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Title: Criminals
A one-act play about marriage
Author: George Middleton
Release date: July 29, 2026 [eBook #79216]
Language: English
Original publication: New York: B. W. Huebsch, 1914
Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/79216
Credits: Tim Miller, Sam Lamb and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CRIMINALS ***
CRIMINALS
_BY THE SAME AUTHOR_
EMBERS
AND OTHER ONE-ACT PLAYS
TRADITION
AND OTHER ONE-ACT PLAYS
POSSESSION
AND OTHER ONE-ACT PLAYS
NOWADAYS
A THREE-ACT CONTEMPORANEOUS
COMEDY
CRIMINALS
A ONE-ACT PLAY ABOUT MARRIAGE
BY GEORGE MIDDLETON
[Illustration]
NEW YORK
B. W. HUEBSCH
MCMXV
COPYRIGHT BY GEORGE MIDDLETON, 1914, 1915
This play in its printed form is designed for the reading public
only. All dramatic rights in it are fully protected by copyright, and
no performance--professional or amateur--or public reading may be
given without the written permission of the author and the payment
of royalty. Communication should be sent to the author, care of the
publisher, 225 Fifth avenue, New York City.
INTRODUCTION
Truth to life does not necessarily imply truth in art. Though all human
nature is material for the author and there is no immorality in art
save insincerity in its treatment, I should be the first to admit the
danger of deducing a generality from an isolated instance. Therefore,
the fact that this play was founded on an actual occurrence would not
alone have prompted my using so intimate a theme of life in the art
form. And since the dramatist must inevitably select the high lights
so that he may suggest the larger problems radiating beyond the mere
episode, the arrangement of events in “Criminals” may seem exceptional.
Nevertheless, in spite of the compression, necessitated by the one-act
form, the human reactions in this play and its basic situation are by
no means so uncommon as one might casually assume.
It would be easy for the incredulous to deny and for the cynical
to scoff at its premise of complete virginal ignorance; but that
would not erase the records of medical literature. Psychologists and
neurologists, who have related divorce to something more than legal
causes, have also given abundant testimony to the part which initial
sex experience has ultimately played in the wreckage of marriage. And
I have myself been greatly surprised at the large number of collateral
cases which have been brought to my attention since this was written
and produced--cases of women whose experiences have, in essence, been
similar to Janet’s, though their reactions have been translated into a
less radical course of conduct.
I have not sought to dramatize a particular pathological phenomenon: I
have written this play because I believe it intimates the human drama
which, with varying degrees of intensity, may lurk in this phase of
marriage. The resolution arrived at is not a playwright’s conclusion
intended to preach a moral: it is legitimately achieved, I hope,
through the shock of juxtaposed characters finding a new point of view
under stress of circumstance, tragic to them.
The advantage of play publication, as I have indicated in my other
volumes, is that the dramatist has a written record of his endeavor,
accessible to those who may be interested in his work where wide
production, for obvious reasons, is denied it.
I should be ungrateful did I not here express my appreciation to Miss
Aline Barnsdall, for her courage in producing this play, as well as
my thanks to the little company who interpreted, with rare tact and
delicacy, the very difficult rôles which were intrusted to them.
G. M.
September tenth, 1915.
CRIMINALS
FIRST PERFORMANCE
at the Fine Arts Theatre, Chicago,
February third, 1915,
under the management of
The Players Producing Company.
THE CAST
ALFRED YORK FRED PERMAINE
ANN, _his wife_ FLORENCE LE CLERCQ
JANET, _their daughter_ BERNICE GOLDEN
CARTER MERWIN FRANK STIRLING
SCENE: _The York home: about ten o’clock,
one Spring evening_.
Produced by the Author.
