Why Marry? Part 56

JEAN

And if I never married at all?

JOHN

_Then_ what will you do?

JEAN

[_with a wail of despair_]

That's it--then what _should_ I do--what _could_ I do? Oh, it's so unfair, so unfair to train girls only for this! What chance, what choice have I? To live on the bounty of a disapproving brother or a man I do not love! Oh, how I envy Helen! If I only had a chance, a decent chance!

JOHN

Any sensible girl would envy your chance. You'll never have another like it. You'll never have another at all! Grab it, I tell you, grab it.

[_REX comes quietly, a determined look on his face, JOHN sees him._]

Now, think, before too late, think hard. Think what it means to be an old maid.

[_And leaves them abruptly._

[_JEAN stands alone, looking very pretty in girlish distress. REX gazes at her a moment and then with sudden pa.s.sion he silently rushes over, seizes her in his arms, kisses her furiously._

JEAN

[_indignant, struggles, frees herself, and rubs her cheek_]

Ugh! How could you!

REX

Because I love you!

JEAN

Love! It isn't even respect now.

REX

Has that fellow ever kissed you?

JEAN

I have begged you never to refer to him again.

REX

He has! He has held you in his arms. He has kissed your lips, your cheeks, your eyes!

JEAN

How many women have you held in your arms? Have I ever tried to find out?

REX

Ah! You don't deny it, you can't.

JEAN

I can! _He_ respects me. I don't deserve it, but he does.

REX

Thank heavens! Oh, you don't know how this has tormented me, little Jean. The thought of any other man's coming near you--why, I couldn't have felt the same toward you again, I just couldn't.

JEAN

[_bites her lips--then deliberately_]

Well, then ... other men have come near me ... other men have kissed me, Rex.

REX

[_getting wild again_]

What! When? Where?

JEAN

[_laughing cynically_]

Oh, in conservatories in town, John's camp in the North Woods, motor rides in the country--once or twice out here on this very terrace, when I've felt sentimental in the moonlight.