ll _I_, _I_ myself, hurt and wound you past all
bearing! It doesn't make any difference that _I_ suffer too! _I ought_
to! I deserve to--you _don't_! Oh, no! I know I'm a disappointment and a
failure!

[_Her eyes fill up with tears and her voice breaks._

AUSTIN. [_He turns to her._] No, Jinny, not so bad as that, only I
thought you were _big_--and you're _so little_, oh, _so small_!

JINNY. Yes, it's true; I'm small--I'm _small_! Oh, I'd like to be big,
too! I want to be noble and strong, but I'm not--I'm as weak as
water--only it's _boiling_ water! I want to be Brunhilde, and I'm only
Frou Frou! Yes, I'm little; but I _love_ you--_I love you!_

[_She sinks on to a stool beside him. A moment's pause._

[_With a trembling voice._

You don't mind my sitting here?

AUSTIN. No--

[_Very quietly, he places his arm about her neck, his hand on her
shoulder. She quickly steals up her hand to take his, and leaning
her head over it, kisses his hand. He draws it away and kisses her
hair._

JINNY. [_Timidly, very softly._] You forgive me?

AUSTIN. [_With a long sigh._] Yes.

JINNY. [_Bursting into tears and burying her face upon his knees._]
Thank you--thank you--I know I don't deserve it--I don't deserve it--I
don't deserve it!

AUSTIN. [_Softly._] Sh!--

[_JINNY half turns and looks up at him._

JINNY. [_Very, very quietly._] You forgive me--but still--yes, I see it
in your face, you don't love me the same. You look so tired, dear.

AUSTIN. [_Also very quietly._] I am, Jinny.

JINNY. And--happy?

AUSTIN. I'm _not_ quite happy.

JINNY. I wish I could make you so--make you love me the old way. You
used to smile a little when you looked at me--Jack, you don't any more.
But I mean to make you to-night, if I can, and to make you love me as
much as ever you did.

AUSTIN. Good luck, dear.

JINNY. [_Brightening._] What time is it?

AUSTIN. [_Looking at his watch._] Nearly nine.

JINNY. I suppose it is too late for me to dress and for us to go to the
theatre?

AUSTIN. Oh, yes,--and I'm too tired.

JINNY. [_Triumphantly._] Well, then, you shall have your theatre at
home! If Mahomet won't go to the mountain, the mountain must go to your
lordship!

AUSTIN. I don't understand!

JINNY. Well, just wait-- [_She blows her nose._] --till I bathe my face
and eyes a little; I feel rather bleary! [_Starting to go, she stops and
turns._] Good-by?

[_Questioningly._

AUSTIN. [_Quietly._] Good-b