Guide. This is the Apollo Belvedere, discovered at the end of the fifteenth century, some say in a Roman villa or farm-house near the Grotter Terratter. Very fine specimen both as marble and man. This statyer is calculated to make Sandow et cetery look like thirty cents. Height seven feet, weight—
A Man Tourist. How much?
A Girl Tourist. Was he married?
[Titters from the group.
Guide. Give it up! Should judge he was. The god once held a bow in his left hand and probably a laurel wreath in his right.
Another Woman Tourist. A what?
Guide. A laurel wreath. You want to take a good look at this, as it is a very fine piece. Now come along, please—make haste; we must finish up this place before feeding!
[He leads the way out Right, and the Tourists follow, shuffling along, without speaking, Mrs. Lopp and Carrie lagging in the rear.
[Austin enters Left, followed by Ruth.
Austin. This is where I left her with Apollo! [Calls.] Jinny! She seems to have gone!
[He looks behind the statue and out door, Right.
Ruth. Probably the Cullinghams, who were headed in this direction, found her, and they've all gone back for us; you see I walked all around the court first without going into the rooms, so I missed them, but found you.
Austin. What shall we do? Sit down here and wait for them to come back, or shall I go in search?
Ruth. Oh, no, you might miss them, and then we'd all be lost! If you left Jinny here, she's sure to come back to meet you.
[She sits on the bench and Austin stands behind her.
Austin. I'm sorry to learn you've been ill.
Ruth. Oh! it's nothing.
Austin. Ah, I'm afraid it's a good deal. Will you forgive me if I say I think I know what it is!
[She looks up startled.
[After a moment.
You haven't forgotten the day of Jinny's and my wedding, when you told me Geoffrey Tillman needed a friend?
Ruth. I hoped you'd forgotten; I oughtn't to have told you; I oughtn't to have!
Austin. Why not? I had a talk with Geoffrey, then, and he told me everything.
Ruth. He did! You are sure?
Austin. Sure.
[He sits beside her.
Ruth. That he and I—
Austin. Love each other.
Ruth. Oh, but that isn't all.
Austin. I know the rest!
Ruth. He told you—about—about—
Austin. The marriage?—Yes?
Ruth. Oh, I'm so glad, so glad! Now I can speak of it to some one, and some one who can advise me, and will help us.
Austin. I have already advised him, but he doesn't seem to be taking my advice; it has worried me.
Ruth. When I left he was awfully depressed. He said he saw no prospect of being able to publish our marriage for years, maybe!
Austin. What marriage?
[In astonishment.
Ruth. Our marriage, in Brooklyn! [She notices his expression and is alarmed.] You said he had told you!
Austin. [Recovering himself, and speaking at first with hesitation.] Yes, but not the details, not—wait, I'm a little confused. [Rising and walking a moment.] Let's get it all quite clear now, that's the only way I can help you—both; I ought, of course, to have gone through it all with him, but there really wasn't time.
Ruth. I can't go on like this much longer. It's killing me to deceive mother; I must tell her soon!
Austin. [Quickly, stops walking.] No. You mustn't, not yet, if I'm going to help you; you'll obey me, won't you?
Ruth. Yes, if you only will help us!
Austin. You said you and Geoffrey Tillman were married where?
Ruth. In Brooklyn.
Austin. When?
Ruth. A month before your wedding.
Austin. [To himself.] It's impossible!
[Walking up and down.
Ruth. [Smiling sadly.] Oh, no! I remember the date only too well.
Austin. I didn't mean that.
Ruth. I lied to my mother that day for the first time—at any rate, since I was a child—and I've been lying to her ever since.
Austin. [Probing her.] But—but why were you married so secretly?
Ruth. We couldn't afford to marry and set up for ourselves. He expected then to be sent off at once to the Philippines, and—well he didn't want to leave me behind, free; I'm afraid he's rather jealous—you must have found out by now that Jinny is. They all are! And I didn't want him to go so far off without my belonging to him either; I'm that jealous, too! [Smiling.] So—that's why!
Austin. And this long period of secrecy since then—do you understand that?
Ruth. Hasn't he explained to you his debts? You know before he loved me he was very fast, but since—
Austin. Yes, I know how he gave up every one of his old habits with a great deal of courage.
Ruth. Nobody knows what it cost him! How can you help us? Get him something to do to pay off his debts? Or can't you make him feel even if we do have to go on living at our different homes for a while, it is better to publish the fact that we are married?—
Austin. I shall go back at once to America if I can persuade Jinny!
Ruth. And I, too?
Austin. No. You must stay abroad till I send word for you to come home. If I am going to help you, you will help me by doing exactly as I say, won't you?
