Don't weaken; a comedy in three acts

Act I

Scene: — The scene represents the living room in the home of the Cannons. It is comfortably and tastef ully furnished. There is an exit l. leading to the dining room. One about R. 1, and one up stage R. leading to the hall.

When the curtain irises the doors leading to the dining room are closed and the sound of a college song being sung there is heard.

Mrs. Marjory Cannon is discovered arranging the card table fixing cards and chips , placing cigar boxes , siphons, bottles, etc., on convenient taborets. While she is doing this bell off l. rings. She hears it, nods and smiles, slight pause. Ethel Travis enters.

Maid. Miss Travis.

Ethel. Hello, Marjorie.

Marj. Ethel dear ! I thought you were never coming.

Ethel. Then I am not too early ?

Marj. Of course not. The boys never let a woman sit at the table with them when they are having their annual reunion dinner and Fve been dreadfully lonely.

Ethel. How often have they had these re-union dinners?

“ DON’T WEAKEN .”

Marj. Ever since Jim Meredith, Roland Kent, Dnncan Price and my husband left college eight years ago.

Ethel. Jim Roland and Duncan were on the football team together, weren’t they?

Marj. Yes. And Will was the manager. Dick Steele and Sam Marvin were in college with the other boys but graduated some years earlier. They were all chums, though, and they’ve kept up the friendship ever since.

Ethel. That’s splendid. (Ethel sees chips and tables) Going to let them play cards?

Marj. I’m going to let them thinlc they’ll play, but just when they’re starting I’ll sing one of their old college songs and then — Well, just wait anct see how long their game will last.

Ethel. You schemer. ( a burst of laughter comes from the dining room) The dinner seems to be a great success.

Marj. Yes, thank heaven. Though for a while I thought it wouldn’t be.

Ethel. Why ?

Marj. This is the first time all six friends haven’t been at the dinner together.

Ethel. One of them is missing?

Marj. Duncan Price.

Ethel, {all the pleasure dying from her face) Not Duncan?

Marj. He sent a telegram at the last minute, saying that business interfered. The boys all realized immediately that it was only an excuse to avoid coming.

Ethel. But why should Duncan wish to avoid coming?

Marj. Because he hasn’t been successful like the others. His pride kept him away.

Ethel. Oh ! I’m sure it couldn’t be that. Duncan is bound to succeed some day.

Marj. That’s what we’ve been saying for years.

“ DON’T WEAKENS

Ethel. Yes. That’s true, but don’t you see that

Marj. He has failed in everything he has tried until now he barely manages to make a living as a clerk in a broker’s office. There are other men beside Duncan Price. Dick Steele for instance — He’s crazy about you and he’s a man worth while.

Ethel. Hot to me.

Marj. Although he’s only thirty-four he’s successful and powerful and the head of one of the biggest firms in his line in the country, the same business as your father, too. How, Ethel, if I were you

Ethel. Oh, please, please.

Marj. Jufet as you say, dear, but

(The door hell rings.)

Ethel. Perhaps Duncan has changed his mind and has come after all.

(Maid enters.)

Maid. Mrs. Kent, ma’am.

Marj. Very well.

(Maid exits.)

Ethel, (disappointed) Oh dear!

Marj. Mrs. Kent. I wonder what she wants.

(Mrs. Kent enters. She is apparently greatly worried. )

Mrs. Kent. Pm afraid you will think this a dreadful intrusion, Mrs. Cannon.

Marj. Of course not, it’s a delightful surprise— You know Miss Travis, don’t you? (Ethel and

“DON'T WEAKEN."

Mus. Kent bow cordially) Do let me help you off with your cloak.

Mrs. Kent. ( worried and embarrassed) I won't take it oft, thanks, I only came in for a moment.

Marj. {taking cloak) Nonsense! Now you're here we are going to keep you.

Mrs. Kent. I was so worried I just had to come.

Marj. Worried! What about?

