Dr. Van Hyde (crossing to R. and seating himself next to Rose): Don’t you think you could love one man, whose devotion to you would be tireless, whose life would be your life, whose thought would be always for your welfare and happiness; don’t you think you could love this man, and this man alone?
Rose (moving away from him): I never thought of that.
Dr. Van Hyde (moving toward her again): Try, try, my dear child, to see things with my eyes.
Rose: I have a pair of my own, thank you.
Dr. Van Hyde (losing himself in his passion): Listen to me. I do love you, and I want you to love me—but not as you love other men. I am anxious to be your friend, your very best friend. I want you to look to me as you would look to no one else. I want—
Rose (changing her manner and laughing): You play your part admirably, Dr. Van Hyde.
Dr. Van Hyde (in astonishment): Play my part!
Rose: You have just asked me to love you?
Dr. Van Hyde: Yes.
Rose: To accept you as my very best friend?