Her Own Way Part 8

COAST. Yes, I do. Listen! I'd risk your not loving me; there's nothing on G.o.d's earth I wouldn't do to make you love me.

GEORGIANA. That's the trouble with you men, you think you can make a woman love you whether she wants to or not, but you can't!--neither can you keep her from loving you if she does, whether she wants to or not.

[_Throws nose away; crossing to the Left, sits in the rocking chair there._

COAST. I'd give you everything!

GEORGIANA. That you can buy!

COAST. Do you mean that you'd rather be dead poor than marry me?

GEORGIANA. No, I don't say that! When I've lost everything and Steven and Louise are bankrupt, and we haven't a penny--

COAST. Yes!

GEORGIANA. I might--I say I might--

COAST. Honest!

GEORGIANA. [_Laughing._] Oh, dear, no!

COAST. I take you at your word, anyhow.

[_The children's voices are heard._

CHILDREN. [_Off Left._] Come on back to our room and have some more fun.

GEORGIANA. s.h.!.+ Here come the children.

[_Rises._

COAST. d.a.m.n the children!

GEORGIANA. Sam!

[_She puts finger up,_ COAST _kisses it._

COAST. Pardon! But I don't give up! Understand--I'm going to marry you!

GEORGIANA. [_Teasing him._] When? When?

[_The children rush in screaming._

THE CHILDREN. Aunt Georgiana! Here's papa! Here's papa!

[_And_ STEVEN CARLEY _enters Left. He is a slender, smooth-shaven, young-old looking man, his voice and body almost vibrating with nerve; a personality that so often appeals to the tenderness in women, while it irritates men. He brings his hat and coat with him._

STEVEN. h.e.l.lo, Sam!

COAST. Morning!

STEVEN. Many happy returns, Georgy.

GEORGIANA. Oh, no, thank you! It's not for me yet, thank goodness!

PHILIP. Now let's play hide and seek.

THE CHILDREN. Hide and seek!

LIZZIE. [_Entering Left._] Excuse me, please. Mrs. Jackson's maid is here for Miss Elaine.

PHILIP. Oh, pshaw!

CHRISTOPHER. Don't you go!

ELAINE. Oh, yes, I must! I'm sorry! [_She goes up stage with great diffidence to_ STEVEN _and shakes his hand as she curtseys.]_ Good-by, sir. [_To_ COAST _also._] Good-by, sir. [_To_ GEORGIANA.] Good-by, ma'am, I've had a perfectly lovely time. [_Aside to_ GEORGIANA.] Phil is my beau, but I like Mr. Coast awfully much too!

GEORGIANA. [_Laughing._] You're beginning early! Come along, children, we'll take Elaine down. Excuse me, everybody, please.

PHILIP. If you've got any good tips, papa, save some for little brother.

[_The children go out Left with_ GEORGIANA.

STEVEN. [_Putting his hat and coat down on the sofa._] He's on to his father early! Sam, any news?

COAST. No.

STEVEN. I've heard of a big thing, an absolutely straight tip,--inside information.

COAST. [_Sitting in the rocker._] Well, don't tell it, or you'll spoil it.

STEVEN. The women are so down on my speculating, Georgiana especially.

[_Sits on the table._

COAST. What do the women folks know about business? Why don't you keep what you do to yourself?

STEVEN. But you see my money's all gone, and I need more--only to recoup with.

COAST. [_After a slight pause._] As I remember, you can do what you like with Louise's money.

STEVEN. But is it right?

COAST. You're too blamed afraid, that's why you always lose.

STEVEN. [_Walking up and down._] I know it. And this is the biggest chance I've had yet. If I dared risk it, I'm sure I could make a fortune! Not in words! I know what I'm talking about, Sam. Louise would have everything she wanted--and the way she'd live then! She could drop the social chip off her shoulders, go anywhere, and receive everybody.

[_Standing beside the table, he eats a little cake._