Why Marry? Part 62

She is willing to sacrifice even marriage for his career. Isn't that n.o.ble? And he! willing to sacrifice even his career for marriage. Both n.o.ble, if you ask me.

JOHN

[_loud_]

n.o.ble tommy-rot!--a pair of pig-headed, highbrow fools! They don't have to sacrifice anything for anybody. Can't they work together just as well married as unmarried?

JUDGE

[_slyly_]

That's what I said to her, but you had already convinced her that it was impractical. Work and marriage--"combine the two, and you'll fail at both"--your own warning, John.

JOHN

[_angry_]

B'r'r--you think you're very funny, don't you! But that's my sister in there, planning to be that fellow's mistress--right here in my own house! Anything funny about that!

JUDGE

[_stepping aside_]

All right, go put a stop to it then! [_JOHN starts toward house._] It's your own house--turn her out again. [_JOHN stops short._] What are you going to do about it, John? [_JOHN has no answer._] Drive little Jean into marriage with a man she does not love--she is an old-fas.h.i.+oned girl. But your other sister--you can't make her marry even the man she does love, unless she sees fit. She is the New Woman! Society can no longer force females into wedlock--so it is forcing them out ... by the thousands! Approve of it? Of course not. But what good will our disapproval do? They will only laugh at you. The strike is on. Few of the strikers will let you see it. Few of the strikers have Helen's courage. But, believe it or not, the strike will spread. It cannot be crushed by law or force. Unless society wakes up and reforms its rules and regulations of marriage, marriage is doomed.... What are you going to do about it? [_Silence._] I thought so--nothing. Call them bad women and let it go at that. Blame it all on human nature, made by G.o.d, and leave untouched our human inst.i.tutions, made by man. You poor little pessimists! human nature to-day is better than it ever was, but our most important inst.i.tution is worse--the most sacred relations.h.i.+p in life has become a jest in the market-place.... You funny little cowards, you're afraid of life, afraid of love, afraid of truth. You wors.h.i.+p lies, and call it G.o.d!

JOHN

[_interrupts_]

All right, all right--but we can't change marriage overnight just to suit Helen. What are _you_ going to do about it?

JUDGE

There's just one thing to do. Will you back me up in everything I say?

JOHN

[_acknowledging his own defeat_]

Anything--everything.

JUDGE

Then tell Helen she doesn't have to marry, that, with the best intentions, the Church has made a muddle of monogamy.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _From a photograph by White Studio._

JUDGE: You poor little pessimists! Human nature to-day is better than it ever was, but our most important inst.i.tution is worse--the most sacred relations.h.i.+p in life has become a jest in the market-place.]

THEODORE

Uncle Everett, I protest.

JUDGE

That we all admire their consecrated courage and advise their trying this conscientious experiment.

JOHN

Not if I have anything to say about it!

JUDGE

But you haven't. Do please get that through your head.... Theodore, they've talked enough, ask them to step out here and receive John's blessing. [_Impatiently._] Go on--I'll fix John. [_THEODORE goes._] [_To JOHN, who is about to burst forth._] Oh, see here, did you ever pull a dog into the house against his will?... Let him alone and he'll follow you in, wag his tail, and lick your hand.

JOHN

You mean, they'll come in, be respectable?

JUDGE

Admit that marriage has numerous drawbacks--and they'll see its advantages. Deny it--and they'll see nothing but each other. Marriage _is_ in a bad way, but it's the less of two evils. Marriage _must_ adjust itself to the New Woman--_but_ the New Woman must meanwhile adjust herself to marriage. [_Briskly to LUCY._] Now, then, did you send out that hurry call for the family this evening?

LUCY

Yes, they're on their way here now, but Uncle Everett, Doctor Hamilton said, next week.

JUDGE

Yes, I know--it'll be a little surprise party for Helen.... Did you order some music?