diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 13 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 79216-0.txt | 1476 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 79216-h/79216-h.htm | 1946 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 79216-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 0 -> 259542 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 79216-h/images/title.jpg | bin | 0 -> 58887 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 1 |
7 files changed, 3447 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9f57f44 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,13 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text +*.htm text +*.html text +*.png binary +*.jpg binary +*.svg text +*.pdf binary +*.bmp binary +*.zip binary +*.midi binary +*.mp3 binary diff --git a/79216-0.txt b/79216-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..991a2f2 --- /dev/null +++ b/79216-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1476 @@ +*** 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 *** diff --git a/79216-h/79216-h.htm b/79216-h/79216-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ecad13d --- /dev/null +++ b/79216-h/79216-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1946 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> +<head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <title> + Criminals | Project Gutenberg + </title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .51em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .49em; + margin-left:1em; +} + +.x-ebookmaker p:not([class]) { + margin-left: 1em + } + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 33.5%; + margin-right: 33.5%; + clear: both; +} + +hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} +@media print { hr.chap {display: none; visibility: hidden;} } + +div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} +h2.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} +table.autotable { border-collapse: collapse; } +table.autotable td, +table.autotable th { padding: 0.25em; } + +.tdl {text-align: left;} +.tdr {text-align: right;} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: small; + text-align: right; + font-style: normal; + font-weight: normal; + font-variant: normal; + text-indent: 0; +} /* page numbers */ + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +.center {text-align: center; margin-left: 0em;} + +.right {text-align: right; margin-left: 0em;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +figcaption {font-weight: bold;} +figcaption p {margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: .2em; text-align: inherit;} + +/* Images */ + +img { + max-width: 100%; + height: auto; +} +img.w100 {width: 100%;} + +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; + page-break-inside: avoid; + max-width: 100%; +} + +/* Transcriber's notes */ +.tnote { + border: dashed 1px; + font-size: smaller; + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + padding-bottom: 0.5em; + padding-top: 0.5em; + padding-left: 0.5em; + padding-right: 0.5em + } +.x-ebookmaker .tnote { + margin-left: 0; + margin-right: 0 + } + +p .tnote {margin-left:0em;} + +ins { + text-decoration: none + } + +.smaller {font-size:smaller; margin-left:0em;} + +.larger {font-size:larger; margin-left:0em;} + +.verylarge {font-size:2em; margin-left:0em;} + +.indent {text-indent:1em; margin-left:0em;} + +.charname {margin-left:0em;} + +.italics {font-style:italic;} + + +/* Illustration classes */ +.illowp15 {width: 15%;} +.illowp45 { + width: 45% + } +.x-ebookmaker .illowp45 { + width: 100% + } + </style> +</head> + +<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> diff --git a/79216-h/images/cover.jpg b/79216-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8706c0f --- /dev/null +++ b/79216-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/79216-h/images/title.jpg b/79216-h/images/title.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cf1448a --- /dev/null +++ b/79216-h/images/title.jpg diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6c72794 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This book, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..309f818 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1 @@ +[Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for eBook [#79216](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/79216) |
