARDEN. And mine mustn't be used.
MASON. No, indeed! The minute that was done, there'd be a new
complication, and more trouble would tumble down on Mrs. Sterling's
head. Good luck.
[_Shakes his hand and enters the house._
TROTTER. What's up? _You_ haven't come to kick about my wedding, have
you? I wouldn't stand for that, you know!
WARDEN. It's not that, Mr. Trotter. Your wife's son-in-law, Sterling,
has turned out a blackguard; he has had intrusted to him Miss Ruth
Hunter's money and several other people's, and he's used it all for
speculation of his own.
TROTTER. Then he's a damned thief!
[_He sits on the bench with the manner that he has settled the subject._
WARDEN. So he is, and he's ruined.
TROTTER. Well, prison is the place for _him_.
WARDEN. We won't argue that, but how about his family--they get punished
for what he has done; they must share his disgrace.
TROTTER. Oh, well, my wife is out of all that now--_she's Mrs. Trotter_.
WARDEN. Yes, but _her own daughter_ suffers.
TROTTER. [_On the defensive._] She isn't very chummy with her classy
eldest daughter.
WARDEN. Never mind that; you know without my telling you that Mrs.
Sterling is a fine woman.
TROTTER. She's always snubbed me right and left, but, by George, I must
own she is a fine woman.
WARDEN. That's right! [_Clapping him on the back and putting his arm
around his shoulder._] Look here--help us save her!
TROTTER. How?
WARDEN. Indorse a note of Sterling's to give Ryder to keep him quiet.
TROTTER. I'd have to ask my wife.
WARDEN. No! Don't start off like that! Keep the reins in your own hands
at the very beginning,--make her realize from this very day that you're
raised up on the cushion beside her; that she's sitting lower down
admiring the scenery, while you do the driving through life!
TROTTER. [_Half laughing._] Ha! I guess you're right. Box seat and reins
are good enough for me!
WARDEN. Good boy! Then we can count on you to sign this note?
TROTTER. Where's _my_ security?
WARDEN. I can get you security if you want it.
TROTTER. Of course I want it! And I say, where are _you_? Why aren't
_you_ in it?
WARDEN. There are reasons why my name had better not appear; you are in
the family. But I'll tell you what I'll do, Trotter; I'll secure _you_
with a note of my own--only you must keep it dark; you mustn't even let
Mason know.
TROTTER. All right, perhaps I'm a Dodo bird, but I'll do it. Say, I seem
to have married a good many of this classy family!
WARDEN. Trotter, no one's done you justice! And, by George! you deserve
a better fate--er--I mean--my best wishes on your wedding day.
[TROTTER _shakes his hand delightedly._
TROTTER. Great day for me! What I wanted was style and position, and
some one classy who would know how to spend my money for me!
WARDEN. Well, you've got _that, surely_!
[CLARA _comes back from the house._
CLARA. The Godesbys are coming. Trotter, there's skating on the river
near here, and they've skates in the house--don't you want a spin?
TROTTER. Yes, I don't mind--if my wife doesn't need me! [CLARA _laughs
as_ GODESBY _and_ MISS GODESBY _enter from behind the house._ TROTTER
_meets them, with_ CLARA _on his arm._] Excuse us for a little while!
CLARA. _Poppa_ and I're going skating!
[_They go out Left._
GODESBY. Hello, Warden.
WARDEN. Good morning, Miss Godesby.
MISS GODESBY. Good morning.
WARDEN. How are you, Godesby? I've come on a matter most serious, most
urgent--something very painful.
GODESBY. What is it?
[_Comes forward._
WARDEN. Both of you trusted Dick Sterling.
MISS GODESBY. What's he done?
WARDEN. Misused your funds.
GODESBY. How d'you mean?
WARDEN. I mean that the money you intrusted to him is gone, and I've
come to make a proposition to you.
MISS GODESBY. Gone?
[GODESBY _and_ MISS GODESBY _are aghast. A second's silence, during
which_ GODESBY _and_ MISS GODESBY _look at each other, then back at_
WARDEN.
GODESBY. Do you mean to say--
WARDEN. The money is _gone_, every penny of it, and I want you to accept
a note from Sterling to cover the amount.
MISS GODESBY. I can't _grasp_ it!