Ruth. Yes.
Austin. It's very important that you should absolutely obey me!
Ruth. I will.
[A pause.
[Jinny, unnoticed by either of them, appears in the doorway at Right. Austin is walking up and down. Ruth is leaning her elbow on the back of the bench and burying her face in her hands.
Austin. It's awful! My God, it's awful!
Jinny. [In a strained, assumed, nonchalant tone.] What is?
Ruth. Jinny!
[Rising.
Austin. I didn't hear you, Jinny!
Jinny. No, you both seemed so absorbed.
Ruth. [Going to Jinny.] I'm so glad to see you.
[Kisses her, but Jinny only gives her her cheek and that rather unwillingly; she is looking all the time at her husband.
Jinny. Thank you, I've just left the Cullinghams. They sent word to you they were going and would wait for you outside.
Ruth. Oh, then, I mustn't keep them waiting. We'll all meet at dinner to-night, won't we? Good-by—good-by.
[With a grateful look at Austin, she goes out Right.
Jinny. [Watches her go; then turns to Austin.] That wasn't true, what I told her—I haven't seen the Cullinghams, and I don't know where they are, and what's more, I don't care!
Austin. What do you mean?
Jinny. [Beginning by degrees to lose control of herself.] What did she mean by following you to Rome?
Austin. Jinny!
Jinny. Oh, don't try to deny it; that'll only make me suspect you!
Austin. My dear girl, you don't know what you're saying!
Jinny. She's ill, they say at home! Yes, and they don't know what's the matter with her, do they? No! But I can tell them! She's in love with another woman's husband!
Austin. [Taking her hand.] Hush! I won't allow you to say such things!
Jinny. [With a disagreeable little laugh.] Oh, won't you? You'd better be careful,—my eyes are opened!
Austin. Yes, and much too wide.
Jinny. A half-blind person would have known there was something between you two. When I came into this room just now, it was in the air—it was in both your faces!
[She sits on the bench.
Austin. You've worked yourself up to such a pitch you're not responsible for what you're saying!
Jinny. I not responsible! What was it you were saying was so "awful" when I came in here? "My God, so awful!"
[He doesn't answer.
[Almost hysterical, she rises.
She had told you she loved you! She'd confessed she'd followed you over here!
Austin. Absolutely false, both your suppositions!
Jinny. Oh, of course you'd protect her; you're a gentleman! But if I thought you knew she was coming over—
Austin. Jinny! Jinny! How can you have such a thought?
Jinny. Well, why didn't you tell me when you thought you saw her a little while ago?
Austin. Oh—
Jinny. Oh, it's very easy to say "Oh!" [Imitating him.] but why didn't you?
Austin. I told you I didn't think who it was; I only thought something familiar flashed across my eyes. Jinny darling, this is sheer madness on your part, letting yourself go like this. It has no reason, it has no excuse! Ask your own heart, and your own mind, if in speaking to me as you have, you haven't done me at least an injustice and my love for you a little wrong.
Jinny. Well, I'm sure she's in love with you, anyway.
Austin. No, she isn't! And it's disgraceful of you to say so! I know she isn't—
Jinny. How do you know she isn't?
Austin. There's no question of it. I'm sure of it! You mustn't think, dear, that because you love me, everybody does—you idealize me!
[Smiling apologetically.
Jinny. Oh, you're so modest you don't see! but I do—on the steamer, in the hotels, everywhere we go, always, all the women admire you awfully! I see it!
Austin. [Laughing.] What utter nonsense! [Taking her into his arms.] You've got something in your eyes!
Jinny. Only tears!
Austin. No, something else,—something green.
Jinny. [Laughs through her tears.] Somebody's told you my old nickname!
Austin. What?
Jinny. [Laughs and is a little embarrassed.] The girl with the green eyes.
Austin. Ahem!—
Jinny. Well, I don't care if it is appropriate, I can't help it.
[Slipping from his arms.
Austin. You must—or it will threaten our happiness if you let yourself be carried away by jealousy for no earthly reason outside of your dear, little imagination, like you have this time—
[Interrupted.
Jinny. You honestly don't think she cares for you?
Austin. Not a bit!
Jinny. But what was it you were so serious about—what is between you?
Austin. She is in a little trouble, and I happen to know about it.
Jinny. How?
Austin. [After a second's hesitation.] That you mustn't ask me; it was not from her I knew of it.
Jinny. Truly?
Austin. Truly.
Jinny. I don't care, she hadn't any business to go to you! I should think she'd have gone to a woman instead of a man for sympathy. She's got Mrs. Cullingham!
Austin. She can't go to her, poor girl. Mrs. Cullingham knows nothing about it.
