COKESON. He's putting it awkwardly, Mr. James. FALDER. [Throwing over his caution from the intensity of his feeling] I mean it, Mr. Cokeson. JAMES. Now, lay aside all those thoughts, Falder, and look to the future. FALDER. [Almost eagerly] Yes, sir, but you don't understand what prison is. It's here it gets you. He grips his chest. COKESON. [In a whisper to James] I told you he wanted nourishment. WALTER. Yes, but, my dear fellow, that'll pass away. Time's merciful. FALDER. [With his face twitching] I hope so, sir. JAMES. [Much more gently] Now, my boy, what you've got to do is to put all the past behind you and build yourself up a steady reputation. And that brings me to the second thing. This woman you were mixed up with you must give us your word, you know, to have done with that. There's no chance of your keeping straight if you're going to begin your future with such a relationship. FALDER. [Looking from one to the other with a hunted expression] But sir... but sir... it's the one thing I looked forward to all that time. And she too... I couldn't find her before last night. During this and what follows COKESON becomes more and more uneasy. JAMES. This is painful, Falder. But you must see for yourself that it's impossible for a firm like this to close its eyes to everything. Give us this proof of your resolve to keep straight, and you can come back--not otherwise. FALDER. [After staring at JAMES, suddenly stiffens himself] I couldn't give her up. I couldn't! Oh, sir! I'm all she's got to look to. And I'm sure she's all I've got. JAMES. I'm very sorry, Falder, but I must be firm. It's for the benefit of you both in the long run. No good can come of this connection. It was the cause of all your disaster. FALDER. But sir, it means-having gone through all that-getting broken up--my nerves are in an awful state--for nothing. I did it for her. JAMES. Come! If she's anything of a woman she'll see it for herself. She won't want to drag you down further. If there were a prospect of your being able to marry her--it might be another thing. FALDER. It's not my fault, sir, that she couldn't get rid of him --she would have if she could. That's been the whole trouble from the beginning. [Looking suddenly at WALTER]... If anybody would help her! It's only money wants now, I'm sure. COKESON. [Breaking in, as WALTER hesitates, and is about to speak] I don't think we need consider that--it's rather far-fetched. FALDER. [To WALTER, appealing] He must have given her full cause since; she could prove that he drove her to leave him. WALTER. I'm inclined to do what you say, Falder, if it can be managed. FALDER. Oh, sir! He goes to the window and looks down into the street. COKESON. [Hurriedly] You don't take me, Mr. Walter. I have my reasons. FALDER. [From the window] She's down there, sir. Will you see her? I can beckon to her from here.