Dolly. Very well then, if her gray matter keeps on working wrong, what's the use of blaming her? You say yourself there's no such thing as free will——
Prof. Precisely, but I have always allowed that in the present low moral and intellectual condition of the herd of mankind, free will is a plausible working hypothesis.
Dolly. But it doesn't work! Free will won't work at all! Look at my own case! Do you suppose I should go on all my life having bills if I could help myself? [Catching Matt's eye, who looks at her gravely and holds up his finger.] Never mind my bills! Do make him see how wrong and absurd it is to punish poor Renie when there's no such thing as free will!
Matt. Dolly's right! She's only saying what you have so admirably laid down here. My dear Professor, you cannot possibly publish this book!
Prof. But it has been announced! I must publish it.
Matt. You cannot. Read that. [Giving the Professor the book and pointing out passage.] Surely after that you cannot condemn Mrs. Sturgess.
Prof. [Taking book, glancing at the passage.] Really, it's most annoying when one's own wife upsets——
Matt. Oh! they're always making hay of our theories one way or the other.
Prof. Of course, if one presses the matter home to first principles——
Dolly. Yes! Yes! Well, why not act on your own first principles! You ought to be very sorry for poor Renie, considering all she has suffered.