COAST. Don’t ask me.

LOUISE.  We’ve got to risk it, anyway.  Use some of my bonds, Steve.

STEVEN.  Louise!

LOUISE.  Yes, I mean it, we must.

STEVEN.  You don’t understand me—­we can’t use your security.

LOUISE.  Why not?

STEVEN. [Rising and half turning away.] Not—­again.

LOUISE.  How do you mean “again”?

STEVEN.  Your money is all there, all, already buried in it!

LOUISE. All my money? All of it!

STEVEN.  Yes, I wanted to win back your mother’s, I wanted—­

[Interrupted.

LOUISE. [Beside herself.] You wanted!  You wanted!!  You wanted!!!  To ruin us, that is what I should say you wanted to do!—­Do you mean to say, behind my back, you’ve gambled away every cent I have, as well as all my mother’s money!?!

GEORGIANA.  No! it’s not possible—­Steve!

[Comes between STEVEN and LOUISE.

STEVEN.  When did you come in, Georgy?

LOUISE.  Georgy! [No answer; she continues hysterically.] He can’t deny it; it’s true!  And it’s rank dishonesty, that’s what it is!  You’ve robbed me, you’ve robbed my mother, you’ve robbed your own children!  The papers will call you a—­

STEVEN. [Interrupting.] That’s not true!  I had control of your money—­to do with as I choose, and I did what I thought was for the best.

LOUISE.  You’ve never done anything for me that wasn’t for the worst!

[Walking up and down excitedly.

GEORGIANA.  Louise!

LOUISE.  It’s true!  If I can save a cent out of this ruin, I’ll take it and the children away from you!  I’ll never live with you again!  I’ll show you up to all your smart friends who’ve snubbed me!  I’ll send you to state prison if I can!

[Sits in the arm-chair down Left.

COAST. Shut up, Lou!  You’d better get a little legal advice before you start on that track.

GEORGIANA.  Louise!

[Goes to LOUISE.

LOUISE.  Well, what have you got to say?  My mother brought you up, was a second mother to your brother who ruined us, but you’ve got your money, I suppose.  You’ve been clever enough to keep your money in your own hands,—­you and he will always have enough!

[Crying hysterically.

GEORGIANA. Will you listen to me and let me say what I’m trying to?

LOUISE. [Bursting into floods of tears, overwhelmed with sympathy for herself.] He’s broken my heart!  That’s what he’s done; broken my heart!

GEORGIANA. [Going to LOUISE.] Oh, no, he hasn’t, Louise, he’s only broken your bank, and you don’t know the difference.  I want to say to you now,—­that all Steve needed was real love, and the guiding hand of a true, sensible woman—­

STEVEN. [Interrupting her, goes to GEORGIANA.  GEORGIANA turns to STEVE.] No, Georgy!  You mustn’t blame Louise!  I love her and always will, just as she is.  She doesn’t mean all she says now—­she’s angry, and she has a right to be—­I’m one of those men who never succeed—­who never have any luck, and it’s bad luck for her to have to share mine.