Part 21 (1/2)

BLANCHE. [_Pathetically._] You did right; I thank you.

STERLING. [_Heartbroken._] Blanche--without hearing a word from me!

BLANCHE. No, I've come now to hear what _you_ have to say.

[_A deep-toned clock strikes eleven._ STERLING, _at the second stroke, takes out his watch with a hurried movement._

WARDEN. [_Quickly._] Eleven o'clock.

STERLING. I wish Warden to leave the room.

BLANCHE. [_Firmly._] And I wish him to stay.

[_A short pause._

STERLING. Well, of what am I accused?

WARDEN. n.o.body wants to accuse you. We want you to make a clean breast of it.

STERLING. Don't you talk to me; let my wife do the talking if you want me to answer.

BLANCHE. Sit down, Aunt Ruth. [RUTH _sits by the table_, WARDEN _stands at back._ STERLING _stands at Right and_ BLANCHE _and_ MASON _sit near the centre._] Aunt Ruth asks you to give her a true account of her trust in you. Mr. Mason is here as her friend and my father's.

STERLING. I haven't said I betrayed her trust. I told her she should _have_ the bonds she wants to-morrow.

BLANCHE. But _will_ she? That's what I want to know. I ask you if you haven't her bonds, to tell us here now,--tell _us_, who have been and must be still the best friends, perhaps the only friends, you can have.

Tell us where we all stand--are we the only ones to suffer or are there others who will perhaps be less generous in their treatment of you? Tell us now while there is time perhaps to save us from public scandal, from the disgrace which would stamp your wife as the wife of a thief, and send your boy out into the world the son of a convict cheat. [_She breaks down, but in a moment controls herself. There is no answer._ STERLING _sinks into a chair, his arms on the table, his head on his arms. A moment's silence._] You _love_ me--I know that. I appeal to your love; let your love of me persuade you to do what I ask. I ask it for your sake and for _mine_! Tell us here the truth now--it will spare me much to-morrow, perhaps--me whom you love--for love of me--

STERLING. [_In an agony._] I'm afraid I'll lose you--

BLANCHE. No, I'll promise to stand by you if you'll only tell _us all_ the truth.

STERLING. [_In a low, shamed voice._] I'll tell _you_, but not _now_--not before all these others.

[BLANCHE _looks up questioningly to_ MASON. MASON _shakes his head._

BLANCHE. It _must_ be _now_, d.i.c.k.

STERLING. No! no! I can't look you in the face and tell it! Let me tell it to you _alone_, later, in the dark.

[BLANCHE _looks up questioningly to_ MASON. _He shakes his head._

BLANCHE. It must be now.

STERLING. No, no, I'm too ashamed, I can't face you; in the dark I'll make a clean breast of it--let me tell you in the dark.

[WARDEN _moves and puts his hand on the electric-light b.u.t.ton beside the doorway at back._

WARDEN. In the DARK, then, _tell it_!