CROFTS。Well，thatsallitis。Yourmotherhasgotageniusformanagingsuchthings。We’vegottwoinBrussels，oneinOstend，oneinVienna，andtwoinBudapest。Ofcoursethereareothersbesidesourselvesinit;butweholdmostofthecapital;andyourmother’sindispensableasmanagingdirector。Youvenoticed，Idaresay，thatshetravelsagooddeal。Butyouseeyoucantmentionsuchthingsinsociety。Onceletoutthewordhotelandeverybodythinksyoukeepapublic-house。Youwouldntlikepeopletosaythatofyourmother，wouldyou？Thatswhywe’resoreservedaboutit。Bytheway，youllkeepittoyourself，wontyou？Sinceit’sbeenasecretsolong，ithadbetterremainso。
VIVIE。Andthisisthebusinessyouinvitemetojoinyouin？
CROFTS。Ohno。Mywifeshantbetroubledwithbusiness。Youllnotbeinitmorethanyouvealwaysbeen。
VIVIE。_I_alwaysbeen！Whatdoyoumean？
CROFTS。Onlythatyouvealwayslivedonit。Itpaidforyoureducationandthedressyouhaveonyourback。Dontturnupyournoseatbusiness，MissVivie：wherewouldyourNewnhamsandGirtonsbewithoutit？
VIVIE[rising，almostbesideherself]Takecare。Iknowwhatthisbusinessis。
CROFTS[starting，withasuppressedoath]Whotoldyou？
VIVIE。Yourpartner。Mymother。
CROFTS[blackwithrage]Theold——
VIVIE。Justso。
[Heswallowstheepithetandstandsforamomentswearingandragingfoullytohimself。Butheknowsthathiscueistobesympathetic。Hetakesrefugeingenerousindignation。]
CROFTS。Sheoughttohavehadmoreconsiderationforyou。_I_’dneverhavetoldyou。
VIVIE。Ithinkyouwouldprobablyhavetoldmewhenweweremarried：itwouldhavebeenaconvenientweapontobreakmeinwith。
CROFTS[quitesincerely]Ineverintendedthat。OnmywordasagentlemanIdidnt。
[Viviewondersathim。Hersenseoftheironyofhisprotestcoolsandbracesher。Shereplieswithcontemptuousself-
possession。]
VIVIE。Itdoesnotmatter。Isupposeyouunderstandthatwhenweleaveheretodayouracquaintanceceases。
CROFTS。Why？Isitforhelpingyourmother？
VIVIE。Mymotherwasaverypoorwomanwhohadnoreasonablechoicebuttodoasshedid。Youwerearichgentleman;andyoudidthesameforthesakeof35percent。Youareaprettycommonsortofscoundrel，Ithink。Thatismyopinionofyou。
CROFTS[afterastare：notatalldispleased，andmuchmoreathiseaseonthesefranktermsthanontheirformerceremoniousones]Ha！ha！ha！ha！Goit，littlemissie，goit：itdoesnthurtmeanditamusesyou。WhythedevilshouldntIinvestmymoneythatway？Itaketheinterestonmycapitallikeotherpeople：IhopeyoudontthinkIdirtymyownhandswiththework。
Come！youwouldntrefusetheacquaintanceofmymother’scousintheDukeofBelgraviabecausesomeoftherentshegetsareearnedinqueerways。YouwouldntcuttheArchbishopofCanterbury，Isuppose，becausetheEcclesiasticalCommissionershaveafewpublicansandsinnersamongtheirtenants。DoyourememberyourCroftsscholarshipatNewnham？Well，thatwasfoundedbymybrothertheM。P。Hegetshis22percentoutofafactorywith600girlsinit，andnotoneofthemgettingwagesenoughtoliveon。Howd’yesupposetheymanagewhentheyhavenofamilytofallbackon？Askyourmother。Anddoyouexpectmetoturnmybackon35percentwhenalltherestarepocketingwhattheycan，likesensiblemen？Nosuchfool！Ifyouregoingtopickandchooseyouracquaintancesonmoralprinciples，youdbetterclearoutofthiscountry，unlessyouwanttocutyourselfoutofalldecentsociety。
VIVIE[consciencestricken]YoumightgoontopointoutthatI
myselfneveraskedwherethemoneyIspentcamefrom。IbelieveIamjustasbadasyou。
CROFTS[greatlyreassured]Ofcourseyouare;andaverygoodthingtoo！Whatharmdoesitdoafterall？[Rallyingherjocularly]Soyoudontthinkmesuchascoundrelnowyoucometothinkitover。Eh？
VIVIE。Ihavesharedprofitswithyou：andIadmittedyoujustnowtothefamiliarityofknowingwhatIthinkofyou。
CROFTS[withseriousfriendliness]Tobesureyoudid。Youwontfindmeabadsort：Idontgoinforbeingsuperfineintellectually;butIveplentyofhonesthumanfeeling;andtheoldCroftsbreedcomesoutinasortofinstinctivehatredofanythinglow，inwhichI’msureyoullsympathizewithme。
Believeme，MissVivie，theworldisntsuchabadplaceasthecroakersmakeout。Aslongasyoudontflyopenlyinthefaceofsociety，societydoesntaskanyinconvenientquestions;anditmakespreciousshortworkofthecadswhodo。Therearenosecretsbetterkeptthanthesecretseverybodyguesses。IntheclassofpeopleIcanintroduceyouto，noladyorgentlemanwouldsofarforgetthemselvesastodiscussmybusinessaffairsoryourmothers。Nomancanofferyouasaferposition。
VIVIE[studyinghimcuriously]Isupposeyoureallythinkyouregettingonfamouslywithme。
CROFTS。Well，IhopeImayflattermyselfthatyouthinkbetterofmethanyoudidatfirst。
VIVIE[quietly]Ihardlyfindyouworththinkingaboutatallnow。WhenIthinkofthesocietythattoleratesyou，andthelawsthatprotectyou！whenIthinkofhowhelplessnineoutoftenyounggirlswouldbeinthehandsofyouandmymother！theunmentionablewomanandhercapitalistbully——
