WARDEN. [_Rises, interrupting her._] Ryder's word is given to be silent. MISS GODESBY. Well, that's _his_ lookout. WARDEN. You'll have many a heart wrench, I'll bet you! You'll have to run across the results of the harm you do to Mrs. Sterling and Richard day in and day out, year after year! I don't believe you realize what it means! Why, I know _you_ can't bear to see a _dog_ suffer! I met you last week on the street carrying a mangy, crippled brute of a little dog in your arms, afraid lest he'd get into the hands of the vivisectionists, and yet here you'll let a boy and his mother-- MISS GODESBY. [_Interrupts him, struggling against a tiny emotion which he has stirred._] Stop Stop! I don't want you working on my feelings that way. [_She rises and turns from him_ WARDEN. [_Follows her._] I'm only knocking at the door of your heart. And now because it's opened just a tiny way, you want to shut it in my face again. Will you leave this woman's name fit for her to use? _Won't_ you make that boy's life worth living to him? MISS GODESBY. [_After a moment's pause, looks straight into_ WARDEN'S _face._] I'll tell you what I'll do. Get me some security, some sort of indorsement of Sterling's note-- WARDEN. If the man's only alive! MISS GODESBY. And I'll hold my tongue. WARDEN. How long will you give me? MISS GODESBY. Oh, come, I can't have any monkey business! You must get me my security to-day. WARDEN. To-day? MISS GODESBY. Yes. WARDEN. But-- MISS GODESBY. That's my last word. GODESBY. Stick to that, Julia! WARDEN. I shan't try to persuade her against that. Will you leave your sister alone with me a moment. Perhaps you'll see about your sleigh being ready to return to town. GODESBY. I've no objection--if Julia wishes it. MISS GODESBY. Yes, go on, Howard! [GODESBY _goes out back of house._ WARDEN. [_Left alone with_ MISS GODESBY, _goes nearer to her._] Look, here! Will you accept _my_ indorsement? Will _I_ be all right? MISS GODESBY. [_Incredulously._] Certainly. WARDEN. Then it's settled? MISS GODESBY. You don't mean it! WARDEN. I do. MISS GODESBY. You'd be willing to lose--[_A revelation comes to her._] Oh--for _Mrs. Sterling_! I see! WARDEN. [_Very seriously._] I _wouldn't_. I wouldn't see. MISS GODESBY. And she's always been blackguarding me for my affairs with men! And all the time-- WARDEN. [_Interrupts strongly._] Don't say any more, please, _Miss Godesby_! I only wish your brother had said that much instead of you. MISS GODESBY. [_Disagreeably._] So you're in love with Blanche Sterling? WARDEN. No! MISS GODESBY. Oh, come, don't tell a lie about it; that will only make it seem worse. WARDEN. Well, suppose I were in love with her--what of it? MISS GODESBY. Nothing; only, my dear Warden, that woman--