Jinny. Now don't you get too sympathetic—that's very dangerous!
Austin. Look out, your imagination is peeping through the keyhole.
[A moment's pause.
Jinny. [In a sympathetic tone, the jealousy gone.] What is her trouble, Jack?
Austin. That, dear, I can't tell you now; some day, perhaps, if you want me to, but not now. Only I give you my word of honor, it has nothing to do with you and me—does not touch our life! And I want you to tell me you believe me, and trust me, and won't let yourself be jealous again!
Jinny. I do believe you, and I do trust you, and I will try not to be jealous again!
Austin. That's right.
Jinny. You know that book of De Maupassant's [They move away together.] I was reading in the train the other day,—about the young girl who killed herself with charcoal fumes when her lover deserted her?
Austin. [Half laughing.] This is apropos of what, please? I have absolutely no sympathy with such people.
Jinny. In America that girl would have simply turned on the gas.
Austin. You're getting morbid, Jinny!
Jinny. No, I'm not! but if ever—
Austin. [Interrupting—laughing it off.] I shall install electric light as soon as we get home!
[They both laugh.
Jinny. I'm sorry I was so disagreeable to Ruth, but I'll try to make up for it in every way I can.
[She sits on the bench and he leans over the back toward her.
Austin. There's one other thing, Jinny, I'd like to speak of now. Would you mind giving up the Lakes and going home this week?
Jinny. Going home—at once?
Austin. Yes—Wall Street is very uncertain. I'm worried,—I don't mind telling you,—and I want to see Geoffrey about his business.
Jinny. [Half in earnest.] Jack! You're not running away from her, are you?
Austin. Jinny! After all we've said!
Jinny. No! I wasn't in earnest! I'm ready to go. I've seen the Lakes, and whether you are in Italy or in New York, so long as we are together, it's our honeymoon just the same.
Austin. And may it last all our lives!
Jinny. Still, I don't mind owning up that leaving Ruth Chester behind here is rather pleasanter! [She rises quickly with a sudden thought.] She is not going back, too?
Austin. Oh, no, not for a long time. They are over here indefinitely.
Jinny. I've been too horrid and nasty for words this morning, Jack—I'm so sorry.
Austin. It's over and forgotten now.
Jinny. You do forgive me?
Austin. Of course, dear; only I want to say this one thing to you: to suspect unjustly a true love is to insult that love!
Jinny. I didn't really suspect you.
Austin. Of course I know you didn't; this is only by way of a grandfatherly warning! It is possible to insult a true love too often—and love can die—
Jinny. Sh! don't, please, say any more. You have forgiven me, haven't you?
Austin. Yes!
Jinny. Then kiss me!
Austin. [Smiling.] Here! My dear, some one will see us!
Jinny. No, only Apollo; see, there's no one else about—it's luncheon hour!
Austin. But—
[Taking her hand.
Jinny. [Pulling him.] Come along, then, behind the statue. No one will see us there!
[They are behind the statue a moment and then come around the other side.
Jinny. There! no one saw us, and I'm so happy, are you?
Austin. "So happy!"
[Jinny takes his arm and they go to the Left entrance. She stops and looks up at him.
Jinny. Are my eyes green now?
Austin. Now they're blue!
Jinny. Hurrah! and I'm going, from now on, to be so good, you won't know me.
[And hugging his arm tight they go out as—
THE CURTAIN FALLS
The Austins' library; a warm, attractive room, with dark woodwork, and the walls hung in crimson brocade; Dutch marqueterie furniture; blue and white china on the mantel and tops of the book shelves; carbon photographs of pictures by Reynolds, Ronney, and Gainsborough on the wall. There is a double window at the back. A door at Right leads to the hall, and another on the Left side of the room leads to Jinny's own room. Mrs. Tillman sits at a pianola Right, playing "Tell me, Pretty Maiden"; she stops once in a while, showing that she is unaccustomed to the instrument. Jinny enters from Left, singing as her mother plays.
Jinny. Darling mother!
[She puts her arms about her and kisses her.
[They come away from the pianola together, to a big arm-chair.
Mrs. Tillman. I really must get one of those sewing-machine pianos for your father. I believe even he could play it, and it would be lots of amusement for us.
Jinny. Jack adores it; I gave it to him for an anniversary present.
Mrs. Tillman. What anniversary?
[Sitting in the chair.
Jinny. Day before yesterday. The eleventh Tuesday since our marriage. Have you been in town all day? I am glad to see you!
[She sits on the arm of the chair with her arm about her mother.
Mrs. Tillman. Yes, and I told your father to meet me here and we'd take the six-thirty train from Long Island City.
Jinny. Jack and I are going to the theatre to-night.
