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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 79216 ***
+
+
+
+CRIMINALS
+
+
+
+
+_BY THE SAME AUTHOR_
+
+
+  EMBERS
+  AND OTHER ONE-ACT PLAYS
+
+
+  TRADITION
+  AND OTHER ONE-ACT PLAYS
+
+
+  POSSESSION
+  AND OTHER ONE-ACT PLAYS
+
+
+  NOWADAYS
+  A THREE-ACT CONTEMPORANEOUS
+  COMEDY
+
+
+
+
+CRIMINALS
+
+A ONE-ACT PLAY ABOUT MARRIAGE
+
+BY GEORGE MIDDLETON
+
+[Illustration]
+
+ NEW YORK
+ B. W. HUEBSCH
+ MCMXV
+
+
+COPYRIGHT BY GEORGE MIDDLETON, 1914, 1915
+
+This play in its printed form is designed for the reading public
+only. All dramatic rights in it are fully protected by copyright, and
+no performance--professional or amateur--or public reading may be
+given without the written permission of the author and the payment
+of royalty. Communication should be sent to the author, care of the
+publisher, 225 Fifth avenue, New York City.
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+
+Truth to life does not necessarily imply truth in art. Though all human
+nature is material for the author and there is no immorality in art
+save insincerity in its treatment, I should be the first to admit the
+danger of deducing a generality from an isolated instance. Therefore,
+the fact that this play was founded on an actual occurrence would not
+alone have prompted my using so intimate a theme of life in the art
+form. And since the dramatist must inevitably select the high lights
+so that he may suggest the larger problems radiating beyond the mere
+episode, the arrangement of events in “Criminals” may seem exceptional.
+Nevertheless, in spite of the compression, necessitated by the one-act
+form, the human reactions in this play and its basic situation are by
+no means so uncommon as one might casually assume.
+
+It would be easy for the incredulous to deny and for the cynical
+to scoff at its premise of complete virginal ignorance; but that
+would not erase the records of medical literature. Psychologists and
+neurologists, who have related divorce to something more than legal
+causes, have also given abundant testimony to the part which initial
+sex experience has ultimately played in the wreckage of marriage. And
+I have myself been greatly surprised at the large number of collateral
+cases which have been brought to my attention since this was written
+and produced--cases of women whose experiences have, in essence, been
+similar to Janet’s, though their reactions have been translated into a
+less radical course of conduct.
+
+I have not sought to dramatize a particular pathological phenomenon: I
+have written this play because I believe it intimates the human drama
+which, with varying degrees of intensity, may lurk in this phase of
+marriage. The resolution arrived at is not a playwright’s conclusion
+intended to preach a moral: it is legitimately achieved, I hope,
+through the shock of juxtaposed characters finding a new point of view
+under stress of circumstance, tragic to them.
+
+The advantage of play publication, as I have indicated in my other
+volumes, is that the dramatist has a written record of his endeavor,
+accessible to those who may be interested in his work where wide
+production, for obvious reasons, is denied it.
+
+I should be ungrateful did I not here express my appreciation to Miss
+Aline Barnsdall, for her courage in producing this play, as well as
+my thanks to the little company who interpreted, with rare tact and
+delicacy, the very difficult rôles which were intrusted to them.
+
+  G. M.
+
+September tenth, 1915.
+
+
+
+
+CRIMINALS
+
+
+
+
+FIRST PERFORMANCE
+
+  at the Fine Arts Theatre, Chicago,
+  February third, 1915,
+  under the management of
+  The Players Producing Company.
+
+
+
+
+THE CAST
+
+
+  ALFRED YORK                        FRED PERMAINE
+  ANN, _his wife_           FLORENCE LE CLERCQ
+  JANET, _their daughter_       BERNICE GOLDEN
+  CARTER MERWIN                      FRANK STIRLING
+
+  SCENE: _The York home: about ten o’clock,
+  one Spring evening_.
+
+  Produced by the Author.
+
+
+
+
+CRIMINALS
+
+
+_A cozy sitting room on the second floor of a small house is disclosed,
+as the curtain slowly lifts. It is conventional in furnishing, with a
+family portrait or two looking down complacently upon the methodically
+placed chairs, sofa and large mahogany table. The two windows at the
+right are draped with light curtains which are similar to those neatly
+hung across the opening in back. This leads to the hall-way and stairs
+beyond. At the left is a door opening into_ JANET’S _room. Except for
+the telephone, with a switch attachment, which rests on the table,
+there is nothing modern in the room; all the details, in fact, indicate
+the settled nature of the occupants who have apparently lived there
+for many years. The hall-way is dark, but the room itself is softly
+lighted by the tall red-shaded lamp which stands back of the sofa. The
+moonlight, too, faintly trickles in at the windows._
+
+MR. _and_ MRS. YORK _are alone. The door into_ JANET’S _room is open
+and_ MRS. YORK _is silently gazing at it. She is seated on the sofa and
+has ceased sewing. He is in a deep chair, by the table, trying to read
+the evening paper. But he cannot seem to concentrate on it; he looks
+toward his wife now and then as though both were dwelling on the same
+thought_.
+
+YORK, _in his late forties, is a rather obvious kindly man with a quiet
+voice and gentle manner. He wears a frock coat_.
+
+MRS. YORK, _somewhat younger, is also a lovable personality who has
+expended all her energies within the concentrated limits of her home
+life. She still wears her formal gray afternoon gown_.
+
+_They are, in fact, a harmoniously happy couple, reticent with regard
+to their inner feelings, and instinctively submissive to certain
+conventions which, until now, the easy habit of life has never made
+them question_.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+[_With a sigh_]
+
+I can’t help thinking we shan’t see Janet come from that room again.
+
+YORK
+
+No.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+Now she’s gone we’ll leave everything in there just as it is.
+
+YORK
+
+Yes.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+[_With contented recollection_]
+
+She was so happy here.
+
+YORK
+
+She had a good mother.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+[_Lovingly eyeing him_]
+
+And father, Fred.
+
+YORK
+
+I’m just an ordinary sort of person.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+But she appreciated all that you did for her.
+
+YORK
+
+A father isn’t much guidance to a daughter. It’s the mother who counts
+there.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+I did everything I could to bring her up properly. [_Sighing again_]
+But times have changed since _I_ was a girl. One has to be so careful.
+
+YORK
+
+It’s the mothers who have changed--letting their girls go about just
+as if they were boys. There wouldn’t be so much trouble, Ann, if all
+mothers were companionable like you.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+I was glad I _could_ devote all my time to Janet. I can almost be happy
+now that I’m alone--thinking of that.
+
+YORK
+
+It was the greatest joy in my life to see you two so inseparable. Why,
+Janet hardly left your side, did she?
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+No. When I was with her I always felt as though I were walking in a
+garden of lilies.
+
+YORK
+
+Yes, pure white.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+I often wondered why she liked white furniture.
+
+YORK
+
+It was like herself somehow, I suppose.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+[_She goes to him_]
+
+And to-night will be the first time she’s ever been away from me.
+[_Shuddering_] To-night!
+
+YORK
+
+There, dear, don’t worry.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+[_With instinctive reserve as she takes his hand_]
+
+You know what I’m thinking?
+
+YORK
+
+Yes.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+I hate to think of such things.
+
+YORK
+
+[_Trying to be cheerful_]
+
+Then don’t let’s talk of them. Carter is her husband now.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+I know. It’s strange how girls grow up in a place and then leave when
+the first man....
+
+YORK
+
+[_With consoling assurance_]
+
+He’s a good chap and early marriages are best.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+Yes. And she seemed so sure of herself. [_There is a pause as she
+thoughtfully goes to window and gazes out_] What time is it?
