Page:Fashions for Men And The Swan Two Plays (NY 1922).pdf/97

 excellency about you. Maybe I can persuade him to keep you on.

—He's a good-hearted man I'd have spoken to him myself only[With a hopeless gesture he indicates his tattered coat.] I couldn't let him see me in this condition.

—[Grasps both lapels of his own coat; despairingly.] The man will have the coat off my back!

—[Takes a protesting stride toward him.] But Mr. Juhasz you don't suppose that I

—No, no but stop talking like that or I'll have to take it off Merciful heaven! To think that such poverty exists in our very midst!

—[Weeping.] You have made a better man of me, Mr. Juhasz.

—There there, my boy  don't worry  everything will be all right Just rely on me I'll take care of you. [Puts an arm about him; his voice quavers with tenderness and pity.] Come what may, I'll help you. [The appears in the doorway at back.] We'll overlook what you have done  and I'll see to it that your wages are raised. [''The enters. Seeing him, lets his arm fall from  shoulder. There is a pause.'']

—Is this the way you dismiss the man, Mr. Juhasz?