Why Marry? Part 32

Because you cannot care enough?

HELEN

Enough?... Too much.

ERNEST

[_overwhelmed_]

You--love--me!

[_He takes her in his arms, a silent embrace with only the bland blas moon looking on._

HELEN

It is because I love you that I didn't want you to say it--only I did.

It is because I love you that I went abroad--to stay, only I couldn't! I couldn't stay away! [_She holds his face in her hands._] Oh, do you know how I love you? No!... you're only a _man_!

ERNEST

[_kissing her rapturously_]

Every day there in the laboratory, when you in your ap.r.o.n--that dear ap.r.o.n which I stole from your locker when you left me--when you asked for orders--did you know that I wanted to say: "Love me"! Every day when you took up your work, did you never guess that I wanted to take you up in my arms?

HELEN

[_smiling up into his face_]

Why didn't you?

ERNEST

Thank G.o.d I didn't! For while we worked there together I came to know you as few men ever know the women they desire. Woman can be more than s.e.x, as man is more than s.e.x. And all this makes man and woman not less but more _overwhelmingly_ desirable and necessary to each other, and makes both things last--not for a few years, but forever!

[_Sound of voices approaching from the garden. The lovers separate. It is JEAN and REX, REX laughing, JEAN dodging until caught and kissed._

JEAN

No, no--it's time to dress.... Be good, Rex--don't!

[_Without seeing HELEN and ERNEST, they disappear into the house.

HELEN is suddenly changed, as if awakened from a spell of enchantment._

HELEN

What have we done! This is all moonlight and madness. To-morrow comes the clear light of day.

ERNEST

Ah, but we'll love each other to-morrow!

HELEN

But we cannot marry--then or any other to-morrow.

ERNEST

Can't? What nonsense!

HELEN

[_shaking her head and restraining him_]

I have slaved for you all these months--not because I wanted to win you from your work but to help you in it. And now--after all--shall I destroy you? No! No!

ERNEST

I _love_ you--you love _me_--nothing else matters.

HELEN

Everything else matters. I'm not a little dbutante to be persuaded that I am needed because I am wanted! I haven't _played_ with you; I have _worked_ with you, and I _know_! Think of Theodore! Think of Lucy! And now poor little Jean. Marry you? Never!

ERNEST

You mean your career?

HELEN

[_with supreme scorn_]

_My_ career? No! yours--always yours!