HETTY [in anguish]. Don"t call me happy. I"ve never been happy since I gave up John. All these years without him--a future without him--no--no--I shall win him back--away from you--away from you----
HARRIET [does not see MAGGIE pointing to cream and MARGARET stealing some]. I sometimes think it is unfair for any one to be as happy as I am. Charles and I are just as much in love now as when we married. To me he is just the dearest man in the world.
MAGGIE [pa.s.sionately]. My John is. I love him so much I could die for him. I"m going through hunger and want to make him great and he loves me. He worships me!
MARGARET [leisurely to HARRIET]. I should like to meet Mr. Goodrich.
Bring him to our studio. John has some sketches to show. Not many, because all the portraits have been purchased by the subjects. He gets as much as four thousand dollars now.
HETTY [to HARRIET]. Don"t pay that much.
HARRIET [to MARGARET]. As much as that?
MARGARET. It is not really too much when one considers that John is in the foremost rank of artists to-day. A picture painted by him now will double and treble in value.
MAGGIE. It"s all a lie. He is growing weak with despair.
HARRIET. Does he paint all day long?
MAGGIE. No, he draws advertis.e.m.e.nts for our bread.
MARGARET [to HARRIET]. When you and your husband come to see us, telephone first----
MAGGIE. Yes, so he can get the advertis.e.m.e.nts out of the way.
MARGARET. Otherwise you might arrive while he has a sitter, and John refuses to let me disturb him then.
HETTY. Make her ask for an order.
HARRIET [to MARGARET]. Le Grange offered to paint me for a thousand.
MARGARET. Louis Le Grange"s reputation isn"t worth more than that.
HARRIET. Well, I"ve heard his work well mentioned.
MAGGIE. Yes, he is doing splendid work.
MARGARET. Oh, dear me, no. He is only praised by the ma.s.ses. He is accepted not at all by artists themselves.
HETTY [anxiously]. Must I really pay the full price?
HARRIET. Le Grange thought I would make a good subject.
MAGGIE [to MARGARET]. Let her fish for it.
MARGARET. Of course you would. Why don"t you let Le Grange paint you, if you trust him?
HETTY. She doesn"t seem anxious to have John do it.
HARRIET. But if Le Grange isn"t accepted by artists, it would be a waste of time to pose for him, wouldn"t it?
MARGARET. Yes, I think it would.
MAGGIE [pa.s.sionately to HETTY across back of table]. Give us the order.
John is so despondent he can"t endure much longer. Help us! Help me!
Save us!
HETTY [to HARRIET]. Don"t seem too eager.
HARRIET. And yet if he charges only a thousand one might consider it.
MARGARET. If you really wish to be painted, why don"t you give a little more and have a portrait really worth while? John might be induced to do you for a little below his usual price considering that you used to be such good friends.
HETTY [in glee]. Hurrah!
HARRIET [quietly to MARGARET]. That"s very nice of you to suggest--of course I don"t know----
MAGGIE [in fear]. For G.o.d"s sake, say yes.
MARGARET [quietly to HARRIET]. Of course, I don"t know whether John would. He is very peculiar in these matters. He sets his value on his work and thinks it beneath him to discuss price.
HETTY [to MAGGIE]. You needn"t try to make us feel small.
MARGARET. Still, I might quite delicately mention to him that inasmuch as you have many influential friends you would be very glad to--to----
MAGGIE [to HETTY]. Finish what I don"t want to say.
HETTY [to HARRIET]. Help her out.
HARRIET. Oh, yes, introductions will follow the exhibition of my portrait. No doubt I----
HETTY [to HARRIET]. Be patronizing.
HARRIET. No doubt I shall be able to introduce your husband to his advantage.
MAGGIE [relieved]. Saved.
MARGARET. If I find John in a propitious mood I shall take pleasure, for your sake, in telling him about your beauty. Just as you are sitting now would be a lovely pose.
MAGGIE [to MARGARET]. We can go now.
HETTY [to HARRIET]. Don"t let her think she is doing us a favor.
HARRIET. It will give me pleasure to add my name to your husband"s list of patronesses.
MAGGIE [excitedly to MARGARET]. Run home and tell John the good news.
MARGARET [leisurely to HARRIET]. I little guessed when I came for a pleasant chat about old times that it would develop into business arrangements. I had no idea, Harriet, that you had any intention of being painted. By Le Grange, too. Well, I came just in time to rescue you.
MAGGIE [to MARGARET]. Run home and tell John. Hurry, hurry!