Sterling monologue (Act 4) — The climbers : $b A play in four acts

One, two, three, four--[_He puts all in the glass, dropping them as he counts. He hesitates, then quickly drops in two more and drinks quickly. The glass is empty. He sits by the table thinking a moment, then lakes a piece of paper and makes ready his stylographic pen._] Let me see; can I make it seem accidental; it would be so much less bother and trouble for them! [_He thinks a second, then writes._] "I have accidentally taken an overdose of my sleeping draught. I have tried to call some one, but it's no use. I ask only one thing, that you forget all my sins, wipe out their memory with my name. I want my boy to change his name, too." [_He hesitates a moment, and then scratches that sentence heavily out._] No, I won't say that. [_He waits a moment._] God in heaven, what wouldn't I give for one friendly word just now! Some one to sort of say _good-by_ to me--take my hand--even a _servant_!