+
+YORK
+
+Just ten.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+I’m so glad they told us where they were going.
+
+YORK
+
+But didn’t you feel as though it spoiled their little romance for us to
+know?
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+[_Smiling_]
+
+Nothing could spoil their romance; it was like a story-book. But Janet
+really wanted us to go down to the boat to-morrow and see her off.
+[_Wistfully_] It must be nice to have a honeymoon in Italy.
+
+YORK
+
+[_Trying to be cheerful throughout_]
+
+Carter’s got more money than _I_ had when you and I were married.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+[_Affectionately_]
+
+But they won’t have a happier time over there than we did in
+Washington, will they? [_After another silence_] I--I thought perhaps
+she’d ’phone us to let us know she reached the hotel safely.
+
+YORK
+
+[_Playfully_]
+
+_We_ didn’t think of ’phoning.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+Mother didn’t have a ’phone then. [_In recollection_] But I thought of
+her. [_They smile; then she puts her arm on his shoulder, as she stands
+behind his chair_] Oh, Fred, I....
+
+YORK
+
+[_Understandingly_]
+
+You mustn’t feel like this about Janet, dear. Everything will be as it
+should be--just as it was between us. Carter’s a fine fellow and....
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+She’s only a little girl.
+
+YORK
+
+So were you, Ann, when I took you away from your mother.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+It’s foolish of me I know, but.... [_As though wishing to change the
+subject_] The room and hall-way are full of fragrance.
+
+YORK
+
+Suppose we send her wedding flowers to the hospital to-morrow.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+You are always so thoughtful, Fred. I’ll tell Mary in the morning.
+
+YORK
+
+Shall we go down and look at them again before we go to bed?
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+Yes; I’m tired though. It’s been such a long day. [_She goes to him
+tenderly and puts her arms on his shoulders as he now stands facing
+her_] Fred, it takes me back.
+
+YORK
+
+Some twenty years, eh?
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+We only have each other now.
+
+YORK
+
+Yes; the way it was when we started.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+It was hard for me to see my little girl go. [_She kisses him_] I’ve
+been so happy here with you and Janet. [_The telephone rings. She goes
+to it_] I knew she’d ’phone. Let me go, Fred. I want to hear her voice.
+[_Taking off the receiver eagerly_] Yes, hello! Is that you, Janet?
+No?... You wish to speak to _Mr._ York? Is that you, Carter? Yes; he’s
+here. [_She slowly hands the receiver to_ YORK _as she stands half
+trembling with sudden premonition_] Carter wants to speak to you. [YORK
+_slowly takes the receiver_] Oh, I’m afraid.
+
+YORK
+
+[_At ’phone_]
+
+Yes, Carter. [_Startled_] What’s that? Coming back _here_? To-night?
+[_After a pause_] Yes, of course: you’d better come around yourself
+right away. Wait. The front door will be unlatched. Come right up to
+the sitting room. [_He hangs up the receiver and looks at_ MRS. YORK,
+_who is dumbly questioning him_] Janet’s on her way here.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+Here!
+
+YORK
+
+She left the hotel fifteen minutes ago--alone.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+[_Terrified_]
+
+Alone?
+
+YORK
+
+She has her own key?
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+Yes. I wanted her always to keep it. But you told Carter to come also?
+
+YORK
+
+Yes. Has Mary gone upstairs yet?
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+No! [_As_ YORK _goes to telephone and switches it_] What are you doing?
+
+YORK
+
+[_Into telephone_]
+
+Is that you, Mary? I’ve just had a ’phone. We are expecting somebody.
+Put the front door latch back so he can come right up to us. No, I
+don’t want to keep you up: then go to bed. Understand? Good-night.
+
+  [_He hangs up the receiver_. MRS. YORK _has gazed before her during
+  this, as though bewildered. There is a long pause before either
+  speaks: then it is in broken tones, full of an implication that is
+  hardly phrased_]
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+Fred; something terrible’s happened.
+
+YORK
+
+There’s no reason to think that.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+The tone of his voice.
+
+YORK
+
+Now don’t give way: it’s all right. [_Slowly_] Perhaps....
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+[_Slowly_]
+
+Perhaps what?
+
+YORK
+
+[_Hesitating_]
+
+Well, sometimes....
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+But Carter must have known she....
+
+YORK
+
+[_Half to himself_]
+
+It may be....
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+[_Hysterical_]
+
+Why don’t you say what you think?
+
+YORK
+
+I remember men telling me....
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+Do men ever talk of such things?
+
+YORK
+
+Yes: afterwards. [_He apparently hears the maid going upstairs. He goes
+back to be sure, then turns to his wife_] Mary has gone up to bed.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+Do you think Janet will tell us?
+
+YORK
+
+If not, why is she coming back here?
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+Where else could she go?.... Oh, Fred, this is more than I can stand.
+Suppose--suppose she doesn’t come?
+
+YORK
+
+Nonsense. Shall we go downstairs?
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+No; not where their flowers are. [_She tries to control her growing
+agitation_] Why doesn’t she come?--She ought to be here by now.--Are
+you _sure_ Carter said she was coming here?
+
+YORK
+
+Maybe she walked.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+[_Murmuring_]
+
+Alone in the street this time of night?
+
+YORK
+
+There’s no danger.
+
+  [_The curtains are pushed open and_ JANET _enters_. _She goes
+  hysterically to_ MRS. YORK _and buries her face in her mother’s lap,
+  sobbing_. YORK _comes over beside them, anxiously_.
+
+  JANET YORK, _about nineteen, is the personification of sensitive
+  delicacy and fragile grace. Her present agitation is such that, when
+  words fail, she conveys her meaning through groping, broken tones and
+  suggestion. She is wearing her smart “going away” tailor-made gown
+  and hat_]
+
+JANET
+
+Mother! Mother!
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+My girl! What is it?
+
+YORK
+
+Wait, Ann.
+
+JANET
+
+Oh, I.... I....
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+Don’t cry so.
+
+YORK
+
+[_Patting her shoulder_]
+
+Janet, dear!
+
+JANET
+
+[_Looking up at him_]
+
+Father!
+
+YORK
+
+Tell us.
+
+JANET
+
+I’ll.... I’ll tell mother.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+[_Looking at_ YORK]
+
+Leave us together, Fred. Maybe she’ll....
+
+YORK
+
+You’d better tell me, too, in case....
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+Your father’s right, Janet.
+
+JANET
+
+I.... I can’t _tell_ it.
+
+YORK
+
+But your mother’s frightened.
+
+JANET
+
+So ... so ... was I--_frightened_.
+
+YORK
+
+But, dear...?
+
+JANET
+
+It was different from.... I didn’t know.... Why didn’t you tell me?
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+[_Astonished_]
+
+Tell you?
+
+JANET
+
+Yes: what marriage means.... He said _that_ was marriage.
+
+  [MR. _and_ MRS. YORK _exchange looks, slowly realizing the situation_]
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+Didn’t your heart tell you?
+
+JANET
+
+  [_Phrasing her feeling with great difficulty throughout_]
+
+Not that. How could it? My heart couldn’t know _that_? It stopped. It
+seemed to snap. It felt ashamed. I’m ashamed now.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+[_Perplexed_]
+
+But all the time when Carter was with you here, didn’t you--didn’t your
+heart...?
+
+JANET
+
+I tell you I never knew there were such things in the world. But _you_
+knew. You _both_ knew! [_Reproachfully_] You should have told me and
+then I wouldn’t have.... Oh, why didn’t you tell me?
