STERLING.  I don’t know.

MASON.  Good morning, gentlemen.

[There is no response. WARDEN is with great difficulty restraining himself.  His lips are compressed lightly and his hands clenched.

RUTH.  What’s the trouble?

STERLING.  I have just told Warden my wife’s decision not to leave me.

RUTH. [Showing her relief and satisfaction in her face, turns to
WARDEN.] You won’t try to shake that resolve?

WARDEN. [Unable to control himself.] But I will!  I will—­I tell you all!  I hardly know what I say or do!  But look out for me, I’m desperate!  I’m a torrent that’s only let loose since yesterday, and now all of a sudden you try to stop me!  But it’s too late; I’ve got my impetus; the repressed passion of years is behind me; nothing can stop me—­and God keep me from doing the wrong thing!  I am determined to clear him out of the way of the happiness of the woman I love. [To RUTH.] Do you mean to say you approve of her decision? [RUTH turns her head; he turns to MASON.] Do you?

RUTH.  No.

STERLING. [To RUTH, holding out his hand.] You will stand by me,
Aunt Ruth, and together we—­

RUTH. [Interrupting and refusing his hand.] Oh, no.

STERLING.  Don’t you think I can win her love back?

RUTH.  No.

STERLING.  Won’t you help me try?

RUTH.  No.  It would be useless.

WARDEN.  Come with me to Blanche; I must speak with her.

[WARDEN and RUTH go out Right.

MASON. [Alone with STERLING.] Go away and make your wife understand you are never coming back.

STERLING.  But the loneliness, the misery, away—­alone.

MASON.  Kill them with hard work; you have other heavy debts, you know. 
I came to see you about this business of your acknowledgments to Miss
Godesby and Miss Hunter.

STERLING.  Later, later.  To-morrow I will decide—­

[He motions him away. MASON goes to him and puts his hand on his shoulder.

MASON.  Decide well—­

[He hesitates a moment and then goes out Right.

STERLING. [Watching him go.] There’s not one soul in this world who cares for me, and it’s my own fault. [RICHARD is heard upstairs again singing “Once in Royal David’s City.” STERLING lifts his head and listens.] Yes, one little soul loves me, and it would be better for him, too, if I went away.  I’ll go to sleep and see how I feel about it when I wake up. [He moves the glass of water and takes out the box of tablets.  He starts suddenly, but very slightly, and his muscles tighten.]