Her Own Way | Page 6

Dick Coleman to help Steven?
GEORGIANA. [Taking off the nose.] Why do you ask me that now in that way?
COAST. Information!
GEORGIANA. Dick's a lawyer. What could he do for Steven?
COAST. That's not the information I wanted.
GEORGIANA. But it's all the information you'll get!
[Gets off the hobby horse and comes down a little.
COAST. [Follows her.] Georgiana, marry me, and I'll look after Steven all the rest of his life.
GEORGIANA. Sammy, you don't want me to marry you if I don't love you.
COAST. Yes, I do. Listen! I'd risk your not loving me; there's nothing on God's earth I wouldn't do to make you love me.
GEORGIANA. That's the trouble with you men, you think you can make a woman love you whether she wants to or not, but you can't!--neither can you keep her from loving you if she does, whether she wants to or not.
[Throws nose away; crossing to the Left, sits in the rocking chair there.
COAST. I'd give you everything!
GEORGIANA. That you can buy!
COAST. Do you mean that you'd rather be dead poor than marry me?
GEORGIANA. No, I don't say that! When I've lost everything and Steven and Louise are bankrupt, and we haven't a penny--
COAST. Yes!
GEORGIANA. I might--I say I might--
COAST. Honest!
GEORGIANA. [Laughing.] Oh, dear, no!
COAST. I take you at your word, anyhow.
[The children's voices are heard.
CHILDREN. [Off Left.] Come on back to our room and have some more fun.
GEORGIANA. Sh! Here come the children.
[Rises.
COAST. Damn the children!
GEORGIANA. Sam!
[She puts finger up, COAST kisses it.
COAST. Pardon! But I don't give up! Understand--I'm going to marry you!
GEORGIANA. [Teasing him.] When? When?
[The children rush in screaming.
THE CHILDREN. Aunt Georgiana! Here's papa! Here's papa!
[And STEVEN CARLEY enters Left. He is a slender, smooth-shaven, young-old looking man, his voice and body almost vibrating with nerve; a personality that so often appeals to the tenderness in women, while it irritates men. He brings his hat and coat with him.
STEVEN. Hello, Sam!
COAST. Morning!
STEVEN. Many happy returns, Georgy.
GEORGIANA. Oh, no, thank you! It's not for me yet, thank goodness!
PHILIP. Now let's play hide and seek.
THE CHILDREN. Hide and seek!
LIZZIE. [Entering Left.] Excuse me, please. Mrs. Jackson's maid is here for Miss Elaine.
PHILIP. Oh, pshaw!
CHRISTOPHER. Don't you go!
ELAINE. Oh, yes, I must! I'm sorry! [She goes up stage with great diffidence to STEVEN and shakes his hand as she curtseys.] Good-by, sir. [To COAST also.] Good-by, sir. [To GEORGIANA.] Good-by, ma'am, I've had a perfectly lovely time. [Aside to GEORGIANA.] Phil is my beau, but I like Mr. Coast awfully much too!
GEORGIANA. [Laughing.] You're beginning early! Come along, children, we'll take Elaine down. Excuse me, everybody, please.
PHILIP. If you've got any good tips, papa, save some for little brother.
[The children go out Left with GEORGIANA.
STEVEN. [Putting his hat and coat down on the sofa.] He's on to his father early! Sam, any news?
COAST. No.
STEVEN. I've heard of a big thing, an absolutely straight tip,--inside information.
COAST. [Sitting in the rocker.] Well, don't tell it, or you'll spoil it.
STEVEN. The women are so down on my speculating, Georgiana especially.
[Sits on the table.
COAST. What do the women folks know about business? Why don't you keep what you do to yourself?
STEVEN. But you see my money's all gone, and I need more--only to recoup with.
COAST. [After a slight pause.] As I remember, you can do what you like with Louise's money.
STEVEN. But is it right?
COAST. You're too blamed afraid, that's why you always lose.
STEVEN. [Walking up and down.] I know it. And this is the biggest chance I've had yet. If I dared risk it, I'm sure I could make a fortune! Not in words! I know what I'm talking about, Sam. Louise would have everything she wanted--and the way she'd live then! She could drop the social chip off her shoulders, go anywhere, and receive everybody.
[Standing beside the table, he eats a little cake.
COAST. Well?
STEVEN. Do you advise me to risk it?
COAST. [Pretending indifference.] What?
STEVEN. Louise's money?
COAST. I ain't advising anything. If it went wrong, you'd blame me to the women.
STEVEN. Is that the kind of a man I am?
COAST. [Rises and goes to Steven and slaps him on the back.] No, Steve, I take it back. You take a licking better'n any feller I ever saw.
STEVEN. Experience! But this thing can't go wrong! The man who told me is the head and--I told Georgiana--didn't she give you a hint?
COAST. [After a slight pause.] No.
[Turns up to the window and stands there with his back to Steven.
STEVEN. My tip's a great one--safe! Now, shall I take it?
COAST. Of course, when I feel as you do about a thing, I do it.
STEVEN. And by George, I will too!
COAST. Why not?
[Turning and facing him.
STEVEN. Yes! what I make's for Louise, not for myself.
COAST. I wouldn't say anything to Louise about it.
[Comes down a little.
STEVEN. No, she'd be sure to talk it over with