Mrs. Kent. It's about my husband — poor, dear Rollo — is he sober?

Ethel. Surely Mr. Kent isn't in the habit of !

Mrs. Kent. I don't know. This is the first chance he has had since we were married five months ago, and my poor dear mamma always says : “If a man doesn't do a thing the first time it can't become a habit."

Marj. But, why should you think that Mr. Kent is

Mrs. Kent. My poor dear mamma told me you could only trust men to behave when you had your eye on them — and mamma has had great experience with men — she's been married four times and was a widow once!

Marj. Her life must have been very interesting.

Mrs. Kent. But frightfully discouraging. Each of her husbands had entirely different methods. Their ingenuity was so appalling she was convinced that there was but one rule to follow — never believe anything a man says ; and if you do believe him don't trust him !

Marj. A safe method, but rather contradictory.

(A burst of laughter comes from the dining room.

Mrs. Kent draws herself up tragically.)

Mrs. Kent. That's Eollo's voice and he promised me he wouldn't touch even a drop during dinner. I must test him.

“ DON’T WEAKEN.”

Ethel. Test him ?

Mrs. Kent. By making him kiss me.

Marj. Oh !

Mrs. Kent. If he has even tasted the wine or the liquor he will hesitate — perhaps even stammer — and then I shall know !

( Sounds come from the dining room as though the dinner party were breaking up.)

Marj. There! They are coming in. Now, Mrs. Kent, you will see how baseless your suspicions are !

Mrs. Kent. Oh, this is an awful moment for me

(Men enter from dining room. Marvin and Cannon come first, rather quickly.)

Cannon. Hello, dear! Well, how are the girls? ( crossing to her) Hello, there is Ethel. ( greetings , Ethel and Mrs. Kent) Why this is a surprise. Mrs. Kent; How do you do, Mr. Cannon. Ethel. How are you, Will ?

Marvin. That was a wonderful dinner, Marjorie. Marj. Thank you, Sam.

Marvin. You don't mind my smoking, I know. Marj. Certainly not.

(Kent, Steele and Meredith enter slowly, Kent in center telling story.)

Steele. Go on, Kent, finish the story

Kent. Well, I hadn't been introduced to the girl — so when she dropped her handkerchief I picked it up, handed it to her and said : “ Do you trot ? "

You know the band was playing, and then

Meredith, (seeing Mrs. Kent and endeavoring to warn Kent) Why, there is Mrs. Kent

“DON’T WEAKEN.”

Steele, Then you found it was the same old thing — she turned you down.

Kent. I didn’t give her a chance — my arms were around her and soon we were dancing up the floor like this — (Kent turkey-trots a little and suddenly finds himself face to face with Mrs. Kent. He stops abruptly) Why, Allie darling, how did you get here !

Mrs. Kent. Kiss me.

Kent. ( embarrassed ) Really, dear, before everybody? I hardly think

Mrs. Kent. Good gracious, you hesitate

Kent. Well, you know I — I have always maintained — that people — that people

Mrs. Kent. Kiss me

Kent. Yes, Baby. # (lie bends over and shamefacedly kisses her — she smiles delightedly)

Mrs. Kent. Why, you haven’t had anything to drink !

Kent. ( seriously ) Didn’t I promise?

Mrs. Kent. Yes, dear.

Kent. And have you ever known me to break a promise ?

Mrs. Kent. No, dear, (slight pause) I’m sorry.

Kent. That’s all right, sweetheart.

Meredith. Roland, when you have quite finished spooning with your wife you might present me. I have never had the pleasure

Kent, (relieved) That’s true, you haven’t. -This is Jim Meredith, Allie.

Mrs. Kent, (very distantly) How do you do, Mr. Meredith.

Meredith. I am mighty glad to meet you, Mrs. Kent. You know Roland and I roomed together in college

Mrs. Kent. Yes, and I know all about the way you treated him!

Meredith, (surprised) What!

