e_
you fight--will that?

[_He gives him a stinging blow in the face._

STERLING. Yes!

[_He springs toward_ WARDEN _as_ RUTH _and_ MASON _enter Left. The two
men stand rigid_, WARDEN _breathing heavily._

RUTH. Blanche, may I bring in--where's Blanche?

STERLING. I don't know.

MASON. Good morning, gentlemen.

[_There is no response._ WARDEN _is with great difficulty restraining
himself. His lips are compressed lightly and his hands clenched._

RUTH. What's the trouble?

STERLING. I have just told Warden my wife's decision not to leave me.

RUTH. [_Showing her relief and satisfaction in her face, turns to_
WARDEN.] You won't try to shake that resolve?

WARDEN. [_Unable to control himself._] But I will! I _will_--I tell you
all! I hardly know what I say or do! But look out for me, I'm desperate!
I'm a torrent that's only let loose since yesterday, and now all of a
sudden you try to stop me! But it's too late; I've got my impetus; the
repressed passion of years is behind me; nothing can stop me--and God
keep me from doing the wrong thing! I am determined to clear him out of
the way of the happiness of the woman I love. [_To_ RUTH.] Do you mean
to say you approve of her decision? [RUTH _turns her head; he turns to_
MASON.] Do _you_?

RUTH. No.

STERLING. [_To_ RUTH, _holding out his hand._] You will stand by me,
Aunt Ruth, and together we--

RUTH. [_Interrupting and refusing his hand._] Oh, no.

STERLING. Don't you think I can win her love back?

RUTH. No.

STERLING. Won't you help me try?

RUTH. No. It would be useless.

WARDEN. Come with me to Blanche; I must speak with her.

[WARDEN _and_ RUTH _go out Right._

MASON. [_Alone with_ STERLING.] Go away and make your wife understand
you are never coming back.

STERLING. But the loneliness, the misery, away--alone.

MASON. Kill them with hard work; _you have other heavy debts_, you know.
I came to see you about this business of your acknowledgments to Miss
Godesby and Miss Hunter.

STERLING. Later, later. To-morrow I will decide--

[_He motions him away._ MASON _goes to him and puts his hand on his
shoulder._

MASON. Decide well--

[_He hesitates a moment and then goes out Right._

STERLING. [_Watching him go._] There's not one soul in this world who
cares for me, and it's my _own fault_. [RICHARD _is heard upstairs again
singing "Once in Royal David's City._" STERLING _lifts his head and
listens._] Yes, one little soul loves me, and i