THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
 GIFT OF 
 MARGARET S. CARHART
 
 FREEDOM 

 
 FREEDOM 
 
 A PLAY IN THREE ACTS 
 
 BY 
 
 ALFRED SUTRO 
 
 NEW YORK 
 
 B RENTANO'S 
 
 1916
 
 I'RISTED IN GREAT BRITAIN 
 
 liY Till! COMPLEX K PRESS 
 
 WEST NORWOOD 
 
 ENGLAND
 
 6037 
 
 FOREWORD 
 
 THIS play, at which I had been working for over a year, 
 was finished in July 1914, a few days before the war 
 broke out. It was to have been produced by Mr. Granville 
 Barker, and to follow The Great Adventure. When that 
 moment arrived, the Germans were at the gates of Paris 
 and it was obviously not the time to put upon the 
 stage a play which dealt exclusively with questions of 
 sex. That time seems far distant and, when it has 
 come, the conditions, the environment, will be no longer 
 the same as when the play was written. 
 
 Perhaps one of the most definite results of the vast 
 upheaval that is shaking the world's foundations will 
 be the development it will have brought about in the 
 character, as well as in the position, of women. Before 
 the war, the most eager and ardent among them were 
 concerned with problems such as those with which this 
 little play deals ; those problems have become, and will 
 continue, secondary, although not losing their importance, 
 which must ever remain acute. During the last two 
 years, women have given proof of such heroism and 
 devotion, they have so magnificently, and with such 
 superb acquiescence and mastery of self, accepted the
 
 FOREWORD 
 
 burdens which fell most heavily upon them, that it seems 
 almost aa impertinence to publish a play in which they 
 are shown concerned merely with one minor issue, 
 struggling for a freedom that affects themselves alone. 
 Were I writing the play to-day, and dealing with the same 
 theme, I would have conceived a different class of woman 
 the one whom events have revealed to us, as also to 
 herself, as complete mistress of her destiny. But the 
 play stands, and cannot be rewritten ; and, with all its 
 imperfections upon it, it may yet possess some trifling 
 value as an indication of the conditions that obtained 
 before the war. 
 
 ALFRED SUTRO 
 
 LONDON, July 1916
 
 THE PERSONS OF THE PLAY 
 
 BARTLEY CHAMBERS 
 LAURENCE TARGILL 
 RUTHERFORD COLLINS 
 TOBY PARKING 
 BALDERTON 
 MIRIAM CHAMBERS 
 EVE TARGILL 
 AGNES BELL 
 FANNY COLLINS 
 
 The time is the present. The action of the play passes within 
 twenty-fintr hours, the scene being rooms in the CHAMBERS'S 
 house in Upper Berkeley Street, and the offices of " Man- 
 hood," a weekly paper, in Henrietta Street. 
 
 NOTE. The Stage Directions in this book are conceived from the 
 point of view "of the audience, and must, therefore, be reversed by 
 the actors performing the play.
 
 ACT I 
 
 The dining-room at BARTLEY CHAMBERS'S house in 
 Upper Berkeley Street. It is a conventional, 
 square-shaped room on the ground floor ; windows, 
 heavily curtained on the left, fireplace on the right, 
 door at back, opening direct on to a smallish hall. 
 The room is comfortable, pleasant enough in its 
 way, with nothing strikingly original in its decora- 
 tion or appointments, and no specially feminine 
 touches. There is heavy modern furniture against 
 the walls, which are distempered in a bluish green ; 
 on these hang two or three rather dark pictures of 
 the Royal Academy order. On a sideboard are the 
 usual pieces of silver, on a side-table the usual 
 flowers in fact, the room, while by no means un- 
 attractive, is precisely of the kind to be found by 
 the hundred in the houses of well-to-do folk in the 
 West End. 
 
 Eight people have just finished dinner, and are seated 
 at an oblong table, two at each end, two at the 
 sides. MIRIAM CHAMBERS and LAURENCB TAR- 
 GILL are at the back, LAURENCE at MIRIAM'S right ; 
 next to him AGNES BELL aud then RUTHERFORD 
 COLLINS / next to him, and facing MIRIAM and 
 
 1 A
 
 * FREEDOM 
 
 LAURENCE, EVE TARGILL and HARTLEY then 
 FANNY COLLINS and TOBY PARNING. It is a 
 fair-sized table, and there is a bit of a gap at both 
 ends; the people are all sitting in little groups, 
 having shifted their chairs after dinner. 
 BARTLEY CHAMBERS t a handsome, sturdy man of 
 forty, with a frank, open face, and a particularly 
 attractive voice and smile. LAURENCE TARGILL, 
 is about the same age a long, thinnish man, 
 rather ugly, but with a curious, uncouth charm 
 about him, arising from his very marked per- 
 sonality. His face is strikingly intellectual, a 
 trifle dominating and arrogant, perhaps, but with 
 an occasional sincere and captivating smile and 
 a look in the eye that are intensely winning. 
 RUTHERFORD COLLINS is short, and inclined to be 
 stout. He is distinctly of the bon-vivant order 
 a clever face, with a mouth that is half sensuous 
 and half cynical. TOBY PARKING is the oldest of 
 the party nearer fifty than forty. He is a 
 lawyer, biit shows few signs of his profession in 
 his face, which is long and thoughtful, kindly and 
 humorous. His black hair is grey at the temples ; 
 he, alone of the men, wears a moustache and a 
 closely cut beard. MIRIAM is a strikingly hand- 
 some woman of thirty-two or three, with a superb 
 figure. Her face, in repose, seems somewhat cold 
 and passionless, but lights up curiously when she 
 speaks, or becomes interested in what other people 
 are saying. AGNES BELL is about the same age,
 
 FREEDOM 8 
 
 but looks older. She is a stately woman, and very 
 handsome but evidently attaches meagre import- 
 ance to her appearance in contra-distinction to 
 the other ladies, who are charmingly gowned, her 
 dress is almost austere, with a striking absence of 
 any attempt at ornament, FANNY COLLINS t 
 pretty, in a rather common way. She is a little 
 common herself- and, especially when addressing 
 her husband, inclined to be waspish. EVE is the 
 youngest of the party twenty-eight or twenty-nine, 
 and looking even less. She is slight, and very fair 
 meek and curiously retiring. With a little more 
 vivacity and expression she would be exquisitely 
 pretty she has wonderful eyes, large and lustrous 
 but these are usually veiled, or only half-opened, 
 and rarely allowed to convey much of what passes 
 within her. The men are all wearing conven- 
 tional evening clothes ; the ladies, while distinctly 
 avoiding the austerity of AGNES, still have their 
 dresses cut a little higher than is the prevailing 
 fashion, and do not subscribe to the frivolous 
 eccentricities of the moment. 
 
 As the curtain rises, there is a buzz of talk, in which 
 all are joining, each with his neighbour. The 
 butler and two maids have cleared the table, leav- 
 ing coffee-cups and wine and liqueur glasses ; a 
 decanter of port has been placed by the side of 
 BARTLEY, who sends it round. RUTHERFORD and 
 BARTLEY are smoking cigars, TOBY a cigarette 
 LAURENCE does not smoke, nor do any of the
 
 4 FREEDOM 
 
 ladies. FANNY would have dearly liked a cigar- 
 ette, but she is afraid to take one, as none of the 
 other women are smoking. It has evidently been 
 a very pleasant dinner, and all the guests have 
 enjoyed themselves, and are feeling jolly. The 
 servants go, and shut the door. Suddenly TOBY 
 PARNING, who has been talking eagerly with FANNY 
 and MIRIAM, says, " Let's ask BAETLKY. BART- 
 LEY ! " BARTLEY apologizes to EVE, and pushes 
 his chair round the corner, to the side of FANNY, 
 and speaks across her, to TOBY and MIRIAM. 
 EVE moves her chair a little nearer to RUTHER- 
 FORD he turns from AGNES, whom he has been 
 trying to convince, and whispers to her ; she shakes 
 her head doubtfully. Suddenly he gets on his legs. 
 Though he has evidently always acquiesced in the 
 butler's filling his glass, he is perfectly steady and 
 self-possessed. 
 RUTHERFORD. Ladies and Gentlemen ! 
 
 [There is a chorus of disapproval from all, 
 except EVE and AGNES, who are in the 
 secret and they are doubtful. The rest 
 all turn towards RUTHERFORD, and protest 
 vigorously, fhouting "No, no! No speeches! 
 Sit down ! " 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Quite unperturbed.] Women and 
 Men! 
 
 [MIRIAM, TOBY, LAURENCE and HARTLEY main- 
 tain their protest, crying "We don't want 
 any speeches ! There shan't be any
 
 FREEDOM 5 
 
 speeches! EVE and AGNES look on and 
 smile FANNY is indifferent. MIRIAM 
 throws a lump of sugar at him.] 
 RUTHERFOED. Though you strike you shall hear 
 me ! To-day happens to be the first anniversary of 
 Hartley's becoming Editor and also Proprietor of 
 that highly intellectual journal known to the world 
 as Manhood/ 
 
 [The five, who are not in the secret, turn tt 
 
 each other in surprise. 
 BARTLEY. By Jove ! What is to-day ? 
 TOBY. The 25th of September ! He's right ! 
 MIRIAM. Still, that's no reason ! No, Rutherford, 
 no! please! 
 
 BARTLEY. Of course ! Sit down, Rutherford ! Sit 
 down 1 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Blandly, as he takes a puff" at his 
 cigar.] I refuse. 
 
 LAURENCE. [Laughing.] "We all know how eloquent 
 you are ! But obey your hostess ! 
 
 FANNY. He simply can't miss a chance of 
 
 TOBY. Down you go, Rutherford ! 
 RUTHERFORD. [Turning on him.] Silence, Man of 
 Law ! And be quiet, the rest of you ! I mean 
 
 MIRIAM. Don't ! To oblige me ! Please ! 
 
 AGNES. [Appealing to her] Miriam dear after all ! 
 We ought to drink Bartley's health ! 
 
 MIRIAM. Then, my dears, drink it in silence ! 
 Hartley [She turns to him.
 
 6 FREEDOM 
 
 HARTLEY. Yes, yes quite right ! Laurence, pass 
 him the port ! Drink, Rutherford and sit down ! 
 [LAURENCE offers the decanter RUTHERFORD 
 waves it aside, with a magnificent gesture. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. "We are all modest folk I more than 
 any [ironical applause round the table], and only a 
 strong sense of duty retains me in this perpendicular 
 position. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Laughing.] At least get it over quickly, 
 Rutherford ! 
 
 RUTHERFORD. I will be brief as gratitude ; I will 
 be short as my wife's temper ! [FANNY puts her 
 tongue out at him] Ladies and Gentlemen ! This is 
 our anniversary. Twelve months ago, to a day, 
 Bartley, our friend Bartley, forswore the delights of 
 Workmen'! Dwellings and Garden Cities and joined 
 us! 
 
 ALL. [Except MIRIAM and BARTLEY, applauding 
 loudly.] Hear, hear ! 
 
 RUTHERFORD. We, the rest of us around this table, 
 were then engaged, as we had been for years, in 
 educating the people. We had at our head that dis- 
 tinguished novelist and man of letters Mr. Laurence 
 Targill 
 
 ALL. [Applauding loudly.] Hear, hear ! 
 
 [LAURENCE bows and waves his hand to them. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. who, from the very beginning, had 
 conducted the destinies of our weekly oracle. Ladies 
 and Gentlemen, under Laurence's control that weekly 
 might also have been spelt with an " a."
 
 FREEDOM 7 
 
 AGNES. [Eagerly.] No, no I deny that ! The 
 paper may not have paid it didn't but the work 
 was being done, the foundation-stone laid ! It was ! 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Turning to her.] Agnes Bell Doctor 
 of Science, Bachelor of Arts, and Spinster of All the 
 Graces 
 
 AGNES. [Half annoyed and half amused.] Look here, 
 Rutherford 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Turning to the others.] still has 
 enough of the primitive female in her to pluck 
 unripe conclusions from an unfinished proposition. 
 
 TOBY. [Laughing] Then finish it, my lad ! Get 
 on! 
 
 RUTHERFORD. I am getting on, old Toby of 
 Lincoln's Inn ! Heaven, a lawyer rebuking delay ! 
 
 TOBY. Never mind me ! Vorwaerts 1 
 
 [There are cries of" Yes, yes get on I" He 
 proceeds blandly, with an occasional puff 
 at his cigar. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. Weakly we were, I repeat, in the 
 sense of having a defective circulation. We made 
 a mighty noise, but there were mighty few to hear 
 us ! Then Bartley came along. Circumstances had 
 made Bartley a merchant ; marriage and Miriam had 
 turned him into a philanthropist ; but, in the packing- 
 room of Heaven, or wherever they contrived the 
 elements of the Bartley that was to be, "Editor" was 
 most certainly labelled on his soul ! Our journal 
 has always possessed contributors of extraordinary 
 talent
 
 8 FREEDOM 
 
 ALL. [Laughing and applauding.] Hear, hear ! 
 
 RUTHERFORD. Now it rejoices in an Editor and 
 Proprietor who has made it pay 
 
 BABTLEY. [Beaming.] Not quite but almost ! Very 
 nearly ! Yea ! 
 
 RUTHERFORD. And that there is no other word 
 for it is SUBLIME ! 
 
 ALL. [Loudly.] Hear, hear ! Hear, hear ! Bartley, 
 Bartley ! [BARTLEY smiles happily at them. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [After another puff" at his cigar.] 
 Ladies and Gentlemen, one word more, and I have 
 done. Our motto, on the first page of our journal, 
 was " Don't Be Respectable but Respect Yourself," 
 and to that motto we have clung. We are Politicians 
 without Party, Enthusiasts without Fads, Moralists 
 without Conventions. [Applause.] We attack folly 
 and superstition without respect for persons, be they 
 princes, priests, prime ministers, professors, or merely 
 prigs. We are also, and have been from our origin. 
 Champions of the Rights of Women. 
 
 ALL. [Applauding more loudly than ever.] Hear, 
 hear ! 
 
 RUTHERFORD. We have become more particularly 
 under Bartley's guidance Champions of their Equal 
 Rights. 
 
 [The applause, etptcially from LAURENCE and 
 the women, grows wilder than ever. Hi 
 looks round, with a mischievout smile. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. I repeat, their equal rights. We 
 demand Bartley started us on that, with Miriam
 
 FREEDOM 9 
 
 perhaps nudging his elbow Absolute Equality 
 between the sexes. And why not ? "Water is for ever 
 rolling under bridges, and we are aware that the 
 New Woman of five years ago is as obsolete to-day as 
 the primitive motor-car that, as it crawled along, had 
 to be preceded by a man with a red flag. 
 
 [AGNES grows restive, shakes her head, and 
 
 whispers to LAURENCE and MIRIAM. 
 RUTHERFORD. The red flag is gone we helped in 
 its going as it is largely our doing that woman is 
 ever becoming Newer and Newer. 
 
 [There are murmurs of discontent from AGNES, 
 MIRIAM, LAURENCE AGNES crying, " Not 
 at all ! No ! She doesn't ! " RUTHERFORD 
 ignores the interruption, and continues 
 more blithely than ever. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. We, the men, follow her breathlessly 
 and meekly provide the thunder for her lightning. 
 We have grievances of our own as I speak, my linen 
 collar chafes and irritates me but it is safe to presume 
 that, generations hence, men will still be wearing 
 linen collars though what women will wear Heaven 
 only knows and we shall have helped them to wear 
 it ! And with that, Ladies and Gentlemen, I invite 
 you to drink the health of Bartley Chambers and 
 also ask Mr. Parning to pass the port. 
 
 [He sits, cheerfully, amidst signs of general 
 disapproval. AGNES, FANNY, and LAU- 
 RENCE all jump up together. 
 AGNES. I want to
 
 10 FREEDOM 
 
 LAURENCE. I can't allow 
 
 FANNY. I'd just like 
 
 [These remarks are simultaneous. The three 
 stop and look at each other. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Laughing.] Good people ! 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [With a chuckle, as he reaches for the 
 decanter.] Dear me ! Have I said anything ? 
 
 FANNY. [Stingingly.] You know very well that 
 you've been 
 
 RUTHERFORD. "Well, they can't all speak at once ! 
 I vote for Agnes first. 
 
 MIRIAM. No, no ; we've had enough ! [She appeals 
 to AGNES.] It's only Rutherford's little way ! 
 
 AGNES. [Who has been whispering to LAURENCE, who 
 nods, and sits down.] I really would like just one 
 word. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. Let her, dear hostess! And the 
 others after ! why not ? [He bangs the table] Silence 
 for Agnes ! [He Jills his glass. 
 
 FANNY. [As she sits, with a significant glance at the 
 decanter] I say, Rutherford 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Blandly] Admirable wine, dear 
 admirable. [He shouts.] Agnes! 
 
 AGNES. [Nervously.] Ladies and Gentlemen 
 
 [TOBY whispers to MIRIAM. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Banging the table, and assuming the 
 tone of a toastmaster] Pray, silence for Agnes Bell, 
 Doctor of Science and Bachelor of Arts ! 
 
 AGNES. [Turning to him.] It's you whom I want to 
 be silent, Rutherford.
 
 FREEDOM 11 
 
 RUTHERFORD. As the grave ! 
 
 [He tosses off" his glass. 
 FANNY. [To TOBY.] He's drinking too much. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. Sb, sh ! 
 
 AGNES. I hate getting up and talking not that I 
 mean I do, as a general rule ! Heaven knows I've 
 done enough of it ! But Rutherford has said things 
 that I don't like. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. Woe is me ! 
 