CRIMINALS
_A cozy sitting room on the second floor of a small house is disclosed,
as the curtain slowly lifts. It is conventional in furnishing, with a
family portrait or two looking down complacently upon the methodically
placed chairs, sofa and large mahogany table. The two windows at the
right are draped with light curtains which are similar to those neatly
hung across the opening in back. This leads to the hall-way and stairs
beyond. At the left is a door opening into_ JANET’S _room. Except for
the telephone, with a switch attachment, which rests on the table,
there is nothing modern in the room; all the details, in fact, indicate
the settled nature of the occupants who have apparently lived there
for many years. The hall-way is dark, but the room itself is softly
lighted by the tall red-shaded lamp which stands back of the sofa. The
moonlight, too, faintly trickles in at the windows._
MR. _and_ MRS. YORK _are alone. The door into_ JANET’S _room is open
and_ MRS. YORK _is silently gazing at it. She is seated on the sofa and
has ceased sewing. He is in a deep chair, by the table, trying to read
the evening paper. But he cannot seem to concentrate on it; he looks
toward his wife now and then as though both were dwelling on the same
thought_.
YORK, _in his late forties, is a rather obvious kindly man with a quiet
voice and gentle manner. He wears a frock coat_.
MRS. YORK, _somewhat younger, is also a lovable personality who has
expended all her energies within the concentrated limits of her home
life. She still wears her formal gray afternoon gown_.
_They are, in fact, a harmoniously happy couple, reticent with regard
to their inner feelings, and instinctively submissive to certain
conventions which, until now, the easy habit of life has never made
them question_.
MRS. YORK
[_With a sigh_]
I can’t help thinking we shan’t see Janet come from that room again.
YORK
No.
MRS. YORK
Now she’s gone we’ll leave everything in there just as it is.
YORK
Yes.
MRS. YORK
[_With contented recollection_]
She was so happy here.
YORK
She had a good mother.
MRS. YORK
[_Lovingly eyeing him_]
And father, Fred.
YORK
I’m just an ordinary sort of person.
MRS. YORK
But she appreciated all that you did for her.
YORK
A father isn’t much guidance to a daughter. It’s the mother who counts
there.
MRS. YORK
I did everything I could to bring her up properly. [_Sighing again_]
But times have changed since _I_ was a girl. One has to be so careful.
YORK
It’s the mothers who have changed--letting their girls go about just
as if they were boys. There wouldn’t be so much trouble, Ann, if all
mothers were companionable like you.
MRS. YORK
I was glad I _could_ devote all my time to Janet. I can almost be happy
now that I’m alone--thinking of that.
YORK
It was the greatest joy in my life to see you two so inseparable. Why,
Janet hardly left your side, did she?
MRS. YORK
No. When I was with her I always felt as though I were walking in a
garden of lilies.
YORK
Yes, pure white.
MRS. YORK
I often wondered why she liked white furniture.
YORK
It was like herself somehow, I suppose.
MRS. YORK
[_She goes to him_]
And to-night will be the first time she’s ever been away from me.
[_Shuddering_] To-night!
YORK
There, dear, don’t worry.
MRS. YORK
[_With instinctive reserve as she takes his hand_]
You know what I’m thinking?
YORK
Yes.
MRS. YORK
I hate to think of such things.
YORK
[_Trying to be cheerful_]
Then don’t let’s talk of them. Carter is her husband now.
MRS. YORK
I know. It’s strange how girls grow up in a place and then leave when
the first man....
YORK
[_With consoling assurance_]
He’s a good chap and early marriages are best.
MRS. YORK
Yes. And she seemed so sure of herself. [_There is a pause as she
thoughtfully goes to window and gazes out_] What time is it?
YORK
Just ten.
MRS. YORK
I’m so glad they told us where they were going.
YORK
But didn’t you feel as though it spoiled their little romance for us to
know?
MRS. YORK
[_Smiling_]
Nothing could spoil their romance; it was like a story-book. But Janet
really wanted us to go down to the boat to-morrow and see her off.
[_Wistfully_] It must be nice to have a honeymoon in Italy.
YORK
[_Trying to be cheerful throughout_]
Carter’s got more money than _I_ had when you and I were married.
