Part 26 (2/2)

WARDEN. [_Follows her._] I'm only knocking at the door of your heart.

And now because it's opened just a tiny way, you want to shut it in my face again. Will you leave this woman's name fit for her to use? _Won't_ you make that boy's life worth living to him?

MISS G.o.dESBY. [_After a moment's pause, looks straight into_ WARDEN'S _face._] I'll tell you what I'll do. Get me some security, some sort of indors.e.m.e.nt of Sterling's note--

WARDEN. If the man's only alive!

MISS G.o.dESBY. And I'll hold my tongue.

WARDEN. How long will you give me?

MISS G.o.dESBY. Oh, come, I can't have any monkey business! You must get me my security to-day.

WARDEN. To-day?

MISS G.o.dESBY. Yes.

WARDEN. But--

MISS G.o.dESBY. That's my last word.

G.o.dESBY. Stick to that, Julia!

WARDEN. I shan't try to persuade her against that. Will you leave your sister alone with me a moment. Perhaps you'll see about your sleigh being ready to return to town.

G.o.dESBY. I've no objection--if Julia wishes it.

MISS G.o.dESBY. Yes, go on, Howard!

[G.o.dESBY _goes out back of house._

WARDEN. [_Left alone with_ MISS G.o.dESBY, _goes nearer to her._] Look, here! Will you accept _my_ indors.e.m.e.nt? Will _I_ be all right?

MISS G.o.dESBY. [_Incredulously._] Certainly.

WARDEN. Then it's settled?

MISS G.o.dESBY. You don't mean it!

WARDEN. I do.

MISS G.o.dESBY. You'd be willing to lose--[_A revelation comes to her._]

Oh--for _Mrs. Sterling_! I see!

WARDEN. [_Very seriously._] I _wouldn't_. I wouldn't see.

MISS G.o.dESBY. And she's always been blackguarding me for my affairs with men! And all the time--

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