without the slightest exaggeration. Think it over. Weigh the pro and the con: tot up the sum of possible suffering and certain misery. But remember that on the one side is your own suffering—and on the other the suffering of other people. Remember that. Distrust yourself. GEORGE. Very well. I give in. I will not be married. I will invent some excuse. I will get it put off for six months. More than that is impossible. DOCTOR. I must have three years at least, if not four. GEORGE. No, no. For pity’s sake! You can cure me before that. DOCTOR. No, no, no! GEORGE. Yes, you can. I implore you. Science can do everything. DOCTOR. Science is not God Almighty. The day of miracles is past. GEORGE. Oh, you could, if you wanted to. I know you could. Invent something, discover something! Try some new treatment on me. Double the doses! Give me ten times the ordinary ones, if you like! I’ll stand anything, absolutely. Only there must be some way of curing me in six months. Look here, I can’t be responsible for myself after that. For the sake of my wife and her children, do something. DOCTOR. Nonsense. GEORGE. If only you’ll cure me, I don’t know what I won’t do for you. I’ll be grateful to you all my life. I’ll give you half my fortune. For God’s sake, do something for me! DOCTOR. You want me to do more for you than for all the rest? GEORGE. Yes. DOCTOR. Let me tell you, sir, that everyone of our patients, whether he is the richest man in the land or the poorest, has everything done for him that we can do. We have no secrets in reserve for the rich or for people who are in a hurry to be cured. GEORGE. Good-bye, doctor. DOCTOR. Good-day. ACT II _George’s study. To the left a window. In front of the window a desk of moderate size, facing away from the audience, and a writing chair. On the desk a telephone. To the right of the desk an arm chair, a small table with a work box and embroidery, and between the window and the footlights a deep easy chair. At the back a dainty bookcase, and in front of it a pretty table with flowers. At the back to the right a door, and, nearer, a piano and a music stool. To the left another door. Two small chairs._ _Henriette is sitting by the small table and working at a baby’s cap. After a moment she holds it up on her hand._ HENRIETTE. Another little cap to send to nurse. How sweet my little Germaine will look in it! Come, sweetheart, laugh at mother! Oh, my love! [_She kisses the cap and goes on working_]. _George enters at the back._ GEORGE [_opening the door and taking off his coat in the hall_] Hullo! Are you there? Are you there? Ha, ha, ha! HENRIETTE [_rising gaily_] Oh, you know I recognized your voice. GEORGE. What a story! [_Kissing her_] Poor little darling, was she taken in, poor little woman! Ha, ha, ha! HENRIETTE [_laughing too_] Don’t laugh like that!