Why Marry? Part 65

[_All stop, turn, exchange glances._

JUDGE

[_apart_]

Ah! a broad-minded chap.

JOHN

[_with a wink at JUDGE_]

Ah! so you think you'd like to marry my sister after all?

ERNEST

Oh, you're an a.s.s! What have I been doing for the past twenty-four hours? Begging her to marry me. What have you been doing? Preventing it.

Why did I postpone sailing for a week? Why did I insist upon the family party? [_Comes nearer to JOHN._] You're an idiot.

JUDGE

[_pinching JOHN_]

Stand for it, John. You've got to stand for it. Tell him you love him like a brother ... in-law.

JOHN

[_controls himself_]

Well, I ... I--you have my consent, Doctor Hamilton, I'm sure.

ERNEST

_Your_ consent! What's that got to do with it? [_They all turn toward HELEN. ERNEST steps between them._] Now wait!... This morning you tried bullying. Did it work? This afternoon bluffing. Think _that_ will work?

[_Hand on HELEN'S shoulder._] You can't frighten her into marriage. I've tried that myself. We've got to appeal to some higher motive than self-interest or superst.i.tion with _this_ woman, racial motives, unselfish motives. [_With force._] But don't talk to me about her being "immoral." I won't stand for it. If you want her to marry, prove the morality of marriage.

THEODORE

The "morality of marriage"! What next?

ERNEST

[_to THEODORE_]

That's what I said--the morality of _marriage_! This woman is not on trial before you. Marriage is on trial before her, and thus far I'm bound to say you've not made out a good case for it. But simply _justify_ her marrying me, and--I give you my word--you can perform the ceremony this very evening. No license is required in this State, you know.

[_This creates a sensation._

JUDGE

Now, what could be fairer than that! [_To HELEN._] Do you agree to this?

HELEN

[_she nods_]

We agree in everything.

JUDGE

_Both_ broad-minded!

HELEN

[_quietly_]

I never said I did not believe in a legal wedding--[_others surprised_]

for those who can afford the luxury of children.... But for those who have to take it out in working for other people's children all their lives--a ceremony seems like a subterfuge. Without children I don't see how any marriage is ever consummated--socially.

THEODORE

Ah, but this relations.h.i.+p--it's a sacred thing in itself.

HELEN

[_sincerely_]

I know it. I want to do right, Theodore, please believe that I do! But the kind of marriage preached by the Church and practised by the world--does that cherish the real sacredness of this relations.h.i.+p? Of course, I can only judge from appearances, but so often marriage seems to destroy the sacredness--yes, and also the usefulness--of this relations.h.i.+p!

ERNEST

But, my dear girl----