GODESBY. Where is Sterling? Why didn't _he_ come?
WARDEN. He was ashamed.
GODESBY. I should hope so!
WARDEN. Several of us are going to stick by him; we'll manage to put him
on his feet again, and we want you to accept his note.
GODESBY. [_Incredulous._] Accept his note?
MISS GODESBY. [_Also incredulous._] On _what security_?
GODESBY. [_Quickly._] You'll do nothing of the sort, Julia!
MISS GODESBY. I'll see him where he belongs, in State's Prison, first!
WARDEN. That wouldn't bring you back your money.
MISS GODESBY. Neither will his note!
WARDEN. If I get it indorsed?
GODESBY. Likely!
MISS GODESBY. Rather!
WARDEN. I want your silence to keep it from the public for the family's
sake. I've secured a satisfactory indorser for a note to satisfy Ryder's
claim.
MISS GODESBY. Why didn't you give him to _me_ instead of Ryder?
WARDEN. I felt you would be willing, out of friendship--
[_There are sleigh-bells in the distance, coming nearer._
MISS GODESBY. Huh! you must take me for an idiot!
WARDEN. Out of friendship for his wife.
MISS GODESBY. Blanche Sterling! I never could bear her! She's always
treated me like the dirt under her feet!
WARDEN. You dined with her last night.
MISS GODESBY. That was to please her mother. No, if my money's gone,
Sterling's got to suffer, and the one slight consolation I shall have
will be that Blanche Sterling will have to come off her high horse.
[_The sleigh-bells stop._
GODESBY. [_To_ MISS GODESBY.] Ten to one if you agree to sign this
note--
WARDEN. And keep silent.
MISS GODESBY. [_Satirically._] Oh, yes, of course, the next morning when
I wake up Sterling will be gone! Nobody knows where!
WARDEN. I've had it out with Sterling! I am here as his representative.
I give you my word of honor Sterling will not run away. It is under such
an understanding with him that I am pleading his case in his stead. He
will stay here and work till he has paid you back, every cent.
[JESSICA _enters hurriedly from the house._
JESSICA. [_In great excitement._] Mr. Warden, Mr. Warden, Dick has gone!
WARDEN. _Sterling? Gone?_
MISS GODESBY. _Gone?_
GODESBY. That's _good_!
WARDEN. Don't be a fool, Godesby. How do you mean "gone," Miss Hunter?
JESSICA. I don't altogether know. While I was out this morning, Blanche
received a message from mother saying she'd been--
[_She hesitates, looking toward_ GODESBY _and_ MISS GODESBY.
WARDEN. They know. They're your mother's guests here.
JESSICA. She told Blanche they would be glad to have her here at one
o'clock for breakfast. Blanche ordered the sleigh at once and went away,
leaving word for me I was to open any message which might come for her.
WARDEN. [_To_ GODESBY.] Has she been here?
GODESBY. Not that I know of.
MISS GODESBY. [_Eager to hear more._] No, no!
JESSICA. No, they say not. She probably went first to Aunt Ruth's.
Before I got back, Dick, who'd been out--
WARDEN. He was at my house.
JESSICA. Yes. He came back, questioned Jordan as to where Blanche was,
went upstairs, and then went away again, leaving a note for Blanche,
which I found when I came home--
WARDEN. [_Eagerly._] Yes?
JESSICA. It simply said, "Good-by. Dick."
MISS GODESBY. [_Very angry._] Oh!
GODESBY. [_Quickly._] He's taken a train! He's cleared out!
WARDEN. Do you know if he took a bag or anything with him?
JESSICA. No, he took nothing of that sort. Jordan went into his room and
found a drawer open and empty, a drawer in which Dick kept--a
_pistol_!--
[_She drops her voice almost to a whisper._
WARDEN. Good God, he's shot himself!
JESSICA. Perhaps not--he left the house.
WARDEN. Yes, if he were really determined to shoot himself, why wouldn't
he have done it there in his own room?
JESSICA. What can we do? What can we do?
WARDEN. I'll get Mr. Mason; he's with your mother; he must go back to
town at once.
[_Going to the house._
JESSICA. He can go with me; I'd better be at the house. Some one must be
there.
WARDEN. Good!