CROFTS[livid]Damnyou！
VIVIE。Youneednot。Ifeelamongthedamnedalready。
[Sheraisesthelatchofthegatetoopenitandgoout。Hefollowsherandputshishandheavilyonthetopbartopreventitsopening。]
CROFTS[pantingwithfury]DoyouthinkI’llputupwiththisfromyou，youyoungdevil？
VIVIE[unmoved]Bequiet。Someonewillanswerthebell。
[Withoutflinchingastepshestrikesthebellwiththebackofherhand。Itclangsharshly;andhestartsbackinvoluntarily。
AlmostimmediatelyFrankappearsattheporchwithhisrifle]。
FRANK[withcheerfulpoliteness]Willyouhavetherifle，Viv;orshallIoperate？
VIVIE。Frank：haveyoubeenlistening？
FRANK[comingdownintothegarden]Onlyforthebell，Iassureyou;sothatyoushouldnthavetowait。IthinkIshewedgreatinsightintoyourcharacter，Crofts。
CROFTS。FortwopinsI’dtakethatgunfromyouandbreakitacrossyourhead。
FRANK[stalkinghimcautiously]Praydont。I’meversocarelessinhandlingfirearms。Suretobeafatalaccident，withareprimandfromthecoroner’sjuryformynegligence。
VIVIE。Puttherifleaway，Frank：it’squiteunnecessary。
FRANK。Quiteright，Viv。Muchmoresportsmanliketocatchhiminatrap。[Crofts，understandingtheinsult，makesathreateningmovement]。Crofts：therearefifteencartridgesinthemagazinehere;andIamadeadshotatthepresentdistanceandatanobjectofyoursize。
CROFTS。Oh，youneedntbeafraid。I’mnotgoingtotouchyou。
FRANK。Eversomagnanimousofyouunderthecircumstances！
Thankyou。
CROFTS。I’lljusttellyouthisbeforeIgo。Itmayinterestyou，sinceyouresofondofoneanother。Allowme，MisterFrank，tointroduceyoutoyourhalf-sister，theeldestdaughteroftheReverendSamuelGardner。MissVivie：youhalf-brother。Goodmorning！[Hegoesoutthroughthegateandalongtheroad]。
FRANK[afterapauseofstupefaction，raisingtherifle]Youlltestifybeforethecoronerthatit’sanaccident，Viv。[HetakesaimattheretreatingfigureofCrofts。Vivieseizesthemuzzleandpullsitroundagainstherbreast]。
VIVIE。Firenow。Youmay。
FRANK[droppinghisendoftheriflehastily]Stop！takecare。
[Sheletsitgo。Itfallsontheturf]。Oh，youvegivenyourlittleboysuchaturn。Supposeithadgoneoff！ugh！[Hesinksonthegardenseat，overcome]。
VIVIE。Supposeithad：doyouthinkitwouldnothavebeenarelieftohavesomesharpphysicalpaintearingthroughme？
FRANK[coaxingly]Takeiteversoeasy，dearViv。Remember：eveniftheriflescaredthatfellowintotellingthetruthforthefirsttimeinhislife，thatonlymakesusthebabesinthewoodsinearnest。[Heholdsouthisarmstoher]。Comeandbecoveredupwithleavesagain。
VIVIE[withacryofdisgust]Ah，notthat，notthat。Youmakeallmyfleshcreep。
FRANK。Why，whatsthematter？
VIVIE。Goodbye。[Shemakesforthegate]。
FRANK[jumpingup]Hallo！Stop！Viv！Viv！[Sheturnsinthegateway]Whereareyougoingto？Whereshallwefindyou？
VIVIE。AtHonoriaFraser’schambers，67ChanceryLane，fortherestofmylife。[ShegoesoffquicklyintheoppositedirectiontothattakenbyCrofts]。
FRANK。ButIsay——wait——dashit！[Herunsafterher]。
ACTIV
[HonoriaFraser’schambersinChanceryLane。AnofficeatthetopofNewStoneBuildings，withaplate-glasswindow，distemperedwalls，electriclight，andapatentstove。Saturdayafternoon。ThechimneysofLincoln’sInnandthewesternskybeyondareseenthroughthewindow。Thereisadoublewritingtableinthemiddleoftheroom，withacigarbox，ashpans，andaportableelectricreadinglampalmostsnowedupinheapsofpapersandbooks。Thistablehaskneeholesandchairsrightandleftandisveryuntidy。Theclerk’sdesk，closedandtidy，withitshighstool，isagainstthewall，nearadoorcommunicatingwiththeinnerrooms。Intheoppositewallisthedoorleadingtothepubliccorridor。Itsupperpanelisofopaqueglass，letteredinblackontheoutside，FRASERANDWARREN。Abaizescreenhidesthecornerbetweenthisdoorandthewindow。]
[Frank，inafashionablelight-coloredcoachingsuit，withhisstick，gloves，andwhitehatinhishands，ispacingupanddownintheoffice。Somebodytriesthedoorwithakey。]
FRANK[calling]Comein。It’snotlocked。
[Viviecomesin，inherhatandjacket。Shestopsandstaresathim。]
VIVIE[sternly]Whatareyoudoinghere？
FRANK。Waitingtoseeyou。Ivebeenhereforhours。Isthisthewayyouattendtoyourbusiness？[Heputshishatandstickonthetable，andpercheshimselfwithavaultontheclerk’sstool，lookingatherwitheveryappearanceofbeinginaspeciallyrestless，teasing，flippantmood]。
VIVIE。Ivebeenawayexactlytwentyminutesforacupoftea。
[Shetakesoffherhatandjacketandhangsthembehindthescreen]。Howdidyougetin？
FRANK。ThestaffhadnotleftwhenIarrived。He’sgonetoplaycricketonPrimroseHill。Whydontyouemployawoman，andgiveyoursexachance？
VIVIE。Whathaveyoucomefor？
FRANK[springingoffthestoolandcomingclosetoher]Viv：letsgoandenjoytheSaturdayhalf-holidaysomewhere，likethestaff。
WhatdoyousaytoRichmond，andthenamusichall，andajollysupper？
VIVIE。Cantaffordit。IshallputinanothersixhoursworkbeforeIgotobed。
