Yes! Our work. Let's drop the other subject. Look at the moon!
[_Music and the moonlight flooding them._
Seriously, you promise never to _mention_ the subject again?
[_turning to him with a sudden change to girlish enthusiasm_]
Why, Doctor Metchnikoff--he promised me he would invite you.
If you need me I can, and you just said----
You are to stay at home and run the department for me.
[_stepping forward, with his heart in voice_]
Do I _want_ you! [_Stops._] But I am a man--you are a woman.
What of it? Are you one of those small men who care what people say? No! That's not your reason! [_She sees that it is not._] What is it? You must tell me.
Think of all I've done for _your_ sake. You wouldn't be going yourself but for me! I was the one to see you needed it, I proposed it to Metchnikoff--I urged him--_made_ him ask you--for _your sake_! And now am I to be left at home like a child because you don't care to be embarrassed with me?
Oh, please! This is so unfair. But I simply can't take you now.
Oh! You are all alike. You pile work upon me until I nearly drop, you play upon my interest, my sympathy--you get all you can out of me--my youth, my strength, my best! And then, just as I, too, have a chance to arrive in my profession, you, of all men, throw me over! I hate men. I hate you!
[_They stare at each other in silence, the moonlight flooding HELEN'S face, the music coming clear._
[_in an awed whisper, stepping back slowly_]
I've done it! I've done it! I _knew_ I'd do it!
No. I did it. Forgive me. I had to do it.
No! It glorifies everything! [_He breaks loose._] I have loved you from the first day you came and looked up at me for orders. I didn't want you there; I didn't want any woman there. I tried to tire you out with overwork but couldn't. I tried to drive you out by rudeness, but you stayed. And that made me love you more. Oh, I love you! I love you! I love you!
Why, I never knew there could be women like you. I thought women were merely something to be wanted and worshipped, petted and patronized. But now--why, I love everything about you: your wonderful, brave eyes that face the naked facts of life and are not ashamed; those beautiful hands that toiled so long, so well, so close to mine and not afraid, not afraid!