[_He goes into the house._
[MISS GODESBY _and her brother ignore and apparently forget the presence
of_ JESSICA _in their excitement. They both speak and move excitedly._
MISS GODESBY. I ought to have suspected something when Sterling told me
he was getting ten per cent for my money,--the blackguard!
GODESBY. I always told you you were a fool not to take care of your
money yourself! You know more about business than most men.
MISS GODESBY. I didn't want to be bothered; besides, there was always
something very attractive about Sterling. I don't mind telling you that
if he had fallen in love with me instead of the stiff-necked woman he
married, I'd have tumbled over myself to get him.
GODESBY. How do you feel about him now?
MISS GODESBY. Now! Thank God, I'm saved such a waking up! It's going to
make a big difference with my income, Howard! I wonder if his wife knew
he was crooked! I'll bet you she's got a pot of money stowed away all
right in her own name.
JESSICA. [_Who can bear no more, interrupts._]
Please--please! Remember that you're speaking of my sister and that
every word you are saying cuts through me like a knife.
MISS GODESBY. I beg your pardon; I ought to have thought. I like and
respect you, Jess, and I've been very rude.
JESSICA. You've been more than that; you've been cruelly unjust to
Blanche in all that you've said!
MISS GODESBY. Perhaps I have, but I don't feel in a very generous mood;
I've some excuse--so please forgive me.
[WARDEN _reënters Left._
WARDEN. [_To_ JESSICA.] Mason is waiting for you with the sleigh. He's
going first to my house. Dick may have gone back there to hear the
result of my interview with Ryder,--then Mason'll try his own house and
Sterling's club.
GODESBY. The _police_ are the best men to find Sterling, whatever's
happened.
WARDEN. [_To_ GODESBY.] You wait a minute with me; I haven't finished
with you yet. [_To_ JESSICA.] I'll stay here for your sister, in case
she comes.
[JESSICA _goes out Left._
GODESBY. [_To_ MISS GODESBY.] Don't you give in!
MISS GODESBY. Not for a minute! [_To_ WARDEN.] Don't you think, under
the circumstances, the wedding breakfast had better be called off, and
my brother and I go back to town?
WARDEN. Not till you've given me your promise, both of you, that you
will keep silent about the embezzlement of your bonds for the sake of
Mrs. Sterling and her son.
MISS GODESBY. [_Half laughs._] Huh!
WARDEN. For the sake of her mother, who is your friend.
[_Sleigh-bells start up loud and die off quickly;_ JESSICA _has gone._
MISS GODESBY. Oh, come, you know what sort of friends we are,--for the
amusement we can get out of each other. This is the case,--I trusted
this man with my affairs. He was very attractive--I don't deny that;
business with Dick Sterling became more or less of a pleasure--but that
doesn't cut any ice with me; he's stolen my money. To put it plainly,
he's a common thief, and he ought to be punished; why should he go scot
free and a lot of others not? You know perfectly well his note wouldn't
be worth the paper it was written on; and, anyway, if he hasn't gone and
sneaked out of the world, I won't lift my little finger to keep him from
the punishment he deserves!
GODESBY. Good for you, Julia!
WARDEN. Don't you put your oar in, Godesby; just let this matter rest
between your sister and me! She's always been known as the best man in
your family.
GODESBY. You don't choose a very conciliatory way of bringing us around!
WARDEN. I'm not choosing any way at all; I'm striking right out from the
shoulder. There isn't time for beating round the bush! I'm pleading for
the good name and honorable position of a perfectly innocent, a fine,
woman, and for the reputation and unimpeded career of her son! And I
make that appeal as man to man and woman!
MISS GODESBY. I have nothing to do with any one in this matter but
Sterling himself, who has robbed me, and I'll gladly see him suffer for
it!
WARDEN. Now look here, Miss Godesby, you belong to a pretty tough crowd
in society, but I know at heart you're not a bad sort! What good will it
do you? Granted even that you don't care for Mrs. Sterling, still don't
tell me you're the kind of woman to take a cruel pleasure in seeing
another woman suffer! I wouldn't believe it! You're not one of those
catty creatures! You're a clever woman, and I don't doubt you can be a
pretty hard one, too, at times; but you're _just_--that's the point
now--you're _JUST_--
MISS GODESBY. [_Interrupting._] Exactly! I'm just, an eye for an eye!
