The Girl with the Green Eyes Part 14

[_He sits beside her._

RUTH. That he and I--

AUSTIN. Love each other.

RUTH. Oh, but that isn't all.

AUSTIN. I know the rest!

RUTH. He told you--about--about--

AUSTIN. The marriage?--Yes?

RUTH. Oh, I'm so glad, so glad! Now I can speak of it to some one, and some one who can advise me, and will help us.

AUSTIN. I have already advised him, but he doesn't seem to be taking my advice; it has worried me.

RUTH. When I left he was awfully depressed. He said he saw no prospect of being able to publish our marriage for years, maybe!

AUSTIN. _What_ marriage?

[_In astonishment._

RUTH. _Our_ marriage, in Brooklyn! [_She notices his expression and is alarmed._] You said he had told you!

AUSTIN. [_Recovering himself, and speaking at first with hesitation._]

Yes, but not the details, not--wait, I'm a little confused. [_Rising and walking a moment._] Let's get it all quite clear now, that's the only way I can help you--both; I ought, of course, to have gone through it all with him, but there really wasn't time.

RUTH. I can't go on like this much longer. It's killing me to deceive mother; I _must_ tell her soon!

AUSTIN. [_Quickly, stops walking._] No. You mustn't, not yet, if I'm going to help you; you'll obey me, won't you?

RUTH. Yes, if you only will help us!

AUSTIN. You said you and Geoffrey Tillman were married where?

RUTH. In Brooklyn.

AUSTIN. When?

RUTH. A month before your wedding.

AUSTIN. [_To himself._] It's impossible!

[_Walking up and down._

RUTH. [_Smiling sadly._] Oh, no! I remember the date only too well.

AUSTIN. I didn't mean that.

RUTH. I lied to my mother that day for the first time--at any rate, since I was a child--and I've been lying to her ever since.

AUSTIN. [_Probing her._] But--but why were you married so secretly?

RUTH. We couldn't afford to marry and set up for ourselves. He expected then to be sent off at once to the Philippines, and--well he didn't want to leave me behind, free; I'm afraid he's rather jealous--you must have found out by now that Jinny is. They all are! And _I_ didn't want him to go so far off without my belonging to him either; _I'm_ that jealous, too! [_Smiling._] So--that's why!

AUSTIN. And this long period of secrecy since then--do you understand that?

Ruth. Hasn't he explained to you his debts? You know before he loved me he was very fast, but since--

AUSTIN. Yes, I know how he gave up every one of his old habits with a great deal of courage.

RUTH. _n.o.body_ knows what it cost him! How can you help us? Get him something to do to pay off his debts? Or can't you make him feel even if we do have to go on living at our different homes for a while, it is better to publish the fact that we are married?--

AUSTIN. I shall go back at once to America if I can persuade Jinny!

RUTH. And I, too?

AUSTIN. No. You must stay abroad till I send word for you to come home.

If I am going to help you, you will help me by doing exactly as I say, won't you?

RUTH. Yes.

AUSTIN. It's _very_ important that you should _absolutely obey me_!

RUTH. _I will._

[_A pause._

[_JINNY, unnoticed by either of them, appears in the doorway at Right.

AUSTIN is walking up and down. RUTH is leaning her elbow on the back of the bench and burying her face in her hands._

AUSTIN. It's awful! My G.o.d, it's awful!

JINNY. [_In a strained, a.s.sumed, nonchalant tone._] _What is?_

RUTH. Jinny!

[_Rising._

AUSTIN. I didn't hear you, Jinny!

JINNY. No, you both seemed so absorbed.

RUTH. [_Going to JINNY._] I'm so glad to see you.

[_Kisses her, but JINNY only gives her her cheek and that rather unwillingly; she is looking all the time at her husband._