Her Own Way Part 21

STEVEN. Why?

COAST. [_Goes to him._] You all can't live on the income from five hundred thousand dollars. Now there'll be a _bust_ up sure!

STEVEN. Ss! that's all I need.

[_Sits on the sofa._

COAST. That promise of yours to Georgiana's binding, ain't it?

STEVEN. [_Looks up._] Of course. Why?

COAST. No why.

[_A pause._

STEVEN. You think United Copper will go up again?

COAST. If not, I know something that _will_.

STEVEN. Something you're in yourself?

COAST. Yes.

STEVEN. And you'd put me on?

COAST. Yep. I don't think there's any other way out of this for you all.

STEVEN. Sam!

[_He rises._

COAST. It's _absolutely safe_.

STEVEN. I could get it back? _Some_, anyway, of what I've lost?

COAST. Sure!--

STEVEN. But I gave Georgiana my word.

COAST. Of course she got that promise out of you because she thought you'd lose again.

STEVEN. Yes, but my word is _my_ word.

COAST. Do you suppose she'd mind, if you won, won back Louise's money, won back the girl's happiness?

STEVEN. Suppose I tell her what you can do and ask her to let me off this once?

COAST. No, women don't understand business. She wouldn't realize _I_ can _know_ I'd win, any more than _you feel sure_ and lose.

STEVEN. Yes, it would do no _good_ to ask her.

COAST. Too bad, because I'd guarantee you wouldn't lose, not this deal.

Of course I wouldn't be responsible for any future transaction.

STEVEN. But I'd be satisfied with this one, if I got back my losses.

COAST. I don't say you'd get back _all_, in one deal, but a good start which might turn your luck.

STEVEN. It's always like that; I've known such cases over and over again. But I've never yet broken my word to Georgiana,--somehow or other I feel as if I did that once I wouldn't have any hold over myself.

COAST. I don't suppose you could get at her securities anyway this afternoon?

STEVEN. Oh, yes, I could. We have our deposit box together.

COAST. Don't you think she'd forgive you when it means such a lot to Louise and her mother?

STEVEN. Why shouldn't she?

COAST. Why don't you risk it? That promise was just to keep you from losing, and this time I'll see you don't lose--so why not?

STEVEN. By George, I will! Georgiana really can't blame me when there's so much at stake.

COAST. Can you get the stuff to-day?

STEVEN. [_Looks at his watch._] Yes, if I hurry.

COAST. All right, go ahead. I'll come to your office to-morrow at nine.

Listen--I ain't supposed, of course, to have anything to do with this--and when you get it, don't go giving my tip to other chumps.

STEVEN. Oh, no.

COAST. What you do is on your own responsibility?

STEVEN. Exactly, only _you_ guarantee?

COAST. That you don't lose this time. [_Looking at his watch._] You'd better hurry.

STEVEN. Thank you, Sam.

[_Shakes his hand._

COAST. Oh, that's all right. Say, I want to marry your sister. No objection on your part, is there?

STEVEN. Well, I should say not!

COAST. She don't seem to cotton to me.

STEVEN. She doesn't know you.