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+[_Helplessly_]
+
+Fred?
+
+YORK
+
+[_At a loss_]
+
+Don’t--don’t be harsh at your mother, Janet.
+
+JANET
+
+[_Looking up_]
+
+Then why didn’t _you_ tell me?
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+How could your father...?
+
+JANET
+
+[_Interrupting abruptly_]
+
+Why not? He let me marry Carter when I came and asked him. My father
+let me go away with Carter. And you both knew; Carter said you both
+knew. And neither of you told me.
+
+  [YORK _shakes his head slowly as though overcome by it all; they try,
+  however, to console_ JANET]
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+Dear, you--you mustn’t feel like this about Carter.
+
+YORK
+
+[_Tenderly_]
+
+No--no.
+
+JANET
+
+I can’t help how I feel.
+
+YORK
+
+But, Janet; he’s your husband.
+
+JANET
+
+Yes. My husband! I know that. But I didn’t know what it meant having a
+husband. [_Quickly_] Does that give him the right if I...?
+
+YORK
+
+Yes, Janet.
+
+JANET
+
+[_More deeply hurt at the thought_]
+
+Then if neither of you would tell me, why didn’t _he_ tell me before...?
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+[_Shocked_]
+
+Why people don’t talk of such things _before_ they’re married, dear.
+
+JANET
+
+They don’t?
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+How could they be so immodest?
+
+JANET
+
+Immodest? Immodest to _talk_? Yet he could...? Oh...!
+
+YORK
+
+What did you think marriage was, dear?
+
+JANET
+
+[_Simply_]
+
+I--I thought it was just being together, like you and father.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+[_Involuntarily_]
+
+But your father and I....
+
+JANET
+
+[_Retreating from them in realization and astonishment_]
+
+You and father! Oh!
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+Janet.
+
+YORK
+
+Janet!
+
+JANET
+
+Don’t touch me, father. [_She moves quickly away from him_] I don’t
+want anybody to put their hands on me again. I--I have to think. I want
+to _understand_ what you said.--I always knew there was _something_
+I didn’t understand.... [_Incredulously_] How could any girl grow up
+and not...? [_Quickly turning to her mother_] Mother, did you know
+what--what...? Did you know _this_, when you and Father first...?
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+[_Hardly able to speak_]
+
+No!
+
+JANET
+
+[_Incredulously_]
+
+You didn’t know _either_, when you were married?
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+[_Emphatically_]
+
+A good girl shouldn’t.
+
+JANET
+
+[_Vehemently_]
+
+A good girl! Then I wish I weren’t a good girl!
+
+YORK
+
+Janet!
+
+JANET
+
+[_Persistently_]
+
+Mother. Didn’t you even feel for father as I did to-night when
+Carter...?
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+[_Horrified throughout_]
+
+No. No. I loved your father.
+
+YORK
+
+And don’t you love Carter?
+
+JANET
+
+[_Incredulously_]
+
+Is that love?
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+It’s part of love.
+
+JANET
+
+[_Introspectively_]
+
+Then--don’t I love Carter?
+
+YORK
+
+[_Trying to quiet her_]
+
+Of course, you do.
+
+JANET
+
+[_Speaking as though overcome with a new revelation_]
+
+I don’t. I don’t. How could I love him if I couldn’t let--? Oh!--If
+you, mother, loved father and ... and yet _I_ couldn’t....
+
+YORK
+
+Janet, you’re all nerves. Are you different from other girls?
+
+JANET
+
+[_Gazing before her_]
+
+I don’t know. I can’t understand myself--[_Impulsively_] Mother,
+mother; I hated him!
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+Janet!
+
+JANET
+
+[_Shuddering in recollection_]
+
+Yes--yes. His face changed ... his eyes ... oh!... And then he--he was
+sorry. There were tears in his eyes. But I was frightened and ... oh, I
+thought I belonged to myself.
+
+YORK
+
+[_Kindly_]
+
+You belong to Carter, and he’s coming here for you.
+
+JANET
+
+[_Startled_]
+
+Coming here?
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+Yes. He ’phoned.
+
+JANET
+
+I thought I was safe here in my home.
+
+YORK
+
+Your home is with him now. You’re his wife, Janet. And you promised
+him....
+
+JANET
+
+[_Indignantly_]
+
+How could I promise something I didn’t know about? But you knew what I
+was promising and you didn’t tell me. You didn’t tell me! How could you
+do such a thing? It was a _crime_!
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+[_Deeply wounded_]
+
+A crime?
+
+YORK
+
+Janet, you’re talking to your mother.
+
+JANET
+
+My mother; yes; my dear little mother whom I trusted so.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+You’re breaking my heart. I did everything in the world for you.
+
+JANET
+
+[_With great reproach_]
+
+Except tell me the one thing I should have known!
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+Janet!
+
+JANET
+
+And now I understand the strange look you gave me, mother, when you
+said good-by. You knew you should have told me.
+
+  [MRS. YORK _lowers her head. The outer door downstairs is heard
+  opening and then closing_]
+
+YORK
+
+There’s Carter.
+
+JANET
+
+I won’t see him now.
+
+YORK
+
+Now, Janet: don’t be a foolish girl.
+
+JANET
+
+[_With a certain calm_]
+
+I’m going to my own room.
+
+YORK
+
+You must listen to reason.
+
+JANET
+
+I don’t know what you mean by reason.
+
+YORK
+
+[_Taking hold of her arms_]
+
+Janet, was he...?
+
+JANET
+
+Let me go, father.
+
+YORK
+
+[_Forcefully_]
+
+Answer me. Was Carter unkind or bru...?
+
+JANET
+
+How should I know? He tried to kiss me--differently. And he didn’t tell
+me before.... I won’t see him. I won’t. I won’t.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+Janet! Janet!
+
+  [JANET _goes into her room slamming the door_. MRS. YORK _holds her
+  hands out after her_. YORK _seems thoroughly aroused to anger_]
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+[_Turning helplessly to her husband_]
+
+You don’t think it was because...?
+
+YORK
+
+[_Determined_]
+
+That’s what I mean to find out. Go to her.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+And she called me a criminal!
+
+  [MRS. YORK _almost timidly goes into the room, closing the door_.
+  CARTER _is heard coming up the stairs_. YORK _turns and waits with
+  suppressed excitement_.
+
+  _After a moment_ CARTER MERWIN _enters. There is a look of anxiety
+  upon his strongly modeled face. In appearance he is immediately
+  ingratiating since his whole manner suggests great sincerity of
+  character. He is in his early thirties._
+
+  _He stands there looking at_ YORK _and throughout the following
+  seems deeply moved with pity for_ JANET. _They speak with subdued
+  intensity, never raising their voice for fear the others will hear_]
+
+CARTER
+
+Janet’s here?
+
+YORK
+
+Yes. With her mother.
+
+CARTER
+
+[_Relieved_]
+
+I’m glad. [_He starts towards door_] Poor little girl.
+
+YORK
+
+[_Stopping him_]
+
+Where are you going?
+
+CARTER
+
+To tell her not to worry.
+
+YORK
+
+You can’t see her now.
+
+CARTER
+
+Why do you stop me?
+
+YORK
+
+She’s my daughter and--
+
+CARTER
+
+[_Quietly_]
+
+My wife.
+
+YORK
+
+[_Halted somewhat by his tone_]
+
+What kind of a man are you?
+
+CARTER
+
+What do you mean?
+
+YORK
+
+You know what I mean.
+
+CARTER
+
+I don’t understand.
+
+YORK
+
+She’s come here seeking my protection.
