Judy monologue (Act 5) — Daddy Long-Legs : $b A comedy in four acts

(_Commencing in low, intense tone, gradually rising to a fever of rebellion_) I mean—I don’t feel any gratitude because I have nothing to be grateful for. There is no charity about it. I have earned my living in the John Grier Home. I have worked from the time I was a tiny child. For three years straight I polished brass door knobs until you discovered that I was clever enough to do other things. And you haven’t kept me all this extra time just for my own good. When I was eleven years old that lady wanted to adopt me. But you made her take another child instead, because I was useful. I might have had a home, too—like other children—and you stole it away from me. And you call me ungrateful because I’m glad to go? I don’t care _how hard_ it will be. I can make my own way in the world. Just give me a chance. Anywhere—out of the shadow of this asylum, and I will prove what I am good for. I’ve lived eighteen years in prison. I _hate_ the John Grier Home! (_As she hurls this last defiance she turns and runs out R._)