The Unknown; A Play in Three Acts

by W. Somerset Maugham

Mrs. Poole.

[With a little sigh of relief.] I knew you’d take it like that, Norman. You’re so tolerant and broad-minded.

Vicar.

I think I see my way to help her, poor soul.

John.

I wonder how. Your only explanation of evil is sin. I daresay you can get people to acknowledge that they’ve deserved their own suffering. But you’ll never prevent them from being revolted at the suffering of others. Why is evil permitted in the world by an all-good God?

Vicar.

I can hardly hope that any answer of mine will satisfy you. By God’s grace I am a Christian. You are an atheist.

[There is a moment’s embarrassment. John realises that his mother or Sylvia has repeated what he has said.