I'm going home day after to-morrow on the Overland Limited.
WILL. I know.
LAURA. It's awfully kind of you to come out here, but under the
circumstances I'd rather you'd take an earlier or a later train.
WILL. And may I ask what circumstances you refer to?
LAURA. Mr. Madison and I are going to be married. [_Pause_.] He [Will
_looks inquiringly at_ JOHN.] knows of your former friendship for me,
and he has the idea that it must end.
WILL. Then the Riverside Drive proposition, with Burgess's show thrown
in, is declared off, eh?
LAURA. Yes; everything is absolutely declared off.
WILL. Can't even be friends any more, eh?
JOHN _crosses, and, taking_ LAURA'S _arm, passes her over to seat; his
back is partly to audience_.
JOHN. You could hardly expect Miss Murdock to be friendly with you
under the circumstances. You could hardly expect me to [LAURA _puts
scarf across her shoulders_.] sanction any such friendship.
WILL. I think I understand your position, young man, and I perfectly
agree with you, that is--if your plans come out successfully.
JOHN. Thank you.
LAURA. Then everything is settled [_Crossing in front of_ JOHN
_and facing_ WILL, _back to audience_.] just the way it ought to
be--frankly and aboveboard?
WILL. Why, I guess so. If I was perfectly confident that this new
arrangement was going to result happily for you both, I think it would
be great, only I'm somewhat doubtful, for when people become serious
and then fail, I know how hard those things hit, having _been_ hit
once myself.
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