MRS. YORK
[_Affectionately_]
But they won’t have a happier time over there than we did in
Washington, will they? [_After another silence_] I--I thought perhaps
she’d ’phone us to let us know she reached the hotel safely.
YORK
[_Playfully_]
_We_ didn’t think of ’phoning.
MRS. YORK
Mother didn’t have a ’phone then. [_In recollection_] But I thought of
her. [_They smile; then she puts her arm on his shoulder, as she stands
behind his chair_] Oh, Fred, I....
YORK
[_Understandingly_]
You mustn’t feel like this about Janet, dear. Everything will be as it
should be--just as it was between us. Carter’s a fine fellow and....
MRS. YORK
She’s only a little girl.
YORK
So were you, Ann, when I took you away from your mother.
MRS. YORK
It’s foolish of me I know, but.... [_As though wishing to change the
subject_] The room and hall-way are full of fragrance.
YORK
Suppose we send her wedding flowers to the hospital to-morrow.
MRS. YORK
You are always so thoughtful, Fred. I’ll tell Mary in the morning.
YORK
Shall we go down and look at them again before we go to bed?
MRS. YORK
Yes; I’m tired though. It’s been such a long day. [_She goes to him
tenderly and puts her arms on his shoulders as he now stands facing
her_] Fred, it takes me back.
YORK
Some twenty years, eh?
MRS. YORK
We only have each other now.
YORK
Yes; the way it was when we started.
MRS. YORK
It was hard for me to see my little girl go. [_She kisses him_] I’ve
been so happy here with you and Janet. [_The telephone rings. She goes
to it_] I knew she’d ’phone. Let me go, Fred. I want to hear her voice.
[_Taking off the receiver eagerly_] Yes, hello! Is that you, Janet?
No?... You wish to speak to _Mr._ York? Is that you, Carter? Yes; he’s
here. [_She slowly hands the receiver to_ YORK _as she stands half
trembling with sudden premonition_] Carter wants to speak to you. [YORK
_slowly takes the receiver_] Oh, I’m afraid.
YORK
[_At ’phone_]
Yes, Carter. [_Startled_] What’s that? Coming back _here_? To-night?
[_After a pause_] Yes, of course: you’d better come around yourself
right away. Wait. The front door will be unlatched. Come right up to
the sitting room. [_He hangs up the receiver and looks at_ MRS. YORK,
_who is dumbly questioning him_] Janet’s on her way here.
MRS. YORK
Here!
YORK
She left the hotel fifteen minutes ago--alone.
MRS. YORK
[_Terrified_]
Alone?
YORK
She has her own key?
MRS. YORK
Yes. I wanted her always to keep it. But you told Carter to come also?
YORK
Yes. Has Mary gone upstairs yet?
MRS. YORK
No! [_As_ YORK _goes to telephone and switches it_] What are you doing?
YORK
[_Into telephone_]
Is that you, Mary? I’ve just had a ’phone. We are expecting somebody.
Put the front door latch back so he can come right up to us. No, I
don’t want to keep you up: then go to bed. Understand? Good-night.
[_He hangs up the receiver_. MRS. YORK _has gazed before her during
this, as though bewildered. There is a long pause before either
speaks: then it is in broken tones, full of an implication that is
hardly phrased_]
MRS. YORK
Fred; something terrible’s happened.
YORK
There’s no reason to think that.
MRS. YORK
The tone of his voice.
YORK
Now don’t give way: it’s all right. [_Slowly_] Perhaps....
MRS. YORK
[_Slowly_]
Perhaps what?
YORK
[_Hesitating_]
Well, sometimes....
MRS. YORK
But Carter must have known she....
YORK
[_Half to himself_]
It may be....
MRS. YORK
[_Hysterical_]
Why don’t you say what you think?
YORK
I remember men telling me....
MRS. YORK
Do men ever talk of such things?