 AGNES. He means well, of course and, as Miriam 
 says, I know it's only his way and, in common with 
 every woman, I'm grateful to him for the articles he 
 writes, and has written 
 
 RUTHERFORD. Hear, hear ! 
 
 AGNES. And Bartley and Miriam know how grate- 
 ful I am to them. But I hate the idea that, just 
 to-night, when we're drinking to Bartley, thanking 
 Bartley anything should be said that that oh, I 
 mean, that throws back to the old style of talk about 
 men and women. Because that's odious to me and 
 is, I'm sure, to us all. 
 
 ALL. [Loudly, except RUTHERFORD.] Hear, hear ! 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Filling his glass.] When Adam 
 delved, and Eva span 
 
 LAURENCE. [Roughly.] Shut up, Rutherford! Let 
 Agnes have her say ! 
 
 AGNES. [JFitfA intense earnestness.] I mean this 
 thing that we are fighting for is holy yes, it is 
 and I don't like even the suspicion of fun being made 
 of it. I don't like this talk of New Women, and so
 
 1* FREEDOM 
 
 on. We're not new women we're not freaks, or 
 eccentrics we ask nothing abnormal, or extreme. 
 We want to get nearer toto the divine yes, 
 really, the divine Fm not afraid to aay it. So, even 
 at a convivial gathering like this don't let's make 
 fun. Not have our tongue in oar cheek, even when 
 we're dining together. I didn't like what Butherf ord 
 said about the red flag and the linen collar. The 
 woman of the future, whom we are helping to form, 
 wfll be at least as modest and virtuous as the woman 
 of to-day and her very freedom, and the nobility 
 that comes from that freedom, will prevent her from 
 doing things that she does to-day things that no one 
 thinks anything of, but to us seem degrading and 
 shocking. We plead in our paper that motherhood 
 shall be open to all women that no shame shall 
 attach to the child born out of wedlock or the mother 
 who bears it. Is that dreadful is it abnormal to 
 the god who sits on the mountain? 7 am not 
 married, as you know and have a child, as you 
 know and you none of you think the worse of me 
 for it, or regard me as depraved, or immoral for you 
 know, and I know, and God knows, that I am none 
 of these things but a woman who craved for a child 
 and could meet no man whom she loved enough to 
 give her whole life to him. And I plead, and our 
 paper pleads, for the thousands of women in like case 
 to mine women who have not had the courage that I 
 have had women who in dark places and sheltered 
 corners wring their hands and lament over & stunted
 
 FREEDOM IS 
 
 and crippled existence. For generations, for hundreds 
 of years, men have sniggered at women when they 
 even spoke of these things. You don't I know, even 
 Rutherford doesn't and it is because our paper is so 
 proudly above the sneer and the jibe that it has 
 become such a mighty engine for good and the 
 hope and inspiration of every lofty-minded woman 
 throughout the land. And it is for this that I am 
 so grateful to these dear people to Bartley and 
 Miriam and thank them from the depths of my 
 heart. And I thank you for letting me say these 
 things. 
 
 [She sits quickly, amidst great applause from 
 them all, including RUTHERFORD. MIRIAM 
 bends across, and pats AGNES on the hand. 
 BARTLEY rises, and goes to her. 
 RUTHERFORD. [Sententiously, and the least bit 
 muzzily.] Very good speech very. But the honour- 
 able lady has misunderstood me. I only 
 
 BARTLEY. You've had your turn, Rutherford ! 
 
 [He draws a chair up from the wall, and talks 
 eagerly to AGNES. RUTHERFORD turns to 
 EVE, and begins to explain to her. 
 LAURENCE. Bravo, Agnes ! Bravo ! 
 RUTHERFORD. Get up, my lad get up ! 
 LAURENCE. [Ignoring him.} Bravo, I say ! And let 
 Rutherford and his linen collar go to blazes 1 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Shooting out his shirt-cuffs, and 
 looking at them regretfully.] If that's the name of a 
 new laundry we might try it, Fanny.
 
 14 FREEDOM 
 
 LAURENCE. I don't know why he has sprung this 
 claptrap upon us but I'm glad of it because it 
 gave us Agnes's speech. And I'm with you, 
 Agnes, in every word you've said ! I'd have no 
 barriers I'd throw open every door! Husbands 
 and wives all right but, first of all, men and 
 women ! 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [With a snigger.] What does Eve 
 think of that ? 
 
 [They all look at EVE, who with bent head 
 has been scribbling on the table-doth. She 
 glances up, and smiles. 
 
 LAURENCE. [ Who has also thrown a quick look at her, 
 going on as breezily as ever.] Eve thinks as I do I 
 speak for her as I do for myself. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Enthusiastically.] Hear, hear ! 
 
 LAURENCE. And I'm proud I'm sure Bartley is 
 of the way Agnes spoke of the paper. That's what 
 we want it to be ! And we owe it all to Bartley. 
 We'd been muddling away at social schemes it was 
 he who came along, and said, " Women first ! " [He 
 turns to BARTLEY.] Didn't you ? 
 
 BARTLEY. Yes, yes I did I thought 
 
 TOBY. [laughing] And Laurence straightway took 
 the bit between his teeth, and started bolting down- 
 hill! 
 
 LAURENCE. [Laughing, too.] All right, old Dryas- 
 dust ! Perhaps I did want to go a little too far. But 
 he keeps a tight rein on our necks 
 
 TOBY. You need it !
 
 FREEDOM 15 
 
 LAURENCE. [Gaily.] I daresay I do ! And no 
 doubt we're the better for it our circulation proves 
 that ! It's quite true I would have gone further than 
 he does fact is, he's a law-abiding citizen, and I 
 ain't! 
 
 RUTHEEFOED. No. Last year's Romantic Ruffian. 
 Shop-soiled. Cheap. 
 
 LAUEENCE. [Laughing.] Can't any one stop old 
 Rutherford ? And as we are drinking Bartley's 
 health don't let's forget that just one personal 
 word ! He took over my paper, with its debts freed 
 me, I am proud to say it and acknowledge it from 
 the load of financial embarrassment that was crippling 
 me didn't want to be editor, I had to force it on him, 
 realizing, very quickly, that he was a far better man 
 for the job than I ! And we all know what an editor 
 he has been ! And the sort of fellow he is ! Never 
 a truer friend or a kinder heart ! The best of us all 
 and we're proud of him and love him ! Long live 
 Bartley ! 
 
 [He rises and waves his glass. The others 
 are following, with shouts of applause, 
 RUTHERFOED pushes them back. 
 
 RUTHEEFOED. Wait wait not ready yet got to 
 hear Fanny. 
 
 MIRIAM. Nonsense, Rutherford. I'm sure she 
 doesn't 
 
 RUTHEEFORD. [Interrupting her,] Throw open 
 every door, he said ! Well Fanny's been knocking I 
 Can't have Fanny knocking, and door not open !
 
 16 FREEDOM 
 
 She wants to speak ! [He shouts and bangs the table.] 
 Fanny ! 
 
 FANNY. [Snapping at him.] I don't want to. Though 
 it's quite true I did. But only to explain to the 
 others that it was just your irritating way that I 
 know so well 
 
 RUTHEBFOBD. [Thoroughly enjoying himself, and 
 affecting the deepest concern.] Oh, my darling can it 
 be 
 
 FANNY. [More and more irritably.] It's what he 
 calls his sense of humour and when that gets mixed 
 up with port, he's simply unbearable. 
 
 MIBIAM. [Mildly.] Dear Mrs. Collins 
 
 RUTHEBFOBD. [Stopping MIBIAK, as he rolls delight- 
 edly in his chair, and gots on chaffing FANNY.] Angel 
 child it's Bartley's health we're drinking and not 
 mine ! 
 
 FANNY. [Completely ignoring him.] And he's just 
 in the mood when his one desire is to annoy 
 every one. 
 
 RUTHEBFORD. May I remind my admirable 
 wife 
 
 FANNY. [Losing all control, in her vexation.] I'm 
 not your wife. 
 
 [There is general exclamation. MIRIAM and 
 AGNES cry " Oh ! " and BABTLEY and 
 LAURENCE stare. TOBY shrugs his shoulders 
 and tries to intervene, clears his throat pre- 
 paratorily. FANNY gives a look round tht 
 table, and goes on rather contritely.
 
 FREEDOM 17 
 
 FANNY. I don't know, for the life of m why I 
 blurted that out just now. Shocked you a bit, I see. 
 [The ladies protest, somewhat politely, except EVE, 
 who takes no notice.] And I'm rather sorry I said it. 
 But you'd have had to know some time. Though of 
 course I don't often have this privilege of meeting 
 you. And you mustn't think / haven't wanted to 
 get married. 
 
 [She stops abruptly, looks at the table-cloth, and 
 plays with her cup and saucer. There is a 
 moment's rather awkward silence. RUTHER- 
 FORD remains completely unconcerned, and 
 perfectly happy. TOBY throws himself into 
 the breach. 
 
 TOBY. Since it's Hartley's health we're drinking, I 
 ought to put in a word. Because I've known him 
 longer than any of you even Miriam ! We were at 
 school together and at Oxford together and I can 
 tell you, he was no end of a Bwell. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Laughing.] Oh, wasn't I just ! Except 
 in exams. The less said of them the better ! 
 
 TOBY. It was I drew up his articles of partnership, 
 when his father took him in, and he became a Merchant 
 Prince. It was I who was best man at his wedding 
 and oh, Miriam, do you remember the fuss he 
 made ? Did so want it all to be swagger ? 
 
 HARTLEY. Ha, ha, I did ! St. George's, Hanover 
 Square that was my idea ! But not yours, Miriam 
 eh? 
 
 MIRIAM. No. / wanted a third-class elopement ! 
 
 B
 
 18 FREEDOM 
 
 TOBY. "We compromised with the registry-office in 
 the Pancras Road. But the temper he was in 1 
 Because he has a temper, old Bartley ! Ladies and 
 Gentlemen this may be a revelation to you but he 
 doesn't show it often does he, Miriam ? 
 MIRIAM. No. Hardly ever. Never to me I 
 TOBY. A soft heart goes with it a kind of combina- 
 tion, he is, of Mary's lamb and a bull in a china-shop ! 
 And always, through everything, the best and 
 straightest fellow that walks this earth. Let's drink 
 to him. Bartley ! 
 
 [He has scarcely finished before RUTHERFORD 
 on whom the wine is beginning to tell he 
 has been helping himself freely shouts 
 "No, no not yet! Eve!" There it 
 protest all round. 
 
 EVE. [Startled and shrinking.] No, no ! 
 MIRIAM. [ Feaed.] This really won't do ! 
 FANNY. [With a shrug.] I told you he's im- 
 possible. 
 
 LAURENCE. [Angrily.] Rutherford, leave her alone ! 
 
 [These remarks we simultaneous; they have 
 no effect on RUTHERFORD, who goes on 
 bellowing " Eve 1 Eve ! Eve ! " at the top of 
 his voice. 
 
 FANNY. [Shouting at him.] You're becoming an 
 absolute nuisance ! 
 
 MIRIAM. Bartley, you really must stop this. 
 BARTLEY. Rutherford, my dear fellow
 
 FREEDOM 19 
 
 LAURENCE. You know perfectly well she never 
 
 [These remarks are again simultaneous but 
 they have not the slightest effect on RUTHER- 
 FORD, who goes on, in a kind of sing-song, 
 yelling " Eve, Eve, Silence for Eve ! " 
 
 AGNES. [Across his back, to EVE.] Say one word, 
 dear, to keep him quiet ! 
 
 RUTHERFORD. Eve! 
 
 LAURENCE. [Really angry.] You donkey ! 
 
 RUTHERFORD. Eve ! Eve ! Silence for Eve ! 
 
 AGNES. [To EVE.] Anything, dear. Just to stop 
 him ! 
 
 EVE. [Turning to them, very slowly and timidly], 
 Yery well if I must ... I drink to Bartley too. 
 I think as you all do about him. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Maliciously.] And freedom, Eve 1 
 We've heard Laurence on Freedom ! Give us your 
 ideas ! 
 
 EVE. [Very startled, as she looks at him.] I don't 
 think my ideas I mean I I 
 
 [She breaks down, and bursts into tears. There 
 is general exclamation, expressive of sym- 
 pathy with her, and indignation with 
 RUTHERFORD, who merely wags his head, 
 and Jills himself another glass. AGNES 
 jumps up and goes to EVE so does 
 LAURENCE. 
 
 MIRIAM. Poor little Eve I What a shame ! 
 TOBY. Too bad of Rutherford !
 
 20 FREEDOM 
 
 HARTLEY. [Very concerned.] Really, really, I'm 
 frightfully sorry ! 
 
 FANNY. That's Rutherford all over he likes 
 
 [These remarks are simultaneous. RUTHER- 
 FORD pays no heed to them, but sips his 
 port, chuckling blithely to himself. LAU- 
 RENCE has reached EVE'S side he puts his 
 arms round her, sits on the back of her 
 chair, and tries to comfort her. She dries 
 her eyes, aud quickly recovers herself, shyly 
 smiling apologies. AGNES goes back to her 
 seat. 
 
 LAURENCE. There, there, darling, don't cry. It was 
 a very great shame. Poor little sweetheart ! 
 
 MIRIAM. Rutherford, I'm really vexed with you. 
 I am. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. Temper the wind, hostess ! Temper 
 the wind ! 
 
 MIRIAM. We all spoil him, that's the truth. 
 RUTHERFORD. And how about Hartley's health? 
 Gome along, all of you ! UP ! 
 
 MIRIAM. [Rising, as do all the others.] To Hartley ! 
 And I drink to him and thank him too ! 
 
 [They all hold up their glasses with shouts of 
 "Hartley, Hartley!" LAURENCE has 
 hastened back to his place, EVE being now 
 perfectly tranquil again, to get his glass 
 he stands beside MIRIAM. RUTHERFORD 
 strikes up " For He's a Jolly Good Fellow " 
 they all join in. When they get to the
 
 FREEDOM 21 
 
 " Hip, Hip, Hip, Hurrah ! " stage, 
 RUTHERFORD shouts, " And one for 
 Miriam ! Hip, hip, hurrah ! And one for 
 Bartley junior, upstairs ! Hurrah ! And 
 one for the baby, whatever its name is ! 
 Hurrah ! And now silence for Bartley ! " 
 The cheers have been heartily given, and 
 glasses drained they all sit. BARTLEY 
 rises. He is deeply moved, and pauses for 
 an instant before speaking. They all shout, 
 and applaud him. 
 
 BARTLEY. My dear friends I really scarcely 
 know what to say. I'm so proud to be here with 
 you to have people like you around me. I'm so 
 proud of you all. It's a wonderful thing for a man 
 like myself to be controlling no, no, not controlling, 
 but guiding a paper like ours. Miriam, of course, 
 controls and guides me. I am what she has made 
 me. 
 
 MIRIAM. No, no. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Looking fondly at her.] I say, yes, yes. 
 I went out of the City because she wanted me to 
 I came into this paper because she wanted me to. 
 We've been married seven years and I've always 
 done what she wanted, and always shall. Before I 
 married, I suppose I was just like the other fellows 
 with lots of money. And a bit of a snob, too, I dare 
 say. My ideal woman was the smart girl who rode 
 to hounds, and danced, and flirted, and was satisfied 
 with everything, and didn't care a button for any-
 
 22 FREEDOM 
 
 thing outside. But I had the luck to marry Miriam. 
 And she has taught me what women are, and are 
 capable of. [MIRIAM makes a gesture. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Nodding.] Yes, yes, my dear, I know. 
 That's enough about that. [He turns to the others.] 
 You all know ! Well, this paper of ours. I took my 
 dear friend Laurence's place he made me and, aa 
 he says, I put the women's movement in the front. 
 Because, to me to Miriam and me that is the 
 movement bigger than the others, bound up with 
 the others, helping the others ! Laurence our fiery, 
 untamed Laurence was with us at once and, as 
 you know, chafes, sometimes, at my holding him 
 back. But then, you see, the public the public's 
 like me the public go slow ! And they are beginning 
 to understand that what we're striving for is the 
 the the beautiful, and not the ugly. That's all. 
 Nothing nasty about us about our work, about our 
 paper. As Agnes says, freer men and women, and 
 therefore nobler. Nobler, that's all nobler! Our 
 aim, our ideal and we're getting there. Thanks to 
 you to you all and to Miriam ! Yes I must say 
 it especially to Miriam ! And so so God blesa 
 you and may we celebrate many more anniversaries 
 together. 
 
 [He sits, amid great applause, RUTHERFORD 
 being specially enthusiastic. AGNES, TOBY, 
 FANNY, LAURENCE, all say nice things to 
 BARTLEY. MIRIAM lets her hand rest for 
 a moment on his.
 
 FREEDOM 23 
 
 AGNES. Thank you, Bartley 1 
 FANNY. A great little speech 1 
 TOBY. Good man, Bartley ! 
 LAURENCE. Dear old friend ! 
 
 [These remarks are simultaneous. 
 RUTHERFORD. [Sprawling.] A r-jolly good speech. 
 Successful evening. Very. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Rising.] Well now we can go upstairs. 
 [They all rise, except RUTHERFORD, who re- 
 mains seated, staring at his glass. 
 MIRIAM. Bartley, don't be long. 
 