Mrs. Tillman. I thought they were all closed!
Jinny. Oh, no, there are several musical comedies on,—Jack's favorite form of amusement,—and I've bought the tickets myself for a sort of birthday party.
Mrs. Tillman. Is it his birthday?
Jinny. No, that's only my excuse!
Mrs. Tillman. [Laughing.] Had we dreamed you and Jack were coming home in June, your father and I wouldn't have gone into the country so early.
Jinny. We've been home two weeks and it hasn't been hot yet.
Mrs. Tillman. And you're still ideally happy aren't you, darling?
Jinny. Yes—
[She rises and goes to a table near the centre of the room and looks at the titles of several books without realizing what they are.
Mrs. Tillman. Why, Jinny,—what does that mean?
Jinny. Oh, it's all my horrid disposition!
Mrs. Tillman. Been seeing green?
Jinny. Um! Um! Once in Rome, and on the steamer, and again since we've been back.
Mrs. Tillman. Nothing serious?
Jinny. [Hesitatingly, she turns and faces her mother.] No—but the last time Jack was harder to bring around than before, and he looked at me for fully five minutes without a particle of love in his eyes, and they were almost—dead eyes!
Mrs. Tillman. What was it all about?
Jinny. Ruth Chester, principally.
Mrs. Tillman. Why Ruth?
Jinny. Well, the first real scene I made was in Rome in the Vatican. I was jealous of her; I can't explain it all to you—as a matter of fact, it hasn't been all explained to me! Something was troubling Ruth that Jack knew, and he said he'd help her.
Mrs. Tillman. What?
Jinny. That's just it; Jack won't tell me. And the day we sailed from Naples a telegram came, and of course I opened it, and it said, "Trust me, I will do everything you say. Ruth."
Mrs. Tillman. Why haven't you told me anything of all this before, dear?
Jinny. [Going back to her mother.] I was ashamed to! Somehow, in the end I always knew I was wrong and had hurt him—hurt him terribly, mother, the man I love better than everything else in the world! Yes, even better than you and father and Geoffrey—all together!
[In her mother's arms, crying a little.
Mrs. Tillman. Oh, this curse of jealousy! I was in hopes he was so strong he would help you to overcome it.
Jinny. He does try hard, I can see sometimes; but he hasn't a spark of it in him, and he can't understand it, and I know I'm unreasonable, and before I know it I am saying things I don't know what, and some day he won't forgive them! I'm sure some day he won't!—
[Breaking down again.
[She rises and turns away.
Mrs. Tillman. [Rising and putting her arms about her.] Come, dear! Now you're getting yourself all unstrung, and that won't do you any good; you've got to fight this battle out, I'm afraid, by yourself, trusting in the deep love of your husband to teach him forbearance. Your father's and my troubles were never very big because we shared the curse, so we knew how to sympathize with each other!
Jinny. What an awful thing it is!
Mrs. Tillman. Yes, my dear child. Jealousy has no saving grace, and it only destroys what is always most precious to you. Jinny, don't let it destroy your best happiness!
Jinny. Mother, if it should, I'd kill myself!
Mrs. Tillman. [Shocked, but quite disbelieving her.] My dear!
[Maggie enters Right.
Maggie. Mr. Tillman is downstairs, madam.
Mrs. Tillman. Tell him to come up.
Maggie. Yes, madam.
[She goes out Right.
Jinny. Don't tell father anything before me.
Mrs. Tillman. I don't know that I shall tell him at all; he would only advise more cigars!
[Tillman enters Right.
[Mrs. Tillman sits on the sofa at Left.
Tillman. Are you here?
Jinny. [Going to meet him.] We are, father dear, and your presence almost completes us. [Kisses him.] I say almost, because Jack hasn't come up town yet, and Geoffrey's heartless enough to stay on fishing at Cape Cod!
Tillman. No, he isn't; he's back to-day.
[He sits in the arm-chair at Right.
Jinny. Oh, I do want to see him!
[Sitting near her father.
Tillman. He ought to have been in by now—I met them this morning. He was to lunch with Jack, and he's going to put up for a few days at the University.
Jinny. He must dine with us every night.
Tillman. Jinny!— [Looking at her.] —You look as if you've been crying!
[The two Women are embarrassed, and Jinny doesn't reply.
Tillman. [Hurt.] Oh, if you prefer to have secrets from your father, it's all right! I don't begrudge your mother her first place in your affections!
Jinny. Not at all, father; with you and mother there's no first place. She will tell you all about it on the way home! Please, mother.
Mrs. Tillman. Very well, dear.
Tillman. A little "scrap" between you and Jack?
Jinny. Yes, but it's all over!
