_Jen._ (_amused and surprised_). Oh yes! (_Takes it and puts it down on the table carelessly--he notices this with much emotion._) _Spread._ Well, I’ve got to say good-bye; there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be said at once. (_Holding out his hand._) Good-bye, Jenny! _Jen._ (_cheerfully_). Good-bye! (_He stands for a moment with her hand in his--she crosses to porch._) _Spread._ Haven’t--haven’t you anything to say to me? _Jen._ (_after thinking it over_). No, I don’t think there’s anything else. No--nothing. (_She leans against the porch--he stands over her._) _Spread._ Jenny, I’m going away to-day, for years and years, or I wouldn’t say what I’m going to say--at least not yet. I’m little more than a boy, Jenny; but if I were eighty, I couldn’t be more in earnest--indeed I couldn’t! Parting for so many years is like death to me; and if I don’t say what I’m going to say before I go, I shall never have the pluck to say it after. We were boy and girl together, and--and I loved you then--and every year I’ve loved you more and more; and now that I’m a man, and you are nearly a woman, I--I--Jenny dear--I’ve nothing more to say! _Jen._ How you astonish me! _Spread._ Astonish you? Why, you know that I loved you. _Jen._ Yes, yes; as a boy loves a girl--but now that I am a woman it’s impossible that you can care for me. _Spread._ Impossible--because you are a woman! _Jen._ You see it’s so unexpected. _Spread._ Unexpected? _Jen._ Yes. As children it didn’t matter, but it seems so shocking for grown people to talk about such things. And then, not gradually, but all at once--in a few minutes. It’s awful! _Spread._ Oh, Jenny, think. I’ve no time to delay--my having to go has made me desperate. One kind word from you will make me go away happy: without that word, I shall go in unspeakable sorrow. Jenny, Jenny, say one kind word! _Jen._ (_earnestly_). Tell me what to say? _Spread._ It must come from you, my darling; say whatever is on your lips--whether for good or ill--I can bear it now. _Jen._ Well, then: I wish you a very very pleasant voyage--and I hope you will be happy and prosperous--and you must take great care of yourself--and you can’t think how glad I shall be to know that you think of me, now and then, in India. There! _Spread._ Is that all? _Jen._ Yes, I think that’s all. (_Reflectively._) Yes--that’s all. _Spread._ Then--(_with great emotion which he struggles to suppress_) there’s nothing left but to say good-bye--(_Music in orchestra till end of Act, “Good-bye, Sweetheart”_)--and I hope you will always be happy, and that, when you marry, you will marry a good fellow who will--who will--who will---- Good-bye! [_Exit, rapidly._