FRANK。Cantaffordit，cantwe？Aha！Lookhere。[Hetakesoutahandfulofsovereignsandmakesthemchink]。Gold，Viv：gold！
VIVIE。Wheredidyougetit？
FRANK。Gambling，Viv：gambling。Poker。
VIVIE。Pah！It’smeanerthanstealingit。No：I’mnotcoming。
[Shesitsdowntoworkatthetable，withherbacktotheglassdoor，andbeginsturningoverthepapers]。
FRANK[remonstratingpiteously]But，mydearViv，Iwanttotalktoyoueversoseriously。
VIVIE。Verywell：sitdowninHonoria’schairandtalkhere。I
liketenminuteschataftertea。[Hemurmurs]。Nousegroaning：
I’minexorable。[Hetakestheoppositeseatdisconsolately]。
Passthatcigarbox，willyou？
FRANK[pushingthecigarboxacross]Nastywomanlyhabit。Nicemendontdoitanylonger。
VIVIE。Yes：theyobjecttothesmellintheoffice;andwevehadtotaketocigarets。See！[Sheopenstheboxandtakesoutacigaret，whichshelights。Sheoffershimone;butheshakeshisheadwithawryface。Shesettlesherselfcomfortablyinherchair，smoking]。Goahead。
FRANK。Well，Iwanttoknowwhatyouvedone——whatarrangementsyouvemade。
VIVIE。EverythingwassettledtwentyminutesafterIarrivedhere。Honoriahasfoundthebusinesstoomuchforherthisyear;
andshewasonthepointofsendingformeandproposingapartnershipwhenIwalkedinandtoldherIhadntafarthingintheworld。SoIinstalledmyselfandpackedheroffforafortnight’sholiday。WhathappenedatHaslemerewhenIleft？
FRANK。Nothingatall。Isaidyoudgonetotownonparticularbusiness。
VIVIE。Well？
FRANK。Well，eithertheyweretooflabbergastedtosayanything，orelseCroftshadpreparedyourmother。Anyhow，shedidntsayanything;andCroftsdidntsayanything;andPraddyonlystared。
Afterteatheygotupandwent;andIvenotseenthemsince。
VIVIE[noddingplacidlywithoneeyeonawreathofsmoke]Thatsallright。
FRANK[lookingrounddisparagingly]Doyouintendtostickinthisconfoundedplace？
VIVIE[blowingthewreathdecisivelyaway，andsittingstraightup]Yes。Thesetwodayshavegivenmebackallmystrengthandself-possession。IwillnevertakeaholidayagainaslongasI
live。
FRANK[withaverywryface]Mps！Youlookquitehappy。Andashardasnails。
VIVIE[grimly]WellformethatIam！
FRANK[rising]Lookhere，Viv：wemusthaveanexplanation。Wepartedtheotherdayunderacompletemisunderstanding。[Hesitsonthetable，closetoher]。
VIVIE[puttingawaythecigaret]Well：clearitup。
FRANK。YourememberwhatCroftssaid。
VIVIE。Yes。
FRANK。Thatrevelationwassupposedtobringaboutacompletechangeinthenatureofourfeelingforoneanother。Itplacedusonthefootingofbrotherandsister。
VIVIE。Yes。
FRANK。Haveyoueverhadabrother？
VIVIE。No。
FRANK。Thenyoudontknowwhatbeingbrotherandsisterfeelslike？NowIhavelotsofsisters;andthefraternalfeelingisquitefamiliartome。Iassureyoumyfeelingforyouisnottheleastintheworldlikeit。Thegirlswillgotheirway;I
willgomine;andweshantcareifweneverseeoneanotheragain。Thatsbrotherandsister。Butastoyou，IcantbeeasyifIhavetopassaweekwithoutseeingyou。Thatsnotbrotherandsister。ItsexactlywhatIfeltanhourbeforeCroftsmadehisrevelation。Inshort，dearViv，it’slove’syoungdream。
VIVIE[bitingly]Thesamefeeling，Frank，thatbroughtyourfathertomymother’sfeet。Isthatit？
FRANK[sorevoltedthatheslipsoffthetableforamoment]I
verystronglyobject，Viv，tohavemyfeelingscomparedtoanywhichtheReverendSamueliscapableofharboring;andIobjectstillmoretoacomparisonofyoutoyourmother。[Resuminghisperch]Besides，Idontbelievethestory。Ihavetaxedmyfatherwithit，andobtainedfromhimwhatIconsidertantamounttoadenial。
VIVIE。Whatdidhesay？
FRANK。Hesaidhewassuretheremustbesomemistake。
VIVIE。Doyoubelievehim？
FRANK。IampreparedtotakehiswordagainstCrofts’。
VIVIE。Doesitmakeanydifference？Imeaninyourimaginationorconscience;forofcourseitmakesnorealdifference。
FRANK[shakinghishead]Nonewhatevertome。
VIVIE。Nortome。
FRANK[staring]Butthisiseversosurprising！[Hegoesbacktohischair]。Ithoughtourwholerelationswerealteredinyourimaginationandconscience，asyouputit，themomentthosewordswereoutofthatbrute’smuzzle。
VIVIE。No：itwasnotthat。Ididntbelievehim。IonlywishI
could。
FRANK。Eh？
VIVIE。Ithinkbrotherandsisterwouldbeaverysuitablerelationforus。
FRANK。Youreallymeanthat？
VIVIE。Yes。It’stheonlyrelationIcarefor，evenifwecouldaffordanyother。Imeanthat。
FRANK[raisinghiseyebrowslikeoneonwhomanewlighthasdawned，andrisingwithquiteaneffusionofchivalroussentiment]MydearViv：whydidntyousaysobefore？Iameversosorryforpersecutingyou。Iunderstand，ofcourse。
VIVIE[puzzled]Understandwhat？
FRANK。Oh，I’mnotafoolintheordinarysense：onlyintheScripturalsenseofdoingallthethingsthewisemandeclaredtobefolly，aftertryingthemhimselfonthemostextensivescale。
IseeIamnolongerVivvums’slittleboy。Dontbealarmed：I
shallnevercallyouVivvumsagain——atleastunlessyougettiredofyournewlittleboy，whoeverhemaybe。