Tillman. Um!— [Thinks a second, then taking out his cigar case, he empties it of cigars and hands them to Jinny.] Give your husband these, please, when he comes in!
[Jinny and her Mother exchange a smile.
Jinny. But, father, Jack's got boxes full—
Tillman. Never mind; give him those, from me, with my compliments!
Jinny. [Laughing.] Very well!
Tillman. How are you and Maggie getting on?
Jinny. Splendidly.
Mrs. Tillman. Such a nice girl!
Jinny. And wasn't it odd Jack was bitterly opposed to my taking her?
Mrs. Tillman. My dear, if we hadn't lent her to you for these few weeks, you wouldn't have got anybody decent for so short a time.
Tillman. Why didn't Jack want her to come?
Jinny. I don't know, he just didn't want her; and then last week he talked with her in the library for three-quarters of an hour by my watch.
Mrs. Tillman. Why?
Jinny. Oh, it seems she has troubles, too! All single young women with troubles, of no matter what class, seem to make a bee line for my husband, even if they have to cross the ocean!
Tillman. What do you mean?
Jinny. [Half laughing.] Oh, nothing, but it was about that talk with Maggie that we had our last quarrel.
[Maggie enters Right.
Maggie. Mrs. Cullingham.
[A second's dead silence, the announcement falling like a bombshell.
Jinny. [Astounded.] Who?
[She rises.
Tillman and Mrs. Tillman. Who?
Maggie. Mrs. Cullingham and her son, madam.
Jinny. They're in Europe.
Mrs. Tillman. Are you sure you're not mistaken, Maggie?
Maggie. Oh, yes'm. Even if you could mistake Mrs. Cullingham, you couldn't mistake Mr. Peter!
Jinny. Ask them to please come up, Maggie.
Maggie. Yes'm.
[She goes out Right.
Tillman. Why, they only just sailed the other day, didn't they?
Mrs. Tillman. Yes, and they were supposed to be gone all summer at least, for Ruth Chester's health! What in the world can they have come back for?
Jinny. [With curious determination.] That is what I intend to find out.
Tillman. [Rising.] We must be going, Susan; we've lost our train as it is.
Mrs. Tillman. [Rising.] We can take the seven-two.
[Maggie shows in Mrs. Cullingham and Peter. Peter shakes hands with Mrs. Tillman, then with Jinny, and then with Mr. Tillman.
[Mrs. Cullingham kisses Mrs. Tillman and shakes hands with Mr. Tillman.
Mrs. Cullingham. Jinny, you angel, aren't you surprised!
[Kissing her.
Jinny. Well, rather!
Mrs. Cullingham. Well, you aren't a bit more surprised than I am. [A clock strikes six-thirty.] There goes the half hour, Peter; you must take your powder.
Peter. I beg your pardon, mother; it's the tablet now.
Mrs. Cullingham. Excuse me, dear, I'm so dead tired.
[Sits on the sofa.
Jinny. [To Peter.] Will you have some water?
Peter. No, thank you, I've learned now to take them au naturel, and without much, if any, inconvenience!
[Takes his tablet with still a certain amount of difficulty, and sits Right.
Mrs. Tillman. [To Mrs. Cullingham.] Did you have a bad voyage?
Mrs. Cullingham. No, perfectly beautiful!
Peter. [Reproachfully, and with a final swallow.] Oh, mother!
Mrs. Cullingham. Except, of course, for poor Peter; he gets worse every trip! He can eat absolutely nothing—that is for long! But it's the Custom House that's worn me out; I was there from twelve till four.
Mrs. Tillman. But you wouldn't have had time to buy anything!
Mrs. Cullingham. Of course not! But I took plenty of new dresses for the entire summer; most of them hadn't been worn, and they were determined to make me pay duty.
Jinny. We had to pay awfully for things! I wanted to try and smuggle, but Jack wouldn't let me!
Mr. Tillman. I'm afraid we must go!
[All rise.
Mrs. Cullingham. What do you think the Inspector had the impudence to ask me finally,—if I wanted to bring the dresses in as theatrical properties!
[They laugh.
Mrs. Tillman. You must have some gorgeous frocks!
Mrs. Cullingham. Oh, there are some paillettes! But who do you suppose he took me for—Sarah Bernhardt!
Tillman. [Looking at his watch.] I don't wish to interrupt this vital political conversation, but, Susan, if you don't want to miss the seven-two train, too—!
Mrs. Tillman. [Rising.] Oh, no, we mustn't do that. Good-by. [To Mrs. Cullingham, shaking hands.] It's nice to see you again, anyway. Is Ruth better?
Mrs. Cullingham. I'm sorry to say—I don't think she is—good-by.
