The Climbers | Page 8

moment that he enters he is evidently
laboring under some especial, and only half-concealed, nervous strain.
In spite of his irritability at times with his wife, there is an undercurrent
of tenderness which reveals his real love for_ BLANCHE.
STERLING. Oh, you're all here! Have I missed old Mason?
RUTH. Yes, but Blanche will tell you what he had to say. I'm going
upstairs to try and pacify your mother. We mustn't forget she has a hard
time ahead of her.
[She goes out Right with JESSICA.
STERLING. I suppose Mason came about the will and your father's
affairs?
BLANCHE. Yes, you ought to have been here.
STERLING. [_Irritably._] But I couldn't--I told you I couldn't!
BLANCHE. Do you realize, dear, that you haven't been able to do
anything for me for a long time? Lately, even I hardly ever see you--I
stay home night after night alone.
STERLING. That's your own fault, dear; Ned Warden's always ready to
take you anywhere you like.

BLANCHE. [_With the ghost of a jest._] But do you think it's quite
right for me to take up all Mr. Warden's time?
STERLING. Why not, if he likes it?
BLANCHE. And don't you think people will soon talk?
STERLING. Darling! People always talk, and who cares!
BLANCHE. It's months since you showed me any sign of affection,
and now when my heart is hungrier than ever for it,--you know how I
loved my father,--I long for sympathy from you, and you haven't once
thought to take me, your wife, in your arms and hold me close and
comfort me.
STERLING. I'm sorry, old girl, I'm really sorry. [_Embracing her
affectionately._] And surely you know I don't love any other woman in
the world but you. [_He kisses her._] It's only because I've been terribly
worried. I don't want to bother you with business, but I've been in an
awful hole for money. I tried to make a big coup in Wall Street the
other day and only succeeded getting in deeper, and for the last few
days I've been nearly distracted.
BLANCHE. Why didn't you tell me?
STERLING. I thought I'd get out of it with this Consolidated Copper
without worrying you.
BLANCHE. You were in that, too?
STERLING. How do you mean I, "too"?
BLANCHE. Mr. Mason has just told us father lost everything in it.
STERLING. [_Aghast._] You don't mean your father hasn't left any
money?
BLANCHE. Nothing.

STERLING. [_Forgetting everything but what this means to him._]
Nothing! But I was counting on your share to save me! What did the
damned old fool mean?
BLANCHE. Dick!
STERLING. Forgive me, I didn't mean to say that.
BLANCHE. Oh, who are you! What are you! You are not the man I
thought when I married you! Every day something new happens to
frighten me, to threaten my love for you!
STERLING. No, no, don't say that, old girl.
[_He tries to take her hand._
BLANCHE. What right have you to criticise my father, to curse
him--and to-day!
STERLING. I don't know what I'm saying, Blanche. Try to forgive me.
I wouldn't have thought of such a thing as his money to-day if it wasn't
the only thing that can save me from--disgrace.
[_His voice sinking almost to a whisper and the man himself sinking
into a chair._
BLANCHE. Disgrace! How? What disgrace?
[_Going to him._
STERLING. I can't explain it; you wouldn't understand.
BLANCHE. You must explain it! Your disgrace is mine.
STERLING. [_Alarmed at having said so much, tries to retract a little._]
Disgrace was too strong a word--I didn't mean that. I'm in trouble. I'm
in trouble. Good God, can't you see it? And if you love me, why don't
you leave me alone?

BLANCHE. How can I go on loving you without your
confidence?--without ever being suffered to give you any sympathy?
Doll wives are out of fashion, and even if they weren't, I could never be
one.
STERLING. [_Laughing._] My dear, I'd never accuse you of being
stuffed with sawdust.
BLANCHE. Oh, and now you joke about it. Take care, Dick.
STERLING. What's this, a threat?
BLANCHE. Yes, if you like to call it that. You've been putting me
more and more completely out of your life; take care that I don't finish
your work and go the last step.
STERLING. [_Seizing her roughly by the wrist._] The last step! What
do you mean by that? [_Holding her hand more roughly._] You dare to
be unfaithful to me!
BLANCHE. What! You could think I meant that! Ugh! How could
you?
STERLING. Well, what did you mean then? Eh?
[_Pulling her up close to him, her face close to his. She realizes first by
the odor, then by a searching look at his face, that he is partly under the
influence of liquor._
BLANCHE.