YORK
Yes: afterwards. [_He apparently hears the maid going upstairs. He goes
back to be sure, then turns to his wife_] Mary has gone up to bed.
MRS. YORK
Do you think Janet will tell us?
YORK
If not, why is she coming back here?
MRS. YORK
Where else could she go?.... Oh, Fred, this is more than I can stand.
Suppose--suppose she doesn’t come?
YORK
Nonsense. Shall we go downstairs?
MRS. YORK
No; not where their flowers are. [_She tries to control her growing
agitation_] Why doesn’t she come?--She ought to be here by now.--Are
you _sure_ Carter said she was coming here?
YORK
Maybe she walked.
MRS. YORK
[_Murmuring_]
Alone in the street this time of night?
YORK
There’s no danger.
[_The curtains are pushed open and_ JANET _enters_. _She goes
hysterically to_ MRS. YORK _and buries her face in her mother’s lap,
sobbing_. YORK _comes over beside them, anxiously_.
JANET YORK, _about nineteen, is the personification of sensitive
delicacy and fragile grace. Her present agitation is such that, when
words fail, she conveys her meaning through groping, broken tones and
suggestion. She is wearing her smart “going away” tailor-made gown
and hat_]
JANET
Mother! Mother!
MRS. YORK
My girl! What is it?
YORK
Wait, Ann.
JANET
Oh, I.... I....
MRS. YORK
Don’t cry so.
YORK
[_Patting her shoulder_]
Janet, dear!
JANET
[_Looking up at him_]
Father!
YORK
Tell us.
JANET
I’ll.... I’ll tell mother.
MRS. YORK
[_Looking at_ YORK]
Leave us together, Fred. Maybe she’ll....
YORK
You’d better tell me, too, in case....
MRS. YORK
Your father’s right, Janet.
JANET
I.... I can’t _tell_ it.
YORK
But your mother’s frightened.
JANET
So ... so ... was I--_frightened_.
YORK
But, dear...?
JANET
It was different from.... I didn’t know.... Why didn’t you tell me?
MRS. YORK
[_Astonished_]
Tell you?
JANET
Yes: what marriage means.... He said _that_ was marriage.
[MR. _and_ MRS. YORK _exchange looks, slowly realizing the situation_]
MRS. YORK
Didn’t your heart tell you?
JANET
[_Phrasing her feeling with great difficulty throughout_]
Not that. How could it? My heart couldn’t know _that_? It stopped. It
seemed to snap. It felt ashamed. I’m ashamed now.
MRS. YORK
[_Perplexed_]
But all the time when Carter was with you here, didn’t you--didn’t your
heart...?
JANET
I tell you I never knew there were such things in the world. But _you_
knew. You _both_ knew! [_Reproachfully_] You should have told me and
then I wouldn’t have.... Oh, why didn’t you tell me?
MRS. YORK
[_Helplessly_]
Fred?
YORK
[_At a loss_]
Don’t--don’t be harsh at your mother, Janet.
JANET
[_Looking up_]
Then why didn’t _you_ tell me?
MRS. YORK
How could your father...?
JANET
[_Interrupting abruptly_]
Why not? He let me marry Carter when I came and asked him. My father
let me go away with Carter. And you both knew; Carter said you both
knew. And neither of you told me.
[YORK _shakes his head slowly as though overcome by it all; they try,
however, to console_ JANET]
MRS. YORK
Dear, you--you mustn’t feel like this about Carter.
YORK
[_Tenderly_]
No--no.
JANET
I can’t help how I feel.
YORK
But, Janet; he’s your husband.
JANET
Yes. My husband! I know that. But I didn’t know what it meant having a
husband. [_Quickly_] Does that give him the right if I...?
YORK
Yes, Janet.
JANET
[_More deeply hurt at the thought_]
Then if neither of you would tell me, why didn’t _he_ tell me before...?
MRS. YORK
[_Shocked_]
Why people don’t talk of such things _before_ they’re married, dear.
JANET
They don’t?
