Why Marry? Part 39

Well?

JOHN

Well, of course, you realize that you're asking a great deal of me, Rex, but--[_Offers hand to REX warmly._] Be good to her, my boy, be good to her.

REX

[_shaking hands, forced warmth_]

Thanks awfully. See-what-I-mean? [_To JUDGE._] Congratulate me, Judge; I'm the happiest of men.

JUDGE

[_looking up from newspaper_]

So I see. Don't let it worry you.

[_JEAN, in riding costume, comes from the house._

JOHN

[_signalling JUDGE to leave_]

If Helen asks for me, I'm in the garden.

JUDGE

If any telegrams come for me, I'm writing to _my wife_!

[_JEAN and REX alone, they look at each other, not very loverlike._

JEAN

[_impulsively_]

You weren't in love with me yesterday. You aren't now. You would get out of it if you honorably could. But you honorably _can't_! So you have spoken to John; you are going to see it through, because you're a good sport.... I admire you for that, Rex, too much to hold you to it. You are released.

REX

[_amazed_]

Why--why--you--you don't suppose I want to be released?

JEAN

Well, I do!... Yesterday I let you propose to me when I cared for some one else. That's not fair to you, to me, to him!

REX

[_in a sudden fury_]

Who is he? What do you mean by this? Why didn't you tell me?

JEAN

I am telling you now. What have you ever told me about yourself?

REX

[_blinking_]

You had no right to play fast and loose with me.

JEAN

I'm making the only amends I can. You are free, I tell you.

REX

I don't want to be free! He can't have you! You are mine! If you think you can make me stop loving you----

JEAN

[_interrupting_]

Love, Rex? Only jealousy. You've never been in love with me--you've always been in love with Helen. But you couldn't get her, so you took me. Isn't that true, Rex?

REX

[_after an uncomfortable pause_]

I'll be honest with you, too. Yesterday I wasn't really very serious. I felt like a brute afterward. You tried your best to prevent what happened and ran away from me. But now----