MRS. THOM. Have you signed the petition?
MR. VAN TOUSEL. (Blankly.) What petition?
MRS. THOM. The petition to the Legislature of the State asking them to enfranchise the enslaved part of its population. You evidently have not signed it or you would know, I suppose—or are you one of those gentlemen of leisure who leave all their thinking and acting to their secretaries? Here. (Takes roll of paper out of her pocket.) You might as well sign it now. Is there pen and ink in that desk over there or is it a purely ornamental piece of furniture?
MR. VAN TOUSEL. (Meekly taking the paper and going over to the desk with it.) Where shall I sign it, Mrs. Thom?
MRS. THOM. Right there under the last one. You have not forgotten how to sign your name, I suppose. Even people living on an unearned income are obliged to endorse their dividend checks, I believe.
MR. BECKER. Unless their investments are in bonds and then they only need a pair of scissors. In that case, the shears is mightier than the pen.
MRS. BROWN. (Aside to MR. BECKER.) Is Mrs. Thom a socialist, Mr. Becker?
MR. BECKER. It looks like it. You believe in universal brotherhood, I presume, Mrs. Thom?
MRS. THOM. If it includes the sisterhood also, Mr. Becker. (To MR. VAN TOUSEL.) Ah, that is right. Think how pleased your mother will be.
MR. VAN TOUSEL. My mother doesn’t believe in the enfranchisement of women, Mrs. Thom. She is Vice-President of the Women’s Anti-Suffrage League.