[Aghast.] Why, Freddy!
FREDDY. Oh, I know it's a fool way . . . to blurt it out at you like
that. I thought up a hundred ways to say it to you. I had a fine
speech all by heart, but I can't remember a word of it. When I see you
I can't even think straight. I'm simply beside myself . . . I can't
rest, I can't sleep, I can't do anything. I used to laugh at such
ideas, but now I'm frightened at myself. Can't you understand me,
Oceana? Oceana . . . I love you!
OCEANA. [Whispers.] My poor boy!
FREDDY. I don't ask you to say yes . . . I just ask you to give me a
chance . . . a hope. If I thought I might win you, I'd do anything . .
. anything! I'd wait for you . . . I'd work for you . . . I'd worship
you! Oceana! [He stops.] May I . . . May I take your hand? [She does
not give it.] Ah, no! I have no right! Oceana, listen to me! I have
thought that I was in love before . . . but it was just childish, it
was nothing like this. This has been a revelation to me . . . it makes
all the world seem different to me. And just see how suddenly it's
come . . . why, yesterday I was a boy! Yesterday I thought some things
were interesting . . . and to-day I wonder how I could have cared
about them. Nothing seems the same to me. And it all happened at once,
it was like an explosion . . . the first instant I laid eyes on you I
knew that you were the one woman I could ever love. And I said to
myself, she will laugh at you.
[He hesitates.
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