CHARLIE. That's no reason for marrying her. A man can't marry all the nice girls he knows.
JOHN. But you've always been fond of her, ever since you were children together. You used to call her your little friend.
CHARLIE (lightly). Mere boy and girl flirtation.
JOHN. It looked more serious than that.
CHARLIE (Exasperated). Serious? Of course it was serious. What do you take me for? Do you think I'd have consented to an engagement at any price if I hadn't loved her to distraction? I've tried to cease loving her, to school myself to hate her because of what she is—Thompson's daughter—and I've failed. The love I hoped to conquer only conquered me. It's no good fighting it. I know that now. John (triumphantly). Very well then, if you love the girl——
CHARLIE (At bay) Wait a bit. We were engaged before my eyes were opened, before I'd seen the horrible injustice of the men's lives in the works. I tell you it's wrong, all wrong. From the first moment that I realized it, I dedicated my life to the men. All personal desires were at an end. Rosie—everything went by the board. It was the men, the men, always the men.
JOHN. Pssh!
CHARLIE. I can't serve two masters. I can't waste time on marriage. I've a lifelong duty to perform. I've to battle for reform; and how can I be single-purposed in the fight if I'm tied to Rosie and accept a share of Thompson's tainted money?
JOHN (hopelessly). Well, I can't understand. I never could, and I'm sure I don't want to interfere between you, but Jabez seems to think you've been engaged long enough.
CHARLIE. I can't help that. There are two ways of ending an engagement, anyhow.