The Pot Boiler: A Comedy in Four Acts Part 22

_Jack._ To save your life?

_Belle._ No, not even to save my life.

_Jack (tenderly)._ Belle, listen to me. I've got a right to save your life. Can't you understand? I want you to get well. I love you!

_Belle (stares at him)._ Jack!

_Jack._ Yes, I love you!

_Belle (sobs)._ Jack, Jack! _(He clasps her in his arms; she weeps frantically.)_

_Jack._ What is the matter? What is it?

_Belle._ Oh, Jack, why did you wait so long? Why didn't you come to me before it was too late?

_Jack._ Too late?

_Belle._ Why did you have to wait till I was dying? Oh, I can't bear it! You oughtn't to have told me! It's too cruel!

_Jack._ Belle, don't take on that way!

_Belle._ I tell you it's too late. Too late! _(She sobs convulsively.)_

_Jack (in anguish)._ Belle! Belle! You mustn't give up like that!

Listen to me, dear!

_Belle._ Wait! Wait! Don't talk to me!

_Jack._ You're exhausted, dear. Come--lie down. _(He leads her off Right; speaks off.)_ There, lie and rest. Don't talk any more now.

_(Returns; speaks in entrance.)_ Be quiet, and see if you can't go to sleep! _(He paces the room, muttering to himself.)_ No, I can't stand it. This is no joke. It's no part of the game. I must save Belle's life--I'd no right to wait this long. _(With sudden resolution.)_ I'll write to Jessie. She'll come and help her.

Bargain or no bargain, I'll write! _(Vehemently.)_ You go to the devil, Bob--I don't care how much you tease me! Yes! Yes! The reality of life! I'm getting it all right. And I've got to knuckle down and take what teasing comes to me. My G.o.d, what a fool I was--what a drivelling fool! And I'll lose my quarter of a million!

I don't care--I've got to save Belle! I'll write to-night! _(Takes pencil and paper, sits at table and writes. The door Left opens softly, and Dolly appears, haggard and anxious.)_

_Dolly._ You here! Where's Belle?

_Jack._ She's asleep.

_Dolly._ Jack. I've got to go away from here!

_Jack._ Go away!

_Dolly._ Yes. The police will be looking for me.

_Jack._ The police!

_Dolly._ I'm accused of stealing. Oh, don't think it--I didn't do it. Before G.o.d, I didn't!

_Jack._ Of course not, Dolly!

_Dolly._ I must go. I must take Belle with me!

_Jack._ But she can't go, Dolly! She's too ill.

_Dolly._ She'll be worse if she stays here and the police come for me.

_Jack._ Tell me about it, Dolly.

_Dolly._ No, no! I can't.

_Jack._ Why not?

_Dolly._ Don't ask me. _(She stares about distractedly.)_

_Jack._ May be I can help you.

_Dolly._ n.o.body can help me--ever!

_Jack._ Dolly! Why should you hide anything from me?

_Dolly._ I can't bear to tell!

_Jack._ Why not?

_Dolly._ You'd despise me forever. Belle would despise me!

_Jack._ But that's impossible, Dolly.

_Dolly (she stares into his face, then suddenly clutches his arm; in a hoa.r.s.e whisper)_ I sold myself to save her!

_Jack._ My G.o.d!

_Dolly._ Ah, don't look at me like that. I told you not to ask me!

_Jack (half frenzied)._ But Dolly; you don't understand!

_Dolly._ Understand what?

_Jack._ I've been living on your money! _(They stare at each other.)_

_Dolly._ Jack, don't do like that! You didn't know it!

_Jack (covers his face with his hands)._ Oh, how _dared_ you?

_Dolly._ Don't go on so! You know I couldn't help it. What else could we do? We hadn't a dollar in the house. _(She catches him by the arm.)_ Don't be selfish, Jack!

_Jack._ Selfis.h.!.+

_Dolly._ You're thinking of yourself--not of me and Belle.