joy; nothing beautiful, nothing new! No hope, no future; just
slave--slave! And there was a young man--what they call a gentleman.
He took me to dinners, and I went, because I was near starving. In
the end he got me, of course. And then he threw me over, and I went
to work again. You see?

_Jack._ I see.

_Dolly._ After that it was worse. I was spoiled. But I was afraid
Belle might suspect, so I kept straight for a long time. But it was
no go. She was working herself to death--and

I'd see her ill, and I couldn't stand it. I'd tell her I had a job
in a hotel uptown. I'd be gone all night--and I'd bring her money.
That's my life!

_Jack (in a low voice)._ Are there many like that?

_Dolly._ The town is full of them. I know a girl who went to a
church home. They said they couldn't help her--they were for 'fallen
women.' She came back again and told them they could help her
now--she was a fallen woman.

_Jack._ God!

_Dolly._ She was starving, that was what drove her. That's what
drives thousands. And for that we're despised. The good women--they
spit upon us! I sometimes wonder--do they think we like it? _(Laughs
harshly.)_ That a woman should like to give herself to any brute
that comes along! _(Seizing Jack by the arm.)_ Tell me! What does it