STERLING. Don't you talk to me; let my wife do the talking if you want
me to answer.
BLANCHE. Sit down, Aunt Ruth. [RUTH _sits by the table_, WARDEN _stands
at back._ STERLING _stands at Right and_ BLANCHE _and_ MASON _sit near
the centre._] Aunt Ruth asks you to give her a true account of her trust
in you. Mr. Mason is here as her friend and my father's.
STERLING. I haven't said I betrayed her trust. I told her she should
_have_ the bonds she wants to-morrow.
BLANCHE. But _will_ she? That's what I want to know. I ask you if you
haven't her bonds, to tell us here now,--tell _us_, who have been and
must be still the best friends, perhaps the only friends, you can have.
Tell us where we all stand--are we the only ones to suffer or are there
others who will perhaps be less generous in their treatment of you? Tell
us now while there is time perhaps to save us from public scandal, from
the disgrace which would stamp your wife as the wife of a thief, and
send your boy out into the world the son of a convict cheat. [_She
breaks down, but in a moment controls herself. There is no answer._
STERLING _sinks into a chair, his arms on the table, his head on his
arms. A moment's silence._] You _love_ me--I know that. I appeal to your
love; let your love of me persuade you to do what I ask.
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