Then help me for that month. We could plan how to start out in the spring. I’ve got books that will help us, and I can get more. We could do a lot! BEN I don’t know but what we could! JANE (_bends toward him_) Will you shake hands on it? [_She offers her hand._ BEN (_surprised_) What for? JANE Oh, just because we never have. BEN We ain’t goin’ to change _everything_, are we? JANE One thing. We’re going to be friends. BEN (_takes her hand awkwardly_) You’re a good sport, game as a man, gamer maybe. JANE And now for the surprise. BEN The what! JANE (_draws her hand away and rises_) You’ll see. I want you to sit right here, until I open those doors. [_She points to doors to dining room._ BEN I wasn’t thinkin’ of movin’. JANE Just sit right there. BEN And do what? JANE Think. BEN What of? JANE Oh, anything--so long as it’s pleasant--of the spring that’s coming---- BEN In the prison down at Thomaston. JANE Of France then, of the family that was so good to you--of the beautiful lady--of the daughter, if you want to, the one that was most grown up--and of the wonderful blue dress. Just shut your eyes and think, ’til I come back! [_She exits through doors to dining room and closes the doors after her. Ben sits in glow from the fire, his eyes closed. In a moment the door at right is thrown open and Nettie stands in the doorway, the light from the hall falling on her. She has on Jane’s blue dress and is radiant with youth and excitement._ NETTIE Ben! Look at me! Look, Ben! BEN What? NETTIE Look Ben! [_He looks at her and for a moment sits in stupid wonder, then rises slowly to his feet._ BEN It’s--It’s Nettie! NETTIE Did you ever see anything so lovely, did you? BEN You’re--you’re a woman, Nettie! NETTIE Of course I am, you stupid! BEN (_crosses down to her_) God! How I’ve starved for somethin’ pretty to look at! God! How I’ve starved for it! NETTIE That’s why I came down, I wanted you to see! I waited there in the hall till she went out. BEN And you’ve been here all the time, and I haven’t so much as looked at you! NETTIE (_softly_) You’ve been in trouble, Ben! BEN I’ll get out of that somehow! I’m going to make a fight. I ain’t goin’ to let ’em take me now. NETTIE Honest, Ben? BEN Not now. Oh, you pretty kid! You pretty little thing! [_He catches her fiercely in his arms._ NETTIE You mustn’t, Ben! BEN (_triumphant_) Mustn’t! You don’t know me! NETTIE