Sterling is a thief, let him get the deserts of one!
[_She sits on the bench determinedly._
WARDEN. But you can't look at only one side! You can't shut your eyes to
his wife's suffering, too, and she doesn't deserve it! Neither does her
boy deserve to share his disgrace. [_He sits beside her._] Why, you have
it in your power to handicap that boy through his whole life by
publishing his father a criminal; or you can give that boy a fair show
to prove himself more his _mother's son_ than his father's, and to live
an honest--who knows--perhaps a noble life!
MISS GODESBY. I refuse to accept such a responsibility. Ryder--
WARDEN. [_Rises, interrupting her._] Ryder's word is given to be silent.
MISS GODESBY. Well, that's _his_ lookout.
WARDEN. You'll have many a heart wrench, I'll bet you! You'll have to
run across the results of the harm you do to Mrs. Sterling and Richard
day in and day out, year after year! I don't believe you realize what it
means! Why, I know _you_ can't bear to see a _dog_ suffer! I met you
last week on the street carrying a mangy, crippled brute of a little dog
in your arms, afraid lest he'd get into the hands of the
vivisectionists, and yet here you'll let a boy and his mother--
MISS GODESBY. [_Interrupts him, struggling against a tiny emotion which
he has stirred._] Stop Stop! I don't want you working on my feelings
that way.
[_She rises and turns from him_
WARDEN. [_Follows her._] I'm only knocking at the door of your heart.
And now because it's opened just a tiny way, you want to shut it in my
face again. Will you leave this woman's name fit for her to use? _Won't_
you make that boy's life worth living to him?
MISS GODESBY. [_After a moment's pause, looks straight into_ WARDEN'S
_face._] I'll tell you what I'll do. Get me some security, some sort of
indorsement of Sterling's note--
WARDEN. If the man's only alive!
MISS GODESBY. And I'll hold my tongue.
WARDEN. How long will you give me?
MISS GODESBY. Oh, come, I can't have any monkey business! You must get
me my security to-day.
WARDEN. To-day?
MISS GODESBY. Yes.
WARDEN. But--
MISS GODESBY. That's my last word.
GODESBY. Stick to that, Julia!
WARDEN. I shan't try to persuade her against that. Will you leave your
sister alone with me a moment. Perhaps you'll see about your sleigh
being ready to return to town.
GODESBY. I've no objection--if Julia wishes it.
MISS GODESBY. Yes, go on, Howard!
[GODESBY _goes out back of house._
WARDEN. [_Left alone with_ MISS GODESBY, _goes nearer to her._] Look,
here! Will you accept _my_ indorsement? Will _I_ be all right?
MISS GODESBY. [_Incredulously._] Certainly.
WARDEN. Then it's settled?
MISS GODESBY. You don't mean it!
WARDEN. I do.
MISS GODESBY. You'd be willing to lose--[_A revelation comes to her._]
Oh--for _Mrs. Sterling_! I see!
WARDEN. [_Very seriously._] I _wouldn't_. I wouldn't see.
MISS GODESBY. And she's always been blackguarding me for my affairs with
men! And all the time--
WARDEN. [_Interrupts strongly._] Don't say any more, please, _Miss
Godesby_! I only wish your brother had said that much instead of you.
MISS GODESBY. [_Disagreeably._] So you're in love with Blanche Sterling?
WARDEN. No!
MISS GODESBY. Oh, come, don't tell a lie about it; that will only make
it seem worse.
WARDEN. Well, suppose I were in love with her--what of it?
MISS GODESBY. Nothing; only, my dear Warden, that woman--
WARDEN. [_Interrupts._] Wait a minute! You've got me in a corner, but
knowing half the truth, you mustn't _guess_ the whole. She is even more
ignorant of my love for her than you were ten minutes ago! [MISS GODESBY
_smiles and makes a little satirical exclamation._] You don't believe
that, but I'll _make_ you. I'm going to tell _you_ something I've never
even told myself. I'm going to put you to a big test, because I've got
to. Apparently, I can't help myself; but after all, somehow I believe in
the human nature in you, and you've got it in your power to help or hurt
the woman I love--I say those words aloud for the first time--the woman
I love!
