[_Walking up and down._ RUTH. [_Smiling sadly._] Oh, no! I remember the date only too well. AUSTIN. I didn't mean that. RUTH. I lied to my mother that day for the first time--at any rate, since I was a child--and I've been lying to her ever since. AUSTIN. [_Probing her._] But--but why were you married so secretly? RUTH. We couldn't afford to marry and set up for ourselves. He expected then to be sent off at once to the Philippines, and--well he didn't want to leave me behind, free; I'm afraid he's rather jealous--you must have found out by now that Jinny is. They all are! And _I_ didn't want him to go so far off without my belonging to him either; _I'm_ that jealous, too! [_Smiling._] So--that's why! AUSTIN. And this long period of secrecy since then--do you understand that? Ruth. Hasn't he explained to you his debts? You know before he loved me he was very fast, but since-- AUSTIN. Yes, I know how he gave up every one of his old habits with a great deal of courage. RUTH. _Nobody_ knows what it cost him! How can you help us? Get him something to do to pay off his debts? Or can't you make him feel even if we do have to go on living at our different homes for a while, it is better to publish the fact that we are married?-- AUSTIN. I shall go back at once to America if I can persuade Jinny! RUTH. And I, too? AUSTIN. No. You must stay abroad till I send word for you to come home. If I am going to help you, you will help me by doing exactly as I say, won't you? RUTH. Yes. AUSTIN. It's _very_ important that you should _absolutely obey me_! RUTH. _I will._ [_A pause._ [_JINNY, unnoticed by either of them, appears in the doorway at Right. AUSTIN is walking up and down. RUTH is leaning her elbow on the back of the bench and burying her face in her hands._ AUSTIN. It's awful! My God, it's awful! JINNY. [_In a strained, assumed, nonchalant tone._] _What is?_ RUTH. Jinny! [_Rising._ AUSTIN. I didn't hear you, Jinny! JINNY. No, you both seemed so absorbed. RUTH. [_Going to JINNY._] I'm so glad to see you. [_Kisses her, but JINNY only gives her her cheek and that rather unwillingly; she is looking all the time at her husband._ JINNY. Thank you, I've just left the Cullinghams. They sent word to you they were going and would wait for you outside. RUTH. Oh, then, I mustn't keep them waiting. We'll all meet at dinner to-night, won't we? Good-by--good-by. [_With a grateful look at AUSTIN, she goes out Right._ JINNY. [_Watches her go; then turns to AUSTIN._] That wasn't true, what I told her--I haven't seen the Cullinghams, and I don't know where they are, and what's more, I don't care! AUSTIN. What do you mean? JINNY. [_Beginning by degrees to lose control of herself._] What did _she_ mean by _following you_ to Rome? AUSTIN. Jinny! JINNY. Oh, don't try to deny it; that'll only make me suspect _you_! AUSTIN. My dear girl, you don't know what you're saying!