Hopper. Do we gather that in this election you speak for both candidates?
Geoffrey. In matters of common decency, yes. My wife does not associate herself with movements for the encouragement of vice.
(There is another moment’s silence.)
Annys. But, Geoffrey, dear—we should not be encouraging the evil. We should still seek to find the man, to punish him. The woman would still suffer—
Geoffrey. My dear Annys, this is neither the time nor place for you and me to argue out the matter. I must ask you to trust to my judgment.
Annys. I can understand your refusing, but why do you object to my—
Geoffrey. Because I do not choose for my wife’s name to be linked with a movement that I regard as criminal. I forbid it.
(It was the moment that was bound to come. The man’s instincts, training, have involuntarily asserted themselves. Shall the woman yield? If so, then down goes the whole movement—her claim to freedom of judgment, of action, in all things. All watch the struggle with breathless interest.)
Annys. (She speaks very slowly, very quietly, but with a new note in her voice.) I am sorry, but I have given much thought to this matter, and—I do not agree with you.
Mrs. Peekin. You will help us?