--a play actress, you! Your mind is quick. Your tongue is crooked. You lied to me. When you let me hold your hand, you lied to me. When you looked softly at me, or passed your hand through my hair, you lied to me. When you came against me and rested your head on my breast so that the scent of your hair got into my brain and maddened me, you lied to me. You knew all the time that my blood was pounding up hot within me, you knew all the time that I was honest and playing fair, and all the time you were lying to me. _(He pauses and debates upon what next to say.)_ MAID _(Calmly, to Freda.)_ Shall I go for help? VANDERLIP _(Ferociously.)_ Shut up, you! _(Continuing, to Freda.)_ Well, I've taken your medicine. Now you take mine. Here it is. I want you. I'm pretty sure I'd sooner have you than Loraine. You can marry me if you want, but marry or no marry, you're mine. Down river you go with me tonight, my lady, so you'd better tell that girl of yours to pack your duds. FREDA _(Laughing defiantly in his face.)_ Think so? VANDERLIP _(Maddened by desire of her.)_ I know so--and here's a foretaste of my game. Tell me how you like it. _(Bends her back, face upturned, gets proper grips so that she is helpless, and deliberately and passionately kisses her several times on the lips. Maid springs upon him, but he flings her off and away with one arm. Holds Freda by one arm again.)_ How do you like it, eh? How do you like it? FREDA _(Almost suffocating with rage, wiping lips with back of free hand.)_ You beast! You beast! You beast! _(Maid is starting to spring at him again.)_ No, no, Minnie! Stop! I can deal with him. VANDERLIP Not in a man's game, Freda. FREDA _(All defiance.)_ In a man's game, Floyd Vanderlip. _(She no longer winces nor struggles to free herself, but confronts him, head erect, expression of cold anger on face.)_ VANDERLIP _(Looking at her admiringly for a moment.)_ Ah, you beauty! You've made me mad for you. I'll crush you into submission as you crushed me into submission at the dance to-night. You beat me down to my knees, but I'll bring you down on your knees to me till you're glad to kiss the toe of my moccasin. _(He surveys her again.)_ And now, you beauty, you beauty, I am thirsty for your lips again. _(He starts to bend her back again, but she revises to struggle, holding her face up to him defiantly. He pauses.)_ Well, why don't you fight and scratch and claw around some? FREDA Because I won't give you the chance to pull and haul and maul me around, that is all. VANDERLIP _(Who, as usual, is baffled by a change of attitude.)_ Then I'll kiss you. FREDA You may pollute me with your lips, but you shall not master me with your strength. VANDERLIP _(Gaily.)_