Why Marry? Part 51

Very well!

[_ERNEST, afraid to stay, goes at once. She waits motionless until she hears the automobile carrying him away. She immediately turns from stone to tears, with a low wail. In utter despair, hands outstretched she sinks down upon a bench and buries her face in her hands._

HELEN

Oh, Ernest!... How could you?

[_LUCY, THEODORE, JUDGE and JOHN all hurry back, all excited._

THEODORE

Did you see his horrified look?

LUCY

Fairly running away--revolted. Ah!

[_Points at HELEN. HELEN arises, defiant, confident, calm._

JOHN

[_to HELEN_]

What did I tell you!

LUCY

You have thrown away the love of an honorable man.

THEODORE

Trampled upon the finest feelings of a deep nature.

JOHN

Let this be a lesson to you. You've lost your chance to marry, your chance to work, and now, by heavens! you will cut out "independence" and stay at home, _where women belong_, and live down this disgrace ... if you can.

LUCY

With one excuse or another--he'll stay away. He'll never come back.

HELEN

[_clear and confident as if clairvoyant_]

He will! He is coming now.... He is crossing the hall.... He is pa.s.sing through the library.... He's here!

[_But she doesn't turn. ERNEST reappears at the door and takes in the situation at a glance._

JOHN

[_still turned toward HELEN_]

He'll never look at you again, and I don't blame him! I'm a man; I know.

We don't respect women who sell out so cheap.

ERNEST

You lie! [_All turn, astounded. HELEN runs toward ERNEST with a cry of joy. JOHN starts to block her. To JOHN._] Stop! You're not fit to touch her. No man is.

JOHN

[_with a sarcastic laugh_]

Humph! I suppose that's why you ran away.

ERNEST

Yes. To protect her from myself.

JOHN

Then why come back?

ERNEST

To protect her from you! You cowards, you hypocrites! [_He rushes down to HELEN, puts his strong arm about shoulder and whispers rapidly._]

Just as I started, something stopped me. In a flash I saw ... all this.

HELEN

[_clasping his arm with both hands_]