HE. It's as well--I've decided. Oh, I wonder if I'm doing wrong.

[_Looking him straight in the face._

WARDEN. [_Looking back searchingly in hers to read the truth, but
believing that she will certainly leave her husband._] No, _you_ can't
do wrong! But I must warn you of one thing--I'm not any longer the
controlled man I was.

MISS GODESBY. Come along now, Mrs. Sterling, brace up and give me your
name, and Warden, witness, please. [_They do so._] Of course, my dears,
I know perfectly well that legally this isn't worth the paper it's
written on. [_Exchanging a serious and meaning look with_ WARDEN.] But
my idiot of a brother won't realize that, which is the point. One thing
more--will you both dine with me next week, Thursday? [_There is an
embarrassed pause, which, with quick intuition, she understands._] Yes,
you _will_--for _silence_ gives consent! [_Laughing._] Now, that's
settled!

STERLING. What an awfully good sort you are!

MISS GODESBY. Thanks, not always--I've been a mucker more than once in
my life! I must go [_Shaking hands with_ BLANCHE.] and relieve Mr. Mason
of my brother, or he'll be accusing me of inhuman treatment; more than
one consecutive hour of my brother ought to be prevented by the police.

BLANCHE. You are very, _very_ good.

MISS GODESBY. I think if you and I can get well over this, we'll be real
friends, and I haven't many, have you?

BLANCHE. [_Takes her hand._] You can count upon me and my boy so long as
we live.

[_She impulsively but tenderly kisses her._

[MISS GODESBY _is very much surprised, but moved._

MISS GODESBY. [_Half laughing, half crying, and pulling her veil down to
hide her emotion._] By George! I haven't been kissed by a woman for
years! Good-by.

[WARDEN _starts to go out with_ MISS GODESBY. BLANCHE _stops him._

BLANCHE. Wait one moment--I want to speak alone to Miss Godesby.

[MISS GODESBY _goes out Left._

BLANCHE. [_Aside to_ STERLING.] You tell him; I cannot. Tell him the
_truth_.

[_She goes out after_ MISS GODESBY.

WARDEN. Dick.

STERLING. Ned?

WARDEN. I have nothing to say to you, Sterling.

[WARDEN _looks away and whistles a tune to show his unwillingness to
listen._ STERLING _speaks clearly so_ WARDEN _shall hear._

STERLING. I have a message for you from my wife. [_There is a second's
pause._ WARDEN _stops whistling and turns and looks at_ STERLING.] She
asks me to explain--to tell--to tell you a decision she has come to.

[_There