The Girl with the Green Eyes | Page 8

as you say--he can't marry--any one else.
MAGGIE. He's tried to make me believe our marriage ain't legal, because he was only twenty and he'd been drinking!
AUSTIN. What makes you think Mr. Geoffrey cares for--Miss Chester?
MAGGIE. I just heard and see him making love to her here!
AUSTIN. This is a pretty bad story, Maggie.
MAGGIE. Yes, sir, and the worst is, sir, I know I ain't good enough for him, and that's why I've kept still about it these three years, but I can't help loving him no matter how ugly he's treated me. [Breaking down into tears.] I just can't help it! I love him, sir, even if I'm only a servant girl, and I can't stand it thinking he's going to try and get rid of me for some one else!
[She sobs out loud.
AUSTIN. Sh!--Maggie. Sit down a minute, and control yourself. Somebody'll hear you, and besides they'll be coming down presently. I'll have a talk with Mr. Geoffrey when I come back--
[Interrupted as GEOFFREY enters Left. He doesn't see MAGGIE, who is collapsed in a corner of the sofa.
GEOFFREY. [To AUSTIN.] Ah! Thank goodness I've caught you; I had an awful headache and went out for a breath of air, and then I was afraid I might have missed you! I knew in that case Jinny would never forgive me, nor--I--myself--for that--matter--
[His voice grows less exuberant in the middle of his speech and finally at the end almost dies away, as he sees the expression in AUSTIN'S face and realizes that something is wrong somewhere. When he stops speaking, MAGGIE gives a gasping sob. He hears it, and starting, sees her.
GEOFFREY. Maggie!
AUSTIN. Geoffrey, is what this girl says true?
GEOFFREY. That I married her in New Haven? Yes.
MAGGIE. [Rises.] I'll go, please, I'd rather go.
AUSTIN. Yes, go, Maggie; it's better.
[MAGGIE goes out Right.
GEOFFREY. [As soon as she is out of the room.] Promise me, Jack, you won't tell any one! It's awful, I know! For two years at college I went all to pieces and led a rotten life,--and one night, drunk, I married her, and it isn't so much her fault. I suppose she thought I loved her,--but this would break up the old lady and gentleman so, if they knew, I couldn't stand it! And Jinny, for God's sake, don't tell Jinny. She respects me. You won't tell her, will you?
AUSTIN. No. But Maggie says you want to marry some one else now.
GEOFFREY. [With a change, in great shame.] That's true, too.
[He sits in utter dejection on the sofa.
AUSTIN. How are you going to do it?
GEOFFREY. I must make money somehow and buy off Maggie.
AUSTIN. Yes, go out to Sioux Falls, get a divorce there on respectable grounds, and settle a sum of money on Maggie.
GEOFFREY. But I can't do that!
AUSTIN. Why not?
GEOFFREY. I can't do anything that would give publicity, and that divorce would.
AUSTIN. Any divorce would; you can't get rid of that.
GEOFFREY. I tell you I can't have publicity. Ruth--Miss Chester--would hear of it.
AUSTIN. Well, if she loves you, she'll forgive your wild oats, especially as every one sees now what a steady, straight fellow you've become.
GEOFFREY. It's Ruth! But I can't do that. No, Jack, you must help--you will, won't you? Oh, do, for Jinny's sake! Help me to persuade Maggie to keep silent for good, tear up that certificate of marriage. I was only twenty; it's hardly legal, and I'll settle a good sum--
[Interrupted.
AUSTIN. [Going straight to him, puts his hand heavily on his shoulder.] Good God, you're proposing bigamy! You've done enough; don't stoop to crime!
[The two MEN face each other a moment. GEOFFREY'S head drops.
AUSTIN. Forget you ever said that; do what I tell you when Jinny and I have gone abroad, so she will be away from it a little, and if you want money, let me know.
[JINNY enters Right, with nervous gaiety, covering an upheaving emotion which is very near the surface.
JINNY. Ready! And there you are, Geof. I've been sending all over the house after you! Good-by! [Throwing her arms about him.] Dear old Geof! Haven't we had good times together! Always, always from the youngest days I can remember--I don't believe there were ever a brother and sister so sympathetic; I know there was never a brother such a perfect darling as you were--I'll miss you, Geof! [The tears come into her voice, anyway.] I used to think I'd never marry at all if I couldn't marry you, and I do think he is the only man in the world who could have taken me away from home, so long as you were there! [To AUSTIN, smiling.] You aren't jealous?
AUSTIN. No!
JINNY. [In jest.] Isn't it awful! You can't make him jealous! I think it's a positive flaw in his character! Not like--us, is he?
GEOFFREY. Dear old girl--
JINNY. [Whispers