[_He has finished his speech in a lowered tone throbbing with controlled
feeling._
MISS GODESBY. [_Incredulously._] You've never told her?
WARDEN. Never; and you show how little you really know her when you ask
that question! She loves her husband.
MISS GODESBY. I'm not so sure about that!
WARDEN. I am, and I _love her_. But surely the silent love of a man,
like mine, is no insult to a good woman--cannot harm her! A love that is
never spoken, not even whispered, can't hurt any one, except, perhaps,
the one who loves. You must acknowledge even _you_ have never heard a
hint; you _showed_ just now your real surprise at what circumstances
revealed to you! I'd die sooner than bring the slightest shadow of a
scandal on her, and I've hugged my secret tight. Have you any idea what
such a love means? How it grows and grows, its strength shut in, held
back, doubling and redoubling its powers!--its ideality increasing, the
passion _suppressed_, locked up! Good God! I tremble sometimes when I
think--suppose some day it should burst out, _break_ my control, MASTER
ME! [_A pause._] And here, now, I've told _you_; I'm sorry, but I had to
for _her_ sake again. Will you help me keep my secret?
MISS GODESBY. [_After a second's pause._] Yes, because I believe you.
WARDEN. And Mrs. Sterling?
MISS GODESBY. [_Slowly, with sincere meaning._] I envy her!
[_Her voice breaks and she turns away from him._
WARDEN. No one is to know I indorse Sterling's note?
MISS GODESBY. You needn't sign the note; my brother'd have to see it.
I'll take your word for the indorsement.
[_She offers him her hand. They shake hands._
WARDEN. What a brick you are! You know you don't do yourself anything
like justice in the world!
[GODESBY _reënters Left and after him a_ MAN SERVANT _in ordinary
clothes, who passes through the archway at back Centre._
GODESBY. Ready!
WARDEN. [_Aside to her._] You can promise his silence about Sterling?
MISS GODESBY. Oh, yes, he's absolutely dependent upon me.
WARDEN. Thank you.
MISS GODESBY. [_To_ NED _with a forced gaiety._] Good-by!
WARDEN. [_Again shaking her hand_] Good-by.
[_He looks his thanks at her._
GODESBY. Well? What did you do?
MISS GODESBY. [_As they go._] Don't worry; I've taken care of myself for
many years, and I still feel up to it!
[_They go out Left and at the same time the_ SERVANT _enters from the
archway at back Centre carrying some fire logs in his arms. This_
SERVANT _speaks with a slight French accent. As he reaches the house,_
WARDEN _stops him with a question, and the_ GODESBYS' _sleigh-bells
start up and quickly die away. The sun begins to set._
WARDEN Have you an empty sitting room?
SERVANT. Yes, sair.
WARDEN Warm?
SERVANT. I will soon arrange a fire.
WARDEN I wish you would, please.
SERVANT. Ze big room for ze breakfast is altogether ready and warm; you
will be able to go in there now.
WARDEN. No, that wouldn't do. It's all right out here for _me_, only I
am expecting a lady.
[_Sleigh-bells are heard in the distance, coming quickly nearer._
SERVANT. Yes, sair.
WARDEN. I hear a sleigh coming. If a lady is in it, ask if her name is
Mrs. Sterling, and if she says yes, tell her Mr. Warden is here and
would like to speak with her a moment before she goes in to Mrs.--
[_He hesitates a second._
SERVANT. Trottair?
WARDEN. Yes.
SERVANT. Yes, sair.
[_He goes into the house._
[_The sun grows red, and the colors of sunset creep over the sky during
the scene which follows. After a moment the_ SERVANT _shows_ BLANCHE
_out from the house._
BLANCHE. [_Surprised and depressed._] Good morning, Mr. Warden, have you
been asked to these funeral baked meats?
WARDEN. No, I'll explain why I am here in a few minutes. Only let me ask
you first when you last saw your husband?
BLANCHE. Early this morning.
WARDEN. And you have come just now from where?
BLANCHE. Aunt Ruth's. Of course you know about my mother? When I heard
it I started to come here, but my heart failed me and I turned back to
my aunt's. She has persuaded me that I ought to come and put the best
face on the matter possible, but it seems as if I'd had now a little
more than I _can_ bear!