 [LAURENCE has opened the door. AGNES and 
 EVE go. FANNY, at the door, turns round. 
 FANNY. And please don't let Rutherford drink any 
 more ! Look at him ! 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Rising slowly to his feet.] I am 
 proudly conscious of being worthy of inspection. 
 FANNY. [Tossing her head.] Oh, yes. / know. 
 RUTHERFORD. Crypto conchoid syphonostomata. 
 FANNY. [With a contemptuous shrug.] Pooh ! 
 
 [She goes, followed by MIRIAM. LAURENCE 
 closes the door. They all sit TOBY in his old 
 place, BARTLEY next to him, then RUTHER- 
 FORD and LAURENCE. RUTHERFORD has 
 undoubtedly drunk too much but he 
 manifests this only by an excessive slow- 
 ness of speech and portentous solemnity of 
 manner. 
 
 TOBY, [Merrily, to RUTHERFORD.] Well, my boy, 
 you've been having a fine fling to-night !
 
 24 FREEDOM 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [As he Jills his glass.] Life and soul 
 of the party. 
 
 LAURENCE. [As he sits.] You will have a head to- 
 morrow ! 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Holding up his glass.] I like 
 having a head to-morrow. Better to have a head 
 to-morrow than a turnip to-night, [ffe lifts up 
 his glass and bows solemnly to the others.] To the 
 turnips. [He drinks.] 
 
 [They laugh TOBY turns to BARTLEY. 
 
 TOBY. Quaint, you know when I think of the old 
 days with your four-in-hands and your supper- 
 parties and here you are, running this paper ! 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [As he loofee around.] What I ask 
 myself sometimes especially when I'm not strictly 
 sober is, what are we doing it for ? Eh ? 
 
 TOBY. [Laughing.] That's only because you're not 
 strictly sober, Rutherford ! 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Impressively, as he leans forward.] 
 Let me tell you I've very great respect for myself 
 when I'm in this condition. 
 
 [He nods his head solemnly, several times. 
 
 LAURENCE. [Shortly.] Well, we haven't. Far from it. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. That's because you don't know. I 
 understand more. Different man. Brain's clear 
 frightfully clear. Paren thetically, I've more 
 brain than all the rest of you put together. 
 
 LAURENCE. [Drily.] You're a wonderful person, of 
 course. [He leans across ] Bartley 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Interrupting him ruthlessly.] Lau-
 
 FREEDOM 25 
 
 rence hasn't mere jumble philosophy and fiction. 
 When you read his novels you skip the story 
 part and when you get to the philosophy part, you 
 yawn and go to sleep. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Vexed.] Look here, Rutherford, don't 
 say such things. They're silly. 
 
 LAURENCE. [Good-humour edlyJ] Don't mind him. 
 Thanks, Rutherford, my son ! 
 
 RUTHERFORD. Bartley doesn't know how should 
 he? Fine editor yes. Has a nose. Always give 
 me an editor with a nose. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Laughing.] Well, he's turning it up at 
 you now ! 
 
 RUTHERFORD. But no brain, Bartley, my dear all 
 heart. Beautiful, streaky heart. Toby Parning 
 hasn't a brain but then he's a lawyer and never 
 misses it. 
 
 TOBY. [Merrily, as he shakes his head at him.] Oh, 
 you ridiculous old ass ! 
 
 RUTHERFORD. Good man, Toby with you there 
 but dry as a haddock. Makes me thirsty to look at 
 him. 
 
 [He gropes for the decanter TOBY reaches 
 forward and takes it away. 
 
 TOBY. Well, at least, you shan't drink any more I 
 And now shut up, Rutherford, like a good chap ! 
 Bartley, I wanted a word with you about 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Solemnly.] Old friends you'd much 
 better listen to me. Look here, we started tbii 
 paper years ago didn't we ? Title, Manhood
 
 26 FREEDOM 
 
 we've stuck to that. Twelve of us weren't there 
 all men? Three of us left of the twelve 
 Where are the others ? 
 
 LAURENCE. [Shortly.] Never mind the others. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. But I do mind We wanted de- 
 cent homes for the workers. Living wage. Reform 
 of the Poor- Law. And such like. The public 
 didn't care a damn. Peculiarity of the public it 
 never does care a damn for things that matter. 
 Then we took up the women and we're booming 
 now. 
 
 LAURENCE. [Eagerly.] We always, and from the 
 very beginning, " took up " the women, as you call it. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Scornfully] Oh, yes the vote. 
 But the public didn't care and the women 
 didn't care. 
 
 [There are indignant protests from the three' 
 others. 
 
 LAURENCE. That's not true ! 
 
 BARTLEY. Of course it isn't ! 
 
 TOBY. They did and they do ! 
 
 LAURENCE. Not care! Haven't we rallied round 
 us all the brightest intellects in England ? 
 
 RUTHERFORD. All the brightest intellects in 
 England would go into a cabmen's shelter and 
 there'd still be room for you. [His voice becomes 
 almost dirge-like in its mournfulness,] No it's the 
 Sex business. That has done it. All the women 
 buy us now.
 
 FREEDOM 27 
 
 BARTLEY. [Wrinkling his brow.] What d'you mean 
 by the Sex business ? 
 
 RUTHERFORD. Freer Divorce Claim to Mater- 
 nity Equal Rights and so on. 
 
 LAURENCE. [Passionately.] And aren't these things 
 right ? Don't you believe in them ? 
 
 RUTHERFORD. Yes when I'm sober. Don't when 
 I'm drunk. And the question is, ought I to lend my 
 quite extraordinary gifts 
 
 LAURENCE. [Roughly, as he clutches the decanter, 
 and passes it to RUTHERFORD.] Here, my lad, drink 
 gome more. You'll be more extraordinary still. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Protesting.'] No, no, you shouldn't 
 
 LAURENCE. Oh, it passes off very quickly with him. 
 Upstairs, in the drawing-room, be won't turn a hair. 
 I know him. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Unsteadily filling his glass.] Isn't 
 that just what we're doing ? Giving 'em what 
 they want ? But is it good for them ? I don't know. 
 Is it good for me ? [He holds up his glast.] I'm not 
 sure. [He drinks slowly, saying between gulps] 
 I'm not sure. 
 
 TOBY. [Laughing.] Well, don't worry about it. 
 You'll be quite sure to-morrow. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Earnestly.] And I'll tell you this, 
 Rutherford just this you're wrong in what you've 
 been saying and, drunk or sober, I can't let you say 
 it. I'm giving my life to this movement I believe 
 in it, with my whole soul. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. Miriam does.
 
 28 FREEDOM 
 
 BARTLEY. [Nodding.] That's quite right ; I wouldn't 
 have, but for her. I used to be like the other men 
 at the Club thought it a joke that women should 
 want things. I don't now. Oh, of course there are 
 other abuses but it's not fair to say that we neglect 
 them. We don't. Only, the women come first. And, 
 working hand in hand as we're doing, I tell you we 
 shall go far. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. At present we've got to Agnes 
 having a baby from the Stores. 
 
 [TOBY can't help laughing, but BARTLEY and 
 LAURENCE are really angry and indignant. 
 
 BARTLEY. None of that, Rutherford ! That's beastly 
 it's low ! 
 
 LAURENCE. Good Heavens, yes ! Have you ever, 
 in all your life, come across a nobler creature than 
 Agnes? 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [JBlandly.] No one's a denigin' of 
 it, Sairey. 
 
 BARTLEY. And Rutherford this comes rather ill 
 from you. Yes, really it does. We were all of us, I 
 think, a little distressed when we heard you weren't 
 married to Fanny. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Staring.] Were you, though ? 
 
 TOBY. [Trying to intervene.] Oh, I say, Bartley 
 
 BARTLEY. [Nodding across to him.] Yes, yes, I know. 
 But I think he ought to be told. It really's not fair 
 on her. 
 
 LAURENCE. No, it isn't. Say what one pleases of 
 marriage, this is precisely a case
 
 FREEDOM 29 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Wagging his head.] Is it, though? 
 Lawks ! who'd have thought it ! 
 
 BARTLEY. "We want to give women freedom but 
 not to deprive them of their contract. 
 
 TOBY. I say, Bartley, old chap really you 
 needn't, just now. And, in any event after all 
 
 BARTLEY. [Earnestly, to TOBY, across the table.] 
 She's the mother of his child. She has given him 
 the best years of her life. 
 
 TOBY. But scarcely of his class, you know. You 
 saw that to-night. One must consider that. 
 
 LAURENCE. [Indignantly.] Class, Toby ! Class ! 
 
 BARTLEY. Yes I'm a little surprised. What has 
 that to do with it ? 
 
 TOBY. [Shrugging his shoulders.] Oh, my dear 
 fellow 
 
 LAURENCE. She's entitled to be his wife ! That's 
 her right ! 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Looking in amazement from one to 
 the other.] My stars and stripes ! She calls herself 
 my wife / call her my wife. What's the odds ? 
 
 BARTLEY. The odds are, simply, that you could, at 
 any moment you chose, just send her away. 
 
 LAURENCE. And that's monstrous yes, it is mon- 
 strous ! 
 
 BARTLEY. So I say to you, Rutherford you know 
 how fond we are of you just think it over that's 
 all. Now let's go upstairs. 
 
 [He rises, as do the others, except RUTHERFORD, who 
 sits there, drumming his fingers on the table.
 
 30 FREEDOM 
 
 RUTHEEFOED. I won't think it over. It's absurd. 
 
 BAETLEY. Rutherford 
 
 RUTHEEFOED. Prepos pos posterous. 
 LAUEENCE. [Clapping him roughly on the shoulder.] 
 Gome on get up. 
 
 [BAETLEY and TOBY are standing by the door, 
 
 TOBY evidently remonstrating with BAETLEY. 
 
 RUTHEEFOED. [Waving LAUEENCE away.] I write 
 
 women's articles when I'm sober and believe in 
 
 'em, right enough. But I'm a bit of a man, too. 
 
 And Fanny's welcome to all I have as long as 
 
 she goes on the square. 
 
 [He gets unsteadily on to his legs. 
 LAURENCE. [Turning angrily on him] On the 
 square ! And who's to be the judge of that ? You ? 
 You're judge and jury ! 
 
 RUTHEEFOED. [Catching hold of him, with a drunken 
 snigger.] That's all ri', old chap. Suppose Fanny 
 played me the game that you and Miriam are 
 playing on old Bartley ? 
 
 BAETLEY. [Turning, in the midst of his talk with 
 TOBY.] Eh? 
 
 LAUEENCE. [Furiously, as he shakes RUTHEEFOED.] 
 You drunken fool ! 
 
 BAETLBY. [Vaguely, as he takes a step forward.] 
 What did he say ? 
 
 [EvE has come in the door had opened imme- 
 diately after RUTHEEFOED'S last sentence. 
 She comes forward the men all stop, and
 
 FREEDOM 31 
 
 turn to her. She did not hear what 
 
 RUTHERFORD had said, but it evidently 
 
 struck with the sudden stillness. 
 
 EVB. [A little awkwardly,] Oh, Bartley Miriam 
 
 says you've been down here quite long enough she 
 
 wants 
 
 LAURENCE. [Nastily.] We were just going. If I 
 can get Rutherford up. Do him good, I think, to 
 put his head under the pump. Come along ! 
 
 [He pushes RUTHERFORD to the door. The 
 
 shock has completely sobered him, and he 
 
 walks with a dreadful consciousness of what 
 
 he has done. BARTLEY'* eyes follow him and 
 
 LAURENCE his face gives no sign. At the 
 
 door LAURENCE turns and says, " Coming, 
 
 you fellows ? " then he goes, still clutching 
 
 RUTHERFORD. EVE, who also has been 
 
 watching them, turns to BARTLEY. 
 
 EVE. Well, Bartley Mr. Parning ? 
 
 TOBY. [Recovering himself.] Yes. Come, Bartley. 
 
 [He takes a step to the door. 
 
 BARTLEY. Wait. One minut*. [He nods to EVE.] 
 All right, Eve. In a minute. 
 
 EVE. [With rather an anxious look at him.] You 
 won't be long ? 
 
 BARTLEY. No. Oh no. 
 
 [She goes, and shuts the door. TOBY turnt to 
 
 BARTLEY, and forces a laugh. 
 
 TOBY. Extraordinary, that chap, when the win'sin 
 him ! He simply hasn't an idea of what he's laying.
 
 32 FREEDOM 
 
 BAKTLKY. [Still in a dull dazed voice.] What did he 
 mean when he 
 
 TOBY. [Noisily. ] My dear chap, he didn't mean 
 he was far from meaning ! Ask your '84 port what 
 he meant and you'd have to put the question to the 
 best part of two bottles ! And I say look here 
 since we have a minute you know the review last 
 week of Professor Wilkins's book? Well the 
 pompous old idiot threatens to serve us with a 
 writ! 
 
 BARTLEY. Professor Wilkins ? 
 
 TOBY. Yes. Got the letter to-night from his 
 lawyers. The review was a bit scathing, of course. 
 Miriam wrote it. 
 
 BARTLEY. Miriam wrote it ? 
 
 TOBY. [Nodding.] ,Yes. And he demands a 
 complete and grovelling apology! Of course that's 
 absurd. But I fancy a few editorial words 
 
 BAKTLEY. What did Rutherford mean ? 
 
 TOBY. [Merrily.] Oh, my dear fellow still harping 
 on that! Don't be a goose! Tell me about old 
 Wilkins 
 
 BAKTLEY. [Still in tke same dull voice.] Rutherford 
 said Laurence and Miriam 
 
 TOBY. Rutherford's drunk. 
 
 BARTLEY. Laurence and Miriam. 
 
 TOBY. [Laying a hand on his arm.] Old man, don't 
 be silly ! Let's go upstairs. You'll put in that word 
 or two.
 
 FREEDOM *3 
 
 BARTLKY. [Raising his head, and looking at him.] I 
 want you to tell me. 
 
 TOBY. [More and more noisily.] Man alive, isn't this 
 stupid ? He said the first thing that came into his 
 
 head. He 
 
 BABTLEY. Tell me. 
 
 TOBY. But good Heavens 1 Don't you see yourself 
 
 how absurd 
 
 BAETLEY. [Suddenly freeing himself, with a scream 
 that is strangled in his throat.] Oh ! 
 
 \He rushes wildly out of the room. TOBY has 
 tried to clutch and restrain him he follows, 
 crying, " Bartley, Bartley ! "
 
 ACT II 
 
 [The drawing room at the CHAMBEES'S. It is a double 
 room, on the first floor, connected by folding -doors 
 on the left with another room inside. These doors 
 are at present closed. The windows are at the 
 back : two long windows of the conventional 
 London house, extending down to the floor, with 
 probably a balcony outside. These windows art 
 heavily curtained. Between them are long book- 
 shelves encased in glass ; on ths broad shelf above t 
 statuettes, photographs of children, and various 
 knicknacks. In front is a sofa. In the left 
 corner is a cabinet with china -further a revolving 
 bookcase, with library books, reviews and magazines 
 on the top. In the opposite corner a grand piano. 
 The fire-place is in the centrs of the right wall ; 
 there is a sofa on one side of it, by the piano on 
 the other side a long settee, with no back between 
 ths two, a couple of armchairs. The door is up 
 stage, to the right. 
 
 Close to the folding -doors that lead to the inner room is 
 a card-table, on which is a bridge-box, with markers, 
 etc. Chairs are placed at each side of the table* 
 85
 
 36 FREEDOM 
 
 There are flowers, of the conventional order, about 
 the room, which is empty, when the curtain rises. 
 
 [AGNES and EVE come in, AGNES with her arm 
 affectionately round her. 
 
 AGNES. Poor dear Eve! It was a very great 
 shame ! 
 
 EVE. I am ashamed to have been so silly. 
 AGNES. My fault. I shouldn't have persuaded you. 
 EVE. I can't think what made me. [She moves from 
 AGNES, and sits on the sofa at the back.] You know, it 
 was very hot down there. 
 
 AGNES. It's very warm here, don't you think ? 
 EVE. Yes. All the windows are closed. I love 
 air. 
 
 AGNES. I think we might open one. 
 
 [She goes to the back, pulls a curtain, and opens 
 
 a window. 
 EVE. [Rising.'] Let me help you. 
 
 [She goes to AGNES, who has already opened the 
 window. MIRIAM comes in, with FANNY. 
 They have evidently heen having some sort 
 of little argument on the stairs. 
 MIRIAM. [Talking to FANNY as she comes in.] Dear 
 Mrs. Collins, you really misunderstand me ! 
 
 FANNY. [A little sulkily.] I don't know. I can 
 see it has made a difference. That's all. 
 
 [MIRIAM shakes her head. AGNES steps forward. 
 AGNES. Miriam, we've opened a window, you don't 
 mind?
 
 FREEDOM 37 
 
 MIRIAM. Not at all. Oh, Parkes has put out the 
 card-table, I see. I don't fancy we'll want to 
 
 FANNY. Oh, yes, for goodness* sake, let's have a 
 game. [She goes to the card-table, sits behind it, and 
 takes out the cards. They are both new packs; she 
 proceeds to strip the paper off one of them, and then 
 deals the cards out one by one, in five little heaps, to 
 thuffle them. Then, looking up.] I suppose we'd 
 better wait for the men ? 
 
 [EvE has wandered to the back of the room, 
 and is turning over the books on the 
 revolving stand. AGNES and MIRIAM are 
 both looking a little uncomfortably at 
 FANNY. 
 
 MIRIAM. Eve and Agnes don't play. 
 
 FANNY. Have a double dummy ? 
 
 MIRIAM, Oh no, they won't be long. 
 
