Page:Representative American plays.pdf/679

662 -- and looking about the room.) He no come?

{{hi|{{sc|Sharpless.}} {Following him.) They've seen the ship—these decorations were not here when I called.}}

{{hi|{{sc|Madame Butterfly.}} {Singing to hush the baby.)}}

( listens to the song coming from above.)

{{hi|. She is watching the ship. {Noticing the screened off part of the room.) My room . . . just as it used to look . . . my chair. {Picking up the doll which the child has dropped.) Poor kid! Poor little devil! . . . Sharpless, I thought when I left this house, the few tears, sobs, little polite regrets, would be over as I crossed the threshold. I started to come back for a minute, but I said to myself: "Don't do it; by this time she's ringing your gold pieces to make sure they're good." You know that class of Japanese girl and—}}

{{hi|{{sc|Sharpless.}} {Seeing {{sc|Nakodo}} who is at the shoji.) Look here: I have something to settle with you! ({{sc|Nakodo}} comes in cautiously.) Why did you seek out my friend's wife at the pier?}}

{{hi|{{sc|Lieutenant Pinkerton.}} Why did you tell her that story—the child and all? Answer me?}}

{{hi|{{sc|Nakodo.}} {To {{sc|Sharpless}}.) Your Excellency, I but thought if trouble came between the two women, he would surely break with Cho-Cho-San, and then she would be glad to marry the rich Yamadori and I get big fee. (Exit.)}}

{{hi|{{sc|Sharpless.}} You'll never get it. {To {{sc|Pinkerton}}.) She'll starve first.}}

{{hi|{{sc|Lieutenant Pinkerton.}} Sharpless, thank God, that's one thing I can do—money. (He takes out an envelope containing some money.)}}

{{hi|{{sc|Sharpless.}} What did your wife say, Pinkerton?}}

{{hi|{{sc|Lieutenant Pinkerton.}} Well, it was rather rough on her,—only married four months. Sharpless, my Kate's an angel,—she offered to take the child. . . made me promise I'd speak of it to Butterfly.}}

{{hi|{{sc|Madame Butterfly.}} {Calling from above.) Suzuki?}}

{{hi|{{sc|Sharpless.}} She's coming.}}

{{hi|({{sc|Pinkerton}} instinctively draws behind the screen.)}}

{{hi|{{sc|Madame Butterfly.}} {Coming down the stairs with the sleeping baby on her back, calling.) Suzuki? Come for bebby. {Kissing the child.) Nize liddle eye, pick out of blue sky, all shut up.}}

{{hi|{{sc|Lieutenant Pinkerton.}} {Aside to {{sc|Sharpless}}, his eyes fixed on the mother and child.) I can't face it! I 'm going. Give her the money.}}

{{hi|{{sc|Suzuki.}} {Entering, and seeing Pinkerton as he passes out of the door.) Ah!}}

{{left margin/s}}{{hi|({{Sc|Sharpless}} gives her a warning gesture.)}}{{left margin/e}}

{{hi|{{sc|Madame Butterfly.}} (Seeing {{sc|Suzuki}}'s astonished face.) Wha'—? (She puts the baby in {{sc|Suzuki}}'s arms. {{sc|Suzuki}} goes out quickly. {{sc|Madame Butterfly}} sees the Consul.) You! Oh! (Joyously.) You seen him?}}

{{hi|{{sc|Sharpless.}} Yes.}}

{{hi|{{sc|Madame Butterfly.}} An' you tole him?}}

{{hi|{{sc|Sharpless.}} Well. . .}}

{{hi|{{sc|Madame Butterfly.}} But you tole him. . . of bebby?}}

{{hi|{{sc|Sharpless.}} Yes.}}

{{sc|Madame Butterfly.}} (Wiping her dry lips.) Yaes. . . tha's right. Tha's