[_Her voice breaks and her eyes fill with tears._
WARDEN. [_Almost tenderly._] Shall we go inside?
BLANCHE. No, no! Let us stay out in the air; my head would burst in one
of these close little rooms. Have you seen mother?
WARDEN. No, not yet.
BLANCHE. Where is Dick? Did he go to Ryder's?
WARDEN. No, but I have some good news to tell you all the same--Ryder
has promised silence.
BLANCHE. [_With tremendous relief._] Oh! that's too good, too good to be
true! To whom did he promise?
WARDEN. I want you not to ask me that.
BLANCHE. I can guess, it was--
WARDEN. [_Lying._] No, it was--_Mason_.
BLANCHE. [_Doubting him._] Mr. Mason?
WARDEN. And I've more good news for you, Mrs. Sterling--the _Godesbys_,
too; _they_ will be silent.
BLANCHE. You're sure?
WARDEN. We have their word!
BLANCHE. [_Pointedly._] Mr. Mason again?--
[WARDEN _bows his head in assent._] He was _here_?
WARDEN. Some time ago, but only for a minute. He didn't stay; he went to
find your husband.
BLANCHE. But the _Godesbys_? I just met them now on the road going back.
How could Mr. Mason, if he didn't stay--[WARDEN _is embarrassed, and is
silent, searching a way out of it._] Oh, no! no! it wasn't Mr. Mason! I
see the whole thing clearly. Dick was too great a coward, and _you_ did
it! It was _you_ who won over Ryder! It was _you_ who persuaded the
Godesbys!--
[WARDEN _shakes his head and makes a movement to deny it._ BLANCHE
_continues speaking, the words rushing to her lips, as her pent-up heart
opens and lets all her emotions suddenly free._] Don't try to deny it;
you can't make me believe you! It's to _you_ I owe whatever promise the
future has for me! It is _you_ who have given me all the happiness I've
had for years. It is _you_ who have watched over, taken care of,
me--_you_, the best friend any woman in this world ever had. It is _you_
now who have saved my boy's honor. It is _you_ who lift the weight off
my shoulders, the weight off my heart! You!--you!--you!
[_She sinks sobbing on the bench. It begins to snow very quietly and
slowly._
WARDEN. [_All his love bursting out into his face and into his voice,
cries._] Blanche! Blanche!
[_Leaning over her as if to protect her from her trouble and take her to
his breast._
BLANCHE. [_Rising and looking straight into his eyes with a suddenly
revealed great love in her own._] Ned!--
[_They hold this position some moments, gazing into each other's eyes;
then finally_ WARDEN _makes a movement towards her, crying out more
triumphantly, having read and realized her love for him._
WARDEN. Blanche!
BLANCHE. [_Moving a half step back from him._] No--
WARDEN. No?
BLANCHE. Look--look, it's beginning to snow!
WARDEN. [_Very softly._] What do you mean?
BLANCHE. [_Desperately._] I mean to speak of anything except what is in
your thoughts at this moment! Help me not to forget that no matter what
he has done, Dick is still my husband.
WARDEN. You don't know all he has done!
BLANCHE. How not "all"? What else? Where is he?
[_With a sudden new alarm._
WARDEN. He has left you.
BLANCHE. [_Echoes._] Left me?--
WARDEN. Mason is searching for him. He left a note at your house which
Jess read; it was only one word "Good-by."
BLANCHE. [_Echoes again._] Good-by! [_Sleigh-bells are heard in the
distance, coming quickly nearer._] What does it mean? You're hiding
something from me! Tell me what else you know?
WARDEN. He left the house, but took something with him--something from a
drawer in his room.
BLANCHE. [_After a second's pause she whispers._] His pistol?
WARDEN. Yes.
BLANCHE. [_Aghast, still whispers._] Has he done it?
WARDEN. I don't know; I'm waiting word from Mason.
[_The sleigh-bells stop._
BLANCHE. [_Excited._] But we can't wait here doing nothing; we must go,
too!
WARDEN. Mason is doing all that can be done; we'd better wait here.
[_He takes her hand in sympathy, but without suggesting the passion of a
few moments before._ STERLING _enters hurriedly Left. He is wild with
drink and jealousy._
STERLING. Drop my wife's hand!
[_They turn in great surprise._
BLANCHE. Dick!
