Why Marry? Part 14

[_JOHN is too much surprised to notice LUCY'S presence._

JUDGE

Happy? What's that got to do with it? Marriage is a social inst.i.tution.

Theodore said so.... Every time a boy kisses a girl she should first inquire: "A sacrifice for society?" And if he says, "I want to gain character, sweetheart," then--"Darling, do your duty!" and he'll do it.

LUCY

Well, Theodore has certainly done _his_ duty by society--six children!

JUDGE

Then society hasn't done its duty by Theodore--only one salary!

JOHN

The more credit to him! He and Mary have sacrificed everything to their children and the Church--even health!

THEODORE

We don't need your pity! We don't want your praise! Poverty, suffering, even separation, have only drawn us closer together. We love each other through it all! Why, in the last letter the doctor let her write she said, she said--[_Suddenly overcome with emotion, turns abruptly._] If you'll excuse me, Lucy ... Sanitarium ... the telephone.

[_THEODORE goes into the house._

JUDGE

Not praise or pity but something more substantial and, by George, I'll get it for them!

[_Turns to JOHN, who interrupts._

JOHN

See the example _he_ sets to society--I honor him for it.

JUDGE

Fine! but that doesn't seem to restore Mary's radiant health, Theodore's brilliant youth.

LUCY

Ah, but they have their _children_--think how they adore those beautiful children!

JUDGE

No, don't think how they adore them, think how they _rear_ those beautiful children--in the streets; one little daughter dead from contagion; one son going to the devil from other things picked up in the street! If marriage is a social inst.i.tution, look at it socially. Why, a marriage like mine is worth a dozen like theirs--to Society. Look at my well-launched children; look at my useful career, as a jackal to Big Business; look at my now perfectly contented spouse!

LUCY

But if you are divorced!

JUDGE

Is the object of marriage merely to stay married?

LUCY

But character, think of the character they have gained.

JUDGE

Oh, is it to gain character at the expense of helpless offspring?

Society doesn't gain by that--it loses, Lucy, it loses.... But simply because, G.o.d bless 'em, "they love each other through it all," you sentimental standpatters believe in lying about it, do you?

JOHN

[_bored, whips out pocket check-book and fountain pen_]

Oh, talk, talk, talk! Money talks for _me_.... But they're both so confoundedly proud!

JUDGE

Go on, write that check! [_JOHN writes._] They must sacrifice their pride, John. Nothing else left to sacrifice, I'm afraid.

JOHN

Well, you get this to them somehow.

[_Hands check to JUDGE._

JUDGE