VIVIE。Mynewlittleboy！
FRANK[withconviction]Mustbeanewlittleboy。Alwayshappensthatway。Nootherway，infact。
VIVIE。Nonethatyouknowof，fortunatelyforyou。
[Someoneknocksatthedoor。]
FRANK。Mycurseuponyoncaller，whoe’erhebe！
VIVIE。It’sPraed。He’sgoingtoItalyandwantstosaygoodbye。Iaskedhimtocallthisafternoon。Goandlethimin。
FRANK。WecancontinueourconversationafterhisdepartureforItaly。I’llstayhimout。[Hegoestothedoorandopensit]。
Howareyou，Praddy？Delightedtoseeyou。Comein。
[Praed，dressedfortravelling，comesin，inhighspirits。]
PRAED。Howdoyoudo，MissWarren？[Shepresseshishandcordially，thoughacertainsentimentalityinhishighspiritsjarsuponher]。IstartinanhourfromHolbornViaduct。IwishIcouldpersuadeyoutotryItaly。
VIVIE。Whatfor？
PRAED。Why，tosaturateyourselfwithbeautyandromance，ofcourse。
[Vivie，withashudder，turnsherchairtothetable，asiftheworkwaitingforhertherewereasupporttoher。Praedsitsoppositetoher。FrankplacesachairnearVivie，anddropslazilyandcarelesslyintoit，talkingatheroverhisshoulder。]
FRANK。Nouse，Praddy。VivisalittlePhilistine。Sheisindifferenttomyromance，andinsensibletomybeauty。
VIVIE。MrPraed：onceforall，thereisnobeautyandnoromanceinlifeforme。Lifeiswhatitis;andIampreparedtotakeitasitis。
PRAED[enthusiastically]YouwillnotsaythatifyoucomewithmetoVeronaandontoVenice。Youwillcrywithdelightatlivinginsuchabeautifulworld。
FRANK。Thisismosteloquent，Praddy。Keepitup。
PRAED。Oh，Iassureyou_I_havecried——Ishallcryagain，I
hope——atfifty！Atyourage，MissWarren，youwouldnotneedtogosofarasVerona。YourspiritswouldabsolutelyflyupatthemeresightofOstend。Youwouldbecharmedwiththegaiety，thevivacity，thehappyairofBrussels。
VIVIE[springingupwithanexclamationofloathing]Agh！
PRAED[rising]Whatsthematter？
FRANK[rising]Hallo，Viv！
VIVIE[toPraed，withdeepreproach]CanyoufindnobetterexampleofyourbeautyandromancethanBrusselstotalktomeabout？
PRAED[puzzled]Ofcourseit’sverydifferentfromVerona。I
dontsuggestforamomentthat——
VIVIE[bitterly]Probablythebeautyandromancecometomuchthesameinbothplaces。
PRAED[completelysoberedandmuchconcerned]MydearMissWarren：I——[lookingenquiringlyatFrank]Isanythingthematter？
FRANK。Shethinksyourenthusiasmfrivolous，Praddy。She’shadeversuchaseriouscall。
VIVIE[sharply]Holdyourtongue，Frank。Dontbesilly。
FRANK[sittingdown]Doyoucallthisgoodmanners，Praed？
PRAED[anxiousandconsiderate]ShallItakehimaway，MissWarren？Ifeelsurewehavedisturbedyouatyourwork。
VIVIE。Sitdown：I’mnotreadytogobacktoworkyet。[Praedsits]。YouboththinkIhaveanattackofnerves。Notabitofit。ButtherearetwosubjectsIwantdropped，ifyoudontmind。
Oneofthem[toFrank]islove’syoungdreaminanyshapeorform：theother[toPraed]istheromanceandbeautyoflife，especiallyOstendandthegaietyofBrussels。Youarewelcometoanyillusionsyoumayhaveleftonthesesubjects：Ihavenone。
Ifwethreearetoremainfriends，Imustbetreatedasawomanofbusiness，permanentlysingle[toFrank]andpermanentlyunromantic[toPraed]。
FRANK。Ialsoshallremainpermanentlysingleuntilyouchangeyourmind。Praddy：changethesubject。Beeloquentaboutsomethingelse。
PRAED[diffidently]I’mafraidtheresnothingelseintheworldthatIcantalkabout。TheGospelofArtistheonlyoneIcanpreach。IknowMissWarrenisagreatdevoteeoftheGospelofGettingOn;butwecantdiscussthatwithouthurtingyourfeelings，Frank，sinceyouaredeterminednottogeton。
FRANK。Oh，dontmindmyfeelings。Givemesomeimprovingadvicebyallmeans：itdoesmeeversomuchgood。Haveanothertrytomakeasuccessfulmanofme，Viv。Come：letshaveitall：
energy，thrift，foresight，self-respect，character。Dontyouhatepeoplewhohavenocharacter，Viv？
VIVIE[wincing]Oh，stop，stop。Letushavenomoreofthathorriblecant。MrPraed：iftherearereallyonlythosetwogospelsintheworld，wehadbetterallkillourselves;forthesametaintisinboth，throughandthrough。
FRANK[lookingcriticallyather]Thereisatouchofpoetryaboutyoutoday，Viv，whichhashithertobeenlacking。
PRAED[remonstrating]MydearFrank：arntyoualittleunsympathetic？
VIVIE[mercilesstoherself]No：it’sgoodforme。Itkeepsmefrombeingsentimental。
FRANK[banteringher]Checksyourstrongnaturalpropensitythatway，dontit？
VIVIE[almosthysterically]Ohyes：goon：dontspareme。Iwassentimentalforonemomentinmylife——beautifullysentimental——
bymoonlight;andnow——
FRANK[quickly]Isay，Viv：takecare。Dontgiveyourselfaway。
VIVIE。Oh，doyouthinkMrPraeddoesnotknowallaboutmymother？[TurningonPraed]Youhadbetterhavetoldmethatmorning，MrPraed。Youareveryoldfashionedinyourdelicacies，afterall。
