NED. [Masterfully putting arm around her and drawing her toward him.] And I am a joker, too, and a very wicked man.  Nevertheless, you must trust me.  There will be nothing wrong.

LORETTA. [Preparing to yield.] And no . . . scandal?

NED. Scandal fiddlesticks.  Loretta, I want you to be my wife. [He waits anxiously.]

[JACK HEMINGWAY, in fishing costume, appears in doorway to right and looks on.]

NED. You might say something.

LORETTA.  I will . . . if . . .

[ALICE HEMINGWAY appears in doorway to left and looks on.]

NED. [In suspense.] Yes, go on.

LORETTA.  If I don’t have to marry Billy.

NED. [Almost shouting.] You can’t marry both of us!

LORETTA. [Sadly, repulsing him with her hands.] Then, Ned, I cannot marry you.

NED. [Dumbfounded.] W-what?

LORETTA. [Sadly.] Because I can’t marry both of you.

NED. Bosh and nonsense!

LORETTA.  I’d like to marry you, but . . .

NED. There is nothing to prevent you.

LORETTA. [With sad conviction.] Oh, yes, there is.  You said yourself that I had to marry Billy.  You said you would s-s-shoot him if he didn’t.

NED. [Drawing her toward him.] Nevertheless . . .

LORETTA. [Slightly holding him off.] And it isn’t the custom . . . what . . .  Billy said?

NED. No, it isn’t the custom.  Now, Loretta, will you marry me?

LORETTA. [Pouting demurely.] Don’t be angry with me, Ned. [He gathers her into his arms and kisses her.  She partially frees herself, gasping.] I wish it were the custom, because now I’d have to marry you, Ned, wouldn’t I?

[NED and LORETTA kiss a second time and profoundly.]

[JACK HEMINGWAY chuckles.]

[NED and LORETTA, startled, but still in each other’s arms, look around.  NED looks sillily at ALICE HEMINGWAY.  LORETTA looks at JACK HEMINGWAY.]

LORETTA.  I don’t care.

CURTAIN

THE BIRTH MARK SKETCH BY JACK LONDON written for Robert and Julia Fitzsimmons

SCENE—­One of the club rooms of the West Bay Athletic Club.  Near centre front is a large table covered with newspapers and magazines.  At left a punching-bag apparatus.  At right, against wall, a desk, on which rests a desk-telephone.  Door at rear toward left.  On walls are framed pictures of pugilists, conspicuous among which is one of Robert Fitzsimmons.  Appropriate furnishings, etc., such as foils, clubs, dumb-bells and trophies.

[Enter MAUD SYLVESTER.]

[She is dressed as a man, in evening clothes, preferably a Tuxedo.  In her hand is a card, and under her arm a paper-wrapped parcel.  She peeps about curiously and advances to table.  She is timorous and excited, elated and at the same time frightened.  Her eyes are dancing with excitement.]