He said he saw no prospect
of being able to publish our marriage for years, maybe!

AUSTIN. _What_ marriage?

[_In astonishment._

RUTH. _Our_ marriage, in Brooklyn! [_She notices his expression and is
alarmed._] You said he had told you!

AUSTIN. [_Recovering himself, and speaking at first with hesitation._]
Yes, but not the details, not--wait, I'm a little confused. [_Rising and
walking a moment._] Let's get it all quite clear now, that's the only
way I can help you--both; I ought, of course, to have gone through it
all with him, but there really wasn't time.

RUTH. I can't go on like this much longer. It's killing me to deceive
mother; I _must_ tell her soon!

AUSTIN. [_Quickly, stops walking._] No. You mustn't, not yet, if I'm
going to help you; you'll obey me, won't you?

RUTH. Yes, if you only will help us!

AUSTIN. You said you and Geoffrey Tillman were married where?

RUTH. In Brooklyn.

AUSTIN. When?

RUTH. A month before your wedding.

AUSTIN. [_To himself._] It's impossible!

[_Walking up and down._

RUTH. [_Smiling sadly._] Oh, no! I remember the date only too well.

AUSTIN. I didn't mean that.

RUTH. I lied to my mother that day for the first time--at any rate,
since I was a child--and I've been lying to her ever since.

AUSTIN. [_Probing her._] But--but why were you married so secretly?

RUTH. We couldn't afford to marry and set up for ourselves. He expected
then to be sent off at once to the Philippines, and--well he didn't want
to leave me behind, free; I'm afraid he's rather jealous--you must have
found out by now that Jinny is. They all are! And _I_ didn't want him to
go so far off without my belonging to him either; _I'm_ that jealous,
too! [_Smiling._] So--that's why!

AUSTIN. And this long period of secrecy since then--do you understand
that?

Ruth. Hasn't he explained to you his debts? You know before he loved me
he was very fast, but since--

AUSTIN. Yes, I know how he gave up every one of his old habits with a
great deal of courage.

RUTH. _Nobody_ knows what it cost him! How can you help us? Get him
something to do to pay off his debts? Or can't you make him feel even if
we do have to go on living at our different homes for a while, it is
better to publish the fact that we are married?--

AUSTIN. I shall go back at once to America if I can persuade Jinny!

RUTH. And I, too?

AUSTIN. No. You must stay abroad till I send word for you to come home.
If I am goi