+
+CARTER
+
+Protection? Her greatest protection would have been a little knowledge.
+
+YORK
+
+[_Controlling himself with difficulty_]
+
+We kept for you a girl’s greatest gift to her husband: her innocence.
+
+CARTER
+
+She brought me only ignorance.
+
+YORK
+
+I tell you, you shan’t go to her now.
+
+CARTER
+
+But she must see how I care for her. She mustn’t think I don’t
+understand. She must let me help her--be kind to her. You don’t think I
+have come to take her away unwillingly?
+
+YORK
+
+Then why are you here?
+
+CARTER
+
+Because I don’t want her to be afraid.
+
+YORK
+
+Damn you!
+
+CARTER
+
+Mr. York!
+
+YORK
+
+Why did you frighten her?
+
+CARTER
+
+_I_ didn’t frighten her.
+
+YORK
+
+What did?
+
+CARTER
+
+A fact. The commonest fact in life.
+
+YORK
+
+Which a man who knows life should have learned how to tell a....
+
+CARTER
+
+Most men don’t have to tell women. Twice you’ve insinuated....
+
+YORK
+
+She left you; didn’t she?
+
+CARTER
+
+Yes. She said nothing. She cried and she struck me.
+
+YORK
+
+[_Astonished_]
+
+Struck you?
+
+CARTER
+
+Yes.
+
+YORK
+
+[_Coming closer to him_]
+
+Then you _did_ give her cause?
+
+CARTER
+
+I came to her with a man’s love.
+
+YORK
+
+And acted like a--
+
+CARTER
+
+Say it.
+
+YORK
+
+Like a brute!
+
+CARTER
+
+[_He rushes at him, clutching his arms, but trying to control himself_]
+
+Mr. York! I love her. Do you hear? I love her.
+
+YORK
+
+But forgot what kind of a girl she was.
+
+CARTER
+
+[_Hardly believing_]
+
+What are you saying?
+
+YORK
+
+Isn’t it the truth?
+
+CARTER
+
+[_Still holding him and speaking tensely_]
+
+Do you think because the language men have to use is the same to all
+women, that the feeling back of it can’t be different? Don’t you know
+I felt differently? I tell you I love her. No, no, it wasn’t as you
+think. I was kind. I understood she had never ... I understood. But I
+thought she knew what marriage was; thought she was happy coming to me;
+thought she was willingly coming to me. But she made me feel as though
+I weren’t her husband. I was only a thief in her room. Not the man she
+loved; but a criminal!
+
+YORK
+
+[_Staring at him_]
+
+A criminal! You, _too_!
+
+CARTER
+
+Yes. And don’t _you_ feel like a criminal? Didn’t you give her to me?
+
+YORK
+
+[_With indignant sarcasm_]
+
+I thought I gave her to a man of honor.
+
+CARTER
+
+Yet you never asked me one question. I never thought of it myself till
+she struck me. Then the crime we had done her stunned me--before I
+could talk to her. I didn’t blame her. I blamed myself and you: for you
+gave her to me, as the service says; but you didn’t tell her a single
+thing about what was to happen. And I took her from your hands--I who
+had talked of everything our life was to hold together--everything but
+_that_.
+
+YORK
+
+Carter!
+
+CARTER
+
+We’ve made the fact of marriage seem horrible. Oh, I’m ashamed to my
+soul of my part in this crime.
+
+YORK
+
+How dare you speak like this!
+
+CARTER
+
+But isn’t it the truth? Did you or I do anything to make her see the
+beauty of this? Did you or I tell her the simplest fact? Did you or I
+do anything else to protect her?
+
+YORK
+
+Do you realize--
+
+CARTER
+
+Oh, if you’d seen the look in her eyes--the helpless shocked
+expression. Instead of the man’s pure love _I_ brought her, she might
+have had to face anything, anything. Think of it: _anything_! Good God!
+It’s terrible. She was helpless and she knew nothing--nothing. [_Going
+to him_] But you and I knew: you knew life, knew men. Yet neither you
+nor the minister ever asked me one question. You never asked me what
+was also her right to know before she came to me. You never asked me
+what my life had been or whether I was _fit_ to be her husband. [YORK
+_tries to protest_] Oh, you must listen to me; for you stand there
+judging me and forgetting what you, her father, had done to her. I’m
+ashamed of myself and so should you be. You asked me about my
+bank-account but you never asked me about my body.
+
+YORK
+
+[_Fundamentally offended_]
+
+Do you think I would have insulted you with such a question?
+
+CARTER
+
+But you were willing to take a chance on your daughter.
+
+YORK
+
+No man who wasn’t decent would have married a sweet pure girl like
+Janet.
+
+CARTER
+
+Wouldn’t he? I know hundreds!!
+
+  [_As they stand there tense, facing each other, the door opens; they
+  turn toward it. There is a pause and_ MRS. YORK, _almost a changed
+  woman, slowly comes into the room_. _She closes the door. No word is
+  spoken_. CARTER _stands there looking at her in question. Her eyes
+  are on the ground_. YORK _moves as one dazed to the deep chair and
+  later sinks into it, staring fixedly before him_]
+
+CARTER
+
+[_Very quietly_]
+
+She knows I am here?
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+Yes.
+
+CARTER
+
+She’ll see me?
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+She sent me away.
+
+CARTER
+
+[_Understanding_]
+
+She wants to be alone.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+Yes.
+
+CARTER
+
+  [_After some hesitation he goes slowly to_ JANET’S _door and knocks,
+  speaking with ill-controlled emotion_]
+
+Janet! Janet! It’s Carter. I shan’t see you till you wish me. But
+don’t be afraid, little girl. Don’t be afraid any more. We’ll go away
+together and everything will be as you wish, everything as you wish--
+
+  [_He waits but there is no answer. He sits upon the sofa unable to
+  speak_]
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+[_She crosses to him, placing her hand on his shoulder_]
+
+Don’t, Carter.
+
+CARTER
+
+[_With deep conviction_]
+
+It can never be the same.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+In time.
+
+CARTER
+
+No. She’ll never forget the shock--that first shock.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+Women do.
+
+CARTER
+
+How could they?
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+She loves you. She broke down and cried. She sees now it wasn’t your
+fault.
+
+CARTER
+
+But it was.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+[_As she sits down slowly on the sofa beside him_]
+
+I never knew there could be girls like Janet.
+
+CARTER
+
+She must see there are other things in marriage than this. She must.
+[_He knocks at the door again_] Janet! Janet! Let me be your friend!
+I’ll protect you. It’s my right now. I love you, little girl. I’ll
+wait till--[_But there is no answer. He sits down again, murmuring_] It
+could all have been spared if one of us had had a little courage.
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+[_Staring before her_]
+
+Yes; it takes courage.
+
+CARTER
+
+Why should it?
+
+MRS. YORK
+
+She knows now.
+
+CARTER
+
+And it all could have been so simple.
+
+YORK
+
+[_Still staring guiltily before him_]
+
+Criminals!
+
+  [MRS. YORK _looks slowly at him, but_ CARTER’S _eyes lift to the
+  door, hoping it will open again. There is a long silence. Then the
+  curtain slowly closes them from view_]
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber’s Note:
+
+- Text that was in italics is enclosed in underscores (_italics_).
+
+- Text that was in small caps is in all caps (SMALL CAPS).