“DON’T WEAKEN.”

Kent pantomimes to Meredith.)

Mrs. Kent. I think it disgraceful the way you got into all those scrapes and made the faculty believe that guilty person was my poor dear boy.

Meredith. ( stunned ) But, really

Mrs. Kent. He has told me everything — (Kent is wildly signalling Meredith to silence) Haven’t you, dear? (Kent stops suddenly)

Kent. Mm ! Oh yes — yes, I’ve told you more than everything.

Mrs. Kent. More ?

Kent. I mean everything there was to tell.

Mrs. Kent. But you said

Kent. You take me up so quickly I don’t know what I am paying.

Cannon. ( at table l.) Well, boys, here are the cards and chips. How about a little poker?

Marj. I suppose that is a polite hint for us women to go.

Mrs. Kent. Surely, Mrs. Cannon, you are not going to let them play poker?

Marj. I am afraid we can’t prevent it.

Mrs. Kent. Of course you are not going to play, Kollo?

Kent. Well, you see, my dear, I thought — that is I— I !

Mrs. Kent. You have always told me that you didn’t know how to play.

Kent. I don’t! I don’t! (to Meredith) Do I, Jim ?

Meredith. You certainly don’t! And it has cost you a lot of money to find it out.

Mrs. Kent. If you don’t promise me not to try to play we’ll go straight home.

Kent. Oh, I haven’t any idea of playing. I’m only going to sit and look on — I just love to sit and look on.

“DON'T WEAKEN."

Marj. ( at door r. with Ethel) Coming, Mrs. Kent ?

Mrs. Kent. Yes, at once.

Marj. We will see you all again presently. ( she and Ethel go out door R., Mrs. Kent goes to door and turns )

Mrs. Kent. Now, remember I trust you. Don't forget your promise, Eollo.

Kent. Roland, baby.

Mrs. Kent. I like Rollo best, it's such a sweet name. Remember — (he smiles at her reassuring 1 y until she goes out door r. closing it behind her. Then he crosses over and mixes himself a highball. Steele goes to him)

Steele. When you and that girl got through turkey trotting, what happened?

Kent, (glaring at him) Oh, shut up. You are beginning to get on my nerves

Meredith. (to Kent indicating drink) You are forgetting your promise very quickly.

Kent. I only promised not to drink during

dinner — this is after !

Meredith. A pure evasion, — Rollo.

Kent, (crossly) Don't call me by that fool name !

Cannon, (seated at table shuffling cards) Come, boys, cease this idle chatter and sit in.

Meredith, (seating himself) Straight poker or stud ?

Marvin, (seating himself) More action in stud — and action is what I am after — you know I am leaving for Boston on the midnight train.

Steele, (seating himself) Straight poker is a good deal more conservative.

Kent, (seating himself) Maybe, but stud has the thrills — and they make losing money easier.

Cannon. You're out voted, Dick, it's stud.

Meredith. Just a moment, Rollo! You are forgetting your promise.

“ DON’T WEAKEN.”

Kent. My promise ?

Meredith. Not to try to play.

Kent, (his face falling) Oh, hell! (he pushes back his chair and rises)

Steele. Who’s banking?

Cannon. I am. The whites are a quarter, blues fifty cents, and the yellow boys a dollar. Twenty-five dollars a stack, table stakes — (Cannon counts out chips)

Meredith. Honestly, Kollie, your wife isn’t jealous of you, is she?

Kent. Yes, she is.

Meredith. Well, can you beat it. Jealous of you ! Boys she is jealous of that.

(All laugh. Marvin takes up cards.)

Marvin. First Jack deals. (Marvin throws cards around)

Kent. She’s the dearest, sweetest little woman in the world ydth only one fault — an everlastingly suspicious nature.

Meredith. That’s easily cured.

Kent. How?

Marvin. Jack! Jim deals.

Meredith. You can cure her by psycho therapeutics — in plain words, by suggestion.

