Why Marry? Part 7

LUCY

Do you think your brother will let you marry a mere scientist!... Oh, well, Doctor Hamilton is in love with his work--fortunately.... Besides, he's a thoroughbred; he wouldn't even look at a girl who throws herself at his head.

HELEN

So I needn't try any longer? Too bad.

LUCY

[_losing her temper and going_]

Oh, you New Women are quite superior, aren't you?... Thank heavens, little Jean didn't elbow _her_ way into men's affairs; she had no unwomanly ambitions for a career! But she is engaged to Rex Baker!

HELEN

Jean, is this true?

LUCY

[_triumphantly_]

_Marriage_ is woman's only true career.

HELEN

Jean! You can't, you won't, you mustn't marry Rex!

LUCY

[_flouncing out_]

"She who will not when she may," my dear!

JEAN

[_avoiding HELEN'S eyes_]

Lucy hears John coming--he'd take her head off if she weren't there to meet him. [_HELEN only looks at her._] He bullies and browbeats her worse than ever. I can't stand it here much longer. It's getting on my nerves.

HELEN

Jean! You care for Rex no more than I do.

JEAN

[_still evasive_]

John's bringing out Uncle Everett and Cousin Theodore. My dear, the whole family is up in the air about you.

HELEN

Oh, I can take care of myself, but you!... Jean, you're not the sort to marry Rex or any other man, unless you simply can't live without him.

JEAN

[_after a little pause_]

Well ... how can I live without him--without some man? You can support yourself. I can't.

HELEN

But you wouldn't live on a man you didn't really love!

JEAN

Why not? Lucy does; most wives live on men they don't really love. To stop doing so and get divorced is wrong, you know.

HELEN

Jean, Jean, poor little Jean!

JEAN

Well, I'd rather have domestic unhappiness of my own than watch other people's all my life.

HELEN

I don't like to hurt you, dear, but--[_Takes JEAN'S face and raises it._] How about that nice boy at the Harvard Law School?

JEAN