Warden. Come with me to Blanche; I must speak with her.
[Warden and Ruth go out Right.
Mason. [Alone with Sterling.] Go away and make your wife understand you are never coming back.
Sterling. But the loneliness, the misery, away—alone.
Mason. Kill them with hard work; you have other heavy debts, you know. I came to see you about this business of your acknowledgments to Miss Godesby and Miss Hunter.
Sterling. Later, later. To-morrow I will decide—
[He motions him away. Mason goes to him and puts his hand on his shoulder.
Mason. Decide well—
[He hesitates a moment and then goes out Right.
Sterling. [Watching him go.] There's not one soul in this world who cares for me, and it's my own fault. [Richard is heard upstairs again singing "Once in Royal David's City." Sterling lifts his head and listens.] Yes, one little soul loves me, and it would be better for him, too, if I went away. I'll go to sleep and see how I feel about it when I wake up. [He moves the glass of water and takes out the box of tablets. He starts suddenly, but very slightly, and his muscles tighten.]