Why Marry? - BestLightNovel.com
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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_]