PRAED。Surelyitisyouwhoarealittleoldfashionedinyourprejudices，MissWarren。Ifeelboundtotellyou，speakingasanartist，andbelievingthatthemostintimatehumanrelationshipsarefarbeyondandabovethescopeofthelaw，thatthoughIknowthatyourmotherisanunmarriedwoman，Idonotrespectherthelessonthataccount。Irespecthermore。
FRANK[airily]Hear！hear！
VIVIE[staringathim]Isthatallyouknow？
PRAED。Certainlythatisall。
VIVIE。Thenyouneitherofyouknowanything。Yourguessesareinnocenceitselfcomparedwiththetruth。
PRAED[rising，startledandindignant，andpreservinghispolitenesswithaneffort]Ihopenot。[Moreemphatically]I
hopenot，MissWarren。
FRANK[whistles]Whew！
VIVIE。Youarenotmakingiteasyformetotellyou，MrPraed。
PRAED[hischivalrydroopingbeforetheirconviction]Ifthereisanythingworse——thatis，anythingelse——areyousureyouarerighttotellus，MissWarren？
VIVIE。IamsurethatifIhadthecourageIshouldspendtherestofmylifeintellingeverybody——stampingandbrandingitintothemuntiltheyallfelttheirpartinitsabominationasI
feelmine。ThereisnothingIdespisemorethanthewickedconventionthatprotectsthesethingsbyforbiddingawomantomentionthem。AndyetIcanttellyou。Thetwoinfamouswordsthatdescribewhatmymotherisareringinginmyearsandstrugglingonmytongue;butIcantutterthem：theshameofthemistoohorribleforme。[Sheburiesherfaceinherhands。Thetwomen，astonished，stareatoneanotherandthenather。Sheraisesherheadagaindesperatelyandsnatchesasheetofpaperandapen]。Here：letmedraftyouaprospectus。
FRANK。Oh，she’smad。Doyouhear，Viv？mad。Come！pullyourselftogether。
VIVIE。Youshallsee。[Shewrites]。\"Paidupcapital：notlessthanfortythousandpoundsstandinginthenameofSirGeorgeCrofts，Baronet，thechiefshareholder。PremisesatBrussels，Ostend，Vienna，andBudapest。Managingdirector：MrsWarren\";
andnowdontletusforgetherqualifications：thetwowords。
[Shewritesthewordsandpushesthepapertothem]。There！Ohno：dontreadit：dont！[Shesnatchesitbackandtearsittopieces;thenseizesherheadinherhandsandhidesherfaceonthetable]。
[Frank，whohaswatchedthewritingoverhershoulder，andopenedhiseyesverywidelyatit，takesacardfromhispocket;
scribblesthetwowordsonit;andsilentlyhandsittoPraed，whoreadsitwithamazement，andhidesithastilyinhispocket。]
FRANK[whisperingtenderly]Viv，dear：thatsallright。Ireadwhatyouwrote：sodidPraddy。Weunderstand。Andweremain，asthisleavesusatpresent，yourseversodevotedly。
PRAED。Wedoindeed，MissWarren。IdeclareyouarethemostsplendidlycourageouswomanIevermet。
[ThissentimentalcomplimentbracesVivie。Shethrowsitawayfromherwithanimpatientshake，andforcesherselftostandup，thoughnotwithoutsomesupportfromthetable。]
FRANK。Dontstir，Viv，ifyoudontwantto。Takeiteasy。
VIVIE。Thankyou。Youanalwaysdependonmefortwothings：
nottocryandnottofaint。[Shemovesafewstepstowardsthedooroftheinnerroom，andstopsclosetoPraedtosay]IshallneedmuchmorecouragethanthatwhenItellmymotherthatwehavecometoapartingoftheways。NowImustgointothenextroomforamomenttomakemyselfneatagain，ifyoudontmind。
PRAED。Shallwegoaway？
VIVIE。No：I’llbebackpresently。Onlyforamoment。[Shegoesintotheotherroom，Praedopeningthedoorforher]。
PRAED。Whatanamazingrevelation！I’mextremelydisappointedinCrofts：Iamindeed。
FRANK。I’mnotintheleast。Ifeelhe’sperfectlyaccountedforatlast。Butwhatafacerforme，Praddy！Icantmarryhernow。
PRAED[sternly]Frank！[Thetwolookatoneanother，Frankunruffled，Praeddeeplyindignant]。Letmetellyou，Gardner，thatifyoudeserthernowyouwillbehaveverydespicably。
FRANK。GoodoldPraddy！Everchivalrous！Butyoumistake：it’snotthemoralaspectofthecase：it’sthemoneyaspect。I
reallycantbringmyselftotouchtheoldwoman’smoneynow。
PRAED。Andwasthatwhatyouweregoingtomarryon？
FRANK。Whatelse？_I_havntanymoney，northesmallestturnformakingit。IfImarriedVivnowshewouldhavetosupportme;andIshouldcosthermorethanIamworth。
PRAED。Butsurelyacleverbrightfellowlikeyoucanmakesomethingbyyourownbrains。
FRANK。Ohyes，alittle。[Hetakesouthismoneyagain]。I
madeallthatyesterdayinanhourandahalf。ButImadeitinahighlyspeculativebusiness。No，dearPraddy：evenifBessieandGeorginamarrymillionairesandthegovernordiesaftercuttingthemoffwithashilling，Ishallhaveonlyfourhundredayear。Andhewontdieuntilhe’sthreescoreandten：hehasntoriginalityenough。Ishallbeonshortallowanceforthenexttwentyyears。NoshortallowanceforViv，ifIcanhelpit。I
withdrawgracefullyandleavethefieldtothegildedyouthofEngland。Sothatsettled。Ishantworryheraboutit：I’lljustsendheralittlenoteafterwe’regone。She’llunderstand。
PRAED[graspinghishand]Goodfellow，Frank！Iheartilybegyourpardon。Butmustyouneverseeheragain？
FRANK。Neverseeheragain！Hangitall，bereasonable。I
shallcomealongasoftenaspossible，andbeherbrother。Icannotunderstandtheabsurdconsequencesyouromanticpeopleexpectfromthemostordinarytransactions。[Aknockatthedoor]。Iwonderwhothisis。Wouldyoumindopeningthedoor？
