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Stafford-That is for you to say. But if you do go, remember that it is of your own volition absolutely. I want you to stay. Virginia-Then why don't youStafford-I've told you.

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Stafford-Who were you till I married you? Nobody! What were you? A telephone girl getting ten dollars a week! And now who are you? You're Mrs. Robert Stafford! And what are you? You're the wife of one of the richest men in the country. And how did he get you for his wife? He bought you and he paid for you

(There is a pause)

Virginia-Good-by! (She crosses to get her hat and coat)

Stafford-Just a minute, dear. (Virginia stops)

Virginia-Well?

Stafford-I think you will agree that I know a great deal more about life than you do. Virginia-Yes.

Stafford-Then let me tell you that you are doing a very foolish thing.

Virginia-I'm doing the right

Stafford-I don't think so. Stop a little while, dear, and consider the matter. Aside from marrying her husband, leaving him is the most serious step a woman can take. Serious steps should be given great consideration.

Virginia-I have considered this. Stafford--But not enough. Virginia-Oh, yes, I have. Stafford-In the first place, you know that since you came into my life, I haven't given any other woman even a thought. You know that absolutely, don't you? Virginia-Yes. Absolutely. Stafford-In the next place, you are leaving me! I am not leaving you. My home is still open to you and I want you for my wife. Under these circumstances, I don't think you could compel me to pay you a dollar under the law. Virginia-The law!

Stafford-In spite of this, I should, of course, see that you are provided for. What income do you think would be fair? Virginia-Nothing!

Stafford-You mean that you won't take an allowance?

Virginia-That's just what I mean. I came to you with nothing that is what I'll take

away.

Stafford-Now, do be a sensible little

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You've been able to say it up

ber, if you leave me like this, you will have to come to me, or it will be-forever! humiliated! I won't be told that I was bought and paid for! takes off her wedding-ring and places it on the table)

Stafford-The idea is preposterous, I tell you. You couldn't voluntarily go back and live as you did before. It isn't in human nature. Since we were married, you have had every luxury that money could give and luxury gets in the blood, my dear! Luxury gets in the blood! It's got into mine. Could

this! Come back to you and these same conditions! Never! Never! I'll die first. Stafford - Lis

ten to me for just a minute, dear! You don't realize what you

are undertaking. You don't know what you propose to do. Please, please don't do anything that is going to bring you so much misery and unhappiness. Think it over a little while and then perhaps―!

Virginia-My mind is made up. (She picks up her hat and places it on her head)

Stafford-Dearie!

Virginia-It is, I tell you. (She puts on her hat)

Stafford-Don't do it, Virginia, I beg of you. For, remember, if you leave me like this, you will have to come to me, or it will be-forever!

Virginia-Then it will be forever. I won't be degraded and humiliated. I won't be told that I was bought and paid for. You've been able to say it up to now, but you'll never be able to say it again. (She indicates the jewels) There they are. I give them all back to you. (As her hand points to the jewels, she notices her rings) Ha! I'd almost forgotten those. (She takes off her rings and puts them on the table. Her wedding-ring remains on her finger. She looks from the ring to Stafford and makes as if to remove it)

Stafford (Protesting) Dear!

Virginia Why not? Why not? (She takes off her wedding-ring, and places it on the table. There is a pause. Stafford goes to the table, picks up the ring, and reads the inscription: "From Robert to Virginia, with eternal Love." Virginia goes out)

Three months later finds the Gilleys living away up in the Hundreds again. Virginia, now earning seven dollars a week as a shopgirl, boards with them. Jimmie, dropped by Stafford, is now earning thirteen dollars a week. His wife is disgusted with him and his eternal schemes which come to nothing. She tells him so, but finally he makes her listen to another of his great ideas. He declares that if Virginia and Stafford could only be brought together, they would forget all their differences in their joy at seeing each other again. His plan is simply to telephone to Stafford that Virginia has sent for him. Stafford, he is sure, will come at once, thinking that Virginia has given in, and Virginia, coming in and finding him, will think the same of him.

Fanny-But if they found out?

Jim What would it matter, if they'd made up.

Fanny-But do you think it would be right?

Jim Oh, no! Certainly not! It would be a terrible crime to unite a husband and wife and fix up a broken home! To say nothing of giving me back my regular job at a hundred and fifty. Shall I?

Fanny-I'm afraid. Jim-I'm not. I'm never afraid of any game where I can't lose.

Jimmie goes to the 'phone, calls Stafford up, and tells him that Virginia wants him to come for her. While Jimmie is 'phoning, Fanny, in an agony of fright, stands unconsciously crossing herself and saying her prayers. Virginia comes in from the shop, wet and bedraggled. While Fanny is getting her some tea, Jimmie harks back to the old subject, and charges Virginia with having ruined not only her own happiness, but theirs as well. Virginia is too tired and disheartened to defend herself, but she still clings to her determination not to go back to her husband. She goes to her room to change. When she re-enters, Robert is in the room. The Gilleys have retreated to the kitchen.

Virginia-Robert! (There is a pause) You did come! You did!

Stafford-Of course I did.

Virginia-I'm so happy, dear. Oh, I'm so happy. (She goes to Stafford, who takes her in his arms)

Stafford-You're not a bit happier than

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