[_PETER, coming to SUSIE, catches her in his arms and kisses her, much against her will._

SUSIE. [_Furious._] Oh, you horrid, nasty thing, you! [_She strikes at him; he runs; she chases him from one side of the room to the other, around a sofa and table, and out Left, screaming as she chases him._] I hate you! I hate you!

[_MAGGIE enters Right._

MAGGIE. Miss Susie, Mrs. Tillman wants to see you upstairs.

SUSIE. What for?

MAGGIE. I don't know, Miss.

SUSIE. Pshaw! have I got to go? All right!

[_Going toward the door at Right._

[_AUSTIN enters, meeting SUSIE._

AUSTIN. h.e.l.lo! Where are _you_ going?

SUSIE. Oh, up to Auntie Tillman's room. Goodness knows what for; it's an awful bore! Want to come along?

AUSTIN. No, thank you; but if you see your Cousin Jinny, you might tell her I am down.

SUSIE. [_Hanging on to him._] I say! Where are you and Cousin Jinny going to, anyway?

AUSTIN. [_Smiling._] I don't know.

SUSIE. O my, what a fib! And that's a nice example to set a little girl!

[_She goes out Right._

MAGGIE. [_Coming forward._] I beg pardon, sir, but may I speak to you a minute?

AUSTIN. Certainly, Maggie, what is it?

MAGGIE. I've been trying for a chance to see you alone. I wouldn't bother you, sir--but it's only because I'm fond of Miss Jinny, and of Mr. and Mrs. Tillman, and they've all been so good to me; I know it would nearly kill 'em if they knew.

AUSTIN. Come, Maggie, knew what?

MAGGIE. Well, _one member_ of this family ain't been good to me, sir.

[_From this point her feelings begin to get the better of her and she speaks rapidly and hysterically._] He's been bad, bad as he could, and somebody's got to talk to him, and I don't see who's a-goin' to do it but you. If he don't change, I'll not hold my tongue any longer. It's all I can do for their sakes to hold it now!

AUSTIN. Look here, what are you talking about? You don't mean Mr.

Geoffrey?

MAGGIE. Yes, I do, sir; he's my husband.

AUSTIN. What!!

MAGGIE. We was married when he was at Yale, sir; I was in a shop there.

AUSTIN. But--! Well, after all, isn't this your and Geoffrey's affair?

Why bring me in?

MAGGIE. Because he's making love to Miss Chester, and promising to marry _her_ now, and if he don't stop--I'll make trouble!

AUSTIN. But if he's married to you, as you say--he can't marry--any one else.

MAGGIE. He's tried to make me believe our marriage ain't legal, because he was only twenty and he'd been drinking!

AUSTIN. What makes you think Mr. Geoffrey cares for--Miss Chester?

MAGGIE. I just heard and see him making love to her _here_!

AUSTIN. This is a pretty bad story, Maggie.

MAGGIE. Yes, sir, and the worst is, sir, I know I ain't good enough for him, and that's why I've kept still about it these three years, but I can't help loving him no matter how ugly he's treated me. [_Breaking down into tears._] I just can't help it! I _love_ him, sir, even if I'm only a servant girl, and I can't stand it thinking he's going to try and get rid of me for some one else!

[_She sobs out loud._

AUSTIN. Sh!--Maggie. Sit down a minute, and control yourself.

Somebody'll hear you, and besides they'll be coming down presently. I'll have a talk with Mr. Geoffrey when I come back--

[_Interrupted as GEOFFREY enters Left. He doesn't see MAGGIE, who is collapsed in a corner of the sofa._

GEOFFREY. [_To AUSTIN._] Ah! Thank goodness I've caught you; I had an awful headache and went out for a breath of air, and then I was afraid I might have missed you! I knew in that case Jinny would never forgive me, nor--I--myself--for that--matter--

[_His voice grows less exuberant in the middle of his speech and finally at the end almost dies away, as he sees the expression in AUSTIN'S face and realizes that something is wrong somewhere. When he stops speaking, MAGGIE gives a gasping sob. He hears it, and starting, sees her._

GEOFFREY. Maggie!

AUSTIN. Geoffrey, is what this girl says true?

GEOFFREY. That I married her in New Haven? Yes.

MAGGIE. [_Rises._] I'll go, please, I'd rather go.

AUSTIN. Yes, go, Maggie; it's better.

[_MAGGIE goes out Right._

GEOFFREY. [_As soon as she is out of the room._] Promise me, Jack, you won't tell any one! It's awful, I know! For two years at college I went all to pieces and led a rotten life,--and one night, drunk, I married her, and it isn't so much her fault. I suppose she thought I loved her,--but this would break up the old lady and gentleman so, if they knew, I couldn't stand it! And Jinny, for G.o.d's sake, don't tell Jinny.

_She respects me._ You won't tell her, will you?

AUSTIN. No. But Maggie says you want to marry some one else now.

GEOFFREY. [_With a change, in great shame._] That's true, too.

[_He sits in utter dejection on the sofa._