Part 34 (2/2)

MISS G.o.dESBY. Come along now, Mrs. Sterling, brace up and give me your name, and Warden, witness, please. [_They do so._] Of course, my dears, I know perfectly well that legally this isn't worth the paper it's written on. [_Exchanging a serious and meaning look with_ WARDEN.] But my idiot of a brother won't realize that, which is the point. One thing more--will you both dine with me next week, Thursday? [_There is an embarra.s.sed pause, which, with quick intuition, she understands._] Yes, you _will_--for _silence_ gives consent! [_Laughing._] Now, that's settled!

STERLING. What an awfully good sort you are!

MISS G.o.dESBY. Thanks, not always--I've been a mucker more than once in my life! I must go [_Shaking hands with_ BLANCHE.] and relieve Mr. Mason of my brother, or he'll be accusing me of inhuman treatment; more than one consecutive hour of my brother ought to be prevented by the police.

BLANCHE. You are very, _very_ good.

MISS G.o.dESBY. I think if you and I can get well over this, we'll be real friends, and I haven't many, have you?

BLANCHE. [_Takes her hand._] You can count upon me and my boy so long as we live.

[_She impulsively but tenderly kisses her._

[MISS G.o.dESBY _is very much surprised, but moved._

MISS G.o.dESBY. [_Half laughing, half crying, and pulling her veil down to hide her emotion._] By George! I haven't been kissed by a woman for years! Good-by.

[WARDEN _starts to go out with_ MISS G.o.dESBY. BLANCHE _stops him._

BLANCHE. Wait one moment--I want to speak alone to Miss G.o.desby.

[MISS G.o.dESBY _goes out Left._

BLANCHE. [_Aside to_ STERLING.] You tell him; I cannot. Tell him the _truth_.

[_She goes out after_ MISS G.o.dESBY.

WARDEN. d.i.c.k.

STERLING. Ned?

WARDEN. I have nothing to say to you, Sterling.

[WARDEN _looks away and whistles a tune to show his unwillingness to listen._ STERLING _speaks clearly so_ WARDEN _shall hear._

STERLING. I have a message for you from my wife. [_There is a second's pause._ WARDEN _stops whistling and turns and looks at_ STERLING.] She asks me to explain--to tell--to tell you a decision she has come to.

[_There is another pause._

WARDEN. Yes?

[_Anxious, at a supreme tension, and now a little alarmed as to the decision._

STERLING. She has decided not to leave my house.

WARDEN. [_Adds._] _Yet!_

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