156
CRAIG’S WIFE
- know I’ve had three promotions since I’ve known you.
Ethel
- Yes, I know you have.
Fredericks
- Well, I attribute it to nothing but the incentive that the thought of marrying you has given me. I’ve worked like a dog these past two years, with just that in mind; and if it were removed,—well, I just don’t think beyond that, that’s all.
- [He turns away to the left a few steps and stands looking straight out, She crosses and lays her hand on his arm.
Ethel
- I hadn’t thought of not marrying you, Gene; I was just thinking whether or not it would be wise to postpone it.
Fredericks (turning to her)
- It wouldn’t be wise, Ethel; it isn’t a good thing to postpone a thing like marriage—so many things can happen, (He suddenly takes her in his arms) And I don’t want anything to happen.
Ethel
- What else have I got, Gene, if anything happened to Mother?
- [She buries her face in his shoulder and cries hard.
Fredericks
- Nothing’s going to happen to her, sweetheart. And if it did, you wouldn’t feel any worse than I’d feel if anything happened to this.
- [She continues to cry for a second, then straightens up and presses her handkerchief to her eyes.
Ethel
- We’d better go, Gene, it must be nearly nine o’clock.