+
+- Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 79216 ***
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+      Criminals | Project Gutenberg
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+<body>
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 79216 ***</div>
+
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" style="max-width:100.0em;" id="cover">
+<img alt="" class="w100" src="images/cover.jpg" id="img_images_cover.jpg">
+</figure>
+
+
+<h1>
+CRIMINALS
+</h1>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+  <p class="nobreak center italics larger" id="BY_THE_SAME_AUTHOR">
+    BY THE SAME AUTHOR
+  </p>
+</div>
+<br>
+<p class="center">
+  <span class="larger">EMBERS</span><br>
+  AND OTHER ONE-ACT PLAYS<br>
+  <br>
+  <br>
+  <span class="larger">TRADITION</span><br>
+  AND OTHER ONE-ACT PLAYS<br>
+  <br>
+  <br>
+  <span class="larger">POSSESSION</span><br>
+  AND OTHER ONE-ACT PLAYS<br>
+  <br>
+  <br>
+  <span class="larger">NOWADAYS</span><br>
+  A THREE-ACT CONTEMPORANEOUS<br>
+  COMEDY
+</p>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter"></div>
+<p class="center verylarge">CRIMINALS</p>
+<p class="center smaller">A ONE-ACT PLAY ABOUT MARRIAGE</p>
+<p class="center">BY GEORGE MIDDLETON</p>
+<br><br>
+<figure class="figcenter illowp15" id="title" style="max-width: 23.6875em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/title.jpg" alt="">
+</figure>
+<br><br>
+<p class="center smaller">NEW YORK</p>
+<p class="center">B. W. HUEBSCH</p>
+<p class="center smaller">MCMXV</p>
+<br><br><br>
+<p class="center smaller">COPYRIGHT BY GEORGE MIDDLETON, 1914, 1915</p>
+
+<p class="indent smaller">This play in its printed form is designed for the reading
+public only. All dramatic rights in it are fully protected by
+copyright, and no performance—professional or amateur—or
+public reading may be given without the written permission
+of the author and the payment of royalty. Communication
+should be sent to the author, care of the publisher, 225 Fifth
+avenue, New York City.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+  <h2 class="nobreak" id="INTRODUCTION">
+    INTRODUCTION
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="indent">Truth to life does not necessarily imply
+truth in art. Though all human nature is
+material for the author and there is no immorality
+in art save insincerity in its treatment,
+I should be the first to admit the danger
+of deducing a generality from an isolated
+instance. Therefore, the fact that this play
+was founded on an actual occurrence would
+not alone have prompted my using so intimate
+a theme of life in the art form. And
+since the dramatist must inevitably select the
+high lights so that he may suggest the larger
+problems radiating beyond the mere episode,
+the arrangement of events in “Criminals”
+may seem exceptional. Nevertheless, in
+spite of the compression, necessitated by the
+one-act form, the human reactions in this
+play and its basic situation are by no means
+so uncommon as one might casually assume.</p>
+
+<p class="indent">It would be easy for the incredulous to
+deny and for the cynical to scoff at its premise
+of complete virginal ignorance; but that
+would not erase the records of medical
+literature. Psychologists and neurologists,
+who have related divorce to something more
+than legal causes, have also given abundant
+testimony to the part which initial sex experience
+has ultimately played in the wreckage
+of marriage. And I have myself been
+greatly surprised at the large number of collateral
+cases which have been brought to my
+attention since this was written and produced—cases
+of women whose experiences have,
+in essence, been similar to Janet’s, though
+their reactions have been translated into a
+less radical course of conduct.</p>
+
+<p class="indent">I have not sought to dramatize a particular
+pathological phenomenon: I have written
+this play because I believe it intimates the
+human drama which, with varying degrees
+of intensity, may lurk in this phase of marriage.
+The resolution arrived at is not a
+playwright’s conclusion intended to preach a
+moral: it is legitimately achieved, I hope,
+through the shock of juxtaposed characters
+finding a new point of view under stress of
+circumstance, tragic to them.</p>
+
+<p class="indent">The advantage of play publication, as I
+have indicated in my other volumes, is that
+the dramatist has a written record of his endeavor,
+accessible to those who may be interested
+in his work where wide production, for
+obvious reasons, is denied it.</p>
+
+<p class="indent">I should be ungrateful did I not here express
+my appreciation to Miss Aline Barnsdall,
+for her courage in producing this play,
+as well as my thanks to the little company
+who interpreted, with rare tact and delicacy,
+the very difficult rôles which were intrusted
+to them.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+  G. M.
+</p>
+
+<p>September tenth, 1915.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+  <h2 class="nobreak" id="CRIMINALS">
+    CRIMINALS
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+</div>
+
+<p class="center larger">FIRST PERFORMANCE</p>
+
+<p class="center smaller">
+  at the Fine Arts Theatre, Chicago,<br>
+  February third, 1915,<br>
+  under the management of<br>
+  The Players Producing Company.
+</p>
+<br><br>
+<p class="center larger">THE CAST</p>
+
+<table class="autotable">
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Alfred York</span></td>
+<td class="tdr"><span class="smcap">Fred Permaine</span><br></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Ann</span>, <i>his wife</i></td>
+<td class="tdr"><span class="smcap">Florence Le Clercq</span><br></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Janet</span>, <i>their daughter</i></td>
+<td class="tdr"><span class="smcap">Bernice Golden</span><br></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Carter Merwin</span></td>
+<td class="tdr"><span class="smcap">Frank Stirling</span><br></td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+  <br>
+  <p class="center"><span class="smcap">Scene</span>: <i>The York home: about ten o’clock,<br>
+  one Spring evening</i>.</p>
+  <br>
+  <p class="center">Produced by the Author.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</span></p>
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak" id="CRIMINALS2">
+    CRIMINALS
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="indent"><i>A cozy sitting room on the second floor of
+a small house is disclosed, as the curtain
+slowly lifts. It is conventional in furnishing,
+with a family portrait or two looking
+down complacently upon the methodically
+placed chairs, sofa and large mahogany
+table. The two windows at the right are
+draped with light curtains which are similar
+to those neatly hung across the opening in
+back. This leads to the hall-way and stairs
+beyond. At the left is a door opening into</i>
+<span class="smcap">Janet’s</span> <i>room. Except for the telephone,
+with a switch attachment, which rests on the
+table, there is nothing modern in the room;
+all the details, in fact, indicate the settled
+nature of the occupants who have apparently
+lived there for many years. The hall-way
+is dark, but the room itself is softly lighted
+by the tall red-shaded lamp which stands
+back of the sofa. The moonlight, too,
+faintly trickles in at the windows.</i></p>
+
+<p class="indent"><span class="smcap">Mr.</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span> <i>are alone. The
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</span>door into</i> <span class="smcap">Janet’s</span> <i>room is open and</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs.
+York</span> <i>is silently gazing at it. She is seated
+on the sofa and has ceased sewing. He is
+in a deep chair, by the table, trying to read
+the evening paper. But he cannot seem to
+concentrate on it; he looks toward his wife
+now and then as though both were dwelling
+on the same thought</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="indent"><span class="smcap">York</span>, <i>in his late forties, is a rather obvious
+kindly man with a quiet voice and gentle manner.
+He wears a frock coat</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="indent"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span>, <i>somewhat younger, is also a
+lovable personality who has expended all her
+energies within the concentrated limits of her
+home life. She still wears her formal gray
+afternoon gown</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="indent"><i>They are, in fact, a harmoniously happy
+couple, reticent with regard to their inner
+feelings, and instinctively submissive to certain
+conventions which, until now, the easy
+habit of life has never made them question</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>With a sigh</i>]</p>
+
+<p>I can’t help thinking we shan’t see Janet
+come from that room again.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>No.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>Now she’s gone we’ll leave everything in
+there just as it is.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Yes.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>With contented recollection</i>]</p>
+
+<p>She was so happy here.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>She had a good mother.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Lovingly eyeing him</i>]</p>
+
+<p>And father, Fred.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>I’m just an ordinary sort of person.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>But she appreciated all that you did for
+her.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>A father isn’t much guidance to a daughter.
