No, I don’t think it was very nice of him to put it. I never thought about the matter. I don’t see why I should expect you to be better than other men.
John.
Did you really mean all you said just now?
Sylvia.
Every word.
[She takes off her engagement ring and hands it to him. He does not take it.
John.
[With deep emotion.] Sylvia, I couldn’t say it before all those people, it seemed too intimate and private a matter. Doesn’t it mean anything to you that I love you? It’s been so much to me in all I’ve gone through to think of you. You’ve been everything in the world to me. When I was cold and wet and hungry and miserable, I’ve thought of you, and it all grew bearable.
Sylvia.
I’m very sorry. I can’t marry you.