ACT III
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