+It’s the mother who counts there.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>I did everything I could to bring her up
+properly. [<i>Sighing again</i>] But times have
+changed since <i>I</i> was a girl. One has to be so
+careful.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>It’s the mothers who have changed—letting
+their girls go about just as if they were
+boys. There wouldn’t be so much trouble,
+Ann, if all mothers were companionable like
+you.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>I was glad I <i>could</i> devote all my time to
+Janet. I can almost be happy now that I’m
+alone—thinking of that.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>It was the greatest joy in my life to see
+you two so inseparable. Why, Janet hardly
+left your side, did she?</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>No. When I was with her I always felt
+as though I were walking in a garden of
+lilies.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Yes, pure white.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>I often wondered why she liked white furniture.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>It was like herself somehow, I suppose.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>She goes to him</i>]</p>
+
+<p>And to-night will be the first time she’s
+ever been away from me. [<i>Shuddering</i>]
+To-night!</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>There, dear, don’t worry.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>With instinctive reserve as she takes his
+hand</i>]</p>
+
+<p>You know what I’m thinking?</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Yes.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>I hate to think of such things.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Trying to be cheerful</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Then don’t let’s talk of them. Carter is
+her husband now.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>I know. It’s strange how girls grow up
+in a place and then leave when the first
+man....</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>With consoling assurance</i>]</p>
+
+<p>He’s a good chap and early marriages are
+best.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>Yes. And she seemed so sure of herself.
+[<i>There is a pause as she thoughtfully goes
+to window and gazes out</i>] What time is
+it?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Just ten.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>I’m so glad they told us where they were
+going.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>But didn’t you feel as though it spoiled
+their little romance for us to know?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Smiling</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Nothing could spoil their romance; it was
+like a story-book. But Janet really wanted
+us to go down to the boat to-morrow and see
+her off. [<i>Wistfully</i>] It must be nice to
+have a honeymoon in Italy.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Trying to be cheerful throughout</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Carter’s got more money than <i>I</i> had when
+you and I were married.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Affectionately</i>]</p>
+
+<p>But they won’t have a happier time over
+there than we did in Washington, will they?
+[<i>After another silence</i>] I—I thought perhaps
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</span>she’d ’phone us to let us know she
+reached the hotel safely.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Playfully</i>]</p>
+
+<p><i>We</i> didn’t think of ’phoning.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>Mother didn’t have a ’phone then. [<i>In
+recollection</i>] But I thought of her. [<i>They
+smile; then she puts her arm on his shoulder,
+as she stands behind his chair</i>] Oh, Fred,
+I....</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Understandingly</i>]</p>
+
+<p>You mustn’t feel like this about Janet,
+dear. Everything will be as it should be—just
+as it was between us. Carter’s a fine
+fellow and....</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>She’s only a little girl.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>So were you, Ann, when I took you away
+from your mother.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>It’s foolish of me I know, but.... [<i>As
+though wishing to change the subject</i>] The
+room and hall-way are full of fragrance.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Suppose we send her wedding flowers to
+the hospital to-morrow.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>You are always so thoughtful, Fred. I’ll
+tell Mary in the morning.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Shall we go down and look at them again
+before we go to bed?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>Yes; I’m tired though. It’s been such a
+long day. [<i>She goes to him tenderly and
+puts her arms on his shoulders as he now
+stands facing her</i>] Fred, it takes me back.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Some twenty years, eh?</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>We only have each other now.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Yes; the way it was when we started.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>It was hard for me to see my little girl go.
+[<i>She kisses him</i>] I’ve been so happy here
+with you and Janet. [<i>The telephone rings.
+She goes to it</i>] I knew she’d ’phone. Let
+me go, Fred. I want to hear her voice.
+[<i>Taking off the receiver eagerly</i>] Yes,
+hello! Is that you, Janet? No?...
+You wish to speak to <i>Mr.</i> York? Is that
+you, Carter? Yes; he’s here. [<i>She slowly
+hands the receiver to</i> <span class="smcap">York</span> <i>as she stands half
+trembling with sudden premonition</i>] Carter
+wants to speak to you. [<span class="smcap">York</span> <i>slowly takes
+the receiver</i>] Oh, I’m afraid.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>At ’phone</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Yes, Carter. [<i>Startled</i>] What’s that?
+Coming back <i>here</i>? To-night? [<i>After a
+pause</i>] Yes, of course: you’d better come
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</span>around yourself right away. Wait. The
+front door will be unlatched. Come right up
+to the sitting room. [<i>He hangs up the receiver
+and looks at</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span>, <i>who is
+dumbly questioning him</i>] Janet’s on her
+way here.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>Here!</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>She left the hotel fifteen minutes ago—alone.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Terrified</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Alone?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>She has her own key?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>Yes. I wanted her always to keep it.
+But you told Carter to come also?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Yes. Has Mary gone upstairs yet?</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>No! [<i>As</i> <span class="smcap">York</span> <i>goes to telephone and
+switches it</i>] What are you doing?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Into telephone</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Is that you, Mary? I’ve just had a
+’phone. We are expecting somebody. Put
+the front door latch back so he can come right
+up to us. No, I don’t want to keep you up:
+then go to bed. Understand? Good-night.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>[<i>He hangs up the receiver</i>. <span class="smcap">Mrs.
+York</span> <i>has gazed before her during
+this, as though bewildered. There is
+a long pause before either speaks:
+then it is in broken tones, full of an
+implication that is hardly phrased</i>]</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>Fred; something terrible’s happened.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>There’s no reason to think that.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>The tone of his voice.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Now don’t give way: it’s all right.
+[<i>Slowly</i>] Perhaps....</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Slowly</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps what?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Hesitating</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Well, sometimes....</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>But Carter must have known she....</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Half to himself</i>]</p>
+
+<p>It may be....</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Hysterical</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Why don’t you say what you think?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>I remember men telling me....</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>Do men ever talk of such things?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Yes: afterwards. [<i>He apparently hears
+the maid going upstairs. He goes back to
+be sure, then turns to his wife</i>] Mary has
+gone up to bed.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>Do you think Janet will tell us?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>If not, why is she coming back here?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>Where else could she go?.... Oh, Fred,
+this is more than I can stand. Suppose—suppose
+she doesn’t come?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Nonsense. Shall we go downstairs?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>No; not where their flowers are. [<i>She
+tries to control her growing agitation</i>]
+Why doesn’t she come?—She ought to be
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</span>here by now.—Are you <i>sure</i> Carter said she
+was coming here?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Maybe she walked.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Murmuring</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Alone in the street this time of night?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>There’s no danger.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>[<i>The curtains are pushed open and</i>
+<span class="smcap">Janet</span> <i>enters</i>. <i>She goes hysterically
+to</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span> <i>and buries her face in
+her mother’s lap, sobbing</i>. <span class="smcap">York</span>
+<i>comes over beside them, anxiously</i>.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Janet York</span>, <i>about nineteen, is
+the personification of sensitive delicacy
+and fragile grace. Her present
+agitation is such that, when words
+fail, she conveys her meaning through
+groping, broken tones and suggestion.