Cannon. Go on, Jim, deal the cards.

Meredith. It is a well recognized fact !

Steele. (to Kent) See what you’ve done. You’ve started Jim on one of those theories of his.

Meredith. It isn’t a theory. If you suggest a thing to a person often enough and strongly enough that person will end by accepting the suggestion as a reality

Marvin. Your theory then is this : I am a lawyer —

Kent. Alleged.

Marvin. Now, all that is needed to make me the

“DON'T WEAKEN."

greatest lawyer in the world somebody has only to suggest it to me.

Steele. Or to have Dune Price make a million dollars all you have to do is to have some one suggest that to him.

Meredith. Yes. If the person could suggest it in a way that w r ould give Dune confidence in himself. If he would believe he was going to succeed he would succeed.

Marvin. And to make Polio’s wife think he is guileless as a babe, that only has to be suggested to her.

Meredith. Strongly enough. Yes, it is a scientific fact.

Kent. Then it is cold with me. {door hel 1 rings) There is no scientific way to handle a woman.

Cannon. When are we going to play cards?

Kent. Still I should like to know.

Cannon. Deal.

Steele. Do.

Marvin. For heaven’s sake !

(Meredith begins to deal.)

Meredith. I’ve been telling you the truth, if Dune Price would only

(Travis enters.)

Travis. Hello, boys, {he is warmly welcomed by the others)

Cannon. You know everybody, of course, Mr. Travis ?

Travis. Certainly ! I’ve come to take Ethel home when she’s ready.

Meredith. You’re the stingiest father I know. You never let any of us get a chance with Ethel.

Travis 1 should say I don’t. She’s mv pal.

“DON’T WEAKEN.”

She’s all I’ve got and I’m going to watch her as close as I can.

Steele. Object to making a little money while you’re waiting?

Travis. Not if the police aren’t watching us?

Marvin-. Then sit in.

Travis. What is it?

Cannon - . Stud.

Travis. Stud, eh ?

Steele. I don’t think that Mr. Travis is fond of taking chances.

Travis. I make it a rule never to take chances, but after looking at the shape of your heads I don’t think this would be taking any! {he sits) Slide me a stack.

Cannon. {passing dhips) Twenty-five dollars worth. Whites a quarter, blues a half, yellows a dollar. table stakes.

Travis. Well, if the Government doesn’t enjoin me I ought to do some regular business in the next hour.

(Meredith has dealt cards around.)

Meredith. High card bets. That’s you, Dick. {game ad lib until from room R. sounds a college song, played on the piano in the next room, comes through doorway. Meredith, about to deal second round of cards, pauses) Say, fellows, do you hear that?

Marvin. Yes.

Kent. Bully old song, isn’t it?

Cannon. How poor old Duncan used to sing it

Meredith. I shall never forget one night he sang it — after we tied Yale six-six.

Marvin. I know, {indicating Kent) You made the touchdown with only two minutes to play.

“DON'T WEAKEN."

Kent. And Jim here made the hole for me to go through.

Meredith. Their line had been holding like a stone wall and it was the last down with four yards to go. We had tried so often before and been held that we thought we hadn't a chance. We hadn't quit, you know, but we were weakening.

Kent. Eight.

Meredith. Just at the critical moment we heard the good old cheer, “ don't weaken," . all together now. (i they give a college yell ) It was just what was needed to brace us up. It was a case of do or die — and we did.

Kent. You bet.

Cannon. I remember.

Marvin. Of course you do. It was the night you first met Marjorie.

Cannon. Yes ! Some night, eh, boys ?

( The tune is changed to another college song.)

Meredith. Say, fellows, let's cut out the cards and go in and listen.

Kent. That sounds good to me.

Steele. Yes, you're not playing and Mr. Travis is. He isn't interested in those old songs.

