Part 24 (2/2)

WARDEN. The money is _gone_, every penny of it, and I want you to accept a note from Sterling to cover the amount.

MISS G.o.dESBY. I can't _grasp_ it!

G.o.dESBY. Where is Sterling? Why didn't _he_ come?

WARDEN. He was ashamed.

G.o.dESBY. I should hope so!

WARDEN. Several of us are going to stick by him; we'll manage to put him on his feet again, and we want you to accept his note.

G.o.dESBY. [_Incredulous._] Accept his note?

MISS G.o.dESBY. [_Also incredulous._] On _what security_?

G.o.dESBY. [_Quickly._] You'll do nothing of the sort, Julia!

MISS G.o.dESBY. I'll see him where he belongs, in State's Prison, first!

WARDEN. That wouldn't bring you back your money.

MISS G.o.dESBY. Neither will his note!

WARDEN. If I get it indorsed?

G.o.dESBY. Likely!

MISS G.o.dESBY. Rather!

WARDEN. I want your silence to keep it from the public for the family's sake. I've secured a satisfactory indorser for a note to satisfy Ryder's claim.

MISS G.o.dESBY. Why didn't you give him to _me_ instead of Ryder?

WARDEN. I felt you would be willing, out of friends.h.i.+p--

[_There are sleigh-bells in the distance, coming nearer._

MISS G.o.dESBY. Huh! you must take me for an idiot!

WARDEN. Out of friends.h.i.+p for his wife.

MISS G.o.dESBY. Blanche Sterling! I never could bear her! She's always treated me like the dirt under her feet!

WARDEN. You dined with her last night.

MISS G.o.dESBY. That was to please her mother. No, if my money's gone, Sterling's got to suffer, and the one slight consolation I shall have will be that Blanche Sterling will have to come off her high horse.

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