+She is wearing her smart “going
+away” tailor-made gown and hat</i>]</p>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>Mother! Mother!</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>My girl! What is it?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Wait, Ann.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>Oh, I.... I....</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>Don’t cry so.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Patting her shoulder</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Janet, dear!</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Looking up at him</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Father!</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Tell us.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>I’ll.... I’ll tell mother.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Looking at</i> <span class="smcap">York</span>]</p>
+
+<p>Leave us together, Fred. Maybe she’ll....</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>You’d better tell me, too, in case....</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>Your father’s right, Janet.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>I.... I can’t <i>tell</i> it.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>But your mother’s frightened.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>So ... so ... was I—<i>frightened</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>But, dear...?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>It was different from.... I didn’t know....
+Why didn’t you tell me?</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Astonished</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Tell you?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>Yes: what marriage means.... He said
+<i>that</i> was marriage.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>[<span class="smcap">Mr.</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span> <i>exchange looks,
+slowly realizing the situation</i>]</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>Didn’t your heart tell you?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>[<i>Phrasing her feeling with great difficulty
+throughout</i>]</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>Not that. How could it? My heart
+couldn’t know <i>that</i>? It stopped. It seemed
+to snap. It felt ashamed. I’m ashamed
+now.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Perplexed</i>]</p>
+
+<p>But all the time when Carter was with you
+here, didn’t you—didn’t your heart...?</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>I tell you I never knew there were such
+things in the world. But <i>you</i> knew. You
+<i>both</i> knew! [<i>Reproachfully</i>] You should
+have told me and then I wouldn’t have....
+Oh, why didn’t you tell me?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Helplessly</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Fred?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>At a loss</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Don’t—don’t be harsh at your mother,
+Janet.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Looking up</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Then why didn’t <i>you</i> tell me?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>How could your father...?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Interrupting abruptly</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Why not? He let me marry Carter when
+I came and asked him. My father let me go
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</span>away with Carter. And you both knew;
+Carter said you both knew. And neither of
+you told me.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>[<span class="smcap">York</span> <i>shakes his head slowly as though
+overcome by it all; they try, however,
+to console</i> <span class="smcap">Janet</span>]</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>Dear, you—you mustn’t feel like this
+about Carter.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Tenderly</i>]</p>
+
+<p>No—no.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>I can’t help how I feel.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>But, Janet; he’s your husband.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>Yes. My husband! I know that. But I
+didn’t know what it meant having a husband.
+[<i>Quickly</i>] Does that give him the right if
+I...?</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Yes, Janet.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>More deeply hurt at the thought</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Then if neither of you would tell me, why
+didn’t <i>he</i> tell me before...?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Shocked</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Why people don’t talk of such things <i>before</i>
+they’re married, dear.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>They don’t?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>How could they be so immodest?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>Immodest? Immodest to <i>talk</i>? Yet he
+could...? Oh...!</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>What did you think marriage was,
+dear?</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Simply</i>]</p>
+
+<p>I—I thought it was just being together,
+like you and father.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Involuntarily</i>]</p>
+
+<p>But your father and I....</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Retreating from them in realization and
+astonishment</i>]</p>
+
+<p>You and father! Oh!</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>Janet.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Janet!</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>Don’t touch me, father. [<i>She moves
+quickly away from him</i>] I don’t want anybody
+to put their hands on me again. I—I
+have to think. I want to <i>understand</i> what
+you said.—I always knew there was <i>something</i>
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</span>I didn’t understand.... [<i>Incredulously</i>]
+How could any girl grow up and
+not...? [<i>Quickly turning to her mother</i>]
+Mother, did you know what—what...?
+Did you know <i>this</i>, when you and Father
+first...?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Hardly able to speak</i>]</p>
+
+<p>No!</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Incredulously</i>]</p>
+
+<p>You didn’t know <i>either</i>, when you were
+married?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Emphatically</i>]</p>
+
+<p>A good girl shouldn’t.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Vehemently</i>]</p>
+
+<p>A good girl! Then I wish I weren’t a
+good girl!</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Janet!</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Persistently</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Mother. Didn’t you even feel for father
+as I did to-night when Carter...?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Horrified throughout</i>]</p>
+
+<p>No. No. I loved your father.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>And don’t you love Carter?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Incredulously</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Is that love?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>It’s part of love.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Introspectively</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Then—don’t I love Carter?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Trying to quiet her</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Of course, you do.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Speaking as though overcome with a new
+revelation</i>]</p>
+
+<p>I don’t. I don’t. How could I love him
+if I couldn’t let—? Oh!—If you, mother,
+loved father and ... and yet <i>I</i> couldn’t....</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Janet, you’re all nerves. Are you different
+from other girls?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Gazing before her</i>]</p>
+
+<p>I don’t know. I can’t understand myself—[<i>Impulsively</i>]
+Mother, mother; I
+hated him!</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>Janet!</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Shuddering in recollection</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Yes—yes. His face changed ... his
+eyes ... oh!... And then he—he was
+sorry. There were tears in his eyes. But
+I was frightened and ... oh, I thought I
+belonged to myself.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Kindly</i>]</p>
+
+<p>You belong to Carter, and he’s coming
+here for you.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Startled</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Coming here?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>Yes. He ’phoned.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>I thought I was safe here in my home.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Your home is with him now. You’re his
+wife, Janet. And you promised him....</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Indignantly</i>]</p>
+
+<p>How could I promise something I didn’t
+know about? But you knew what I was
+promising and you didn’t tell me. You
+didn’t tell me! How could you do such a
+thing? It was a <i>crime</i>!</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Deeply wounded</i>]</p>
+
+<p>A crime?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Janet, you’re talking to your mother.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>My mother; yes; my dear little mother
+whom I trusted so.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>You’re breaking my heart. I did everything
+in the world for you.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>With great reproach</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Except tell me the one thing I should have
+known!</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>Janet!</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>And now I understand the strange look
+you gave me, mother, when you said good-by.
+You knew you should have told me.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</span></p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>[<span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span> <i>lowers her head.
+The outer door downstairs is heard
+opening and then closing</i>]</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>There’s Carter.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>I won’t see him now.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Now, Janet: don’t be a foolish girl.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>With a certain calm</i>]</p>
+
+<p>I’m going to my own room.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>You must listen to reason.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>I don’t know what you mean by reason.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Taking hold of her arms</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Janet, was he...?</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>Let me go, father.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Forcefully</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Answer me. Was Carter unkind or
+bru...?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Janet</span></p>
+
+<p>How should I know? He tried to kiss
+me—differently. And he didn’t tell me before....
+I won’t see him. I won’t. I
+won’t.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>Janet! Janet!</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>[<span class="smcap">Janet</span> <i>goes into her room slamming
+the door</i>. <span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span> <i>holds
+her hands out after her</i>. <span class="smcap">York</span>
+<i>seems thoroughly aroused to anger</i>]</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Turning helplessly to her husband</i>]</p>
+
+<p>You don’t think it was because...?</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Determined</i>]</p>
+
+<p>That’s what I mean to find out. Go to
+her.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>And she called me a criminal!</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>[<span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span> <i>almost timidly goes
+into the room, closing the door</i>.
+<span class="smcap">Carter</span> <i>is heard coming up the
+stairs</i>. <span class="smcap">York</span> <i>turns and waits with
+suppressed excitement</i>.</p>
+
+<p><i>After a moment</i> <span class="smcap">Carter Merwin</span> <i>enters.
+There is a look of anxiety
+upon his strongly modeled face.
+In appearance he is immediately ingratiating
+since his whole manner
+suggests great sincerity of character.
+He is in his early thirties.</i></p>
+
+<p><i>He stands there looking at</i> <span class="smcap">York</span>
+<i>and throughout the following seems
+deeply moved with pity for</i> <span class="smcap">Janet</span>.
