HELEN
He knows nothing about it yet. I haven"t even seen him since I made my decision.
[_All exchange bewildered glances._
JOHN
[_apart to JUDGE_]
We"ve got to get him off to Paris. It"s our only hope.
JUDGE
[_apart to JOHN_]
You can"t stop her following. She"s on the edge of the precipice--do you want to shove her over? You are dealing with big people here and a big pa.s.sion.
[_The BUTLER returns._
BUTLER
Doctor Hamilton asks to see Miss Helen while waiting.
JUDGE
[_calmly to BUTLER_]
Tell Doctor Hamilton that Miss Helen will see him here.
[_The BUTLER leaves._
JOHN
Are you crazy! We"ve got to keep "em apart--our one chance to save her.
JUDGE
No, bring them together. _That_ is our one chance. Come, we"ll go down into the garden and they"ll have a nice little talk. Nothing like talk, John, honest talk, to clear these marriage problems.
[_Going._
JOHN
And let them elope? In that taxicab?--not on your life!
[_Runs to and fro._
JUDGE
Come, John, girls never notify the family in advance when they plan elopements. It"s not done.
THEODORE
[_going_]
Uncle Everett is right. Ernest will bring her to her senses. He _has_ a deep religious nature.
[_JUDGE leads JOHN away to the garden._
LUCY
[_lingering--to HELEN_]
If you offer yourself on such terms to the man who loves you honorably, he"ll never look at you again.
THEODORE
[_leading LUCY off to garden_]
Don"t worry! She won"t.
[_ERNEST rushes out to HELEN._
HELEN
Ernest!
ERNEST
At last! [_He takes her in his arms; she clings to him and gazes into his eyes; a long embrace._] Tell me that you"re all right again.
HELEN