Not praise or pity but something more substantial and, by George, I'll get it for them!
See the example _he_ sets to society--I honor him for it.
Fine! but that doesn't seem to restore Mary's radiant health, Theodore's brilliant youth.
Ah, but they have their _children_--think how they adore those beautiful children!
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 institution, 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!
Is the object of marriage merely to stay married?
But character, think of the character they have gained.
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, God bless 'em, "they love each other through it all," you sentimental standpatters believe in lying about it, do you?
[_bored, whips out pocket check-book and fountain pen_]
Oh, talk, talk, talk! Money talks for _me_.... But they're both so confoundedly proud!
Go on, write that check! [_JOHN writes._] They must sacrifice their pride, John. Nothing else left to sacrifice, I'm afraid.
Aha! Talk did it.... Five thousand? Generous John!
Never mind about me. _That_ problem is all settled; now about Helen.... Lucy! I thought I told you----
[_LUCY, in a guilty hurry, escapes into the house._
John, charity never settles problems; it perpetuates them. You can't cure social defects by individual treatment.
Everything. We may even settle the marriage problem if we talk _honestly_. [_THEODORE returns from telephoning to the sanitarium._] Theodore, it's all right! John honestly believes in setting an example to society! Crazy to have his sisters go and do likewise!
Splendid, John! I knew you'd see it--an ideal match.
Right, Theodore, ideal. This scientific suitor will shower everything upon her John honors and admires: A host of servants--I mean sacrifices; carriages and motors--I mean character and morals; just what her brother advocates in Sunday-school--for others. An ideal marriage.