Why Marry? Part 37

Don't touch me! Every time you come near me I have to nerve myself to stand it.

JOHN

What's got into you? Don't I give you everything money can buy? My G.o.d, if I only gave you something to worry about; if I ran after other women like old man Baker----

LUCY

If you only would!--Then you'd let _me_ alone. To me you are repulsive.

JOHN

[_taking hold of her_]

Lucy! You are my wife.

LUCY

[_looking him straight in the eye_]

But you don't respect me, and I--I hate you--oh, how I hate you!

JOHN

[_holds her fast_]

I am your husband, your lawful husband.

LUCY

[_stops struggling_]

Yes, this is lawful--but, oh, what laws you men have made for women!

[_The JUDGE comes out, carrying a telegram._

JUDGE

Rather early in the day for conjugal embraces, if you should ask me.

[_JOHN and LUCY separate._] Makes me quite sentimental and homesick.

[_JUDGE raises telegram and kisses it._

LUCY

[_calming herself_]

From Aunt Julia again? Do you get telegrams every day from Reno?

JUDGE

No, but she caught cold. Went to the theatre last night and caught a cold. So she wired me--naturally; got the habit of telling me her troubles, can't break it, even in Reno.

JOHN

I thought she hated the theatre!

JUDGE

So she does, but I'm fond of it; she went for my sake. She's got the habit of sacrificing herself for me. Just as hard to break good habits as bad.

JOHN

True women enjoy sacrificing themselves.

JUDGE

Yes, that's what we tell them. Well, we ought to know. We make 'em do it. [_Brings out a fountain pen and sits abruptly._] That's what I'll tell her. I can hear her laugh. You know her laugh.

LUCY

[_rings for a servant_]

A telegraph blank?

JUDGE

[_with a humorous expression he brings a whole pad of telegraph blanks out of another pocket_]

Carry them with me nowadays. [_Begins to write._] Wish I hadn't sold my Western Union, John.

JOHN

I don't believe you want that divorce very much.