[To Mr. Tillman, who says good-by—general good-bys.
Mrs. Tillman. [To Jinny.] You want me to tell your father?
Jinny. Yes, it's better; it does make him jealous if he thinks I tell you things and keep secrets from him.
Tillman. Good-by, Peter.
Mrs. Tillman. Good-by, Peter.
Peter. By-by.
[Mr. and Mrs. Tillman quickly go out Right, Jinny going to the door with them.
Jinny. [Coming back from doorway.] Now do tell me what it means. I thought you were abroad indefinitely, or for the summer at least.
Mrs. Cullingham. So did I! I'm just as surprised to be here as you seem to be! [They sit down near each other.] Didn't you really know we were coming?
Jinny. No! How should I?
Mrs. Cullingham. I don't know—I thought—
[She hesitates, embarrassed.
[After a pause.
Jinny. What did you think?
Mrs. Cullingham. Nothing, except that you must know we were coming home.
Jinny. Why—that I must?
Mrs. Cullingham. You mustn't put me into a corner like that!
Jinny. How do you mean "corner"? How did you happen to come home like this?
Mrs. Cullingham. Ruth suddenly got a cable—she didn't tell me from whom—but she said she must go home at once.
Jinny. But her mother's never been better!
Mrs. Cullingham. [Carelessly.] The cable wasn't from her mother.
Jinny. Oh, then, you know who it was from? [No answer.] Oh, I see now why you thought I ought to know about it; the cable was from Jack, wasn't it?
Mrs. Cullingham. [Relieved.] Yes.
Jinny. Oh, it was!
Mrs. Cullingham. I looked at it when she was out of the room; of course, it was sort of by accident— [Very much embarrassed.] —that is, I just happened to see—O dear, there! You know what I mean; it was dreadful of me, but I couldn't help it.
Jinny. [In a strained voice.] Jack and Ruth are very good friends and he looks after some of her affairs. You know having no man in the family complicates things.
Peter. Oh! I say!
[Standing up, suddenly.
Mrs. Cullingham. What is it, dear?
Peter. I believe I haven't got my before-dinner tabs.
Mrs. Cullingham. Oh, look carefully!
Peter. [He looks in his right-hand pocket, takes out a bottle.] Soda mints! [From his left-hand pocket a box.] Alkali powders! [From third pocket a bottle.] Charcoal tablets! [From fourth pocket another bottle.] Dr. Man's Positive Cure! [From fifth pocket a box.] Bicarbonate soda!
Mrs. Cullingham. There's your other side pocket!
Peter. That's my saccharine [Showing bottle.] and my lithia tabs. [Showing another bottle.] We'll have to go, mother; I've left them home!
Mrs. Cullingham. We must go, anyway, my dear.
[Rising.
[Jinny also rises.
Peter. [Suddenly claps his hand behind him and speaks joyfully.] No, we needn't go after all; I forgot my hip pocket. Here they are!
[Bringing them out.
Mrs. Cullingham. We must go all the same! [To Jinny.] Sometimes I think he takes too much medicine stuff!
Jinny. I should think so! Peter, you ought to diet.
Peter. I can't! I've tried, and I lose my appetite right away!
Mrs. Cullingham. Good-by, dear. How long will you be in town?
Jinny. I don't know—several weeks, I imagine. Jack came home on some business, you know, and I don't think it's settled yet. Good-by.
[To Peter.
Peter. Good-by. You know you mustn't drink water with your meals; that's the great thing. So I drink only champagne.
[He goes out Right.
Mrs. Cullingham. [Waits and speaks to Jinny with real feeling.] I'm awfully ashamed of myself, and I hope I haven't made any trouble or fuss with my meddling. Don't let me!
Jinny. No, of course not.
[With a strained smile.
Mrs. Cullingham. I wish I could believe you.
Jinny. Well, do.
Mrs. Cullingham. Good-by.
[She goes out Right.
Jinny. Good-by. Where's that telegram that came for him a little while ago? [Going to the desk at Right, and finding the telegram.] Of course it's from her, saying that she's arrived. That's the trouble with telegrams; the address doesn't give the handwriting away. She must have sent it from the dock! Couldn't even wait till she was home! [She walks to the window and stands there a moment, then comes back, looking at her watch.] Nearly seven already, and no sign of him, and we must dress and dine—huh! I think I might as well tear up my theatre tickets! [She paces up and down the room, stopping now and then with each new thought that comes to her.] I wonder if he went down there to meet her—he must have known the boat; if he cabled her to come back, she must have cabled an answer and what boat she'd take! But no other telegram has come for Jack here to my knowledge—oh! of course, what am I thinking of, she sent that one to his office to-day; she was afraid he might have left before this one could get there, so she risked it here. Good Heavens! why am I maudling on like this to myself out loud? It's really nothing—Jack will explain once more that he can't explain, but that Ruth has "troubles," and I'll believe him again! But I won't! He promised me she should stay over there! [Looks at her watch again.] He's there, with her! Nothing ever kept him half as late down town as this! What a little fool I am!
