[She flings herself face downwards on the bed.Nickygoes over to her.]
[She flings herself face downwards on the bed.Nickygoes over to her.]
Nicky
Mother!
Florence
Go away—go away—I hate you—go away——
Nicky
Mother—sit up——
Florence
[Pulling herself together]
Go out of my room——
Nicky
Mother——
Florence
I don’t ever want to see you again—you’re insane—you’ve said wicked, wicked things to me—you’ve talked to me as though I were a woman off the streets. I can’t bear any more—I can’t bear any more!
Nicky
I have a slight confession to make——
Florence
Confession?
Nicky
Yes.
Florence
Go away—go away——
Nicky
[Taking a small gold box from his pocket]
Look——
Florence
What do you mean—what is it——?
Nicky
Don’t you know?
[Florencetakes the box with trembling fingers and opens it. She stares at it for a moment. When she speaks again her voice is quite dead.]
[Florencetakes the box with trembling fingers and opens it. She stares at it for a moment. When she speaks again her voice is quite dead.]
Florence
Nicky, it isn’t—you haven’t——?
Nicky
Why do you look so shocked?
Florence
[Dully]
Oh, my God!
Nicky
What does it matter?
[Florencesuddenly rises and hurls the box out of the window.]
[Florencesuddenly rises and hurls the box out of the window.]
That doesn’t make it any better.
Florence
[Flinging herself on her knees beside him]
Nicky, promise me, oh, promise you’ll never do it again—never in your life—it’s frightful—horrible——
Nicky
It’s only just the beginning.
Florence
What can I say to you—what can I say to you?
Nicky
Nothing—under the circumstances.
Florence
What do you mean?
Nicky
It can’t possibly matter—now.
Florence
Matter—but it’s the finish of everything—you’re young, you’re just starting on your life—you must stop—you must swear never to touch it again—swear to me on your oath, Nicky—I’ll help you—I’ll help you——
Nicky
You!
[He turns away.]
[He turns away.]
Florence
[Burying her face in her hands and moaning]
Oh—oh—oh!
Nicky
How could you possibly help me?
Florence
[Clutching him]
Nicky!
Nicky
[Almost losing control]
Shut up—shut up—don’t touch me——
Florence
[Trying to take him in her arms]
Nicky—Nicky——
Nicky
I’m trying to control myself, but you won’t let me—you’re an awfully rotten woman, really.
Florence
Nicky—stop—stop—stop——
[She beats him with her fists.]
[She beats him with her fists.]
Nicky
Leave go of me!
[He breaks away from her, and going up to the dressing-table he sweeps everything off on to the floor with his arm.]
[He breaks away from her, and going up to the dressing-table he sweeps everything off on to the floor with his arm.]
Florence
[Screaming]
Oh—oh—Nicky——!
Nicky
Now then! Now then! You’re not to have any more lovers; you’re not going to be beautiful and successful ever again—you’re going to be my mother for once—it’s about time I had one to help me, before I go over the edge altogether——
Florence
Nicky—Nicky——
Nicky
Promise me to be different—you’ve got to promise me!
Florence
[Sinking on to the end of couch, facing audience]
Yes—yes—I promise—— [The tears are running down her face.]
Nicky
I love you, really—that’s why it’s so awful.
[He falls on his knees by her side and buries his face in her lap.]
[He falls on his knees by her side and buries his face in her lap.]
Florence
No. No, not awful—don’t say that—I love you, too.
Nicky
[Sobbing hopelessly]
Oh, mother——!
Florence
[Staring in front of her]
I wish I were dead!
Nicky
It doesn’t matter about death, but it matters terribly about life.
Florence
I know——
Nicky
[Desperately]
Promise me you’ll be different—promise me you’ll be different——
Florence
Yes, yes—I’ll try——
Nicky
We’ll both try.
Florence
Yes, dear.—Oh, my dear——!
[She sits quite still, staring in front of her—the tears are rolling down her cheeks, and she is strokingNicky’shair mechanically in an effort to calm him.]
[She sits quite still, staring in front of her—the tears are rolling down her cheeks, and she is strokingNicky’shair mechanically in an effort to calm him.]
Curtain