I had got to put it across, no matter what it cost, so that he wouldn’t be ashamed of me. The study was something terrible. I had to watch myself every minute for years, and I never knew when I might fluff my lines or fall down on some bit of business. But I did it, because I didn’t want him to be ashamed of me, though all the time I was just aching to be back where I belonged.”
Old Danby made a jump at her, and took her by the shoulders.
“Come back where you belong, Julie!” he cried. “Your husband’s dead, your son’s a pro. Come back! It’s twenty-five years ago, but I haven’t changed. I want you still. I’ve always wanted you. You’ve got to come back, kid, where you belong.”
Aunt Julia gave a sort of gulp and looked at him.
“Joe!” she said in a kind of whisper.
“You’re here, kid,” said Old Danby, huskily. “You’ve come back. … Twenty-five years! … You’ve come back and you’re going to stay!”
She pitched forward into his arms, and he caught her.
“Oh, Joe! Joe! Joe!” she said. “Hold me. Don’t let me go. Take care of me.”
And I edged for the door and slipped from the room. I felt weak. The old bean will stand a certain amount, but this was too much. I groped my way out into the street and wailed for a taxi.
Gussie called on me at the hotel that night. He curveted into the room as if he had bought it and the rest of the city.