 AGNES. [Going impulsively to FANNY, and sitting to 
 the left of her.] Dear Mrs. Collins, I'd like to tell you 
 one didn't have an opportunity downstairs 
 
 FANNY. [Breaking in pettithly.] I was a great ass to 
 say anything. Wish I hadn't. 
 
 MIRIAM. On the contrary, you were quite right. 
 What is completely beyond me, is Rutherford 
 refusing. 
 
 FANNY. [With a shrug, still dealing out the cards.] 
 He says he won't till his mother dies. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Going to the table, sitting, facing AGNES.] 
 Why?
 
 38 FREEDOM 
 
 FANNY. Ask him. All black lace and white hair, 
 his mother. Filigree hands. That sort. 
 
 AGNES. You know her ? 
 
 FANNY. Bless you, no ! I'm not worthy. Bishop's 
 widow came once, when I was out he had arranged 
 that to see the boy. But I made such a rumpus 
 that won't occur again. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Indignantly.] A nice way to treat you ! 
 
 FANNY. [Indifferently, as she gathers up the cards and 
 thvffles them.] I'm not " class " enough for his mother. 
 Class enough to look aftr him and say he's out 
 when the duns call, and do all the drudgery but not 
 for him to marry. He's a dreadful snob. 
 
 AGNES. But I can't understand he's so proud of 
 his boy ! 
 
 FANNY. [With a gleam of tenderness.] Yes he can't 
 help that little Wilfrid .... And I thought, too, 
 that because of him .... Well, he says when his 
 mother dies. She's the sort to live to a hundred. 
 And if she did die, there'd probably be an aunt. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Very earnestly.] I'm sorry. I'm very sorry. 
 I've always thought such a lot of Rutherford. I'd 
 never have believed it ! 
 
 AGNES. Nor I. Never ! 
 
 FANNY. [With a snigger.] Becauie of the articles he 
 writes ? Bless you, he has his tongue in his cheek 
 when he writes them ! And I'll tell you more. All 
 the men have ! 
 
 MIEIAM. [Sternly.] You mustn't say that. It's 
 absurd.
 
 FREEDOM 39 
 
 AGNES. Of course. Oh no, oh no 
 
 FANJTY. [Carelessly, as she spreads out the cards 
 again, and then gathers them up.] Oh, wait till the 
 shoe pinches them I 
 
 MIEIAM. Men aren't all the same. Very likely some 
 are not sincere. But not all. 
 
 FANNY. [A$ she turns her head, with half a shrug and 
 half a yawn.] What's Mrs. Targill doing ? 
 
 EVE. [Still turning over the books.] Just listening. 
 AGNES. Why not play to us, Eve ? 
 EYE. [To MIRIAM.] Would you like me to ? 
 MIRIAM. Yes, dear. Do. 
 
 [EvE goes to the piano opens it, without lifting 
 
 the wing t and begins to play a Chopin 
 
 Nocturne. She plays very softly when the 
 
 others start talking again, at they do almost 
 
 immediately, she plays to softly as to be 
 
 scarcely audible and, in a minute or two, 
 
 leaves the piano, and goes back to her books. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Firmly.] I'll speak to Eutherford. 
 
 FANNY. [Who has taken out the other pack, ard 
 
 'begun the sameprocest with that.] I wouldn't if I were 
 
 you. 
 
 MIRIAM. And Hartley shall too. 
 FANNV. [Carelessly.] He won't mind. 
 MIRIAM. We'll see about that. If he doesn't marry 
 you, he shan't be on the paper any more. 
 
 FAKNY. [With a shrug.] Lot of good that would do 
 me. I can only just manage now. The paper's the 
 one thing he sticks to.
 
 40 FREEDOM 
 
 MIRIAM. It means something f doesn't it, to us the 
 paper ? And can we allow a man to work on it 
 
 FANNY. [Still playing with the cards.] All very well 
 for you two. You've money. 
 
 AQNES. It's not a question of money ! 
 
 FANNY. Yes, it is. And always will be. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Eagerly."] How can you say that ? What 
 has money to do with it ? Don't you see how degrad- 
 ing your position is ? 
 
 FANNY. [Quite unmoved.] You see, I was fond of 
 him. 
 
 MIRIAM. Well wasn't he, of you ? 
 
 FANNY. But I wasn't quite able to ask it then. 
 
 MIRIAM. What do you mean ? 
 
 FANNY. [Carelessly.] Oh, just that. I'd had an 
 adventure when I was very young. In fact since 
 you must know I was living with another man when 
 Rutherford met me. There. That's been my life 
 those two men. I liked Rutherford much better than 
 the other I left the other. I couldn't ask Ruther- 
 ford to marry me at the time but I thought he 
 would, later. Well, he hasn't and he never will. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Firmly.] He shall. 
 
 FANNY. Oh no, he won't. And I'll tell you more. 
 He only keeps me, because of the boy. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Fiercely.] Keeps you ! 
 
 AGNES. [Shocked.] My dear ! 
 
 FANNY. [Cheerfully.] Yes. And if it weren't for 
 Wilfrid he'd send me packing to-morrow. So it's not 
 worth talking about really is it ?
 
 FREEDOM 41 
 
 MIRIAM. How can you allow it, accept it ? 
 
 AGNES. This is just the sort of thing we're fighting ! 
 But when we women all stand together 
 
 FANNY. Only you never will, for one thing and, 
 for another, there'll always be the woman like me. 
 [She stifles a yawn.] Oh, I do wish we could have some 
 bridge ! 
 
 MIRIAM. [Looking round the room.] Eve dear, 
 you're by the bell. Would you mind ringing ? 
 We'll let the men know we want them. They've 
 been down quite long enough. 
 
 EVE. Shall I go and tell them, Miriam ? 
 
 MIRIAM. It would be very sweet of you, dear. 
 
 EVE. I will, gladly. [She goes. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Bending eagerly over FANNY.] Mrs. 
 Collins, we haven't seen you very often. We shall 
 hope to, in future. And we'll leave this to Bartley. 
 No, no, I assure you, I'm certain that Bartley 
 
 FANNY. Rutherford says to me, " You're free, aren't 
 you ? Isn't that what women are shrieking for ? 
 Freedom ! " 
 
 MIRIAM. [Indignantly.] That's freedom for men, 
 not women ! It's quite too disgraceful ! 
 
 AGNES. Of course. You can't leave him, because of 
 the boy. 
 
 FANNY. [Carelessly, as she plays with the cards again.] 
 You see, I'm one of the betwixts and betweens. Not 
 like you and Miss Bell. Just got my bit of good 
 looks. And they're going. 
 
 AGNES. [Fervently.] There are no betwixts and
 
 42 FREEDOM 
 
 betweens! We all have our self-respect and our 
 dignity ! 
 
 FANNY. Yes, yes, I know. Well, some are, and 
 some aren't. 
 
 MIRIAM. Aren't what ? 
 
 FANNY. Fit for it. 
 
 MIRIAM. Fit for what ? What do you mean ? 
 
 FANNY. [With a nod in AGNES'S direction.] What 
 she calls the dignity, self-respect, and all that. I tell 
 you, there are lots like me. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Passionately.] But th^re shan't be ! That 
 shall all change ! 
 
 FANNY. [With a shrug.] I don't know. Anyhow 
 I'm jolly sorry I let it out ! 
 
 [The door opens, and LAURENCE comes in, look- 
 ing very white, and still clutching RUTHER- 
 FORD, who is almost piteously miserable and 
 ashamed, and completely sobered by the 
 shock. LAURENCE stops by the door, gives 
 a look round the room, and calls quietly, 
 " Miriam ! " She turns to him. 
 
 MIRIAM. Well ? Where are the others ? 
 LAUREXCE. Will you come here a moment ? 
 
 [MIRIAM rises and goes to him; AGNES and 
 FANNY watch them curiously. 
 
 LAURENCE. [In a low voice.] This fool has told. 
 MIRIAM. [With a start.] What! 
 RUTHERFORD. [Twisting his hands.] I'm so dread- 
 fully sorry.
 
 FREEDOM 43 
 
 LAURENCE. [Very ntrvously.'] They'll be her* in a 
 
 minute. Do you think I'd better 
 
 MIRIAM. [Quickly.] Sh, sh. What did he 
 
 LAURENCE. Eve came in, just at the moment. . . . 
 I don't know whether he ... I went out, with 
 Rutherford. "What shall we do ? 
 
 MIRIAM. [Coldly she has regained complete self- 
 control.] Fanny wants some bridge. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Moving to her.] Miriam I I 
 
 the fact ia, I was 
 
 MIRIAM. [Without looking at him, returning to the 
 table.] Sit down. Let's cut for partners. 
 
 [LAURENCE and RUTHERFORD follow her to 
 the card-table. 
 
 AGNES [Anxiously.] Miriam has anything 
 
 FANNY. [Roughly.] What has Rutherford been up 
 to now? 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Miserably.] Oh, good God I 
 
 MIRIAM. [Who has sat to the right of FANNY.] 
 Out, Rutherford. And you, Laurence. 
 
 [They both do so, mechanically. She and 
 
 FANNY turn up a card. 
 
 MIRIAM. Fanny, you were the lowest. It's your 
 deal. 
 
 FANNY. Yes, I cut a two. I've got Rutherford for 
 a partner ! Not my lucky day, this isn't. 
 
 [LAURENCE has sat opposite MIRIAM, RUTHER- 
 FORD between them ; FANNY has offered the 
 cards to LAURENCE, and nudges his elbow ; 
 he cuts ; she proceeds to deal, in complete
 
 44 FREEDOM 
 
 unconcern. EVE conies in they all turn 
 their heads to her, except FANNY, w ho goes 
 on dealing. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Quietly, to EVE.] Aren't Bartley and 
 Toby coming, Eve ? 
 
 EVE. Yes. In a minute. 
 
 LAURENCE. [Nervously.] Eve did Bartley 
 
 MIRIAM, [Reprovingly.] Laurence please. Eve, 
 what will you do? There's a chair behind you, 
 Agnes. 
 
 [FANNY finishes her deal EVE wanders to the 
 piano, and stands with her back to the 
 others. AGNES remains behind FANNY'S 
 chair. LAURENCE'S face twitches, but he 
 shows no other sign. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Who is quite broken-hearted, whis- 
 pering to MIRIAM.] Oh, Miriam, I 
 
 MIRIAM. Do be quiet. [She gathers up her 'cards, as 
 do the others] It is hot in here. 
 
 EVE. [Turning.] Shall I open the window a little 
 more? 
 
 MIRIAM. If you would, dear. Parkes always builds 
 up a huge fire when we don't want it. Fanny, your 
 call. 
 
 [EvE goes to the window, and opens it a little 
 
 more. 
 
 FANNY. [Chuckling over afine hand.] No trumps. 
 MIRIAM. Two clubs. Rutherford ? 
 RUTHERFORD. [Whose hands tremble so violently he 
 can scarcely hold hii cards.] Oh
 
 FREEDOM 45 
 
 MIRIAM. [Impatiently.] Well? 
 
 KUTHERFOKD. I pOSS. 
 
 MIRIAM. Do be on your game. Laurence ? 
 LAURENCE. [Who has scarcely looked at his cards.] 
 I call a diamond. 
 
 MIRIAM. Don't be silly I've gone two clubs. 
 
 You'll have to 
 
 FANNY. Oh, never mind. Two no trumps. 
 MIRIAM. [Looking at her cards again.] Three clubs. 
 [She puts them down.] Rutherford ? 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Miserably.] Oh 
 
 MIRIAM. [Impatiently.] Well? 
 
 [The door bursts open, and BARTLEY comes 
 tearing in. He is frightfully excited 
 completely beside himself. He gives a wild 
 look round, goes to the card-table, and 
 bangs his fist on it. FANNY gets up, 
 very annoyed at the interruption AGNES 
 screams the cards fall from RUTHER- 
 FORD'S hands. LAURENCE and MIRIAM 
 give no sign. EVE stands by the window, 
 watching. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Reproachfully, as she turns to him.] 
 Bartley ! 
 
 BARTLEY. Is it true ? 
 MIRIAM. [Steadily.] Yes. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Leaning across the table, hisjlsts clenched, 
 his face almost touching LAURENCE'S.] Beast ! 
 
 [LAURENCE springs to his feet ; TOBY has 
 come in, panting, and catches hold of
 
 46 FREEDOM 
 
 BARTLEY MIRIAM exclaims under her 
 breath, but doesn't stir. FANNY gives 
 another look at her cards, then, very regret- 
 fully, puts them, down, and walks away, 
 with a shrug. AGNES stares at them, wild- 
 eyed. EVE merely watches. 
 
 TOBY. [Clinging to him.] Hartley what are you 
 doing ? 
 
 AGNES. [Wringing her hands.] Bartley, Bartley ! 
 TOBY. Eve's here ! Think of Eve ! 
 
 [Mechanically BARTLEY turns his head, at do 
 the others, except MIRIAM, who still does 
 not stir. EVE steps forward. 
 EVE. [Quietly.] Laurence let's go. 
 TOBY. Yes, yes you'd better. 
 BARTLEY. [Madly, trying to shake off TOBY, who 
 clings desperately to him.] He shan't go he shan't ! 
 RUTHERFORD. [Eagerly, to BARTLEY.] Look here 
 
 I was drunk, that's all didn't mean 
 
 BARTLEY. [Bending over MIRIAM.] You say that it's 
 true? It is? 
 
 MIRIAM. [Rising, and facing him.] Yes, I tell you. 
 Yes! 
 
 BARTLEY. [Almost foaming at the mouth, as he yells 
 at LAURENCE.] You dog I You hound I 
 
 [TOBY and RUTHERFORD both hang on to 
 BARTLEY, who tries madly to get at 
 LAURENCE. AGNES is in the deepest dis- 
 tress FANNY looks on ironically, leaning 
 against the wall. EVE goes quietly to
 
 FREEDOM 47 
 
 LAURENCE, whose mood has changed to one 
 of defiant anger. 
 
 EVE. [Touching him on the shouldtr] Come. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Madly.] He shan't go, I tell you ! 
 
 EVE. [Leaving LAURENCE and taking a step toward* 
 BARTLET.] Bartley. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Turning haggardly to her.] Yes ? 
 
 EVE. [Shaking her head.] Don't. . . . [Sht moves 
 to the door, and calls.] Laurence ! 
 
 LAUBENCE. [Sulkily, as he goes to her.] All right. 
 [.4s he passes BARTLEY, he lookt at him truculently.] 
 But I don't want him to think 
 
 BARTLEY. [Trying his hardest to shake q^ToBY and 
 RUTHERFORD.] The low scoundrel, the ruffian 
 
 LAURENCE. [Shouting] Don't yell at me like that ! 
 Don't call me such names ! 
 
 BARTLEY. I've paid his debts I've given him 
 money 
 
 MIRIAM. [Scornfully] Money ! 
 
 LAURENCE. [With a turn towards BARTLEY.] Look 
 here I won't have that I won't 
 
 EVE. [Stewing between them] Come. 
 
 LAURENCE. [Sulkily] Yes. Only 
 
 EVE. [With authority] Come, I tell you ! 
 
 LAURENCE. Miriam shall I ? 
 
 MIRIAM. [Feverishly] Yes, yes, of course ! Go, all 
 of you please ! 
 
 [Eva takes LAURENCE by the arm; he goes 
 very reluctantly, muttering defiance while
 
 48 FREEDOM 
 
 BARTLEY yells incoherently at him, still 
 struggling with TOBY and RUTHERFORD. 
 
 RUTHERFOD. [Releasing his hold as soon as the door 
 has closed, with a movement towards MIRIAM.] I'm so 
 dreadfully sorry 
 
 FANNY. [Clutching him roughly "by the shoulder^ 
 Come along ! No good your saying any more I 
 
 RUTHEHFOKD. [Miserably.] Miriam 
 
 MIRIAM, Go, go ! 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [To BARTLBY.] You know I was 
 
 FANNY. [Pushing him along.] How much oftener 
 do you want to tell them that ? [She gets him to the 
 door.] And just my luck ! The very best hand I've 
 ever held in my life ! 
 
 [She pushes him out he is still muttering 
 excuses. She closes the door after them 
 and can be heard outside, saying, " A hun- 
 dred aces, and seven diamonds, to the 
 king, queen, knave ! " 
 
 TOBY. [Releasing BARTLEY.] Now, for Heaven's 
 sake, Bartley ! And you, Miriam a moment of 
 calm : Pride, of course, and all that oh, yes. But 
 don't play with him now ! Don't you see he's nearly 
 off his head ? You've been friends with Laurence, of 
 course. Resented Bartley's tone, his questions. But 
 what on earth makes you 
 
 MIRIAM. [Firmly.] That's no use, Toby. He asked, 
 was it true. And I said, yes. It is ! 
 
 BARTLEY. [Roaring.] You!
 
 FREEDOM 49 
 
 [His movement is so fierce that TOBY dutches 
 him again in alarm. 
 
 TOBY. Bartley, Hartley 1 
 
 BARTLEY. You hear what she says ! You hear ! 
 
 AGNES. She's your wife, Bartley ! 
 
 BARTLEY. Don't talk to me I Go away ! 
 
 TOBY. We can't leave you like this ! Miriam, I do 
 beg of you 
 
 MIRIAM. [Feverish and exalted.] I ought to have 
 told him before ! I ought to have told him myself. 
 
 BARTLEY. Told me! That's all she thinks of! 
 That's all ! 
 
 MIRIAM. And I'm glad that he knows ! I'm glad ! 
 
