NELLY MORRIS. One has a right to take what one has paid for. The price has been given. TED MORRIS. No, dear, only promised--by someone who did not know the value of what she was offering. You must let me cancel the bargain, Nell. It was a bad one to make--in _every_ sense of the word. NELLY MORRIS. Perhaps. But bad bargains have to be kept when made, as well as good ones. Don't let us talk about it any more, dear. The thing's done now. It cannot be undone. TED MORRIS. Yes it can, Nell, and _must_. It makes it a little awkward, his having announced it in that ridiculous theatrical way, but when I tell him everything. When I tell him that you love dear old Jack---- NELLY MORRIS. But you never will do that, Ted--for my sake--for all our sakes. TED MORRIS. You must get out of it somehow, Nell. NELLY MORRIS. I cannot. I do not wish to. I have pledged my word, and I'll keep it. Come, it isn't so very terrible (_with a smile_). I'm not the first girl, dear, who's had to say good bye to an impracticable little romance, and take the sober reality offered her by an elderly gentleman. He _is_ a gentleman, Ted, and he's very fond of me I know, and I shall try and make him a good wife. (_Puts her hands on Ted's shoulders_.) It's a grey old world, brother. We must be content with grey lives. TED MORRIS. Nell, Nell, I won't have it. You are sacrificing yourself--you are sacrificing Jack--and all for me. I won't let you do it. Let me go down and see Cherry now, and end the matter at once. (_Breaking away from her_) NELLY MORRIS. (_Staying him_) Please don't, Ted. You are only making it harder for me. TED MORRIS. Nelly, what an obstinate little thing you are. (_With a gesture of impatience_) Do look at the thing reasonably. You've made a rash promise, that the next moment you regret. NELLY MORRIS. I do _not_ regret it. (_Ted stares at her._) Listen to me. Ted. When Adam Cherry asked me to marry him to let him make our lives smooth, I thought of you. TED MORRIS. I know. That's---- NELLY MORRIS. (_Checking him._) And of myself. (_A pause._) I'm tired of this life, Ted. I'm tired of living in an attic. I'm tired of being ashamed to go out into the streets until it's dark because of my clothes. I'm tired of feeling hungry. It's such a vulgar feeling. We have no one to help us. You talk about aunt. You know that man has all her money, and he's not likely to let us have any of it--even if we cared to take it. As for Jack--poor boy--what could he give me? What could I bring him but the same weary sordid struggle? (_She puts her arms about him._) Don't be shocked at me, old boy. I used to have plenty of sentiment, as you know, but somehow it doesn't thrive on ten shillings a week. (_She moves away a few steps. Then pausings turns to him, stretching out her arms to him._) Are you very angry with me, Ted? TED MORRIS. (_He does not turn to her, but goes to the window and stands looking out_) No, dear. Only a little disappointed.