_Jack (covers his face with his hands)._ Oh, how _dared_ you?

_Dolly._ Don't go on so! You know I couldn't help it. What else
could we do? We hadn't a dollar in the house. _(She catches him by
the arm.)_ Don't be selfish, Jack!

_Jack._ Selfish!

_Dolly._ You're thinking of yourself--not of me and Belle.

_Jack._ When was it? To-night?

_Dolly._ This wasn't the first time. But it was always for Belle.

_Jack (in a whisper)._ For Belle!

_Dolly._ I've worked till I was ready to drop. I've slaved day and
night--but I couldn't make enough. And so, every now and then, I'd
go to a house.

_Jack._ When did it begin!

_Dolly._ Nearly a year ago.

_Jack._ Belle has never guessed it?

_Dolly._ Good God! She would kill herself! Listen--I'll tell you the
story. What does it matter now--you'll never see me again. It began
in a department store--twelve dollars a week. Fine wages, with two
to care for! It was slave--slave all day. Never a holiday, never a