 BARTLEY. You are, are you ? That's fine ! Well, 
 he shall be, too, when I get him ! You wait ! 
 
 TOBY. Bartley, control yourself ! You must, really J 
 You must ! 
 
 BARTLEY. [Turning on him.] Why don't you go ? 
 What business is this of yours ? [He turns to AGNES.] 
 And you, too, over there, with your fine speeches ! 
 Why don't you leave us? This is our affair, isn't it ? 
 Go! 
 
 TOBY. [Clutching him again] Bartley, Bartley, I 
 say ! What are you thinking of ? what are you 
 doing ? Your eyes are starting out of your head 
 you look like a murderer ! Control yourself, for 
 God's sake! 
 
 [In his Hind fury , BARTLEY raises an arm, as 
 though to strike TOBY then he suddenly 
 collapses his body goes limp he would
 
 50 FREEDOM 
 
 have fallen, but for TOBY, who catches him) 
 and drags him to the settle by the fire. 
 AGNES, [With a cry.] He has fainted ! 
 
 [MIRIAM, who has never moved from the card- 
 table, seems suddenly to awake she goet 
 anxiously to the others. 
 
 TOBY. [Sending over him.] No, no just give him 
 a glass of water. . . . Don't worry he has been like 
 this before. . . . Is there any water ? [MIRIAM has 
 gone to the bell he stops her.] No, no, don't ring 
 
 we don't want the servants 
 
 [AGNES fishes a small bottle of salts out of her 
 
 bag and gives it to TOBY. 
 
 TOBY. Yes, yes here, smell this. . . . That's right 
 he's better. . . . [He turns to AGNES.] I say, won't 
 you go ? Don't you think? Just leave me perhaps 
 
 I can 
 
 AGNES. [Shaking her head] Wait. 
 
 [HARTLEY slowly comes to, breathing very 
 heavily. MIRIAM stands at the back of the 
 room, watching him. AGNES is on one side 
 of BARTLEY, TOBY on the other. 
 BARTLEY. [Completely broken, in a low wail] Oh, 
 my God ! Oh, my God ! 
 
 AGNES. [Gently.] Bartley 
 
 BARTLEY. Agnes, Agnes ! Oh, Agnes, think of it! 
 AGNES. Bartley, listen. This is a great blow to 
 you. It is to me. But meet it like a man, Bartley 
 like the man that you are.
 
 FREEDOM 51 
 
 BARTLEY. [Faintly.] It was the . . . suddenness. 
 It wag the . . . shock. 
 
 AGNES. I am fonder of you two than of anyone in 
 the world. [She takes his hand holds it in hers for a 
 moment, then goes to MIRIAM.] Miriam, think only 
 now of what he is suffering. [She kisses her.] Come, 
 Toby. 
 
 TOBY. Yes, yes. . . . [He is deeply moved, and turns 
 slowly from BARTLEY to MIRIAM.] Bartley the 
 outside world's going on 'busses and trams are 
 running. 
 
 AGNES. [At the door.] Come. 
 
 TOBY. Yes, yes. . . . But I mean . . . there are 
 millions and millions of people . . . 
 
 [He looks at them again, then goes abruptly, 
 followed by AGNES, who closes the door. 
 There is a moment's silence. MIRIAM 
 stands where she did, scarcely moving : 
 BARTLEY, still breathing heavily, is staring 
 into the fire. 
 
 BARTLEY. [In a low voice, without turning his head.] 
 Well? 
 
 MIRIAM. [Gently.] I am sorry to have given you 
 this pain. 
 
 [BARTLEY warms his hands mechanically at 
 the fire. MIRIAM drops into a chair by 
 the card-table. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Still not looking at her, and in the sam 
 dull, dazed voice.] I thought you loved me. 
 MIRIAM. I do.
 
 52 FREEDOM 
 
 BABTLEY. [Looking at her in surprise for a moment, 
 then turning to the fire again.] That's odd that's 
 very odd. I don't quite understand. You love me 
 and you are his mistress ? 
 
 MIRIAM. [With an impatient gesture.] That's a 
 loathsome word please don't use it. I am nobody's 
 mistress I am my own mistress. 
 
 [BARTLEY gives a faint shrug there is again 
 a moment's silence. 
 
 BARTLEY. The two children upstairs are they 
 mine? 
 
 MIRIAM. You're not quite yourself yet. 
 
 BARTLEY. Then I suppose they are. I should be 
 sorry if they weren't. But would you tell me if 
 they weren't ? 
 
 MIRIAM. [Restlessly.] That's not the way to talk to 
 me. If you're going to talk like that, it won't help 
 us. I could have denied it all, couldn't I ? Ruther- 
 ford would have gone on his knees, withdrawn 
 everything. And of course you'd have believed me. 
 Wouldn't you ? 
 
 BARTLEY. Yes. 
 
 MIRIAM. I wouldn't do it. I hate lies I don't 
 lie. I loathed your not knowing. I wanted you to 
 know. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Turning to her again.] Then why didn't 
 you tell me? 
 
 MIRIAM. [Slowly.] I suppose it was something of 
 the old-fashioned woman in me that kept me from 
 telling you. I meant to, again and again. Then I
 
 FREEDOM 53 
 
 said, to-morrow. I'm ashamed enough ! But now 
 you shall know all all and you may be perfectly 
 certain that what I'm saying is absolutely true. Till 
 a few months ago you had been the only man in my 
 life I had never even thought of another man. Do 
 you believe that ? 
 
 BARTLEY. Yes. 
 
 MIRIAM. Then Laurence [She stops. 
 
 BARTLEY. You love him ? 
 
 M IRIAM. [Shaking her head.] No. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Still in the same dull, quiet tone.] Come, 
 come, that's absurd, isn't it ? Would you have done 
 this if you hadn't loved him ? You're not that sort 
 of woman. Oh no. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Rising, moving swiftly to the settle, and 
 sitting beside him.] Wait wait and listen. You're 
 quite calm now you're splendid and that makes it 
 easier for me to tell you. And all all hiding 
 nothing ! I want you to understand that you are the 
 one man I love. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Turning to her in amazement.] I ? 
 
 MIRIAM. [Nodding.] Really love yes. And he 
 hasn't interfered. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Knitting his brow.] What ? 
 
 MIRIAM. That's difficult for you to believe but 
 you will! As / would have if there'd been some 
 other -voman if, for instance, you and Eve 
 
 BART:EY. [Amazed,] Eve! Good heaven! You 
 never imagined 
 
 MIRIAM. She's dumb with the rest of us you're
 
 54 FREEDOM 
 
 the one person she talks to, or cares for. But I 
 knew, of course. I just mention her because, if it 
 had been, I'd still be quite sure that Eve, twenty 
 Eves, couldn't take you, the real you, from me. 
 
 BARTLEY. And that's how you want me to think 
 about you and Laurence ? 
 
 MIRIAM. If you can. I don't know whether you 
 can. It's the test. 
 
 BARTLBY. You haven't done this to test me ? 
 
 MIRIAM. I did it because I had to do it. 
 
 BARTLBY. Why if you didn't love him ? 
 
 MIRIAM. I didn't know, then, that I didn't love 
 him. But the truth is that he doesn't matter that 
 he's outside call it a freak, a caprice, what you 
 choose ! No wait, wait, let me go on. I want 
 you to see right down into me. I want to speak 
 to you as I would to God were He judging me ! 
 Ever since we've been married or at least for the 
 last few years it has weighed on me yes, yes, it 
 has been like a load and a burden that I wasn't 
 free belonged to you, that was the word, because I 
 had married you. And I'm not a morbid woman 
 I mean, I'm healthy and normal it wasn't that side. 
 But again and again I've said to myself or some- 
 thing rebellious inside me has said it's not because 
 you love Bartley as you do, as you do that he must 
 be the only man in your life but because you're hig 
 wife, and you've got to. You see ? 
 
 BARTLEY. [Shaking his head.] No. 
 
 MIRIAM. [With intense eagerness, the words pouring
 
 FREEDOM 55 
 
 ou<.] But you must, you must I I didn't ask that 
 sort of fidelity from you didn't value it knew there 
 was something bigger and greater than these con- 
 ventional trifles ! And that's why I said if you and 
 
 Eve [He makes a gesture of protest.] Yes, yes, I 
 
 know it's merely to show you how I felt ! And he 
 did, too Laurence. Tou're all for Law, just law 
 because it is law. Well, we're not, he and I. There's 
 something in us that hates law revolts from it the 
 law that we haven't made ! As a child I was like 
 that always a rebel I don't know why. But it's 
 in my blood it's stronger than I am ! And it 
 became an obsession almost clouded my feeling for 
 you the chains, captivity iron ! And your being 
 so sure of me even was galling you were so 
 abominably sure ! And then, one day, suddenly, 
 I thought of Laurence. Was it love or just an 
 escape ? I didn't know. But it grew seemed to 
 hide you, eclipse you. And for weeks and months I 
 walked about, fighting it, trying to crush it because 
 I hadn't lived with you all these years without 
 knowing how you would suffer if I wasn't faithful. 
 The hateful word but I knew it was your word 
 and almost hated you for it ! That was where I had 
 got to ! And he, in all these long talks of ours, he 
 never made love to me, never but I saw I saw 
 quite plainly, that he, too. . . . And I knew he 
 would never, because of his friendship for you, 
 because to him too, I was your property. . . . And 
 I saw you my prison, my jailer, and I behind bars.
 
 56 FREEDOM 
 
 . . And then, one day, suddenly, blinded, 
 like a bird trying to get out of its cage 
 wild with feelings I couldn't read, couldn't 
 analyse, but that just overcame me I gave 
 myself to him yes, I did ! Triumphantly, gladly, 
 courting all risks ! Proudly, as though I were doing 
 something grand and magnificent ! But then 
 
 BARTLEY. [Almost to himself, as he writhes in agony.] 
 My God ! Oh, my God ! 
 
 MIRIAM. [Staring straight ahead of her, unconscious 
 of his exclamation.] Then, I was sorry. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Mastering himself, with a great effort.] 
 Why? 
 
 MIRIAM. [Slowly.] I don't know I was sorry. . . . 
 I felt as though I'd come out of a dream as though 
 something dreadful had happened or I was awaking, 
 after some anaesthetic. The triumph, the grandeur, 
 had gone it all seemed squalid now he did. I 
 resented the way he looked at me his little con- 
 quering air. . . . And I asked myself why had / 
 changed, had he and it burst upon me, in a flash 
 it was because I didn't love him, but loved you ! As 
 though a cloud lifted I saw that I only loved you ! 
 
 BARTLEY. [With intense, almost painful, nervous- 
 ness.] You told him ? 
 
 MIRIAM. No, no, I couldn't it was too sacred ! 
 But all that was I, myself, rushed back to you ! I 
 mean, he was forgotten and I saw only you ! Saw, 
 oh, so clearly, what we really were to each other 
 more than husband and wife much more ! And
 
 FREEDOM 57 
 
 you were no longer the jailer but the man, the one 
 man in the world, whom I loved, or could love. Free 
 again yes, I was free and, being free, wanted 
 you ! 
 
 BARTLEY. [Speaking with terrible difficulty.] But 
 still you and he I mean 
 
 MIRIAM. [Turning to him.] What ? 
 
 BARTLEY. You met again ? 
 
 MIRIAM. [Carelessly.] Yes, yes once or twice. 
 Something foolish a kind of prudishness almost 
 kept me from telling him that he'd just been a pebble 
 I'd picked up in the road a key I had found that 
 unlocked myself and you ! But now it will be very 
 simple and he fades away goes back to his place, 
 his poor place. ... Oh, I'm so glad you've listened 
 to me like this ! This is what I had hoped, had 
 expected ! I saw us two talking, as we're doing, soul 
 to soul ! 
 
 BARTLEY. I made a dreadful scene . . . didn't I ? 
 
 MIRIAM. That wasn't your fault it was mine. I 
 ought to have gone to you, very simply, and told you. 
 You'd have understood then, as you do now ! 
 
 BARTLEY. [Still faintly, and almost crushed under 
 the blow.] Yes in a way. I do understand in a way. 
 
 MIRIAM. Of course ! I've been through the fire, 
 Bartley taken my love for you through the fire 
 and looked at it there. Now the future is clear 
 with no doubts, no unhappiness the future I've 
 chosen with you ! . . . Well that's all. You've 
 heard everything now. You've heard the truth.
 
 58 FREEDOM 
 
 BARTLEY. [Slowly,] I believe you have told me the 
 truth, Miriam. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Happily.] I knew that you would I 
 knew that you would ! 
 
 BARTLEY. [Twisting and untwisting his fingers.] 
 I've a glimmering of what you mean yes, I 
 have. . . . I'm not pretending that it isn't a 
 . . . shock. You see, it's rather difficult . . . for 
 a man. . . . But I believe you I do. And I 
 forgive, Miriam. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Restlessly.] Oh, Bartley, Bartley, you 
 haven't understood, if you say that ! 
 
 BARTLEY. Perhaps that wasn't quite the right 
 word. Don't let's bother about words. Of course 
 you don't realize what this means to me. But 
 never mind that. I do understand in a way, 
 Miriam. That what you've done It wasn't quite 
 you my you who did it. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Nodding.] No. Another person alto- 
 gether. A prisoner escaping ! 
 
 BARTLEY. [Still twisting and untwisting his fingers.] 
 Yes, yes, I'm sure you have told me the truth. . . . 
 It was . . . something outside. The something 
 wild there always has been in you. 
 
 MIRIAM. Yes. 
 
 BARTLEY. I was conscious of it yes, I was I 
 know I was, now. Though of course I never imagined 
 [he pulls himself up with a jerk] but that's gone 
 now it's gone ! And you've come back to me ! That's 
 what I must remember just that.
 
 FREEDOM 59 
 
 MIRIAM. [Eagerly.] Oh, Bartley, I can't tell you 
 how happy you make me ! 
 
 BABTLBT. I mustn't look on you as though you were 
 an ordinary woman. . . . The difficulty now, of 
 course, is about Aim. I don't want to turn him away 
 from the paper. 
 
 MIRIAM. No, no. 
 
 BARTLEY. Hit paper, after all. I don't want to be 
 vindictive to punish. And I'll leave my money in 
 it, too. We'll go out of it, you and I. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Looking at him with surprise] Why 
 should we? 
 
 BARTLEY. [Turning and staring at her.] Why ? 
 
 MIRIAM. Yes. You're doing such splendid work 
 there. 
 
 BARTLKY. [After a moment's bewildered pause.] But 
 my dear I must either send him away or give up 
 the editorship mustn't I ? You see, he comes every 
 day does a lot of work there. I can't meet him 
 again. 
 
 MIRIAM. Oh, Bartley isn't that foolish ? 
 
 BARTLBY. [Shaking his head.] N"o, no, only human. 
 I'm. only an ordinary man, you know. And besides 
 isn't it obvious that we must cut ourselves adrift 
 from the paper if only to prevent your meeting him ? 
 
 MIRIAM. [Open-eyed.] To prevent my 
 
 BARTLEY. Of course, of course. 
 
 MIRIAM. But haven't I told you 
 
 BARTLEY. [Nervously, looking hard at her.] Yea, 
 yes. But, naturally, you must never see him again.
 
 60 FREEDOM 
 
 [A shadow comes over her face, something of disappoint- 
 ment.] You mean that surely you meant it ! 
 
 MIRIAM. [ With a slight shake of the head.] No. 
 
 BARTLEY. You didn't ! 
 
 MIKIAM. [With a little shrug.] Come, come, can it 
 matter in the very least bit whether I see him 
 again or not ? You know that T 
 
 BARTLEY [Firmly.] Miriam, you must not see him 
 again. 
 
 MIRIAM. [With a frown.] Must, Bartley? 
 
 BARTLEY. [With an effort a mighty effort.] Yes, 
 yes, my dear really. I accept everything. I'll 
 never blame you never reproach you not even in 
 my mind. But, obviously, it must be ended. 
 
 MIRIAM. It is. 
 
 BARTLEY. I must be sure that it is. 
 
 MIRIAM. But haven't I told you 
 
 BARTLBY. My life wouldn't be bearable I couldn't 
 live. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Reproachfully.] Bartley! 
 
 BARTLEY. The mere thought that you might be 
 with him again 
 
 MIRIAM. Be with him ? Oh, my [dear need you 
 be afraid ! Bartley, you've been so splendid ! Don't 
 spoil it ! 
 
 BARTLEY. [Looking steadily at her.] After all, you 
 know after all you've only given me words words 
 that mean nothing unless you prove them. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Proudly.] My having spoken them 
 proves them !
 
 FREEDOM 61 
 
 BAETLEY. When you're not there before me 
 can't you imagine my dreadful doubts? No, no, 
 don't be angry. I'm not asking much. I've never 
 enquired, hitherto, where you went, or whom you 
 went with. I won't in the future. Just make this 
 little concession. Just promise. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Eagerly.] But think what it is you're 
 asking! As though you didn't believe me! As 
 though I weren't giving him up of my own free will ! 
 
 BARTLEY. [Trembling with suppressed excitement.] 
 Miriam, Miriam, you're making it hard for me 
 harder than I think you should. You don't know 
 how nearly I went under. I'm standing on tiptoe 
 now, trying to look above things. Above facts. 
 Miriam. Because it's rather dreadful to speak of 
 but you know you told me it's not broken off 
 yet. 
 
 MIRIAM, I believed that I loved him and found 
 that I didn't but only loved you ! Isn't that 
 enough ? Surely, surely, you can be satisfied with 
 that! 
 
