Six Short Plays. Galsworthy John

[With a smile] I swear.

      KEITH. I have your oath—both of you—both of you. I'm going at once to see what can be done.

      LARRY. [Softly] Good luck, brother.

      KEITH goes out.

      WANDA. [Putting her hands on LARRY's breast] What does it mean?

      LARRY. Supper, child—I've had nothing all day. Put these lilies in water.

      [She takes the lilies and obediently puts them into a vase. LARRY pours wine into a deep-coloured glass and drinks it off.]

      We've had a good time, Wanda. Best time I ever had, these last two months; and nothing but the bill to pay.

      WANDA. [Clasping him desperately] Oh, Larry! Larry!

      LARRY. [Holding her away to look at her.] Take off those things and put on a bridal garment.

      WANDA. Promise me—wherever you go, I go too. Promise! Larry, you think I haven't seen, all these weeks. But I have seen everything; all in your heart, always. You cannot hide from me. I knew—I knew! Oh, if we might go away into the sun! Oh! Larry—couldn't we? [She searches his eyes with hers—then shuddering] Well! If it must be dark—I don't care, if I may go in your arms. In prison we could not be together. I am ready. Only love me first. Don't let me cry before I go. Oh! Larry, will there be much pain?

      LARRY. [In a choked voice] No pain, my pretty.

      WANDA. [With a little sigh] It is a pity.

      LARRY. If you had seen him, as I have, all day, being tortured. Wanda,—we shall be out of it. [The wine mounting to his head] We shall be free in the dark; free of their cursed inhumanities. I hate this world—I loathe it! I hate its God-forsaken savagery; its pride and smugness! Keith's world—all righteous will-power and success. We're no good here, you and I—we were cast out at birth—soft, will-less—better dead. No fear, Keith! I'm staying indoors. [He pours wine into two glasses] Drink it up!

      [Obediently WANDA drinks, and he also.]

      Now go and make yourself beautiful.

      WANDA. [Seizing him in her arms] Oh, Larry!