And now you simply must leave me. And you mustn't see me again to-day--not till midnight, at the water-hole, by the hospital. You know I can scarcely bear to have you out of my sight. But these women--oh, they are such suspicious creatures! VANDERLIP Good-by, then, until to-night. _(Turns to go toward left.)_ LORAINE _(Softly.)_ Floyd! _(Vanderlip turns back.)_ You must go to the ball to-night. I've begged off, but you must go. It will avert any possible suspicion. VANDERLIP I was going anyway, just to drop in for a while. I--that is, you see--I promised Mrs. Eppingwell I'd go. LORAINE _(Jealously.)_ Mrs. Eppingwell! VANDERLIP Of course, but it's all right, Loraine. She don't count. LORAINE Of course not. But then, Floyd, I care so much for you that I can't help a little jealousy--but there, there, you _must_ go. Good-by, dear. VANDERLIP Good-by dear, dear Loraine. _(Turns to go toward left.)_ LORAINE _(Softly.)_ Floyd! VANDERLIP _(Turns back, waits, and after a pause.)_ Well? LORAINE _(With sweet reproof.)_ I've been hearing things about you, sir. VANDERLIP What's up now? LORAINE Oh, you seem to have--how shall I say!--a penchant for foreigners. VANDERLIP _(Mystified.)_ Darned if I know what you're talking about. Penchant--is that something to eat? LORAINE _(Laughing.)_ Well, then, there is a certain woman, supposed to be Greek, at any rate a foreigner like myself; but with the most adorable accent--or so the men say-- VANDERLIP _(Interrupting.)_ Freda, you mean. LORAINE _(Fastidious expression on face.)_ Yes, I believe that is the woman's name. Vanderlip _(Laughing jovially.)_ There ain't anything in it. I don't care a rap for her--not a rap. LORAINE Then there's that Mrs. Eppingwell. I can't help thinking you are a little devoted to her. VANDERLIP _(Showing slight embarrassment.)_ Oh, well, I've only seen her in a social way--that's all, in a social way. LORAINE And you do love only me? _(He nods.)_ Then tell me that you do. VANDERLIP _(With impulsive eagerness, half lifting his arms as if to embrace her and controlling himself with an effort.)_ Oh, I do, Loraine. I do, I do. LORAINE It is sweet to hear you say it. And now you really must go. Good-by, dear, good-by. _(He crosses stage to left and goes out.)_ _(She starts to cross stage to rear, but is approached and stopped by Sitka Charley.)_ SITKA CHARLEY _(Gruffly.)_ Good morning. LORAINE _(Sweetly.)_ Good morning, Charley. SITKA CHARLEY _(Bluntly.)_ You got my money? LORAINE Oh, let me see. How much is it? SITKA CHARLEY Two hundred dollar. LORAINE I'll tell you. You come to my cabin to-morrow morning, and I'll give it to you. SITKA CHARLEY _(Not letting on that he knows she is lying.)_ To-morrow morning you give me money? LORAINE At my cabin, don't forget. SITKA CHARLEY All right, to-morrow morning. _(He turns abruptly and starts to go toward stove.)_ LORAINE _(Calling.)_ Oh, Charley!