[_Fright at his appearance is mingled with her surprise._
WARDEN. [_At the same time as_ BLANCHE.] Sterling!
[_They do not drop hands._
STERLING. [_Coming nearer, very strong._] Drop my wife's hand! [_They do
so quickly, not understanding yet._] So I've _caught_ you!
WARDEN. [_Angry._] Caught us!
STERLING. Yes, I had my suspicions roused some time ago!
BLANCHE. Of what?
STERLING. _I_ could go to the devil--what did _you two_ care! I could go
to State's Prison! All the better--_out of your way!_
WARDEN. You're speaking like a madman!
STERLING. I went back to my house this morning; my wife was gone--no
message left where to! But I questioned the servant. She'd driven here!
Why? Ha! [_A bitter half laugh; he turns to_ BLANCHE.] _You've come here
once too often!_
WARDEN. [_Very strong._] Sterling!
STERLING. [_To_ WARDEN, _but ignoring his exclamation._] Then I went to
_your_ house. _They knew_ where _you'd_ gone! You ought to train your
servants better! _Both here!_
WARDEN. If you're not careful, I'll ram your insinuations down your
throat.
STERLING. [_Jeers._] "Insinuations?" I've caught you! I make no
"_insinuations_." I tell you _both you're caught!_ You're my wife's
lover, and she's your damned mis--
[_Interrupted._
WARDEN. [_Seizing_ STERLING _by the throat._] Don't you finish!
BLANCHE. Sh!--for Heaven's sake! [_To_ WARDEN.] Let him alone; I'm not
afraid of what he says.
[WARDEN _leaves_ STERLING.
STERLING. No, you never were a liar, I'll give you credit for that,--so
confess the truth--you're his--
[_Interrupted._
BLANCHE. [_Excited beyond her control._] Listen! And you shall have the
truth if you want it! These years that he's been befriending me I never
dreamed of loving him nor thought of his loving me. [DICK _sneers._]
_Wait!_ No, not even the day my father was buried, when I learned
outright you were _dishonest!_
STERLING. [_Surprised._] What do you mean?
BLANCHE. What I say--I learned it then from a paper of my father's. I
shouldn't have kept my knowledge to myself--I see that now; but I did,
for your sake, not for love of you--the love went for good that day. But
here, a moment ago, I realized for the first time that my old friend
_did_ love me, love me with an ideal devotion the noblest woman in the
world might be proud of! I didn't tell him then I loved him, but now I
take this chance, I _take it_ GLADLY before you!--_forced by you!_ I
tell him now, what perhaps he has already guessed, I love him with all
my heart--I _love him_! I LOVE HIM!
STERLING. Damn you both! then it's the _end_ of _me!_
[_He pulls out a pistol and tries to put it to his temple._
BLANCHE. [_Cries out._] Ned!
WARDEN. [_Seizes_ STERLING, _catches his arm, and wrenches the pistol
from him._] So that's what you planned to do, is it--make a wretched
scene like that?
[_It begins to snow more heavily._
STERLING. [_In utter collapse and shame._] Why did you stop me? I'm
better out of the world. I'm crazy with shame. First I disgraced and now
I've insulted--_degraded_--the only living thing I care for,--that's my
wife.
[_A moment's pause._
BLANCHE. [_Speaks quietly._] Come back to the house. Mr. Mason is
looking for you; he has something to tell you.
STERLING. I know--more bad news.
BLANCHE. No, good.
STERLING. [_Echoes._] Good! [_Starting to go, he turns at the porch._] I
want _you_ to know that _I_ know I'm a rotten beast.
[_He goes out Left._
WARDEN. You're going back _home_?
BLANCHE. "_Home!_" [_With a faint smile._] I should hardly call it that.
WARDEN. [_Aside to her._] You're not afraid?
BLANCHE. [_Half smiling._] Oh, no! And my boy's there.
[_The thick falling snow almost hides them, but they are unconscious of
it._
WARDEN. What's to be done?
BLANCHE. Wait; we'll see--we'll see--let it be something we could never
regret. Good-by, Ned.
[_Giving him her hand._
WARDEN. Good-by, Blanche.
[_Kissing her hand very tenderly and almost with a certain kind of awe,
as_
THE CURTAIN SLOWLY FALLS