Ifit’saclientitwilllookmorerespectablethanifI
appeared。
PRAED。Certainly。[Hegoestothedoorandopensit。FranksitsdowninVivie’schairtoscribbleanote]。MydearKitty：
comein：comein。
[MrsWarrencomesin，lookingapprehensivelyaroundforVivie。
Shehasdoneherbesttomakeherselfmatronlyanddignified。
Thebrillianthatisreplacedbyasoberbonnet，andthegayblousecoveredbyacostlyblacksilkmantle。Sheispitiablyanxiousandillatease：evidentlypanic-stricken。]
MRSWARREN[toFrank]What！Yourehere，areyou？
FRANK[turninginhischairfromhiswriting，butnotrising]
Here，andcharmedtoseeyou。Youcomelikeabreathofspring。
MRSWARREN。Oh，getoutwithyournonsense。[Inalowvoice]
Where’sVivie？
[Frankpointsexpressivelytothedooroftheinnerroom，butsaysnothing。]
MRSWARREN[sittingdownsuddenlyandalmostbeginningtocry]
Praddy：wontsheseeme，dontyouthink？
PRAED。MydearKitty：dontdistressyourself。Whyshouldshenot？
MRSWARREN。Oh，younevercanseewhynot：youretooinnocent。
MrFrank：didshesayanythingtoyou？
FRANK[foldinghisnote]Shemustseeyou，if[veryexpressively]youwaittilshecomesin。
MRSWARREN[frightened]WhyshouldntIwait？
[Franklooksquizzicallyather;putshisnotecarefullyontheink-bottle，sothatViviecannotfailtofinditwhennextshedipsherpen;thenrisesanddevoteshisattentionentirelytoher。]
FRANK。MydearMrsWarren：supposeyouwereasparrow——eversotinyandprettyasparrowhoppingintheroadway——andyousawasteamrollercominginyourdirection，wouldyouwaitforit？
MRSWARREN。Oh，dontbothermewithyoursparrows。WhatdidsherunawayfromHaslemerelikethatfor？
FRANK。I’mafraidshe’lltellyouifyourashlyawaitherreturn。
MRSWARREN。Doyouwantmetogoaway？
FRANK。No：Ialwayswantyoutostay。ButIadviseyoutogoaway。
MRSWARREN。What！Andneverseeheragain！
FRANK。Precisely。
MRSWARREN[cryingagain]Praddy：dontlethimbecrueltome。
[Shehastilycheckshertearsandwipeshereyes]。She’llbesoangryifsheseesIvebeencrying。
FRANK[withatouchofrealcompassioninhisairytenderness]
YouknowthatPraddyisthesoulofkindness，MrsWarren。
Praddy：whatdoyousay？Goorstay？
PRAED[toMrsWarren]Ireallyshouldbeverysorrytocauseyouunnecessarypain;butIthinkperhapsyouhadbetternotwait。
Thefactis——[Vivieisheardattheinnerdoor]。
FRANK。Sh！Toolate。She’scoming。
MRSWARREN。DonttellherIwascrying。[Viviecomesin。ShestopsgravelyonseeingMrsWarren，whogreetsherwithhystericalcheerfulness]。Well，dearie。Sohereyouareatlast。
VIVIE。Iamgladyouhavecome：Iwanttospeaktoyou。Yousaidyouweregoing，Frank，Ithink。
FRANK。Yes。Willyoucomewithme，MrsWarren？WhatdoyousaytoatriptoRichmond，andthetheatreintheevening？ThereissafetyinRichmond。Nosteamrollerthere。
VIVIE。Nonsense，Frank。Mymotherwillstayhere。
MRSWARREN[scared]Idontknow：perhapsI’dbettergo。We’redisturbingyouatyourwork。
VIVIE[withquietdecision]MrPraed：pleasetakeFrankaway。
Sitdown，mother。[MrsWarrenobeyshelplessly]。
PRAED。Come，Frank。Goodbye，MissVivie。
VIVIE[shakinghands]Goodbye。Apleasanttrip。
PRAED。Thankyou：thankyou。Ihopeso。
FRANK[toMrsWarren]Goodbye：youdeversomuchbetterhavetakenmyadvice。[Heshakeshandswithher。ThenairilytoVivie]Byebye，Viv。
VIVIE。Goodbye。[Hegoesoutgailywithoutshakinghandswithher]。
PRAED[sadly]Goodbye，Kitty。
MRSWARREN[snivelling]——oobye！
[Praedgoes。Vivie，composedandextremelygrave，sitsdowninHonoria’schair，andwaitsforhermothertospeak。MrsWarren，dreadingapause，losesnotimeinbeginning。]
MRSWARREN。Well，Vivie，whatdidyougoawaylikethatforwithoutsayingawordtome！Howcouldyoudosuchathing！AndwhathaveyoudonetopoorGeorge？Iwantedhimtocomewithme;
butheshuffledoutofit。Icouldseethathewasquiteafraidofyou。Onlyfancy：hewantedmenottocome。Asif[trembling]
Ishouldbeafraidofyou，dearie。[Vivie’sgravitydeepens]。
ButofcourseItoldhimitwasallsettledandcomfortablebetweenus，andthatwewereonthebestofterms。[Shebreaksdown]。Vivie：whatsthemeaningofthis？[Sheproducesacommercialenvelope，andfumblesattheenclosurewithtremblingfingers]。Igotitfromthebankthismorning。
VIVIE。Itismymonth’sallowance。Theysentittomeasusualtheotherday。Isimplysentitbacktobeplacedtoyourcredit，andaskedthemtosendyouthelodgmentreceipt。InfutureIshallsupportmyself。
MRSWARREN[notdaringtounderstand]Wasntitenough？Whydidntyoutellme？[Withacunninggleaminhereye]I’lldoubleit：I
wasintendingtodoubleit。Onlyletmeknowhowmuchyouwant。
VIVIE。Youknowverywellthatthathasnothingtodowithit。
FromthistimeIgomyownwayinmyownbusinessandamongmyownfriends。Andyouwillgoyours。[Sherises]。Goodbye。
MRSWARREN[rising，appalled]Goodbye？
VIVIE。Yes：goodbye。Come：dontletusmakeauselessscene：
youunderstandperfectlywell。SirGeorgeCroftshastoldmethewholebusiness。
