STERLING.  Damn you both! then it’s the end of me!

[He pulls out a pistol and tries to put it to his temple.

BLANCHE. [Cries out.] Ned!

WARDEN. [Seizes STERLING, catches his arm, and wrenches the pistol from him.] So that’s what you planned to do, is it—­make a wretched scene like that?

[It begins to snow more heavily.

STERLING. [In utter collapse and shame.] Why did you stop me?  I’m better out of the world.  I’m crazy with shame.  First I disgraced and now I’ve insulted—­degraded—­the only living thing I care for,—­that’s my wife.

[A moment’s pause.

BLANCHE. [Speaks quietly.] Come back to the house.  Mr. Mason is looking for you; he has something to tell you.

STERLING.  I know—­more bad news.

BLANCHE.  No, good.

STERLING. [Echoes.] Good! [Starting to go, he turns at the porch.] I want you to know that I know I’m a rotten beast.

[He goes out Left.

WARDEN.  You’re going back home?

BLANCHE. “Home!” [With a faint smile.] I should hardly call it that.

WARDEN. [Aside to her.] You’re not afraid?

BLANCHE. [Half smiling.] Oh, no!  And my boy’s there.

[The thick falling snow almost hides them, but they are unconscious of it.

WARDEN.  What’s to be done?

BLANCHE.  Wait; we’ll see—­we’ll see—­let it be something we could never regret.  Good-by, Ned.

[Giving him her hand.

WARDEN.  Good-by, Blanche.

[Kissing her hand very tenderly and almost with a certain kind of awe, as

THE CURTAIN SLOWLY FALLS

ACT IV

The following morning; at the STERLINGS’; the library; a warm, livable, and lovable room, full of pictures, photographs, and books; mistletoe and holly decorate everywhere.  In the bow-window at back there is a large bird-cage with half a dozen birds in it.  The furniture is comfortable and heavily upholstered.  At Left there is a fireplace with logs ready, but the fire is not lit.  There a big table near the centre, full of magazines, illustrated papers, and books.  A big arm-chair is beside the table, and other chairs conversationally close.  There is a table near the door at Right, piled with Christmas gifts, still wrapped in white paper; they are tied with many colored ribbons and bunches of holly.  There are doors Right and Left.  After the curtain rises on an empty stage, RUTH enters quickly; while she has her buoyant manner, she is, of course, more serious than usual.  She carries a bunch of fresh violets in her hand.  She looks about the room with a sort of curiosity.  She is waiting for some one to appear.  She takes up a silver-framed photograph of her brother which stands on a table and speaks aloud to it.