 BARTLEY. [ With an intense fierceness and passion he 
 can only partially control.] "When was the last time 
 you met ? 
 
 MIRIAM. [With a scornful shrug.] I've forgotten. 
 And what does it matter ? 
 
 BARTLEY. [With a vindictive glance at her.] Well, 
 you see it does to me. You were prevented, you 
 said, by some sort of prudishness. . . . That word 
 stuck in my throat. So I'll tell him myself.
 
 62 FREEDOM 
 
 MIRIAM. [Angrily.] You! 
 
 BARTLEY. [Nodding.] Yes, I. ... Oh, perfectly 
 quietly don't be afraid just as we're talking now. 
 Merely that you've promised never to see him 
 again. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Excitedly, at she rites] Bartley ! 
 
 BARTLBY. [Rising too.] I must insist on that. 
 Really I must. 
 
 MIRIAM. There's not the least reason. I'll toll him 
 myself. 
 
 BARTLEY. No. I will. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Feverishly.] It's a matter for me only 
 me. I'll tell him when I want to. And I'll see 
 him whenever I want to ! 
 
 BARTLEY. [Doggedly, shaking his head.] No. You 
 must promise. 
 
 MIRIAM. Think what a position you'd be putting 
 me in ! As though I'd done something wrong ! 
 
 BARTLBY. And haven't you ? 
 
 MIRIAM. No ! I was free to do what I liked I 
 am still I must feel that I'm free ! And I can't 
 look at it like that ! Don't put it like that ! 
 
 BARTLEY. [Excitedly, beginning to lose control.] 
 Never mind the way I put it ! The words that I 
 use ! Just do it for me ! 
 
 MIRIAM. You've no right to ask it ! 
 
 BARTLBY. God in Heaven, I haven't the right! 
 
 MIRIAM. I couldn't respect myself for an in- 
 stant 
 
 BARTLEY. Never mind yourself think of me !
 
 FREEDOM 63 
 
 MIKIAM. I think of you when I think of myself 
 I think of our future ! 
 
 BARTLBY. [Grinding his teeth.] You know, there 
 are limits. Don't try me too far. 
 
 MIRIAM. [With a cry.'] I see what it is ! You don't 
 believe me ! 
 
 BARTI/EY. No, no, I don't. 
 
 MIRIAM. When I've told you that, in the world, 
 only you 
 
 BARTLEY. All I do believe is that the last time you 
 met and who knows, perhaps the next time 
 
 MIRIAM. [Passionately] Very well then very well ! 
 These are matters for me ! I belong to myself I I 
 am free ! 
 
 BARTLEY. Precisely. So I am sorry if it hurts 
 your respect your quaint self-respect but you'll 
 do what you're told, you hear ? You'll obey ! 
 
 MIRIAM. [Defiantly.'] I will not ! 
 
 BARTLEY. [Moving threateningly towards her.] But 
 I tell you you will ! 
 
 MIRIAM. All that's truest and best in me 
 
 BARTLEY. [Jeering loudly.] Truest and best ! Oh, 
 listen to her ! She has been this man's mistress, 
 and talks of what's best ! Tells me she loves me so 
 thinks I'll consent, and won't mind ? So that's what 
 you've thought of me? Well, you've been wrong 
 I'm not that sort at all. And you'll never see this 
 creature again do you hear ? 
 
 MIRIAM. [Retreating in alarm.] Bartley, Bartley, 
 don't get so wild
 
 64 FREEDOM 
 
 HARTLEY. [Clutching her round the throat.] And as 
 for your Freedom to Hell with your freedom if 
 that's where it leads you ! You're my wife and I'll 
 have no other man near ! And you'll swear to me 
 
 you who never tell lies you'll swear 
 
 MIRIAM. [Clutching his hands.] Bartley you're 
 
 hurting me 
 
 BARTLEY. [In mad fury.] Damn you ! Swear ! 
 MIKIAM. [Gasping.] Bartley ! 
 
 BARTLEY. [His fingers tightening round her throat.] 
 You won't eh you won't ? I'm to wallow, am I ? 
 Lie in the mud, for him to walk over ? Yes, yes, I 
 see that's very pretty. Well, wait a bit, wait 
 we'll see about that. . . . 
 
 [His grasp round her neck tightens he is 
 absolutely Hind with fury she gives a 
 wild scream. He unclasps his fingers, and 
 lets her go she sinks on to her knees. He 
 stares wildly at her for an instant then 
 rushes out of the room. She rises slowly 
 the hall-door is heard to bang. She runs 
 to the window, puts her head out, and calls 
 " BARTLEY, BARTLEY ! " then she checks 
 herself, and comes back into the room, 
 haggard and dishevelled. 
 
 TH CURTAIN FALLS SLOWLY
 
 ACT III 
 
 HARTLEY CHAMBERS'S private room at the offices of 
 " Manhood." The walls are distempered and bare ; 
 everything about the place is of the simplest, and 
 there are practically only the barest necessities. In 
 the centre of th* back wall, facing the spectator, is a 
 glass door, with an inscription outside, " MAN- 
 HOOD. ME. HARTLEY CHAMBERS. PRIVATE." 
 This door only opens from within, and leads to 
 a passage. The wall slopes to the right ; in the 
 middle of it is another door, open at present, which 
 leads to the office, part of which, containing a 
 table or two, chairs and so forth, is visible. In 
 HARTLEY'S room, at the back, in the angle formed 
 by the walls, is an old-fashioned washstand, 
 with jug and basin inside, which, when closed, 
 looks like a writing-desk. It is closed now. 
 Against the wall there are cupboards, a couple of 
 shelves with books of reference, a series of files. 
 To the left there is a table, HARTLEY'S table, covered 
 with papers and manuscripts under weights ; also 
 two or three letter-baskets, all very neat and tidy. 
 Behind this table, a revolving chair, an arm-chair 
 immediately to the right of that, and, beyond, set a 
 little aslant, a horsehair sofa. Against the right 
 wall, and parallel with it, another table with 
 65 a
 
 66 FREEDOM 
 
 chairs. A shabby carpet covers the floor ; there is 
 a rug under BARTLEY'S chair. On the left wall 
 are three rather narrow windows, dingy, and not 
 very clean, and a skylight in the sloping roof. 
 When the curtain rises, TOBY is sitting at the table to the 
 right, going over a brief and making notes on the 
 margin with his fountain pen. BALDERTON, an 
 elderly clerk, is busily writing at a table in the 
 outer office. A door is heard to open and close. 
 BALDERTON jumps up, and is heard off, talking to 
 RUTHERFORD. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Off.'] Mr. Chambers not yet come ? 
 
 BALDERTON. [Off.'} No, sir. Not yet. Mrs. 
 Chambers has rung up two or three times, sir. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Off.] Ah. 
 
 BALDERTON. [Off, anxiously.] Anything wrong, 
 sir? 
 
 TOBY. [Shouting, he had looked up the moment he 
 had heard RUTHERFORD'S voice.] Rutherford ! 
 
 RUTHERFORD. Hullo ! [He comes in.] 
 
 TOBY. Shut the door. I say, no need to tell 
 Balderton. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Who has closed the door, and gone 
 eagerly to TOBY]. I wasn't. Any news of Bai tley ? 
 
 TOBY. He rang me up half an hour ago, asking me 
 to come here. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. Rang you up from where ? 
 
 TOBY. I don't know. I've told Miriam, of course. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. She thought he might have been
 
 FREEDOM 67 
 
 with me. [He drops into a chair.] I could cut my 
 tongue out 5 
 
 TOBY. That infernal drink of yours. But I 
 suppose it was bound to get known, sooner or later. 
 RUTHERFORD. [Anxiously.] Toby what will he do ? 
 TOBY. I don't know. Don't let's talk about it. [He 
 turns to his brief.] You'll excuse me, won't you ? 
 
 [There is a moment's silence ; he reads through 
 
 his brief again. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Fidgeting.] I say, Toby what 
 will he do ? 
 
 TOBY. [Fretfully, without looking up.] How the 
 blazes should / know ? 
 
 [Heavy footsteps are heard in the corridor out- 
 side; a key is inserted in the lock of the 
 glass door, and BARTLEY comes in. He is 
 still in his evening clothes, but his overcoat 
 is buttoned to his chin, and he wears an old 
 soft hat. He is unshaved, and looks 
 haggard and worn. TOBY and RUTHER- 
 FORD both jump up. 
 BARTLEY. [With a frown at seeing RUTHERFORD.] 
 
 Oh 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Eagerly, as he goes to him.] I say, 
 
 Bartley 
 
 BARTLEY. [ Waving him away.] Don't. I want to 
 speak to Toby. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. Do let me tell you 
 
 BARTLEY. Look here you marry Fanny. 
 RUTHERFORD. [Staring at him,] Marry Fanny i
 
 68 FREEDOM 
 
 BAETLEY. [Nodding.] Yes. 
 
 RUTHERFORD. [Energetically.] I'm damned if I do ! 
 
 BARTLEY. [With a grim chuckle.] He's damned if he 
 
 does. All right then just ask Balderton to ring up 
 
 my house, and tell Parkes to bring me up some 
 
 clothes, will you ? 
 
 RUTHERFORD. Yes. But, Bartley, where have 
 
 you 
 
 BARTLEY. [Irritably] Oh, run along, do, like a 
 good chap. And tell Balderton, too, that I'm out to 
 every one. 
 
 [RUTHERFORD goes [into the outer office, and 
 shuts the door. BARTLEY takes off" his hat 
 and ovjercoat, and throws them on to a 
 chair ; then takes off" his coat, his collar and 
 tie, opens the washstand, pours water into 
 the basin, and plunges his head in. He 
 keeps it there for two or three seconds 
 then comes out, gives himself a shake, opens 
 a drawer, takes out a towel, and proceeds to 
 dry himself. 
 
 BARTLEY. Br-r-r-r that's good. 
 TOBY. [Who has been standing quietly, looking at 
 him] Where have you been ? 
 
 BARTLEY. [Carelessly.] Oh, walking about just 
 walking about. [He gets out a brush, and brushes his 
 hair, standing in front of the little mirror in the cover 
 of the washstand.] You've heard ? 
 
 TOBY. Agnes and I were with her ever since three. 
 She was in a dreadful state wild with anxiety.
 
 FREEDOM 69 
 
 BARTLEY. [Indifferently.] Ah. 
 
 [He starts leashing his hands. 
 
 TOBY. I rang her up, as soon as I heard from 
 you. 
 
 BARTLEY. That's all right. 
 
 TOBY. What have you been doing? 
 
 BARTLEY. [Drying his hands.] I told you walking 
 about just walking about. Fell asleep in a field 
 somewhere got turned off, and fell asleep somewhere 
 else. Didn't wake till eleven. Had quite a long 
 sleep. [He has gone to his overcoat, and produces a 
 parcel, which he unties it contains a collar and tie ; he 
 proceeds to put them on, standing in front of the 
 mirror.] A pretty proceeding for a respectable man, 
 eh? 
 
 TOBY. But what possessed you to bolt out of the 
 house like that ? 
 
 BARTLEY. [Turning, and looking at him.] Didn't 
 she tell you ? 
 
 TOBY. No. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Slowly.] No man ever came nearer 
 killing a woman than I did last night, Toby. 
 
 TOBY. [Aghast.] What ! 
 
 BARTLEY. I had my fingers round her throat and 
 my one desire was to kill, [He turns to the mirror 
 again, and adjusts his tie.] Just as well I cleared out, 
 don't you think ? [He goes to a cupboard, takes out his 
 office-jacket, puts it on, and buttons it.] So. I look a 
 little more conventional now or shall, at least, 
 when I'm shaved. [He passes his hand over his chin,
 
 70 FREEDOM 
 
 as he looks into the mirror.] The tie's not up to 
 much. A bit gaudy. The cabman bought that. 
 
 TOBY. [With an impulsive movement towards him.] 
 Bartley 
 
 BAKTLEY. [With a nervous gesture.] Wait watt 
 don't you do the talking let me. [He goes to his table, 
 and sits in his chair at the back of it.] Good of you to 
 come, Toby. 
 
 TOBY. [Affectionately, as he drops into the chair by 
 his side.] My dear fellow 
 
 BARTLEY. [Stopping him again] Now tell me 
 how does one set about the divorce business ? 
 
 TOBY. [Raising his eyebrows.] Divorce ? 
 
 BAKTLEY. [With a shrug.] What else? One always 
 reads in the papers that the wife left the house. 
 Well supposing she doesn't or won't ? She prob- 
 ably won't. I can't turn her out eh ? 
 
 TOBY. But but before we go into that 
 
 BARTLEY. [Impatiently.] But we must go into that. 
 It's precisely for that I've sent for you. I want to 
 start proceedings at once well there is the difficulty. 
 Where's she to go to ? 
 
 TOBY. [Earnestly] I think divorce is quite out of 
 the question, Bartley. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Restlessly,] I can't help what you think 
 I don't care what you think! Forgive me, old 
 chap I don't mean that unkindly. But you're just 
 my lawyer now, you know, and mustn't 
 
 TOBY. I think you might let me 
 
 BARTLEY. No, no, I won't. Quite useless, really.
 
 FREEDOM 71 
 
 TOBY. [Crossing his legs,] You told me once before 
 I was only your lawyer and wouldn't listen. It 
 didn't turn out well. 
 
 BARTLEY. What do you mean? 
 
 TOBY. When you shipped your brother off to 
 Australia. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Impatiently.] My brother ! He had 
 robbed and stolen ! What has that to do with us now ? 
 
 TOBY. He was only a boy. You high-principled 
 men haven't much pity. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Angrily.] That's abominably unjust 
 abominably. 
 
 TOBY. I don't know. You were in one of your 
 blind furies then neither your mother nor I could 
 stop you. And the boy became a mere waster. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Getting up nervously, and pacing the 
 room.] If he'd stopped here, you don't know no one 
 does. And I dare say I was wrong I've regretted 
 it often enough good Heaven, haven't I ! But what's 
 the sense of bringing that in? This is a different 
 matter altogether. My wife do you understand 
 that my wife ! 
 
 TOBY. [Looking sympathetically at him.] Yes. It's 
 dreadful oh, dreadful. But I do wish you'd let me say 
 one word to you. [BARTLEY makes an angry movement.] 
 No, no sit down just a moment. It commits you 
 to nothing. 
 
 [BARTLEY mutters sulkily, goes to his table, and 
 sits ; he shifts things restlessly from one 
 place to another.
 
 72 FREEDOM 
 
 TOBY. I won't waste time telling you how sorry I 
 am. But I'm a lawyer, and see a good deal. And 
 look here it's rather a horrid thing to say, perhaps 
 but do you think very many women do you think 
 there are many women who're what we call " faith- 
 ful " to their husbands ? 
 
 BAETLEY. [Furiously, as he bangs his fist on the 
 talk.] What ! ! ! 
 
 TOBY. [Almost apologetically.] It sounds beastly, of 
 course. But I mean it. A good number keep on 
 the track. There are some who've never been tempted. 
 But then let's be honest those are the dull ones. 
 And the others, who do run straight they've been 
 afraid to, that's all. They've wanted to, often enough. 
 They've just been afraid. 
 
 BARTLEY. [With indignant scorn.] That's your man- 
 of-the-world talk. Don't give it to me it's no use to 
 me. And I don't believe it, and never will. 
 
 TOBY. And yet there's some sense in it. I'm not 
 defending them, mind you. 
 
 BARTLEY. In any event it doesn't apply. Last 
 night I swallowed everything I did and you don't 
 know the things she said to me last night ! I sat 
 there, and swallowed them. All I asked was that she 
 should give this man up. She refused. 
 
 TOBY. Come, come, let's be accurate. You told her 
 she must never see him again. 
 
 BARTLEY. And wouldn't you, eh wouldn't you? 
 Just tell me what you would have done ? 
 
 TOBY. I'm not married. I've been afraid to, perhaps.
 
 FREEDOM 73 
 
 But Bartley, there's this. You've had your fling 
 other men's wives 
 
 B/RTLEY. Not since I've been married no man 
 could have run straighter! Well that's enough* 
 isn't it ? You've had your say and pretty poor stuff 
 it was. Now the only question is will you act for 
 me in the divorce ? 
 
 TOBY. [Shortly.] No. 
 
 BARTLEY. [With a shrug.] Yery well, then I'll get 
 some one else. Whom do you recommend ? 
 
 TOBY. There's no lack of lawyers. But I don't want 
 you to think I've been telling her she was right. Fact 
 is, this freedom business went to her head. We edu- 
 cate women, and expect them to sew tapestry. They 
 won't. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Grimly] Isn't there just the least bit 
 of difference between sewing tapestry and taking a 
 lover ? 
 
 TOBY. Of course there's a difference ! And I've told 
 you I'm not defending her. But you've praised Agnes 
 up to the skies Agnes, with her fatherless baby ! 
 Would the parsons be less severe on her than on 
 Miriam ? 
 
 BARTLEY. Agnes was free to do what she liked 
 she wasn't married. [He rises.] Yery well I see 
 you're no use to me, Toby. 
 
 [He moves away. 
 
 TOBY. [Desperately, as he jumps up and goes after 
 him] She has been a most admirable wifel No 
 mother could have been more devoted 1
 
 74 FREEDOM 
 
 BAETLEY. [Bitterly.'] The " admirable wife " is good. 
 I see the humour of it. 
 