[Geoffrey enters suddenly Right.
Jinny. [Cries out, joyfully.] Geoffrey! [And rushing to him, embraces him.] You brute, you, not to come straight back to New York when you heard I was home! You dear old darling, you!
Geoffrey. I couldn't, old girl; there were reasons—I don't have to tell you I wanted to.
Jinny. I don't know! Was there a pretty girl up there, Geof? I'm sure I shouldn't think her pretty if you were in love with her. I believe I shall be awfully jealous of your wife when you get one!
Geoffrey. Rubbish! Hasn't Jack come back yet?
Jinny. "Come back" from where?
Geoffrey. Brooklyn.
Jinny. Brooklyn! Why, he told me—what did he go there for?
Geoffrey. [Embarrassed.] I don't know if you don't—
Jinny. You do!!
Geoffrey. No—really—I—
Jinny. Oh, it's something to be concealed, then?
Geoffrey. Hang it, Jinny! drop the subject. I thought he said he was going to Brooklyn; probably I was mistaken.
Jinny. [Satirically.] One is so apt to think just casually that every one's going to Brooklyn! [Looks at her watch.] Of course it's Brooklyn. [Goes and looks at the telegram; turns.] So you're going back on me, too, are you? You're going to protect Jack at my expense!
[Austin enters Right.
Austin. [Absorbed.] Good evening, Jinny dear.
Jinny. It's after seven!
Austin. [Pleasantly.] Is it? Have you been waiting long, Geoffrey?
Geoffrey. No, I've only just now come in.
Jinny. It's I who have done the waiting!
Austin. I'm sorry, but it couldn't be helped.
Jinny. You didn't tell me you were going to Brooklyn.
Austin. [After a quick, sharp look at Geoffrey, who shakes his head once emphatically.] It must have escaped my mind.
Jinny. That's very likely! Going to Brooklyn's the sort of thing one talks about and dreads for days.
Austin. Well, Jinny, that will bear postponement, and my conversation with Geoffrey won't; will you please leave us together here for a while?
Jinny. And what about the theatre?
Austin. What theatre?
Jinny. Oh, you've forgotten entirely my little birthday party! Thanks!
Austin. Oh, Jinny! I did! Forgive me! I'm awfully sorry! I've got a lot on my mind to-day.
[Tries to put his arms about her and kiss her. She pushes herself away from him, refusing to let him kiss her.
Jinny. Yes—I know you have— [At door Left.] —I'll leave you two to your confidences. You can trust Geof; he just now refused to betray you.
[Austin only looks at her fixedly, seriously. She looks back at him with bravado. Then she deliberately crosses the room, gets the cable, and recrosses with it and goes out Left.
Austin. Poor Jinny! [Turning to Geoffrey.] and that, too, lies largely on your already overcrowded shoulders.
Geoffrey. [Breaking down.] I know! I know!
Austin. [Sitting in the corner of the sofa.] Here, don't cry! You've got to be strong now, and you've no use nor time for crying. I've had another long interview with the Brooklyn minister.
Geoffrey. Yes?—
Austin. [Drawing a chair near to him and sitting.] Well, of course we both know that he's doing wrong to keep silent, but he will. He wishes I hadn't told him, because he thinks he'd never have noticed your divorce from Maggie when it was granted—nor remembered your name if he had seen it in the papers.
Geoffrey. That's what I told you!
Austin. You only argued that for fear I'd insist on your going to this minister yourself. But in the bottom of your heart you know it was a risk we couldn't afford to run. I've explained everything to him—how such a fine, sweet girl would suffer if he did expose you, and I gave him my word you would be remarried to Ruth at once after the divorce. Of course we both know it's wrong, but we both hope the end justifies the means that removes difficulty number two.
Geoffrey. You're sure about Maggie?
Austin. She's signed a paper; she realizes you'll never live with her, and—it's pathetic—she loves you—that girl, too—so much as to give you your freedom—Good Lord! what is it about you weak men that wins women so? What is it in you that has made two women love you to such a self-sacrificing extent?
Geoffrey. [Half tragic, half comic laugh.] I give it up!
Austin. [Bitterly.] So do I. Well, Maggie is to have six hundred dollars a year.
Geoffrey. Where'll I get it?