Travis. You're wrong there, I am. There's youth in 'em and hope and that's what a man of my age longs for most — youth and hope! Boys, that takes me back to the happiest time of a man's life — the days when his first moustache is just beginning to break ground.

Marvin. I'd rather like the music too. There's no sense in my getting interested in cards when I've got to leave for Boston at midnight.

Cannon. Then music it is.

Steele. That suits me.

Marvin. Then come along.

“ DON'T WEAKEN”

(All but Travis move toward door.)

Travis. May I see you for a minute, Steele ?

Steele. Certainly, Mr. Travis.

Travis. (to Cannon) Will you excuse us, please ?

Cannon. For a minute only. But not a second longer, eh boys?

Kent. I should say not.

Meredith. Not for a second.

(Cannon, Kent and Meredith exeunt to dining room.)

Travis. 1 thought .we might just as well settle matters now.

Steele. Fnr agreeable.

Travis. I received your note asking me to see you. It means fight, I suppose.

Steele. I’m not looking for any fight with you, Mr. Travis. No matter what my partners may think I’m against war with you at any price.

Travis. But }T)ur 'partners wouldn’t be averse to it.

Steele. Perhaps not. In the proposed amalgamation of the rubber tire companies they think — in fact they’re sure — that your firm could be left out and that you would have to go to the wall.

Travis. They’re sure of that, are they?

Steele. Yes, Mr. Travis, they are ! And so are you.

Travis. They’d find there’s some fight in the old man yet.

Steele. They know how game you are, but the odds would be too big.

Travis. Well?

Steele. I’m the head of my firm in reality as well as name and in the end what I say will go

Travis. Well?

“DON'T WEAKEN."

Steele. There'll be no fight, Mr. Travis. You'll go in — with us.

Travis. That's understood ?

Steele. It is.

Travis. Thank you. (he gives his hand to Steele. They clasp hands) I would have put up a fight but in the end I should have had to surrender. This means a lot to me.

Steele. And take my word for it, everything will be all right.

Travis. Thank you again.

Steele. I'm only too glad to be able to do it. Shall we go in?

Travis. Yes.

(Travis and Steele start' toward dining room. Cannon enters.)

Cannon. Minute's up.

Travis. And we are on our way.

Cannon. Good.

(Travis and Steele enter dining room. Cannon starts after them. Maid enters.)

Maid. Mr. Cannon.

(Cannon stops.)

Cannon. Yes ?

Maid. A gentleman has just sent this card to you. (Maid gives card to Cannon. He reads message on the hack)

Cannon. Show the gentleman in. (Maid exits)

( There is a pause. Duncan Price enters. IHs clothes are neat hut not new. Seeing Cannon, he assumes an air of good spirits.)

“DON’T WEAKEN.”

Duncan. Hello, Bill.

Cannon. You’re a fine one, you are. What do you mean by deserting and sending a fake telegram about business preventing; you don’t suppose anyone believed it, do you?

Duncan. Why should they believe it. I didn’t.

Cannon. Then why didn’t you come?

Duncan. Bill, for the past six weeks I’ve been a brilliant ornament in the army of the unemployed.

Cannon. What?

Duncan. I’ve lost my job.

Cannon. If you wanted money you could have had it from me.

Duncan. I know, Bill, but I couldn’t ask. I really couldn’t.

Cannon. You’ve got to live.

Duncan. I can’t live without eating. That’s why I’ve walked the streets for days looking for a job.

Cannon. Without finding one? (Duncan nods) That’s tough old man.

Duncan. You don’t know how tough it is. Nobody knows till he tries it.

Cannon. Why don’t you go in for something on. your own ?

(Duncan shakes his head.)

Duncan. I’ve done that three or four times already — that’s where the little money I had has gone. And then — I’ve lost my nerve.

Cannon. Oh, no

Duncan. Yes, I have ! Besides if I wanted to do anything where could I get the capital? I’ve got a scheme in mind right now — a great scheme — but it would take five thousand dollars to start it and ninety-five thousand more to see it through.

