(Fiercely): Why, you nearly scratched one another’s eyes out for the fun of going to Fanny’s mother, and “putting the old grandmother into her place” and putting Fanny through the Third Degree, nagging and nagging at her to tell, so that you could hear more shocking details, and come and gloat over them.
(Mimicking): “Oh, but we want to help her,” and “girlhood is so sacred.” (To Mrs. Ballantyne): Yes, you said that several times, didn’t you, you who are so thankful that your girl trusts you—so that when you cheat her and tell little lies for her own good, the poor little fool swallows it. She won’t always swallow it, you know—she’ll find you out one day. Just like I’ve found out, what charity means and what’s done to girls who sin and get found out. I had to know, you see, because—I’ve done what Fanny did——
(The women cry out, below their breath.)
Miss Miller: You needn’t be frightened—it isn’t anyone down here. That’s what you’re afraid of, isn’t it—that it may all end up tamely after all, with a hasty marriage, and nothing left to talk about! You’d like to hustle me away, like Fanny, to somewhere that will take your money, and make you feel all nice and glowing and charitable—and where they’ll “take away the baby, and the mother probably never sets eyes on it at all.” To be allowed to keep it, would “put a premium on immorality” wouldn’t it? Ha, ha, ha! I’ve been frightened all these weeks, but I’m not frightened any more now. Something went snap inside my head, I think, all in a minute, while I was listening to all of you. I’d thought of appealing to you, you see—such kind ladies, all given over to works of charity! If you’re the charitable (laughing wildly) what would other people say? No, no, no—I’ll not be like Fanny, I’ve thought of a better plan than any of yours!
(She springs on to the sill of the open window. Mrs. Akers cries “Stop her!” and they dash forward, but the table impedes them, and Miss Miller, still laughing, throws herself out.
The curtain falls as Mrs. Lloyd-Evans, screaming, pulls at the locked door, and the other two women throw themselves against the window and look downwards.)
THE END
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