Austin. We'll talk about that when the time comes. [He rises.] Now the most important, the most painful, task of all must be done and you must do it. Not I this time—you!
Geoffrey. [Looking up, frightened.] What?
Austin. Ruth Chester landed this morning.
Geoffrey. [Starting up.] Impossible!
[Rising.
Austin. The moment Maggie signed my paper I cabled Miss Chester to return. You can't go out west and institute proceedings for divorce without her knowing the whole truth from you first! You don't want her to find it out from the newspapers, do you?
Geoffrey. And you want me to tell her?
Austin. To-day. And to-morrow you start west!
Geoffrey. [Facing Austin.] I won't tell her!
Austin. [Calmly.] You've got to!
Geoffrey. I'd rather shoot myself; do you understand me—I'd rather shoot myself!
Austin. That's nothing! That would be decidedly the easiest course out of it, and the most cowardly.
Geoffrey. She'll hate me! She'll loathe me! How could she help it at first! But just after a little, if I weren't there, the love she has for me might move her somehow or other—and by degrees perhaps—to forgive—
Austin. I don't deny that you will have to go through a terrible degradation with her—but that is nothing compared with what you deserve. If you tell her, at least the humiliation is secret, locked there between you two, and no one else in the world can ever know what happens; but if you send some one else, and no matter who,—any one else but you is an outsider,—you ask her to make a spectacle of her humiliation, to let a third in as witness to the relations and emotions between you two! It's insulting her again! Don't you see?
[A pause.
Geoffrey. Yes, I see! My God! I must tell her myself.
Austin. That's right, don't waver, make up your mind and do it—Come!
[Urging him up.
Geoffrey. [Hesitates a moment.] And Jinny?
Austin. Oh, she'll come round all right; she always does.
Geoffrey. And she doesn't suspect?
Austin. Not the slightest.
[A pause.
Geoffrey. Need she?
Austin. The worst? No, never!
Geoffrey. [He rises, with new encouragement.] You'll give me your word?
Austin. Yes. [Shakes his hand.] I know how much she loves you; I wouldn't have her know anything. It's made us some ugly scenes, but they soon pass, and when you are once out of your trouble for good, we'll have no excuse, I'm sure, for any more!
Geoffrey. Then I shall go to bed to-night with the respect still of at least two women who are dear to me, my mother and Jinny, even if I lose the respect and love of the one woman who is dearer! Only think, Jack, how I've got to stand up there—never mind about myself—and make her suffer tortures! Good-by. God give me courage to do the heart-breaking thing I must do.
Austin. I am sure the one hope you have of forgiveness is in your manliness of going to her as you are doing and telling her yourself all the truth!
Geoffrey. And that, like everything else, I owe to you.
Austin. No, to Jinny! Good luck!
[He shakes Geoffrey's hand and Geoffrey goes out Right.
Austin. [Goes to the door Left, opens it, and calls to Jinny, in the next room.] Jinny, Geoffrey's gone,—what are you doing?
Jinny. [Answers in a very little staccato voice.] Waiting till you should have the leisure to receive me!
Austin. Come along!
[Leaves the doorway.
[Jinny enters Left and stands in the doorway.
Jinny. [With affected nonchalance.] I didn't care to go downstairs for dinner, so I have had a tray up here. Maggie brought up something for you, too; would you like it now?
Austin. [Ignoring purposely her mood and manner.] I shouldn't mind! I do feel a little hungry.
[He sits in the arm-chair.
Jinny. [Speaks off through the doorway Left.] Bring in the tray for Mr. Austin, Maggie.
Maggie. [Off stage.] Yes'm.
[Jinny pulls forward a little tea table beside his chair. Her whole manner must be one of slow, dragging carelessness, like the calm before a storm. Her expression must be hard. She carries the telegram still unopened, and on top of it the theatre tickets torn into pieces.
[Maggie brings in the tray, puts it on the table, and goes out Right. On the tray are chops, peas, some whiskey, a syphon, a roll, etc.
Austin. [Sits down quickly and with a show of eagerness.] Ah!
[Begins to eat as if he were hungry and enjoyed it.
[Jinny sits on the sofa at his Left, and looks at him,—Austin is of course conscious of Jinny's mood, but pretends not to notice it.
Austin. [After a silence during which he eats.] I say I am hungry! And these chops are very good, aren't they?
[No answer.
I'll tell you what it is, Jinny! Of course travelling is great sport and all the rest of it, but after all one does get tired of hotels, and to quote a somewhat familiar refrain, "There's no place like home."
[No answer.
Have you a headache, Jinny?
Jinny. [Very short.] No.
Austin. That's a good thing, and I hope you are not as disappointed as I am about the theatre.
Jinny. [Half laughs.] Humph!