Cannon. Don’t you know anybody who’ll lend it to you?

Duncan. The only people who would lend me

“DON’T WEAKEN.”

money can’t get out of the asylums to get their check books.

Cannon. Old Dick Carson might. He was a friend of your father’s, and he’s got tons of money.

Duncan. Yes, but he also has a terrible attack of banker’s paralysis. Every time you touch his heart he can’t open his hand.

Cannon. Well why don’t you try him ?

Duncan. I made up my mind to do that this morning and went to his office. But when I was face to face with him I couldn’t — my courage failed.

Cannon. Too bad.

Duncan. This is the way I pictured myself doing it. ( he assumes a jaunty manner) “How do you do, Mr. Carson. I have called to see you about a splendid business proposition which I am sure will bring magnificent returns ” — then he said : “ Glad to see you my boy. Sit down and we’ll talk it over ” — the result being that I left his office with his check for five thousand and a promise of the other ninety-five.

Cannon. Well ?

Duncan. This is what really happened, (he assumes a jaunty air as before but soon loses it) “ How do you do, Mr. Carson. T — I’ve called to see you — I’ve called to see you — ” “ I know that : what do you want ? ” “I would — er — like to talk to you — I would like to talk to you — ! “ Well? ” “ I would — er — like to talk to you — about — er — about — er — ” “ Young man — I believe you won the college debating prize? ” “ Yes, sir.” “ Well, since it has resulted in your present lucidity of thought and fluency of expression all I can say is — God help the men who lost! Good morning.” (exit Duncan, limping)

Cannon. If I could raise the money

Duncan. I’m sure of that Bill, but it wouldn’t do any good. It looks as if I’m through.

Cannon. Don’t, talk rot.

Duncan. It isn’t rot! (a man's voice is heard

“ DON’T WEAKEN.”

singing verse of “ Old Nassau Other voices join in chorus. Duncan rises and going to door r. stands listening, deeply affected) It’s a wonderful song, isn’t it? When we used to sing in college, Bill, how bright every tiling seemed — what hopes I had — and now — why I’m ashamed to face my friends, I haven’t had the heart to see anybody for weeks. I’ve even cut out calling on Ethel.

Cannon. She’s here to-night.

Duncan. ( rising quickly) Well, I guess I’d better be running along.

Cannon, (he has observed the effect of Ethel’s name on the other) Wait a minute, Duncan, Jim Meredith has a theory he was telling us about — — It fits your case exactly and if it works it will get you all the money you need.

Duncan. I see — He’s found a safe way to rob a bank.

Cannon. No ! No ! Nothing like that ! It’s psycho — psycho — I can’t pronounce it.

Duncan. You bet you can’t. Neither can anybody else!

Cannon. It simply means that any man can win out if he won’t lose faith in himself.

Duncan. But I have lost faith in myself.

Cannon. You ought to get it back.

Duncan. Yes, and I ought to get a million dollars! But I can’t.

Cannon. If the right girl believes in you don’t you think that would help some ?

Duncan. The right girl. Yes. But there’s no such luck for me! No, Bill, I’m through in New York anyway. In a few days I’m going out West and see what I can do there.

(Ethel enters.)

Ethel. They’ve sent after you Will and — (she sees Duncan) Why, Duncan

“DON’T WEAKEN.”

Duncan - . Hello, Ethel.

Ethel. I’m awfully glad to see you. (she goes to him and gives him her hand)

Duncan. I’m glad to see you too.

Ethel. How can I believe that when you haven’t been near me' for weeks?

Duncan. Well, you see, Ethel, I’ve been awfully busy.

Ethel, (laughing) Busy

Duncan, (embarrassed) Yes. This is the open season in my line and I’m doing my best to get it closed.

(They are forgetting all about Cannon. He comes forward. )

Cannon. Ethel, did you say you had a message for me ?

Ethel. Yes. I was to take you in to the others at once.