 TOBY. [Eagerly and volubly.] It's ice who've been 
 filling them up with their rights, and all that, in the 
 paper. Here, in this very room ! And what are 
 their rights, and what aren't they ? / don't know 
 no one does. At any rate, they've never had them 
 since the world began. It's we men who laid down 
 what honour stood for and because they were silent, 
 we thought they consented. But did they, ever ? 
 Most women lie when their husbands find out they 
 all lie we force them to lie. You want to divorce 
 Miriam because she didn't ! 
 
 BARTLEY. No she certainly did not. She told me, 
 in so many words, that it didn't matter ! [He gives 
 himself a little shake, and goes on, more calmly and a 
 little wearily.] Toby, the things you've been saying 
 don't help. And they are none of them true not 
 one. It's not this that the paper's been working for 
 we never said men should be sheep ! But I don't 
 want to argue and won't. No, no, don't say any 
 more ! I'll tell you about the other things you must 
 do for me, since you won't help me in the divorce. 
 
 [The door to the right has opened, and MIRIAM 
 has come in, while he was speaking his last 
 sentence. She stops, and looks at him. She 
 also is haggard and worn, but her manner is 
 perfectly calm, and betrays not the least 
 sign of emotion. 
 BARTLEY. [With a frown, as he sees her.] Oh
 
 FREEDOM 75 
 
 TOBY. [Going eagerly to her.] Miriam 
 
 MIRIAM. [Quietly, with her eyes on BABTLEY.] 
 Divorce ? 
 
 TOBY. Yes, that's what he wants. 
 MIRIAM. [To BARTLEY.] Where have you been, all 
 night ? 
 
 BARTLEY. [Fidgeting.] Oh, that doesn't matter. Look 
 here, I'd rather you didn't stop, if you don't mind. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Still in the same quiet tone.] I want to 
 speak to you, Bartley. 
 
 TOBY. [Turning to the glass door.] Of course. And 
 I'll leave you. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Stopping him.] fro, no, I won't have 
 that. If I must, I must though I don't know why 
 but, anyhow, there's not the least reason why you 
 shouldn't be here. 
 
 TOBY. [Releasing himself.] Oh, do be sensible ! 
 This is quite childish. I'll go to the office, see to a 
 thing or two, and come back in an hour. And, if 
 you're still wanting a divorce, I'll tell you what you 
 have to do. 
 
 [He shakes BARTLEY off", and goes, through the 
 glass door. BARTLEY is very vexed he 
 shrugs his shoulders, muttering, " If I am 
 still ! Too ridiculous ! " returns to his 
 table, and sits. MIRIAM sits on the sofa. 
 There is silence for a moment. She has her 
 eyes steadily fixed on BARTLEY, who is 
 fidgeting with the papers before him, and 
 carefully avoids looking at her.
 
 76 FREEDOM 
 
 MIRIAM. [Quietly.] You really want to divorce 
 me? 
 
 BARTLEY. Of course, of course. That's the only 
 thing to do. 
 
 MIRIAM. I see. . . . You came very near strangling 
 me last night. 
 
 BAHTLEY. [Afuttei-ing] I'm dreadfully sorry. And 
 ashamed, of course. 
 
 MIRIAM. Did you really think that what I had 
 done deserved that ? 
 
 BARTLEY. I didn't think at all. I was completely 
 off my head. 
 
 MIRIAM. Or that it deserves divorce ? 
 
 BARTLEY. That's what the law was made for isn't 
 it ? And this is precisely a case. And anyhow, it's 
 no good talking about it. The point is what are 
 we to do ? 
 
 MIRIAM. Do? 
 
 BARTLEY. I mean, one of us must go away. We 
 can't possibly live under the same roof, can we, while 
 proceedings are pending ? 
 
 MIRIAM. You'd like me to go ? 
 
 BARTLEY. I think that would be best. I'd make 
 everything comfortable for you, of course. 
 
 MIRIAM. Thank you. Where should I go ? 
 
 BARTLEY. I don't know that's just the difficulty. 
 Your mother ? 
 
 MIRIAM. [Shaking her head.] No. But I might 
 stay with Agnes. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Eagerly, as he looks at her for the first
 
 FREEDOM 77 
 
 time.] That's a splendid idea. To-day, don't you 
 think? 
 
 MIRIAM. To-day? 
 
 BARTLEY. Well, if you wouldn't mind. What'a 
 that you're wearing round your neck ? 
 
 MIRIAM. There was a mark. 
 
 BARTLET. Oh, I'm dreadfully sorry. 
 
 MIRIAM. It will soon go. You'd like me to- 
 day 
 
 BARTLEY. That seems the simplest thing, really. 
 
 MIRIAM. Perhaps. You don't mind, of course, 
 taking me from my children ? 
 
 BARTLEY. "We can't help that, can we? But you 
 shall see them, whenever you want to. 
 
 MIRIAM. Just now and again, furtively, when 
 you're not in the house ? 
 
 BARTLEY. Whenever you want to whenever you 
 want to. 
 
 MIRIAM. And if you re-married ? 
 
 BARTLEY. Oh, that isn't likely ! 
 
 MIRIAM. But if you did another woman would 
 jnother my babies ? 
 
 BARTLEY. [Restlessly, as he fidgets with his papers 
 again.] All that, as I've said, can't be helped. You 
 should have thought about that, before. But I'll 
 never re-marry never. 
 
 MIRIAM. [In the same quiet, steady voice, that never 
 varies.] You remember when Daphne was born ? 
 
 [BARTLEY merely gives a shrug, but doesn't 
 answer, and turns to his papers.
 
 78 FREEDOM 
 
 MIRIAM. The doctors gave me up, didn't they ? 
 
 BARTLEY. [Fretfully.] Why harrow ourselves with 
 reminiscences ? 
 
 MIRIAM. No. All I want to remind you is that 
 I very nearly died for you then. 
 
 BARTLEY. [More and more irritably.] It was a 
 dreadful time terrible. But that's in the past. 
 Why talk of the past ? 
 
 MIRIAM. For three days and nights you sat by my 
 bedside. 
 
 [BARTLEY takes up a pencil fretfully, and 
 makes a note on a manuscript. 
 
 MIRIAM. You sat there, holding my hand. I 
 thought I was dying I was ready to die. I had 
 brought your child into the world. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Flinging the pencil down.] I can't imagine 
 why you recall these things. They're over and done 
 with. Why speak of them now ? 
 
 MIRIAM. Merely because I want to ask whether 
 those days and nights don't count ? 
 
 BARTLEY. [Banging his fist on the table] Count ! 
 In Heaven's name for what ? 
 
 MIRIAM. To-day you propose to take me away from 
 my children. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Dropping his papers^ and bending for- 
 ward] You know, this isn't fair. And there's no 
 sense in it. Do you think after what happened 
 last night that life is possible for us on your terms 
 under your conditions ? 
 
 MIRIAM. No. Evidently it is not.
 
 FREEDOM 79 
 
 BARTLEY. Very well, then. Why drag up the 
 past? 
 
 MIRIAM. Because it doesn't seem to have occurred 
 to you that I am fond of my children. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Banging the table again, and springing 
 to his feet.] Look here, so am I. And they're mine, 
 as much as yours. You had the pain and the suffer- 
 ing, as you brought them into the world but I, as I 
 sat there, listening to every sound I suffered as 
 much as you did more, perhaps, because it was you 
 who were bearing the pain. And you forgot your 
 children when you fell in love with him 1 
 
 MIRIAM. [Still with the same unruffled calm.] I 
 didn't fall in love with him. 
 
 BARTLEY. Enough, at least, to give yourself to 
 him ! 
 
 MIRIAM. Yes. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Violently as he faces her.] Very well 
 then very well is there any more to be said ? 
 
 MIRIAM. Bartley, do you think we women are 
 stocks and stones ? Do you think we, like you, have 
 no sudden weakness, or impulse ? Does that make 
 us vile, unfit to look after our children does it mean 
 we can't love our husband ? 
 
 BARTLEY. Yes, it does that's just what it does 
 mean ! And supposing oh, I can't say it ! 
 
 [He writhes, and turns away. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Unflinchingly.'] You mean, if I'd had a 
 child by him ? 
 
 BARTLEY. [Breathing hard.] Yes !
 
 80 FREEDOM 
 
 MIRIAM. I didn't want a child by him. But if I 
 had couldn't you have loved it "because it wag 
 mine? 
 
 BARTLIY. [Breaking away."] My God ! No I No 1 
 
 MIRIAM. Its being mine would have made no 
 difference ? 
 
 BARTLEY. None ! Absolutely none ! 
 
 MIRIAM. Well, it would have, to me. The fact of 
 its being your child the child of the man I loved. 
 And loved, it seems, with a greater and finer love 
 than you ever felt for me. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Fiercely, as he faces her again.] That's 
 a lie, and you know it ! No man has ever loved a 
 woman more than I did you. Your treachery 
 come, come, let us call it by its name has been vile 
 and detestable. And it makes no difference, however 
 you gloss it over. All the things you've said make 
 no difference. You want me to believe in your love 
 for me, and to be free to give yourself to another 
 man. I nearly killed you for that last night and 
 I'm not at all sure that you didn't deserve to be 
 killed. I've always wanted women to be free and 
 I do still and by Heaven that's why the paper shall 
 go on ! But this sort of thing I've kicked out sent 
 it round to the dustbin as I do to-day. And when 
 a woman believes in it, and advocates it then she's 
 not fit to bring up children and deserves to be 
 divorced and discarded as I divorce and discard 
 you! 
 
 MIRIAM. [Who has listened quite unmoved, the
 
 FREEDOM 81 
 
 emotion fading out of her face.] Very well you 
 divorce and discard me. What happens then ? I 
 mean, to me ? 
 
 BARTLEY. [Sulkily, as he goes back to his table, and 
 sits.] Eve can divorce Laurence and you can marry 
 him. 
 
 MIRIAM. [After an amazed glance at him.] You 
 want me to marry Laurence ? 
 
 BARTLEY. [Taking up a bundle of documents and 
 looking at them.] That's the thing that's usually done. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Nodding.] I see. 
 
 BARTLEY. And as you and he apparently think 
 alike on these matters, you'll have no difficulty with 
 him. 
 
 MIRIAM. Well, of course, that will be very pleasant 
 and comfortable. And I suppose you'll be quite 
 generous as regards an allowance, and all that ? 
 
 BARTLEY. [Still fiddling about with his papers.] 
 Toby can act for you, as he won't for me. 
 
 MIRIAM. He won't ? 
 
 BARTLEY. No. 
 
 MIRIAM. That's a pity. But I'm sure you'll be 
 very generous as regards the money. 
 
 BARTLEY. That's probably meant as a sneer. But 
 
 it dosn't affect me. Not in the least. I've told 
 
 you, I'll make everything as smooth for you as I can. 
 
 [MIRIAM is about to retort, when BALDERTON 
 
 comes in. His manner is rather awkward 
 
 and constrained as he goes to BARTLEY. 
 
 BALDERTON. Parkes has brought your clothes, sir.
 
 83 FREEDOM 
 
 HARTLEY. Very well. 
 
 BALDERTON. Is there any message for him, sir ? 
 
 BARTLEY. No. 
 
 BALDERTON. Shall I bring the bag in, sir ? 
 
 BARTLBY. Yes. No. Later. 
 
 BALDERTON. [With a little stammering hesitation.] 
 Mr. Targill asked me to tell you, sir, that he's in the 
 office. 
 
 BARTLEY. Mr. Targill ! 
 
 BALDERTON. [Looking a trifle sheepishly at him.] 
 Yes, sir. He wants to know whether you'll see him 
 when you're disengaged, sir. 
 
 BARTLEY. [After a moment's pause.] Very well. 
 When I ring, Balderton. 
 
 BALDERTON. Yes, sir, I'll tell him. 
 
 [He goes. There is silence again. BARTLEY 
 fidgets with his papers, evidently waiting 
 for MIRIAM to go. 
 
 MIRIAM. You mean to see him ? 
 
 BARTLEY. [Shortly.] Yes. 
 
 MIRIAM. That's much the best. 
 
 BARTLEY. I have to tell him about the paper. 
 
 MIRIAM. You want me to go ? 
 
 BARTLEY. That seems more decent. 
 
 MIRIAM. Why ? Are you afraid to speak to him 
 before me ? 
 
 BARTLEY. [Angrily.] Afraid why afraid? It's not 
 that, at all. And, besides, you may be perfectly 
 certain I shan't say a word that doesn't concern the 
 paper. Or let him, either.
 
 FREEDOM 83 
 
 MIRIAM. In that case I might as well stay. I've 
 been a contributor to the paper, you know I'd like 
 to hear your views. And after all, as he's to be my 
 
 husband [BARTLEY swears under his breath, and 
 
 rings violently.] You'll tell him, won't you, that you 
 mean to provide for me ? Because of course I've 
 nothing of my own. 
 
 BARTLEY. You needn't worry about that. 
 MIRIAM. Oh no, I don't. Only Eve has nothing 
 either, you see so he'll have to provide for her. And 
 it will make matters so much *sasier, won't it, my 
 being a sort of heiress ? 
 
 [BARTLEY merely shrugs his' shoulders, and takes 
 no notice, burying himself in his papers. 
 LAURENCE comes in, hurriedly and ner- 
 vously he pauses for a moment on the 
 threshold, and seems surprised, and a little 
 annoyed, at seeing MIRIAM. He shuts the 
 door and goes quickly to BARTLEY. There 
 is not the least trace of yesterday's trucu- 
 lence about him, but only, as it were, an 
 eager and almost bashful friendliness. 
 MIRIAM has her back almost turned to him, 
 and doesn't stir. 
 
 LAURENCE. [Eagerly.] I've come to 
 
 BARTLEY. [Stopping him abruptly, and waving him 
 away.] Please sit down over there. [He motions to 
 the table.] Over there. I want to speak to you about 
 the paper. Nothing but the paper. Please under- 
 stand that. [LAURENCE hasn't moved he tries to speak
 
 84 FREEDOM 
 
 BABTLEY stops him.] Sit down, sit down. Don't 
 let's have a funs. Or a scene. There was quite 
 enough of that last night. [LAURENCE gives a little 
 shrug, andgoe* ilowly to the table he tits, as far from 
 MIRIAM as he can, and facing BARTLEY.] This is 
 merely a business talk. About the paper. I want it 
 to go on. 
 
 LAURENCE. [Scarcely above a murmur.] At least 
 I'm glad of that. 
 
 BARTLEY. 7 go out of it, of course. 
 
 LAURENCE. And not I ? 
 
 BARTLEY. [Shortly] No. 
 
 LAURENCE. Why? 
 
 BARTLEY. That's my affair, and we needn't discuss 
 it. I turned the thing, as you know, into a small 
 private company. There's quite enough working 
 capital and it will soon be paying its way. I hold 
 nearly all the shares. I shall arrange with Toby to 
 have these divided among the editorial staff. 
 
 LAUREXCE. Me too ? 
 
 BARTLEY. That concerns Toby. All that I ask 
 and I fancy I am entitled to ask it is that you, who 
 of course become editor again 
 
 LAURENCE. [Surprised] I ? 
 
 BARTLEY. You're the only man who can do it. I'm 
 merely thinking about the paper. But I want it run 
 on my lines. They were clearly indicated ; you know 
 them. 
 
 LAURENCE. [Hesitating] But if I'm to be 
 Editor
 
 FREEDOM 85 
 
 MIRIAM. [Without turning her head.] He is entitled 
 to ask that, Laurence. 
 
 LAURENCE. [After a moment.] Very well. I'll do 
 my best. 
 
 HARTLEY. I have your distinct undertaking ? 
 
 LAURENCE. Yes. 
 
 BARTLEY. All right then. I clear out of this room 
 to-day. Have my name painted out of the door, 
 taken off the front sheet. Otherwise let everything 
 go on as before. You understand ? 
 
 LAURENCE. Yes. 
 
 BARTLEY. [With a gesture of dismissal.] Very well. 
 Then that's all we have to say to each other. 
 
 [He hat scarcely looked at LAURENCE through 
 all this now he definitely turns away, and 
 proceeds to sort his papers. 
 
 LAURENCE. "Wait. There's the money I owe you. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Without looking up.] It was all in con- 
 nection with the paper. And I apologize for 
 having mentioned it. 
 
 LAURENCE. [Quietly] You needn't. But look here 
 I've a reversion. When an aunt of mine dies, I 
 come into a couple of thousand. She's not very old, 
 and I don't want her to die but the thing has a 
 value. I'll have it transferred to. you. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Who has listened with every sign of im- 
 patience] That's simply ridiculous. I didn't know 
 what I was saying yesterday. And do you think I 
 care a hang about the money ?
 
 86 FREEDOM 
 
 LAURENCE. But I do. I care a very great deal. 
 And I can't allow 
 
 BARTLEY. [Irritably.] Oh, do stop this, please. I'm 
 a very rich man, and you're a poor one, and it would 
 annoy me profoundly to take your reversion. Please 
 leave it there. I've withdrawn my remark of yester- 
 day so that's ended. 
 
 LAURENCE. But all the same 
 
 MIRIAM. [Again without turning her head.] You 
 must do what he tells you, Laurence. 
 
 LAURENCE. [After a moment, and a rather displeased 
 glance at her.] Very well. I accept. But it's 
 generous. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Roughly.] Heavens above, I have no 
 wish to be generous. Please don't imagine that. It's 
 mere common sense. So that's all. Good day. 
 
