natives that we came here to do for. The
chances are pretty big against many of us getting back, and anyway I'm
going to take this chance to tell you that I love you better than
anything and everything and everybody in the world. And in case I never
come back, somehow or other, I don't know why, I want you to know it. I
was a little late in finding it out,--all of a sudden I knew you were
the only woman for me, and that the only thing I seemed to want in the
world was you for _a wife_. And there was Coast ahead of me! I don't
know if it would have made any difference if you loved Coast and not me,
perhaps you never would have cared for me, but I'd have done my best,
for, Georgy--I love you"--[_She reads ahead to herself, murmuring so he
cannot understand._] "I don't know why I must tell you all this, but I
must"--[_She reads ahead again in silence, skipping the passages which
are too loving and too precious to read aloud._] I think that's
all--[_She looks up and smiles, and adds softly._] that I care to read
aloud! Oh, Steve!

[_She puts her arms around his neck and hugs him._

STEVEN. I'm so glad, old girl, so glad!

[_Tightening his arm about her._

GEORGIANA. Steve, I'm so happy! I don't want to seem selfish, and really
I'm not forgetting you, but I can't help it. I'm _so_ happy.

[STEVEN _kisses her. A short pause._

GEORGIANA. [_Softly, thoughtfully._] Can one cable to the Philippines?

STEVEN. Yes!

[_Smiling and again giving her a little squeeze._

GEORGIANA. [_Going to the sofa._] So far as I'm concerned, my money now
doesn't count a rap. Dick has plenty and doesn't want mine. So now it's
only Louise and mother you must think of, and you can take care of them
well, you know you can, if they'll only accept the different conditions.
And Dick and I'll help--

STEVEN. [_Interrupting._] I hate to say it, Georgiana, but suppose--

[_Very serious._

GEORGIANA. What?

STEVEN. Well, you know why Dick wrote that letter,--because he was going
into dangerous fighting.

GEORGIANA. Oh, he will come back, he _must_ come back! So few of our men
have been lost in the Philippines, Dick can't be one of the few. After
all, life nowadays isn't so tragic as that.

STEVEN. Yes, of course Dick'll come back, Georgy [_Short pause._], but
won't he despise me?

GEORGIANA. No, you're _my_ brother. And oh, Steven, forgive me, but I'm
so _happy_. [_Hugging the pillows on the sofa and burying her face in
them._] Don't let