MRSWARREN[angrily]Sillyold——[Sheswallowsanepithet，andthenturnswhiteatthenarrownessofherescapefromutteringit]。
VIVIE。Justso。
MRSWARREN。Heoughttohavehistonguecutout。ButIthoughtitwasended：yousaidyoudidntmind。
VIVIE[steadfastly]Excuseme：Idomind。
MRSWARREN。ButIexplained——
VIVIE。Youexplainedhowitcameabout。Youdidnottellmethatitisstillgoingon[Shesits]。
[MrsWarren，silencedforamoment，looksforlornlyatVivie，whowaits，secretlyhopingthatthecombatisover。ButthecunningexpressioncomesbackintoMrsWarren’sface;andshebendsacrossthetable，slyandurgent，halfwhispering。]
MRSWARREN。Vivie：doyouknowhowrichIam？
VIVIE。Ihavenodoubtyouareveryrich。
MRSWARREN。Butyoudontknowallthatthatmeans;youretooyoung。Itmeansanewdresseveryday;itmeanstheatresandballseverynight;itmeanshavingthepickofallthegentlemeninEuropeatyourfeet;itmeansalovelyhouseandplentyofservants;itmeansthechoicestofeatinganddrinking;itmeanseverythingyoulike，everythingyouwant，everythingyoucanthinkof。Andwhatareyouhere？Ameredrudge，toilingandmoilingearlyandlateforyourbarelivingandtwocheapdressesayear。Thinkoverit。[Soothingly]Youreshocked，Iknow。I
canenterintoyourfeelings;andIthinktheydoyoucredit;buttrustme，nobodywillblameyou：youmaytakemywordforthat。
Iknowwhatyounggirlsare;andIknowyoullthinkbetterofitwhenyouveturneditoverinyourmind。
VIVIE。Sothat’showitisdone，isit？Youmusthavesaidallthattomanyawoman，tohaveitsopat。
MRSWARREN[passionately]WhatharmamIaskingyoutodo？
[Vivieturnsawaycontemptuously。MrsWarrencontinuesdesperately]Vivie：listentome：youdontunderstand：youweretaughtwrongonpurpose：youdontknowwhattheworldisreallylike。
VIVIE[arrested]Taughtwrongonpurpose！Whatdoyoumean？
MRSWARREN。Imeanthatyourethrowingawayallyourchancesfornothing。Youthinkthatpeoplearewhattheypretendtobe：thatthewayyouweretaughtatschoolandcollegetothinkrightandproperisthewaythingsreallyare。Butit’snot：it’sallonlyapretence，tokeepthecowardlyslavishcommonrunofpeoplequiet。Doyouwanttofindthatout，likeotherwomen，atforty，whenyouvethrownyourselfawayandlostyourchances;orwontyoutakeitingoodtimenowfromyourownmother，thatlovesyouandswearstoyouthatit’struth：gospeltruth？[Urgently]
Vivie：thebigpeople，thecleverpeople，themanagingpeople，allknowit。TheydoasIdo，andthinkwhatIthink。Iknowplentyofthem。Iknowthemtospeakto，tointroduceyouto，tomakefriendsofforyou。Idontmeananythingwrong：thatswhatyoudontunderstand：yourheadisfullofignorantideasaboutme。Whatdothepeoplethattaughtyouknowaboutlifeoraboutpeoplelikeme？Whendidtheyevermeetme，orspeaktome，orletanyonetellthemaboutme？thefools！WouldtheyeverhavedoneanythingforyouifIhadntpaidthem？HavntItoldyouthatIwantyoutoberespectable？HavntIbroughtyouuptoberespectable？AndhowcanyoukeepitupwithoutmymoneyandmyinfluenceandLizzie’sfriends？Cantyouseethatyourecuttingyourownthroataswellasbreakingmyheartinturningyourbackonme？
VIVIE。IrecognizetheCroftsphilosophyoflife，mother。I
hearditallfromhimthatdayattheGardners’。
MRSWARREN。YouthinkIwanttoforcethatplayed-outoldsotonyou！Idont，Vivie：onmyoathIdont。
VIVIE。Itwouldnotmatterifyoudid：youwouldnotsucceed。
[MrsWarrenwinces，deeplyhurtbytheimpliedindifferencetowardsheraffectionateintention。Vivie，neitherunderstandingthisnorconcerningherselfaboutit，goesoncalmly]Mother：youdontatallknowthesortofpersonIam。IdontobjecttoCroftsmorethantoanyothercoarselybuiltmanofhisclass。
Totellyouthetruth，Iratheradmirehimforbeingstrongmindedenoughtoenjoyhimselfinhisownwayandmakeplentyofmoneyinsteadoflivingtheusualshooting，hunting，dining-out，tailoring，loafinglifeofhissetmerelybecausealltherestdoit。AndI’mperfectlyawarethatifI’dbeeninthesamecircumstancesasmyauntLiz，I’dhavedoneexactlywhatshedid。
IdontthinkI’mmoreprejudicedorstraitlacedthanyou：IthinkI’mless。I’mcertainI’mlesssentimental。Iknowverywellthatfashionablemoralityisallapretence，andthatifItookyourmoneyanddevotedtherestofmylifetospendingitfashionably，Imightbeasworthlessandviciousasthesilliestwomancouldpossiblybewithouthavingawordsaidtomeaboutit。ButIdontwanttobeworthless。Ishouldntenjoytrottingabouttheparktoadvertizemydressmakerandcarriagebuilder，orbeingboredattheoperatoshewoffashopwindowfulofdiamonds。
MRSWARREN[bewildered]But——
VIVIE。Waitamoment：Ivenotdone。Tellmewhyyoucontinueyourbusinessnowthatyouareindependentofit。Yoursister，youtoldme，hasleftallthatbehindher。Whydontyoudothesame？
MRSWARREN。Oh，it’sallveryeasyforLiz：shelikesgoodsociety，andhastheairofbeingalady。Imaginemeinacathedraltown！Why，theveryrooksinthetreeswouldfindmeoutevenifIcouldstandthedulnessofit。Imusthaveworkandexcitement，orIshouldgomelancholymad。Andwhatelseisthereformetodo？Thelifesuitsme：I’mfitforitandnotforanythingelse。IfIdidntdoitsomebodyelsewould;soI
