Why Marry? Part 33

ERNEST

[_with the same scorn and a snap of the fingers_]

Then _that_ for my career. I'll go back into private practice and make a million.

HELEN

That's just what I said you'd do. Just what you must not do! Your work is needed by the world.

ERNEST

[_wooing_]

You are my world and I need you.... But there is no love without marriage, no marriage without money.... We can take it or leave it. Can we leave it? No! I can't--you can't! Come! [_She steps back slowly._]

Why should we sacrifice the best! Come!

HELEN

So _this_ is what marriage means! Then I _cannot_ marry you, Ernest!

ERNEST

You cannot do without me, Helen! [_Holds out his arms._] Come! You have been in my arms once. You and I can never forget that now. We can never go back now. It's all--or nothing now. Come! [_She is struggling against her pa.s.sion. He stands still, with arms held out._] I shall not woo you against your will, but you are coming to me! Because, by all the powers of earth and heaven, you are mine and I am yours! Come!

[_Like a homing pigeon she darts into his arms with a gasp of joy.

A rapturous embrace in silence with the moonlight streaming down upon them. The music has stopped._

_JOHN, dressed for dinner, strolls out upon the terrace. He stops abruptly upon discovering them. The lovers are too absorbed to be aware of his presence._

ACT II

_It is the next morning, Sunday._

_It appears that at JOHN'S country place they have breakfast at small tables out upon the broad, shaded terrace overlooking the glorious view of his little farm._

_ERNEST and THEODORE, the scientist and the clergyman, are breakfasting together. The others are either breakfasting in their rooms or are not yet down, it being Sunday._

_The man of G.o.d is enjoying his material blessings heartily. Also he seems to be enjoying his view of the man of science, who eats little and says less._

THEODORE

[_with coffee-cup poised_]

What's the matter with your appet.i.te this morning, Ernest? [_ERNEST, gazing up at one of the second-story windows, does not hear. The door opens. He starts. Then, seeing it's only a servant with food, he sighs._] Expecting something? The codfish b.a.l.l.s? Well, here they are.

[_ERNEST refuses the proffered codfish b.a.l.l.s, scowls, brings out cigar case, lights cigar, looks at watch, and fidgets._] Oh, I know--you're crazy to go with me--to church! [_ERNEST doesn't hear. Creates a cloud of smoke._] Their regular rector is ill. So I agreed to take the service this morning.... Always the way when off for a rest ... isn't it? [_No answer. THEODORE gets up, walks around the table, and shouts in ERNEST'S face._] Isn't it?

ERNEST

[_startled_]

I beg your pardon?

THEODORE

[_laughs, ERNEST wondering what's the joke_]

Oh, you're hopeless! [_Going._] I can't stand people who talk so much at breakfast.

ERNEST

[_suddenly wakes up_]

Wait a minute. Sit down. Have a cigar. Let's talk about G.o.d. [_THEODORE stops smiling._] But I mean it. I'd like to have a religion myself.

THEODORE

I had an idea you took no stock in religion.

[_Takes the cigar. ERNEST holds a match for him._

ERNEST

[_enthusiastically_]

Just what I thought, until ... well, I've made a discovery, a great discovery!

THEODORE

A scientific discovery?

ERNEST