MARY. Don't speak to me of home. Home is only a figure of speech. Why who ruins the home of to-day? (_Excited_) It is man, _man_, MAN; it is MAN ruining everything. Why did we have such a hard time to get the vote? It was because he will have to part with some of his ruining ways. I say, give me freedom of vote or give me DEATH.
MISS PRUNE. Well--well--then be--eh--make yourself comfortable.
MARY. How can I be comfortable, when all around me I see women stretching forth their hands to us to help them, now that we got the vote? They work and slave for _man_ and what does he do for them in return? NOTHING. (_MISS PRUNE and MISS WORKER both jump; MRS. BAXTER bored_) They are paid a few dollars but nothing more. Were we allowed to _direct_, to have a _voice_ in the Government? _No._ We were good enough as playthings, helpmates or slaves for man, but when it came to anything higher we were scoffed down. Oh, now that we've got the vote we will show them. I ask you (_To MISS PRUNE_) are we not man's _equal_ in _everything_?
MISS PRUNE. I--I--guess so. (_MRS. BAXTER amused; MISS WORKER nervous_)
MARY. Ah, you make me sick. (_Shakes MISS PRUNE_) Wake up! Get some spunk into you! Demand your rights! Speak up! Have some aim in life! Don't you ever want to raise yourself higher, become someone who will be well worth knowing?
MARY. Well, you never will be if you act like this. (_Turns suddenly_) Oh, Mrs. Baxter, how-do-you-do? Why, when did you come in?
MARY. You don't mean to tell me that you were here all that time and I not seeing you? Well, well, isn't that funny? But, by the way, Mrs. Baxter, are you still of the same idea regarding Woman Suffrage?
MRS. BAXTER. I still maintain what I have told you over and over again. A woman's place is in her home. (_Yawns_) To be candid, it would, indeed, bore me to have to vote, and broaden my mind, as you say. I have so many social affairs to attend I really find no time for your clubs.
MARY. You are too lazy. All you are good for is to----
MRS. BAXTER (_stamps foot_). How dare you insult me like that. I am my own mistress, and I can do as I please. What do you do? You go around demanding your rights, while your hus----
MARY (_excited_). I will _not_ have a mean, gossiping woman like you, who would much rather go around to---- (_MISS PRUNE enjoying it_)