Why Marry? Part 31

You are to stay at home and run the department for me.

HELEN

[_stepping back_]

Don't you want me with you?

ERNEST

[_stepping forward, with his heart in voice_]

Do I _want_ you! [_Stops._] But I am a man--you are a woman.

HELEN

What of it? Are you one of those small men who care what people say? No!

That's not your reason! [_She sees that it is not._] What is it? You must tell me.

ERNEST

[_hesitates_]

It's only for your sake.

HELEN

[_with feeling_]

Think of all I've done for _your_ sake. You wouldn't be going yourself but for me! I was the one to see you needed it, I proposed it to Metchnikoff--I urged him--_made_ him ask you--for _your sake_! And now am I to be left at home like a child because you don't care to be embarra.s.sed with me?

ERNEST

Oh, please! This is so unfair. But I simply can't take you now.

HELEN

[_with growing scorn_]

Oh! You are all alike. You pile work upon me until I nearly drop, you play upon my interest, my sympathy--you get all you can out of me--my youth, my strength, my best! And then, just as I, too, have a chance to arrive in my profession, you, of all men, throw me over! I hate men. I hate you!

ERNEST

And I love you!

[_They stare at each other in silence, the moonlight flooding HELEN'S face, the music coming clear._

HELEN

[_in an awed whisper, stepping back slowly_]

I've done it! I've done it! I _knew_ I'd do it!

ERNEST

No. I did it. Forgive me. I had to do it.

HELEN

Oh, and this spoils everything!

ERNEST

[_comes closer_]

No! It glorifies everything! [_He breaks loose._] I have loved you from the first day you came and looked up at me for orders. I didn't want you there; I didn't want any woman there. I tried to tire you out with overwork but couldn't. I tried to drive you out by rudeness, but you stayed. And that made me love you more. Oh, I love you! I love you! I love you!

HELEN

Don't; oh, don't love me!

ERNEST

[_still closer_]

Why, I never knew there could be women like you. I thought women were merely something to be wanted and wors.h.i.+pped, petted and patronized. But now--why, I love everything about you: your wonderful, brave eyes that face the naked facts of life and are not ashamed; those beautiful hands that toiled so long, so well, so close to mine and not afraid, not afraid!

HELEN

You mustn't! I _am_ afraid now! I made you say it. [_Smiling and crying._] I have always wanted to make you say it. I have always sworn you shouldn't.

ERNEST

[_pained_]