_Dolly._ Good God! She would kill herself! Listen--I'll tell you the story. What does it matter now--you'll never see me again. It began in a department store--twelve dollars a week. Fine wages, with two to care for! It was slave--slave all day. Never a holiday, never a joy; nothing beautiful, nothing new! No hope, no future; just slave--slave! And there was a young man--what they call a gentleman. He took me to dinners, and I went, because I was near starving. In the end he got me, of course. And then he threw me over, and I went to work again. You see? _Jack._ I see. _Dolly._ After that it was worse. I was spoiled. But I was afraid Belle might suspect, so I kept straight for a long time. But it was no go. She was working herself to death--and I'd see her ill, and I couldn't stand it. I'd tell her I had a job in a hotel uptown. I'd be gone all night--and I'd bring her money. That's my life! _Jack (in a low voice)._ Are there many like that? _Dolly._ The town is full of them. I know a girl who went to a church home. They said they couldn't help her--they were for 'fallen women.' She came back again and told them they could help her now--she was a fallen woman. _Jack._ God! _Dolly._ She was starving, that was what drove her. That's what drives thousands. And for that we're despised. The good women--they spit upon us! I sometimes wonder--do they think we like it? _(Laughs harshly.)_ That a woman should like to give herself to any brute that comes along! _(Seizing Jack by the arm.)_ Tell me! What does it mean? Whose sins do we pay for? _Jack._ I don't know. _Dolly._ If there's a God in heaven, how can he allow it? How can he allow some to be idle and rich, and to despise us who have nothing? _Jack._ Tell me about to-night. _Dolly._ I went to the old place. And there was a man--he was drunk, and he'd lost his money, and he said I'd robbed him. A servant gave me the tip--the madam had sent for the police. I dodged out by the basement way. _Jack._ And they're after you? _Dolly._ The man's a politician--some big man--and so they'll hunt me out. I'm a stranger, I've no friends, and they'll send me up for a year or two. I wouldn't care; I'm rotten--fit for nothing but the dump-heap. But there's Belle. She's straight, and I must keep her straight. _Jack._ Yes, Dolly, we'll keep her straight. _Dolly._ I never thought I'd trust another man, Jack. But I think you're decent. Mark this though! _(Fiercely.)_ By the God above, if you ever do Belle any harm, Jack, I'll shoot you dead! _Jack._ Dolly! Why talk to me that way? I love her. I've told her that I love her. _Dolly._ You mean to marry her? _Jack._ Of course. _Dolly (seizes his hand)._ Jack! And you'll be good to her? _(Turns quickly, without waiting for answer.)_ We must get away from here! _Jack._ Wait! Let me think. I know a place where they'll never find us. _Dolly._ Where is it? _Jack._ I'll take you to it. Get Belle ready. _Dolly._ You're sure it's safe?