Cannon. Good ! You and I will form a gorgeous escort for the triumphant arrival of little Duncan — the long lost friend.

Ethel. We’ll do nothing of the kind. You’ll go in alone and you’re not to tell them that Duncan is here. I mean to make him explain his desertion of me before I permit him to take any part in the exercises.

Cannon. That’s right, Ethel, if he’s wrong make him apologize. And if he isn’t- — well, remember you’re a woman and make him apologize anyway.

(He goes out door R. Ethel and Duncan smile at each other.)

Duncan. Well !

Ethel. Well

“ DON’T WEAKEN”

Duncan. I’m awfully glad you kept me back here with you.

Ethel. Why ?

Duncan. Eve been wanting to have a talk with you.

Ethel. Really ? What about ?

Duncan. ( taken aback by her directness ) Why — er — why — er

Ethel. Explicit but not quite satisfactory.

Duncan. The fact is

Ethel. Well — Pm waiting.

Duncan. That's what I wanted to talk to you about.

Ethel. What?

Duncan. Waiting.

Ethel. Waiting?

Duncan. (floundering) Why — er — yes! I don't mean just ordinary waiting — waiting on the table or anything like that — No. I — I mean another kind of waiting — er — er — waiting for another till he's ready — till he can come straight up to you and — and— ! Do you know what Pm talking about ?

Ethel. Certainly ! And everything would depend on whom I am waiting for — and why?

Duncan. Would it?

Ethel. Yes. (there is a pause) Well?

Duncan. Would you wait for — for !

Ethel. Yes?

Duncan. For, for — Jim Meredith ?

Ethel. No.

Duncan. Or Dick Steele?

Ethel. No.

Duncan. Or — or

Ethel. Well?

Duncan. I haven't the right to say it.

Ethel. I give you the right.

Duncan. Ethel

Ethel. I do.

Duncan. Do you realize

“DON’T WEAKEN.”

Ethel. Yes.

Duncan. It’s too good to be true! I’ve had so much bad luck I can believe in the good when it comes.

Ethel. And you think this is — good luck?

Duncan. You don’t know. You don’t understand. Listen Ethel, I haven’t any money or any success, but if you’ll promise to wait for me I’m sure they’ll come. Why if I were fighting for you I don’t believe there is anything I couldn’t do.

Ethel. Then you may begin right now.

Duncan. And you’ll wait

Ethel. Yes.

Duncan. Really ?

Ethel. Yes.

Duncan. ( radiantly ) It’s wonderful.

Ethel. On one condition.

Duncan. It’s wond — ! Condition !

Ethel. Yes.

Duncan. . I knew it was too good to be true.

Ethel. This isn’t a very serious one.

Duncan. Well — I’m prepared for the worst.

Ethel. It’s — father.

Duncan. I told you I was prepared for the worst.

Ethel. You don’t know how close we’ve always been. We haven’t been just father and daughter but two dear chums. I don’t believe that either of us has ever kept a thought from the other. I can’t keep this from him now.

Duncan. But he mightn’t be interested in a little thing like this.

Ethel. Why Duncan, this is the great happiness of my life! And I’ve always promised him that when love came he should know so that he could share the joy with me. It isn’t as though he’d interfere — you know he wouldn’t — but I wouldn’t have him left out, for the world. You’ll tell him, won’t you?

“ DON’T WEAKEN"

Duncan. If you insist.

Ethel. Thank you dear.

Duncan. I’ll tell him with pleasure — with a great deal of pleasure — if you wish it. But when do you want me to do it.

Ethel. Now.

Duncan. Now ?

Ethel. Certainly. I don’t want it kept from him for an instant.

Duncan. But Ethel

Ethel. Oh ! Yes, Duncan, I must have my way in this.

Duncan. ( gloomily ) Well, since you insist — very well! ( brightening ) and why not? Since I must do it, why not to-night? It looks as though you were giving me courage already.