MRS. YORK
How could they be so immodest?
JANET
Immodest? Immodest to _talk_? Yet he could...? Oh...!
YORK
What did you think marriage was, dear?
JANET
[_Simply_]
I--I thought it was just being together, like you and father.
MRS. YORK
[_Involuntarily_]
But your father and I....
JANET
[_Retreating from them in realization and astonishment_]
You and father! Oh!
MRS. YORK
Janet.
YORK
Janet!
JANET
Don’t touch me, father. [_She moves quickly away from him_] I don’t
want anybody to put their hands on me again. I--I have to think. I want
to _understand_ what you said.--I always knew there was _something_
I didn’t understand.... [_Incredulously_] How could any girl grow up
and not...? [_Quickly turning to her mother_] Mother, did you know
what--what...? Did you know _this_, when you and Father first...?
MRS. YORK
[_Hardly able to speak_]
No!
JANET
[_Incredulously_]
You didn’t know _either_, when you were married?
MRS. YORK
[_Emphatically_]
A good girl shouldn’t.
JANET
[_Vehemently_]
A good girl! Then I wish I weren’t a good girl!
YORK
Janet!
JANET
[_Persistently_]
Mother. Didn’t you even feel for father as I did to-night when
Carter...?
MRS. YORK
[_Horrified throughout_]
No. No. I loved your father.
YORK
And don’t you love Carter?
JANET
[_Incredulously_]
Is that love?
MRS. YORK
It’s part of love.
JANET
[_Introspectively_]
Then--don’t I love Carter?
YORK
[_Trying to quiet her_]
Of course, you do.
JANET
[_Speaking as though overcome with a new revelation_]
I don’t. I don’t. How could I love him if I couldn’t let--? Oh!--If
you, mother, loved father and ... and yet _I_ couldn’t....
YORK
Janet, you’re all nerves. Are you different from other girls?
JANET
[_Gazing before her_]
I don’t know. I can’t understand myself--[_Impulsively_] Mother,
mother; I hated him!
MRS. YORK
Janet!
JANET
[_Shuddering in recollection_]
Yes--yes. His face changed ... his eyes ... oh!... And then he--he was
sorry. There were tears in his eyes. But I was frightened and ... oh, I
thought I belonged to myself.
YORK
[_Kindly_]
You belong to Carter, and he’s coming here for you.
JANET
[_Startled_]
Coming here?
MRS. YORK
Yes. He ’phoned.
JANET
I thought I was safe here in my home.
YORK
Your home is with him now. You’re his wife, Janet. And you promised
him....
JANET
[_Indignantly_]
How could I promise something I didn’t know about? But you knew what I
was promising and you didn’t tell me. You didn’t tell me! How could you
do such a thing? It was a _crime_!
MRS. YORK
[_Deeply wounded_]
A crime?
YORK
Janet, you’re talking to your mother.
JANET
My mother; yes; my dear little mother whom I trusted so.
MRS. YORK
You’re breaking my heart. I did everything in the world for you.
JANET
[_With great reproach_]
Except tell me the one thing I should have known!
MRS. YORK
Janet!
JANET
And now I understand the strange look you gave me, mother, when you
said good-by. You knew you should have told me.
[MRS. YORK _lowers her head. The outer door downstairs is heard
opening and then closing_]
YORK
There’s Carter.
JANET
I won’t see him now.
YORK
Now, Janet: don’t be a foolish girl.
JANET
[_With a certain calm_]
I’m going to my own room.
YORK
You must listen to reason.
JANET
I don’t know what you mean by reason.
YORK
[_Taking hold of her arms_]
Janet, was he...?
JANET
Let me go, father.
YORK
[_Forcefully_]
Answer me. Was Carter unkind or bru...?
JANET
How should I know? He tried to kiss me--differently. And he didn’t tell
me before.... I won’t see him. I won’t. I won’t.
MRS. YORK
Janet! Janet!
