ELFIE. Well, don't you think anything about that. Now let's get
[_Rises, crosses to armchair, draws it over a little, sits on left
arm._] down to cases, and we haven't much time. Business is business,
and love is love. You're long on love and I'm long on business, and
between the two of us we ought to straighten this thing out. Now,
evidently John is coming on here to marry you.
LAURA. Yes.
ELFIE. And you love him?
LAURA. Yes.
ELFIE. And as far as you know the moment that he comes in here it's
quick to the Justice and a big matrimonial thing.
LAURA. Yes, but you see how impossible it is--
ELFIE. I don't see anything impossible. From all you've said to me
about this fellow there is only one thing to do.
LAURA. One thing?
ELFIE. Yes--get married quick. You say he has the money and you have
the love, and you're sick of Brockton, and you want to switch and do
it in the decent, respectable, conventional way, and he's going to
take you away. Haven't you got sense enough to know that, once you're
married to Mr. Madison, Will Brockton wouldn't dare go to him, and if
he did Madison wouldn't believe him? A man will believe a whole lot
about his girl, but nothing about his wife.
LAURA. [_Turns and looks at her. There is a long pause._] Elfie
[_Rises; crosses to right of table._]--I--I don't think I could do
like that to John. I don't think--I could deceive him.
ELFIE. You make me sick. The thing to do is to lie to all men.
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