Mrs. Warren’s Profession

air as he disappears, and speaking to Vivie with an assumption of being on privileged terms with her. Pleasant young fellow that, Miss Vivie. Pity he has no money, isn’t it? Vivie Do you think so? Crofts Well, what’s he to do? No profession, no property. Whats he good for? Vivie I realize his disadvantages, Sir George. Crofts A little taken aback at being so precisely interpreted. Oh, it’s not that. But while we’re in this world we’re in it; and money’s money. Vivie does not answer. Nice day, isn’t it? Vivie With scarcely veiled contempt for this effort at conversation. Very. Crofts With brutal good humor, as if he liked her pluck. Well, that’s not what I came to say. Affecting frankness. Now listen, Miss Vivie. I’m quite aware that I’m not a young lady’s man. Vivie Indeed, Sir George? Crofts No; and to tell you the honest truth, I don’t want to be either. But when I say a thing I mean it; when I feel sentiment I feel it in earnest; and what I value I pay hard money for. That’s the sort of man I am. Vivie It does you great credit, I’m sure. Crofts Oh, I don’t mean to praise myself. I have my faults, Heaven knows: no man is more sensible of that than I am. I know I’m not perfect: that’s one of the advantages of being a middle-aged man; for I’m not a young man, and I know it. But my code is a simple one, and, I think, a good one. Honor between man and man; fidelity between man and woman; and no cant about this religion or that religion, but an honest belief that things are making for good on the whole. Vivie With biting irony. “A power, not ourselves, that makes for righteousness,” eh? Crofts Taking her seriously. Oh, certainly, not ourselves, of course. You understand what I mean. He sits down beside her, as one who has found a kindred spirit. Well, now as to practical matters. You may have an idea that I’ve flung my money about; but I haven’t: I’m richer today than when I first came into the property. I’ve used my knowledge of the world to invest my money in ways that other men have overlooked; and whatever else I may be, I’m a safe man from the money point of view. Vivie It’s very kind of you to tell me all this. Crofts Oh well, come, Miss Vivie: you needn’t pretend you don’t see what I’m driving at. I want to settle down with a Lady Crofts. I suppose you think me very blunt, eh? Vivie Not at all: I am very much obliged to you for being so definite and businesslike. I quite appreciate the offer: the money, the position, Lady Crofts, and so on. But I think I will say no, if you don’t mind. I’d rather not. She rises, and strolls across to the sundial to get out of his immediate neighborhood. Crofts Not at all discouraged, and taking advantage of the additional room left him on the seat to spread himself comfortably, as if a few preliminary refusals were part of the inevitable routine of courtship. I’m in no hurry. It was only just to let you know in case young Gardner should try to trap you. Leave the question open. Vivie Sharply. My no is final. I won’t go back from it. She looks authoritatively at him. He grins; leans forward with his elbows on his knees to prod with his stick at some unfortunate insect in the grass; and looks cunningly at her. She turns away impatiently. Crofts I’m a good deal older than you⁠—twenty-five years⁠—quarter of a century. I shan’t live forever; and I’ll take care that you shall be well off when I’m gone. Vivie I am proof against even that inducement, Sir George. Don’t you think you’d better take your answer? There is not the slightest chance of my altering it. Crofts Rising, after a final slash at a daisy, and beginning to walk to and fro. Well, no matter. I could tell you some things that would change your mind fast enough; but I won’t, because I’d rather win you by honest affection. I was a good friend to your mother: ask her whether I wasn’t. She’d never have make the money that paid for your education if it hadn’t been for my advice and help, not to mention the money I advanced her. There are not many men who would have stood by her as I have. I put not less than forty thousand pounds into it, from first to last. Vivie Staring at him. Do you mean to say that you were my mother’s business partner? Crofts Yes. Now just think of all the trouble and the explanations it would save if we were to keep the whole thing in the family, so to speak. Ask your mother whether she’d like to have to explain all her affairs to a perfect stranger. Vivie I see no difficulty, since I understand that the business is wound up, and the money invested. Crofts Stopping short, amazed. Wound up! Wind up a business that’s paying thirty-five percent in the worst years! Not likely. Who told you that? Vivie Her color quite gone. Do you mean that it is still⁠—? She stops abruptly, and puts her hand on the sundial to support herself. Then she gets quickly to the iron chair and sits down. What business are you talking about? Crofts Well, the fact is it’s not what would considered exactly a high-class business in my set⁠—the country set, you know⁠—our set it will be if you think better of my offer. Not that there’s any mystery about it: don’t think that. Of course you know by your mother’s being in it that it’s perfectly straight and honest. I’ve known her for many years; and I can say of her that she’d cut off her hands sooner than touch anything that was