ANNYS, with ELIZABETH and PHOEBE a little behind
her, stands right. LAMB, SIGSBY, and ST. HERBERT are behind
GEOFFREY centre. The DEPUTATION is left.]
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.
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