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of the house, that she had rest after her As she turns plants a shaft in breast.

and told best seek journey. to go, she Ethel's

brought I hope I'll Doctor I'm afraid brought Ethel

the luck you did. bring you and the good luck, too, but somebody has it ahead of me. Who?

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Mrs. Dole-I shall never forget when you

came to us. Things took a

turn for the best almost from the first. Why,

There is some talk regarding the nature of Dole's ailment, but the Doctor declares that jority of operations in such cases are successful. He goes to his patient, but returns of Ethel and the Professor. It is then that he makes the startling announcement that operation, and that a sudden shock may kill

it was soon after you came that Stann took to painting again, wasn't it?

Ethel-I believe so.

Mrs. Dole-Of course it was. And see what a difference that made-it made him famous. You were a wonderful help to him. Ethel I was Mr. Dole's secretary. That was all.

Mrs. Dole-Yes, but he had had other secretaries before you came and none of them

Mrs. Dole-Miss Bromley. Just as you came into our life, she has come into yours, and I hope she'll be as good a friend and companion to your husband as you were to mine. Good night! (Mrs. Dole goes out) Ethel (To Professor) You heard what she said?

Professor-You could not suspectEthel-Did she suspect me? If it should be true! If it should be true! (She looks

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What motive has brought the widow to the Doctor's home, and what are her intentions? Ethel, prodded by her own conscience, has asked herself these questions during the time-almost a month-that the housekeeper has been in her home. And she has found no answer save in the growing conviction that everything Mrs. Dole does, everything she says, is calculated to goad and to torment. Unwilling to admit the truth that this reasoning points to, and yet regarding the grim, black-robed figure of her housekeeper as the dread embodiment of her Nemesis, the young wife has passed through a torturing month that has shattered her nerves and all but left her a physical wreck. Her confidence, her selfcontrol, are gone. Inflamed by the jealousy that has been cleverly fanned by Mrs Dole, Ethel has grown to regard Florence as an interloper, deep in intrigue with Dr. Bristol. This jealousy, and an all-consuming fear of what each moment of the day may produce, have possessed Ethel to the exclusion of all other emotions. This is the situation at the commencement of the third act.

The scene is the same as in

the second act, and, again, the action begins in the early evening. Mrs. Dole, who has had an unsuccessful brush with Susan, in which the latter informs the housekeeper that she is none too popular in the Doctor's home, finds Ethel listlessly waiting forsomething and at once reassumes her rôle of tormentor.

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Mrs. Dole-Did you know that Miss Bromley was back?

Ethel-Susan told me.

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went away I heard him talking over the 'phone to Miss Bromley.

Ethel-How do you know it was Miss Bromley?

Mrs. Dole-I answered when the long distance called and went and told the Doctor. Ethel-And then, of course, you listened. Mrs. Dole-No. I was in the next room and couldn't help hearing.

Ethel-What did he say?

Mrs. Dole-He said he was very anxious about her and wanted to know if she wouldn't come back right away, and then when she wouldn't, he said he'd go to her.

Ethel-He'd go to her!

Mrs. Dole-Yes! and the-
Ethel-Go on.

Mrs. Dole-I don't think I ought to-
Ethel-Go on! Go on!

Mrs. Dole-Then he said if you found out it would cause him no end of trouble, but well -he'd take the chance! And that's all! (Pause)

Ethel-If you've lied to me about thisMrs. Dole-Lied to you, Mrs. Bristol! Why should I? (Pause) If there's been any lying I'm sure I'm not the one who's done it. (Pause) Perhaps the Doctor went to see her professionally! But if he did, why should he say he went somewhere else? That's what I can't make out.

Ethel-That will do.

Mrs. Dole-Yes, Mrs. Bristol. (She leaves as Florence enters)

Florence tells Ethel that she has noted a change in her attitude lately. "What's wrong, please?" she asks, but Ethel coldly leaves the room without answering.

When Dr. Bristol arrives, after a few moments, he finds in Florence a very miserable young girl. The conversation of these two makes clear the truth regarding the trip to Allenburg. Florence, unhappy at home because of Ethel's unkind attitude, has been off on a visit to friends in Allenburg, whither she has been followed by Ambrose Lorrimer, with an offer of marriage. Florence is in love with Ambrose, but the boy is a cocaine user, and the girl has given Dr. Bristol her promise not to marry him without the Doctor's consent. The Doctor, on his side, has promised to tell no one of Lorrimer's weakness. It was to frustrate this marriage that Dr. Bristol made the trip to Allenburg, which trip, in accordance with his promise to Florence, had to be kept a secret from Ethel.

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Ethel does not realize that the "nearly a month ago" denotes the date of Mrs. Dole's arrival, and that the period of her jealousy coincides with Mrs. Dole's presence in the house. But the Doctor, after disproving, with the aid of Florence, Ethel's unfounded charges, stumbles on to this fact, and seeks for an explanation of Mrs. Dole's spiteful conduct. His suspicions are fully aroused, but Ethel succeeds in allaying them for the time, and persuades him to send Mrs. Dole away immediately. Mrs. Dole is sent for and comes to the living room. She is told that she is dismissed, and demands a reason. Dr. Bristol, genuinely at a loss, has none to offer. He finally tells her that she must go, as he can say nothing further.

Mrs. Dole-No, but I can tell you a lot further. I'm to be turned out because she (pointing to Ethel) wants me to be, and why does she want it? Because the sight of me gets on her nerves. And why does it? Because every time she sees me, she remembers that she was to my husband what she just accused that girl of being to you. Oh, I was listening and I heard!

Doctor Mrs. Dole!

Mrs. Dole-Ask her if she can deny it! Ask her!

Ethel-Don't believe her, Ethan! Don't believe her!

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