MISS GODESBY. Well, the truth is, my fool of a brother has kicked up an infernal row, and refuses to hold his tongue. STERLING. Then I'm ruined after all! MISS GODESBY. Wait, I've left him with Mr. Mason. I feel certain I can assure his silence if I can only show him some sort of an agreement to pay, an acknowledgment of the--the--affair, signed and sealed. BLANCHE. Signed by whom? MISS GODESBY. Your husband and yourself will do. STERLING. But both names are worthless. MISS GODESBY. Not as a point of honor. STERLING. Ah! no, not my wife's. MISS GODESBY. Nor yours to me. Come along! [_She goes to the table with_ STERLING, _and unfolding a paper gives it to him. He signs it._ WARDEN. [_Aside to_ BLANCHE, _apologizing for his presence._] She made me come--she wouldn't come alone; otherwise I should have waited till you sent for me. BLANCHE. It's as well--I've decided. Oh, I wonder if I'm doing wrong. [_Looking him straight in the face._ WARDEN. [_Looking back searchingly in hers to read the truth, but believing that she will certainly leave her husband._] No, _you_ can't do wrong! But I must warn you of one thing--I'm not any longer the controlled man I was. MISS GODESBY. Come along now, Mrs. Sterling, brace up and give me your name, and Warden, witness, please. [_They do so._] Of course, my dears, I know perfectly well that legally this isn't worth the paper it's written on. [_Exchanging a serious and meaning look with_ WARDEN.] But my idiot of a brother won't realize that, which is the point. One thing more--will you both dine with me next week, Thursday? [_There is an embarrassed pause, which, with quick intuition, she understands._] Yes, you _will_--for _silence_ gives consent! [_Laughing._] Now, that's settled! STERLING. What an awfully good sort you are! MISS GODESBY. Thanks, not always--I've been a mucker more than once in my life! I must go [_Shaking hands with_ BLANCHE.] and relieve Mr. Mason of my brother, or he'll be accusing me of inhuman treatment; more than one consecutive hour of my brother ought to be prevented by the police. BLANCHE. You are very, _very_ good. MISS GODESBY. I think if you and I can get well over this, we'll be real friends, and I haven't many, have you? BLANCHE. [_Takes her hand._] You can count upon me and my boy so long as we live. [_She impulsively but tenderly kisses her._ [MISS GODESBY _is very much surprised, but moved._ MISS GODESBY. [_Half laughing, half crying, and pulling her veil down to hide her emotion._] By George! I haven't been kissed by a woman for years! Good-by. [WARDEN _starts to go out with_ MISS GODESBY. BLANCHE _stops him._ BLANCHE. Wait one moment--I want to speak alone to Miss Godesby. [MISS GODESBY _goes out Left._ BLANCHE. [_Aside to_ STERLING.] You tell him; I cannot. Tell him the _truth_. [_She goes out after_ MISS GODESBY. WARDEN. Dick. STERLING. Ned? WARDEN. I have nothing to say to you, Sterling.