[JANET _goes into her room slamming the door_. MRS. YORK _holds her
hands out after her_. YORK _seems thoroughly aroused to anger_]
MRS. YORK
[_Turning helplessly to her husband_]
You don’t think it was because...?
YORK
[_Determined_]
That’s what I mean to find out. Go to her.
MRS. YORK
And she called me a criminal!
[MRS. YORK _almost timidly goes into the room, closing the door_.
CARTER _is heard coming up the stairs_. YORK _turns and waits with
suppressed excitement_.
_After a moment_ CARTER MERWIN _enters. There is a look of anxiety
upon his strongly modeled face. In appearance he is immediately
ingratiating since his whole manner suggests great sincerity of
character. He is in his early thirties._
_He stands there looking at_ YORK _and throughout the following
seems deeply moved with pity for_ JANET. _They speak with subdued
intensity, never raising their voice for fear the others will hear_]
CARTER
Janet’s here?
YORK
Yes. With her mother.
CARTER
[_Relieved_]
I’m glad. [_He starts towards door_] Poor little girl.
YORK
[_Stopping him_]
Where are you going?
CARTER
To tell her not to worry.
YORK
You can’t see her now.
CARTER
Why do you stop me?
YORK
She’s my daughter and--
CARTER
[_Quietly_]
My wife.
YORK
[_Halted somewhat by his tone_]
What kind of a man are you?
CARTER
What do you mean?
YORK
You know what I mean.
CARTER
I don’t understand.
YORK
She’s come here seeking my protection.
CARTER
Protection? Her greatest protection would have been a little knowledge.
YORK
[_Controlling himself with difficulty_]
We kept for you a girl’s greatest gift to her husband: her innocence.
CARTER
She brought me only ignorance.
YORK
I tell you, you shan’t go to her now.
CARTER
But she must see how I care for her. She mustn’t think I don’t
understand. She must let me help her--be kind to her. You don’t think I
have come to take her away unwillingly?
YORK
Then why are you here?
CARTER
Because I don’t want her to be afraid.
YORK
Damn you!
CARTER
Mr. York!
YORK
Why did you frighten her?
CARTER
_I_ didn’t frighten her.
YORK
What did?
CARTER
A fact. The commonest fact in life.
YORK
Which a man who knows life should have learned how to tell a....
CARTER
Most men don’t have to tell women. Twice you’ve insinuated....
YORK
She left you; didn’t she?
CARTER
Yes. She said nothing. She cried and she struck me.
YORK
[_Astonished_]
Struck you?
CARTER
Yes.
YORK
[_Coming closer to him_]
Then you _did_ give her cause?
CARTER
I came to her with a man’s love.
YORK
And acted like a--
CARTER
Say it.
YORK
Like a brute!
CARTER
[_He rushes at him, clutching his arms, but trying to control himself_]
Mr. York! I love her. Do you hear? I love her.
YORK
But forgot what kind of a girl she was.
CARTER
[_Hardly believing_]
What are you saying?
YORK
Isn’t it the truth?
CARTER
[_Still holding him and speaking tensely_]
Do you think because the language men have to use is the same to all
women, that the feeling back of it can’t be different? Don’t you know
I felt differently? I tell you I love her. No, no, it wasn’t as you
think. I was kind. I understood she had never ... I understood. But I
thought she knew what marriage was; thought she was happy coming to me;
thought she was willingly coming to me. But she made me feel as though
I weren’t her husband. I was only a thief in her room. Not the man she
loved; but a criminal!
YORK
[_Staring at him_]
A criminal! You, _too_!
CARTER
Yes. And don’t _you_ feel like a criminal? Didn’t you give her to me?
YORK
[_With indignant sarcasm_]
I thought I gave her to a man of honor.
CARTER
Yet you never asked me one question. I never thought of it myself till
she struck me. Then the crime we had done her stunned me--before I
could talk to her. I didn’t blame her. I blamed myself and you: for you
gave her to me, as the service says; but you didn’t tell her a single
thing about what was to happen. And I took her from your hands--I who
had talked of everything our life was to hold together--everything but
_that_.