dontdoanyrealharmbyit。Andthenitbringsinmoney;andI
likemakingmoney。No：it’snouse：Icantgiveitup——notforanybody。Butwhatneedyouknowaboutit？I’llnevermentionit。I’llkeepCroftsaway。I’llnottroubleyoumuch：youseeI
havetobeconstantlyrunningaboutfromoneplacetoanother。
YoullbequitofmealtogetherwhenIdie。
VIVIE。No：Iammymother’sdaughter。Iamlikeyou：Imusthavework，andmustmakemoremoneythanIspend。Butmyworkisnotyourwork，andmywayisnotyourway。Wemustpart。Itwillnotmakemuchdifferencetous：insteadofmeetingoneanotherforperhapsafewmonthsintwentyyears，weshallnevermeet：thatsall。
MRSWARREN[hervoicestifledintears]Vivie：Imeanttohavebeenmorewithyou：Ididindeed。
VIVIE。It’snouse，mother：Iamnottobechangedbyafewcheaptearsandentreatiesanymorethanyouare，Idaresay。
MRSWARREN[wildly]Oh，youcallamother’stearscheap。
VIVIE。Theycostyounothing;andyouaskmetogiveyouthepeaceandquietnessofmywholelifeinexchangeforthem。Whatusewouldmycompanybetoyouifyoucouldgetit？Whathavewetwoincommonthatcouldmakeeitherofushappytogether？
MRSWARREN[lapsingrecklesslyintoherdialect]We’remotheranddaughter。Iwantmydaughter。Ivearighttoyou。WhoistocareformewhenI’mold？Plentyofgirlshavetakentomelikedaughtersandcriedatleavingme;butIletthemallgobecauseIhadyoutolookforwardto。Ikeptmyselflonelyforyou。
Youvenorighttoturnonmenowandrefusetodoyourdutyasadaughter。
VIVIE[jarredandantagonizedbytheechooftheslumsinhermother’svoice]Mydutyasadaughter！Ithoughtweshouldcometothatpresently。Nowonceforall，mother，youwantadaughterandFrankwantsawife。Idontwantamother;andIdontwantahusband。IhavesparedneitherFranknormyselfinsendinghimabouthisbusiness。DoyouthinkIwillspareyou？
MRSWARREN[violently]Oh，Iknowthesortyouare：nomercyforyourselforanyoneelse。_I_know。Myexperiencehasdonethatformeanyhow：Icantellthepious，canting，hard，selfishwomanwhenImeether。Well，keepyourselftoyourself：_I_dontwantyou。Butlistentothis。DoyouknowwhatIwoulddowithyouifyouwereababyagain？aye，assureasthere’saHeavenaboveus。
VIVIE。Strangleme，perhaps。
MRSWARREN。No：I’dbringyouuptobearealdaughtertome，andnotwhatyouarenow，withyourprideandyourprejudicesandthecollegeeducationyoustolefromme：yes，stole：denyitifyoucan：whatwasitbutstealing？I’dbringyouupinmyownhouse，Iwould。
VIVIE[quietly]Inoneofyourownhouses。
MRSWARREN[screaming]Listentoher！listentohowshespitsonhermother’sgreyhairs！Oh，mayyoulivetohaveyourowndaughtertearandtrampleonyouasyouhavetrampledonme。Andyouwill：youwill。Nowomaneverhadluckwithamother’scurseonher。
VIVIE。Iwishyouwouldntrant，mother。Itonlyhardensme。
Come：IsupposeIamtheonlyyoungwomanyoueverhadinyourpowerthatyoudidgoodto。Dontspoilitallnow。
MRSWARREN。Yes，Heavenforgiveme，it’strue;andyouaretheonlyonethateverturnedonme。Oh，theinjusticeofit！theinjustice！theinjustice！Ialwayswantedtobeagoodwoman。I
triedhonestwork;andIwasslave-drivenuntilIcursedthedayIeverheardofhonestwork。Iwasagoodmother;andbecauseI
mademydaughteragoodwomansheturnsmeoutasifIwerealeper。Oh，ifIonlyhadmylifetoliveoveragain！I’dtalktothatlyingclergymanintheschool。Fromthistimeforth，sohelpmeHeaveninmylasthour，I’lldowrongandnothingbutwrong。AndI’llprosperonit。
VIVIE。Yes：it’sbettertochooseyourlineandgothroughwithit。IfIhadbeenyou，mother，Imighthavedoneasyoudid;butIshouldnothavelivedonelifeandbelievedinanother。Youareaconventionalwomanatheart。ThatiswhyIambiddingyougoodbyenow。Iamright，amInot？
MRSWARREN[takenaback]Righttothrowawayallmymoney！
VIVIE。No：righttogetridofyou？Ishouldbeafoolnotto。
Isntthatso？
MRSWARREN[sulkily]Ohwell，yes，ifyoucometothat，Isupposeyouare。ButLordhelptheworldifeverybodytooktodoingtherightthing！AndnowI’dbettergothanstaywhereI’mnotwanted。[Sheturnstothedoor]。
VIVIE[kindly]Wontyoushakehands？
MRSWARREN[afterlookingatherfiercelyforamomentwithasavageimpulsetostrikeher]No，thankyou。Goodbye。
VIVIE[matter-of-factly]Goodbye。[MrsWarrengoesout，slammingthedoorbehindher。ThestrainonVivie’sfacerelaxes;hergraveexpressionbreaksupintooneofjoyouscontent;herbreathgoesoutinahalfsob，halflaughofintenserelief。Shegoesbuoyantlytoherplaceatthewritingtable;pushestheelectriclampoutoftheway;pullsoveragreatsheafofpapers;andisintheactofdippingherpenintheinkwhenshefindsFrank’snote。Sheopensitunconcernedlyandreadsitquickly，givingalittlelaughatsomequaintturnofexpressioninit]。Andgoodbye，Frank。[Shetearsthenoteupandtossesthepiecesintothewastepaperbasketwithoutasecondthought。Thenshegoesatherworkwithaplunge，andsoonbecomesabsorbedinitsfigures]。