+<i>They speak with subdued intensity,
+never raising their voice for fear the
+others will hear</i>]</p>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>Janet’s here?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Yes. With her mother.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Relieved</i>]</p>
+
+<p>I’m glad. [<i>He starts towards door</i>]
+Poor little girl.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Stopping him</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Where are you going?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>To tell her not to worry.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>You can’t see her now.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>Why do you stop me?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>She’s my daughter and—</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Quietly</i>]</p>
+
+<p>My wife.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Halted somewhat by his tone</i>]</p>
+
+<p>What kind of a man are you?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>What do you mean?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>You know what I mean.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>I don’t understand.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>She’s come here seeking my protection.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>Protection? Her greatest protection
+would have been a little knowledge.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Controlling himself with difficulty</i>]</p>
+
+<p>We kept for you a girl’s greatest gift to
+her husband: her innocence.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>She brought me only ignorance.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>I tell you, you shan’t go to her now.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>But she must see how I care for her.
+She mustn’t think I don’t understand. She
+must let me help her—be kind to her.
+You don’t think I have come to take her away
+unwillingly?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Then why are you here?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>Because I don’t want her to be afraid.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Damn you!</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>Mr. York!</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Why did you frighten her?</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p><i>I</i> didn’t frighten her.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>What did?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>A fact. The commonest fact in life.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Which a man who knows life should have
+learned how to tell a....</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>Most men don’t have to tell women.
+Twice you’ve insinuated....</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>She left you; didn’t she?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>Yes. She said nothing. She cried and
+she struck me.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Astonished</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Struck you?</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>Yes.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Coming closer to him</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Then you <i>did</i> give her cause?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>I came to her with a man’s love.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>And acted like a—</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>Say it.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Like a brute!</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>He rushes at him, clutching his arms, but
+trying to control himself</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Mr. York! I love her. Do you hear?
+I love her.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>But forgot what kind of a girl she was.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Hardly believing</i>]</p>
+
+<p>What are you saying?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Isn’t it the truth?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Still holding him and speaking tensely</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Do you think because the language men
+have to use is the same to all women, that
+the feeling back of it can’t be different?
+Don’t you know I felt differently? I tell
+you I love her. No, no, it wasn’t as you
+think. I was kind. I understood she had
+never ... I understood. But I thought
+she knew what marriage was; thought she
+was happy coming to me; thought she was
+willingly coming to me. But she made me
+feel as though I weren’t her husband. I was
+only a thief in her room. Not the man she
+loved; but a criminal!</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Staring at him</i>]</p>
+
+<p>A criminal! You, <i>too</i>!</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>Yes. And don’t <i>you</i> feel like a criminal?
+Didn’t you give her to me?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>With indignant sarcasm</i>]</p>
+
+<p>I thought I gave her to a man of honor.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>Yet you never asked me one question. I
+never thought of it myself till she struck me.
+Then the crime we had done her stunned
+me—before I could talk to her. I didn’t
+blame her. I blamed myself and you: for
+you gave her to me, as the service says; but
+you didn’t tell her a single thing about what
+was to happen. And I took her from your
+hands—I who had talked of everything our
+life was to hold together—everything but
+<i>that</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Carter!</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>We’ve made the fact of marriage seem
+horrible. Oh, I’m ashamed to my soul of
+my part in this crime.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>How dare you speak like this!</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>But isn’t it the truth? Did you or I do
+anything to make her see the beauty of this?
+Did you or I tell her the simplest fact? Did
+you or I do anything else to protect her?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>Do you realize—</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>Oh, if you’d seen the look in her eyes—the
+helpless shocked expression. Instead of
+the man’s pure love <i>I</i> brought her, she might
+have had to face anything, anything. Think
+of it: <i>anything</i>! Good God! It’s terrible.
+She was helpless and she knew nothing—nothing.
+[<i>Going to him</i>] But you and I
+knew: you knew life, knew men. Yet
+neither you nor the minister ever asked me
+one question. You never asked me what
+was also her right to know before she came
+to me. You never asked me what my life
+had been or whether I was <i>fit</i> to be her husband.
+[<span class="smcap">York</span> <i>tries to protest</i>] Oh, you
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</span>must listen to me; for you stand there judging
+me and forgetting what you, her father,
+had done to her. I’m ashamed of myself
+and so should you be. You asked me about
+my bank-account but you never asked me
+about my body.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Fundamentally offended</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Do you think I would have insulted you
+with such a question?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>But you were willing to take a chance on
+your daughter.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>No man who wasn’t decent would have
+married a sweet pure girl like Janet.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>Wouldn’t he? I know hundreds!!</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>[<i>As they stand there tense, facing
+each other, the door opens; they
+turn toward it. There is a pause and</i>
+<span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span>, <i>almost a changed
+woman, slowly comes into the room</i>.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</span><i>She closes the door. No word is
+spoken</i>. <span class="smcap">Carter</span> <i>stands there looking
+at her in question. Her eyes are
+on the ground</i>. <span class="smcap">York</span> <i>moves as one
+dazed to the deep chair and later
+sinks into it, staring fixedly before
+him</i>]</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Very quietly</i>]</p>
+
+<p>She knows I am here?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>Yes.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>She’ll see me?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>She sent me away.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Understanding</i>]</p>
+
+<p>She wants to be alone.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>Yes.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>[<i>After some hesitation he goes slowly to</i>
+<span class="smcap">Janet’s</span> <i>door and knocks, speaking with
+ill-controlled emotion</i>]</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>Janet! Janet! It’s Carter. I shan’t see
+you till you wish me. But don’t be afraid,
+little girl. Don’t be afraid any more.
+We’ll go away together and everything will
+be as you wish, everything as you wish—</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>[<i>He waits but there is no answer.
+He sits upon the sofa unable to
+speak</i>]</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>She crosses to him, placing her hand on his
+shoulder</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Don’t, Carter.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>With deep conviction</i>]</p>
+
+<p>It can never be the same.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>In time.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</span></p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>No. She’ll never forget the shock—that
+first shock.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>Women do.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>How could they?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>She loves you. She broke down and cried.
+She sees now it wasn’t your fault.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>But it was.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>As she sits down slowly on the sofa beside
+him</i>]</p>
+
+<p>I never knew there could be girls like
+Janet.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>She must see there are other things in
+marriage than this. She must. [<i>He knocks
+at the door again</i>] Janet! Janet! Let
+me be your friend! I’ll protect you. It’s
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</span>my right now. I love you, little girl. I’ll
+wait till—[<i>But there is no answer. He
+sits down again, murmuring</i>] It could all
+have been spared if one of us had had a little
+courage.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Staring before her</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Yes; it takes courage.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>Why should it?</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span></p>
+
+<p>She knows now.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">Carter</span></p>
+
+<p>And it all could have been so simple.</p>
+
+<p class="charname"><span class="smcap">York</span></p>
+
+<p>[<i>Still staring guiltily before him</i>]</p>
+
+<p>Criminals!</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>[<span class="smcap">Mrs. York</span> <i>looks slowly at him,
+but</i> <span class="smcap">Carter’s</span> <i>eyes lift to the door,
+hoping it will open again. There is
+a long silence. Then the curtain
+slowly closes them from view</i>]</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+<div class="tnote">
+  <h2 class="nobreak" id="Transcribers_note">
+  Transcriber’s Note
+  </h2>
+
+<p>Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.</p>
+
+</div></div>
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 79216 ***</div>
+</body>
+</html>
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+[Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for eBook [#79216](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/79216)