YORK
Carter!
CARTER
We’ve made the fact of marriage seem horrible. Oh, I’m ashamed to my
soul of my part in this crime.
YORK
How dare you speak like this!
CARTER
But isn’t it the truth? Did you or I do anything to make her see the
beauty of this? Did you or I tell her the simplest fact? Did you or I
do anything else to protect her?
YORK
Do you realize--
CARTER
Oh, if you’d seen the look in her eyes--the helpless shocked
expression. Instead of the man’s pure love _I_ brought her, she might
have had to face anything, anything. Think of it: _anything_! Good God!
It’s terrible. She was helpless and she knew nothing--nothing. [_Going
to him_] But you and I knew: you knew life, knew men. Yet neither you
nor the minister ever asked me one question. You never asked me what
was also her right to know before she came to me. You never asked me
what my life had been or whether I was _fit_ to be her husband. [YORK
_tries to protest_] Oh, you must listen to me; for you stand there
judging me and forgetting what you, her father, had done to her. I’m
ashamed of myself and so should you be. You asked me about my
bank-account but you never asked me about my body.
YORK
[_Fundamentally offended_]
Do you think I would have insulted you with such a question?
CARTER
But you were willing to take a chance on your daughter.
YORK
No man who wasn’t decent would have married a sweet pure girl like
Janet.
CARTER
Wouldn’t he? I know hundreds!!
[_As they stand there tense, facing each other, the door opens; they
turn toward it. There is a pause and_ MRS. YORK, _almost a changed
woman, slowly comes into the room_. _She closes the door. No word is
spoken_. CARTER _stands there looking at her in question. Her eyes
are on the ground_. YORK _moves as one dazed to the deep chair and
later sinks into it, staring fixedly before him_]
CARTER
[_Very quietly_]
She knows I am here?
MRS. YORK
Yes.
CARTER
She’ll see me?
MRS. YORK
She sent me away.
CARTER
[_Understanding_]
She wants to be alone.
MRS. YORK
Yes.
CARTER
[_After some hesitation he goes slowly to_ JANET’S _door and knocks,
speaking with ill-controlled emotion_]
Janet! Janet! It’s Carter. I shan’t see you till you wish me. But
don’t be afraid, little girl. Don’t be afraid any more. We’ll go away
together and everything will be as you wish, everything as you wish--
[_He waits but there is no answer. He sits upon the sofa unable to
speak_]
MRS. YORK
[_She crosses to him, placing her hand on his shoulder_]
Don’t, Carter.
CARTER
[_With deep conviction_]
It can never be the same.
MRS. YORK
In time.
CARTER
No. She’ll never forget the shock--that first shock.
MRS. YORK
Women do.
CARTER
How could they?
MRS. YORK
She loves you. She broke down and cried. She sees now it wasn’t your
fault.
CARTER
But it was.
MRS. YORK
[_As she sits down slowly on the sofa beside him_]
I never knew there could be girls like Janet.
CARTER
She must see there are other things in marriage than this. She must.
[_He knocks at the door again_] Janet! Janet! Let me be your friend!
I’ll protect you. It’s my right now. I love you, little girl. I’ll
wait till--[_But there is no answer. He sits down again, murmuring_] It
could all have been spared if one of us had had a little courage.
MRS. YORK
[_Staring before her_]
Yes; it takes courage.
CARTER
Why should it?
MRS. YORK
She knows now.
CARTER
And it all could have been so simple.
YORK
[_Still staring guiltily before him_]
Criminals!
[MRS. YORK _looks slowly at him, but_ CARTER’S _eyes lift to the
door, hoping it will open again. There is a long silence. Then the
curtain slowly closes them from view_]
Transcriber’s Note:
- Text that was in italics is enclosed in underscores (_italics_).
- Text that was in small caps is in all caps (SMALL CAPS).
- Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.
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