 [ffe plunges himself into his papers. There is 
 a moment's silence. LAURENCE gets up 
 and turns to the door then, impulsively, 
 with uncontrollable eagerness and excite- 
 ment, hastens to BARTLEY. 
 
 LAURENCE. I can't go like that I can't. You 
 evidently don't intend to see me again 
 
 BARTLEY. [Grimly.] You may be quite sure of that. 
 I wouldn't have seen you now, only I thought she'd 
 go if I did. Well, she wouldn't. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Quietly.] No I wouldn't. What have 
 you to say, Laurence ? 
 
 LAURENCE. There's nothing I can say except that 
 I never imagined he'd take it like this. [BARTLEY
 
 FREEDOM 87 
 
 makes a passionate movement.] No, no, don't be angry. 
 Look here, we've been friends 
 
 BARTLF.Y. [Scornfully.] You! 
 
 LAURENCE. Yes, I. I valued your friendship. I 
 wouldn't have thrown it away for any woman in 
 the world. 
 
 MIRIAM. Thank you. 
 
 LAURENCE. She knows it too. I want you to know 
 it. Of course everything sounds ghastly when one 
 tries to say it. 
 
 BARTLEY. Then why try ? Do you think I care ? 
 
 LAURENCE. [Still hurriedly and deprecatingly.] Last 
 night I got angry too. But when I came home 
 and heard how anxious she was 
 
 MIRIAM. [Almost to herself.} I had visions of him 
 lying in a ditch, with his throat cut. 
 
 BARTLEY. Very harrowing very. But my throat's 
 all right, thank you. [To LAURENCE.] Well haven't 
 you finished ? 
 
 LAURENCE. I was heart-broken, simply. I'd have 
 given everything in the world that this shouldn't 
 have happened. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Quietly.] Don't be such a coward, 
 Laurence. 
 
 BARTLEY. You hear what she says? And she's 
 right. Don't be such a coward. You knew what 
 you were doing. It pleased you to take my wife and 
 you took her. At least don't bleat about your 
 friendship for me. 
 
 LAURENCE. [Wearily.] And yet it's true. The
 
 88 FREEDOM 
 
 absurd things arc true sometimes this is. It's 
 where theories come to grief. Well I'll go. 
 
 [/Tie turns, and moves to the door. 
 
 BARTLEY. For Heaven's sake, do. And perhaps 
 she will too. [He picks up his papers again. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Quietly .] He means to divorce me, 
 Laurence. 
 
 LAURENCE. [A t the door, turning round.] What ! ! ! 
 
 MIRIAM. Yes. He has made up his mind. 
 
 LAURENCE. [Hurrying excitedly to BARTLEY.] Bart- 
 ley, Bartley ! 
 
 BARTLEY. [Violently.] Don't address me like that! 
 And get out ! It's no business of youri ! 
 
 LAURINCB. [Quite beside himself.] Divorce her I 
 Miriam ! Good Heaven what for ? 
 
 BARTLEY. You'll find out, later. Don't you worry. 
 You'll hear. 
 
 LAUMNCI. Do what you like with me. But you 
 can't divorce Miriam ! 
 
 BARTLEY. Can't I, though can't I? We'll see 
 about that. 
 
 LAURENCE. The blame is all mine. 
 
 MIRIAM. That's not true. 
 
 BARTLEY. It doesn't matter whether it's tru or 
 not. It doesn't matter in the least. And she has 
 told me everything she hasn't spared me. The rest 
 concerns the lawyers. 
 
 LAURENCE. Don't bring them in. You can't. And 
 there are her children. For this mere trifle 
 
 BARTLEY. [Furiously.] What!
 
 FREEDOM 89 
 
 LAURENCE. [Humbly, .] I beg your pardon. I didn't 
 mean that. But look here we've discussed all this 
 the position of women over and over again haven't 
 we ? You have. It's not fair to look at it now as 
 though we were ordinary people ! 
 
 BAKTLEY. I daresay you aren't or she, very likely 
 but I am. Oh, quite. And I do the ordinary 
 thing. [3e waves his hand in dismissal. 
 
 LAURENCE. [Persistently.] But, Bartley, this isn't 
 the ordinary thing ! It's wicked, it's monstrous ! 
 
 BARTLEY. [Moving things about on his table.] I'm 
 sorry if it doesn't meet with Mr. Targill's approval. 
 But we can't help that can we ? 
 
 LAURENCE. I'll make what amends I can. Run 
 the paper ai you want it do anything. Be satisfied 
 with that. For God's sake, have pity ! 
 
 BARTLEY. [Snarling.] For whom ? For her ? She 
 doesn't want it. For you ? Why ? 
 
 LAURENCE. [In despair.] Even you've always said 
 in the paper that women should be free ! 
 
 BARTLEY. I have and I hope you'll go on saying 
 it. But that doesn't mean we're all to turn into pigs. 
 And it doesn't help women's freedom for one friend 
 to betray another. 
 
 LAURENCE. I haven't, I haven't 1 Oh, there are 
 things one can't say, of course. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Quietly.] Say what you like. I've told 
 him the absolute truth. 
 
 LAURENCE. [Looking at her.] If she really baa 
 
 MIRIAM. Oh yes.
 
 90 FREEDOM 
 
 LAURENCE. [Turning to BARTLEY.] Very well then 
 if you do know ... a calamity, of course, that it 
 should be you and I. That is a calamity. But, 
 otherwise is it so very important ? [BABTLEY howls 
 at him he goes on hurriedly.] No, no, understand 
 me I mean, to people like us. Because, after all, 
 we're not grocers, or stockbrokers ! 
 
 BARTLEY. We're men just as they are. Men 
 you forgot that. And I'll act like a man. You 
 didn't. You've behaved like a cur. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Almost critically.] That's rather absurd. 
 
 BARTLEY. It's my point of view. And I'm not 
 losing my temper. I just want him to know. 
 
 LAURENCE. [Hotly.] That's all right and I don't 
 mind your saying it if that's what you think. But 
 whether you're entitled to think it is quite another 
 matter. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Looking defiantly at him.] A cur. A 
 mere, pitiful cur. 
 
 LAURENCE. Don't talk such nonsense. She wanted 
 a lover, and I chanced to be there. That's the whole 
 business. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Jumping up and yelling] You black- 
 guard ! Foul blackguard ! 
 
 LAURENCE. [Doggedly.] I'm nothing of the sort. 
 You'd have done just the same. And it's all too 
 stupid. You haven't bought her you don't lead her 
 about on a string ! 
 
 BARTLEY. [With a violent movement, dropping the
 
 FREEDOM 91 
 
 papers he held in his hand, and rushing round the 
 table.] No, no, I won't stand that ! 
 
 [MIRIAM rises, goes to the edge of the table, 
 and intercepts him. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Soothingly.] Sit down, Bartley sit down. 
 That sort of thing doesn't help. "Why can't you talk 
 quietly, without calling each other names? And 
 you don't want Balderton to hear. Besides, I'm 
 not Helen of Troy there's no need for blood- 
 shed. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Still trembling with excitement.] I want 
 him to go. If he doesn't 
 
 MIRIAM. Just one moment. Be reasonable please 
 just one moment. [BARTLEY drops exhaustedly into 
 his chair, muttering furiously to himself.] And you 
 shouldn't say such things, Laurence. Of course they 
 provoke him. 
 
 LAURENCE. [Sulkily; he had merely shrugged his 
 shoulders at BARTLEY'S outburst.] I'd no wish to do 
 that. But look how he's treating me ! And, after 
 all, what have I done ? 
 
 BARTLEY. Let him go, I say ! Let him go ! 
 
 MIRIAM. [Soothingly.] He shall, in a minute. 
 Laurence, Bartley suggests that Eve should divorce 
 you, and that you should marry me. 
 
 LAURENCE. [Completely staggered.] What ! ! I 
 
 MIRIAM. [Nodding.] Yes. Eve will do anything 
 you tell her, you know. And Bartley's quite prepared
 
 92 FREEDOM 
 
 to make me a handsome allowance. [She turns to 
 him.] Aren't you ? 
 
 [BARTLET buries himself feverishly in his 
 papers and takes no notice. 
 
 LAUREWCE. [Fretfully.] This is ridiculous. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Pleasantly.] Why, Laurence why? 
 Bartley's very anxious that everything should pass 
 off pleasantly. You'll be the co-respondent and 
 nice co-respondents always marry the lady. Bartley'd 
 like it. He doesn't make it a condition but he'd like 
 it. [She turns to him.] Wouldn't you ? 
 
 BARTLEY. [Without looking up.] It's a matter for 
 you both. Not necessary to discuss it before me. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Mildly.] Oh, Bartley why not? It's 
 a kind of business arrangement, isn't it? Well, 
 Laurence, what do you gay ? 
 
 LAURENCE. [Angrily, as ht shifts from one foot to 
 the other.] I say it's insane. Why should Eve divorce 
 me ? She doesn't want to 7 don't want her to. It 
 wouldn't help matters in the least. And I won't 
 hear of it. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Thoughtfully.] How very disappointing. 
 It looks as though I should be left in the cold. I'm 
 afraid you're not as rigid a moraliit as Bartley is, 
 Laurence. 
 
 LATTMHOB. We don't care about each other, you 
 and I. We've never pretended to. You don't love 
 me! 
 
 MIRIAM. No, no, of course not but since he wishes 
 it. Won't you do this little thing for him ?
 
 FREEDOM 93 
 
 LAUREKCB. Why the devil should he wish it? 
 Since it' him you love ! 
 
 MIRIAM. Well, you see, he won't believe that. 
 
 BARTLIY. [Breaking down, dropping hit hands on 
 the table, and his head on his hands.] Believe it ! 
 Oh, I beg of you both enough I It's more than 
 I can bear ! 
 
 LAURENCB. [Deeply moved at his distress, and 
 hastening to him.] Bartley, I see what it is. You've 
 a wrong idea altogether. Her pride, I suppose 
 been walking on stilts, and wouldn't come down. 
 But I assure you she doesn't want you to divorce 
 her! 
 
 MIKIAIC. No, I don't. And he gave me a chance 
 yesterday. He told me he'd forgive me if I promised 
 never to see you again. 
 
 LAURENCE. [Staring at her in amazement.] And 
 you wouldn't ? 
 
 MIRIAM. Not because I was ordered to. No. 
 
 LAURENCE. But that's too silly ! 
 
 MIRIAM. [Thoughtfully.] You think that ? 
 
 LAURENCE. Of course I do ! Of course ! Quite 
 idiotic ! [He turns to BARTLEY.] Of course she won't 
 see me again, Bartley ! And, at any rate, I swear 
 to you I'll never see her ! 
 
 [BARTLEY, his head still bowed on his hands, 
 mutters incoherently, " I've nothing to do 
 with you ! I've nothing to do with you ! " 
 
 MIRIAM. [After a sympathetic glance at BARTLEY.] 
 But, Laurence my freedom
 
 94 FREEDOM 
 
 LAURENCE. [Roughly.] Oh, blow your freedom! 
 You're his wife and you love him ! Why not do 
 what he asks you ? 
 
 MIRIAM. I will. 
 
 LAURENCE. [Eagerly, to BAHTLEY.] There, Hartley 
 there ! you hear that ? 
 
 [BARTLEY half lifts his head and looks at 
 MIRIAM. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Nodding.] I say I will. I'll obey, in 
 every particular. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Suspiciously.] You mean that ? 
 
 MIRIAM. I came here to-day, intending to say it. 
 
 BARTLEY. Then why didn't you ? 
 
 MIRIAM. [Carelessly.] Oh, I meant to try first. 
 
 . And you seemed so set on a divorce. But I'd 
 
 rather you didn't. 7 don't want to be divorced, any 
 
 more than he does. Besides, you'd find it awkward 
 
 the servants take a deal of looking after. And 
 
 the children would be a trouble. You see, they're 
 used to me. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Looking away from her, and almost 
 muttering to himself.] I don't know whether I'm to 
 take this seriously. 
 
 MIRIAM. Oh yes I'm quite in earnest. As Lau- 
 rence says, I've been wrong. 
 
 LAURENCE. [Who has moved away, and now stands 
 by the door to the right, muttering to himself.] I said 
 I said 
 
 BARTLEY. [Still awkwardly, and without looking at 
 her]. It's a pity you couldn't last night . . .
 
 FREEDOM 95 
 
 MIRIAM. Last night I was headstrong and foolish 
 undeniably foolish. You offered me your forgive- 
 ness last night I beg for it now. I'll go on my 
 knees, if you like. Does that satisfy you ? 
 
 BARTLEY. [Hesitatingly.] ... I suppose that it 
 must . . . 
 
 MIRIAM. Very well, then. And you won't divorce 
 me? 
 
 BARTLEY. . . . No. . . . 
 
 MIRIAM. [Cheerfully.] Thanks very much. [She 
 turns, and sees LAURENCE, who is still standing in his 
 corner, not quite knowing what to do, whether to go or 
 stay.] Dear me, Laurence you still there? That 
 was tactless. 
 
 LAURENCE. [Looking rather resentfully at her] I'm 
 sorry. But I wasn't sure whether you had quite 
 finished with me. 
 
 MIRIAM. Oh, yes, thanks. And I'm really obliged 
 to you you've been splendid. And you'll have no 
 difficulty in running the paper on Bartley's lines you 
 see, you do agree with him, really. 
 
 LAURENCE. You know well enough that's not true. 
 But theories and ideas go for nothing when a man's 
 suffering. 
 
 MIRIAM. That's what Mrs. Collins said yester- 
 day. 
 
 LAURENCE. I don't know what Mrs. Collins said 
 yesterday. I only know that I'm not ashamed of a 
 single word Fve said. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Sincerely] No, no, why should you be ?
 
 96 FREEDOM 
 
 And I mean that really, I do. Good-bye. My 
 regards to Eve. 
 
 LAURBNCH. Bartley 
 
 BAETLEY. [With a gesture.] Oh, go away, please! 
 Don't start again on me ! 
 
 LAURENCE. No. But just this. I bear the punish- 
 ment and I'm glad I do bear it. That's all. Good- 
 bye. 
 
 [JFi'JA a quiet look at both of them, he goes 
 through the door to the right. 
 
 MIRIAM. [As she moves to the table and picks up her 
 bag, preparatory to leaving.} He has been very useful. 
 I'm afraid it wasn't pleasant for you, his stopping 
 here but I wa anxious that you should know. [She 
 picks up her bag from the table.] Are you coming home 
 to lunch ? 
 
 BARTLEY. I can't. I've to tell Toby about the 
 paper. 
 
 MIRIAM. Very well. You won't be late. I've some 
 shopping to do this afternoon but I'll be in to tea. 
 By the way, don't forget that you've promised to 
 look in at Millby's about that old silver jug they're 
 keeping it for me the Batten girl's wedding, you 
 know. Make them show you the two the one's 
 fifteen guineas, and the other twelve. 
 
 [She goes to the glass door. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Getting up and going to her.] One minute. 
 I don't know what you've got at the back of your 
 head, But 7'm quite willing to let bygones be 
 bygones.
 
 FREEDOM 97 
 
 MIRIAM. [At tha door, speaking over her shoulder.] 
 That's very good of you. 
 
 BARTLEY. Never mind whether I'm good or not. 
 I'm willing to forget, that's all. 
 
 MIRIAM. [With a gentle shrug.] Why not? 
 
 BAKTLKY. And how about you ? 
 
 MIRIAM. Me? [She half turn* round. 
 
 BARTLEY. Yes, you. All this is unnatural first 
 your violent protest and then this sudden meekness. 
 What does it mean ? 
 
 MIRIAM. [Quietly.] Merely that I don't want to be 
 taken from my children. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Nodding.] I see. And I, I suppose, 
 am a brute to have suggested it ? 
 
 MIRIAM. It certainly never entered my head that 
 you'd do that. 
 
 BARTLEY. Perhaps you'll tell me what else I could do? 
 
 MIRIAM. [Turning completely round and facing 
 him, a note of passion coming into her voice for the 
 first time.] What else ! You were willing to drag me 
 to a Law-Oourt and then fling me to him ! 
 
 BARTLEY. [Muttering angrily.] Fling fling what 
 d'you mean, fling ? All I said was 
 
 MIRIAM. You were willing that I should pass out 
 of your life pass out completely, as though I never 
 had been ! You to whom I went as a girl, to whom 
 I've borne children ! You'd have let them cry for 
 me and I not there my two babies ! And all this 
 because, for one moment, I had looked away from 
 you I 
 
 G
 
 98 FREEDOM 
 
 BARTLEY. [Angrily.] You've no right to say that. 
 I offered yesterday 
 
 MIEIAM. I told you why I refused let you look 
 into me oh, Hartley, I told you I loved you, you 
 knew that I loved you but that wasn't enough. The 
 years we had lived together, the memories we had in 
 common all that didn't matter. I was to be sent 
 away handed over to the first passer-by. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Shouting.] But it's nonsense, all this 
 sheer nonsense ! 
 
 MIRIAM. / it, Bartley is it? The Law, that 
 you're so fond of, allows you to hit the mother 
 through her children. You'd have taken them from 
 me because that's the Right of the Male . . . 
 Very well I obey. And you shall have no cause 
 for complaint in the future. There shall be no other 
 man in my life but neither shall there be 
 you. 
 
 BARTLIY. [Nodding sulkily.] Yes I'm not sur- 
 prised. I half expected that. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Patsionately.] At least, so much of Free- 
 dom may be left me ! I have to buy the permission 
 to stay with my children I need not pay with 
 myself ! 
 
 BARTLEY. That shall be as you will. I made no 
 conditions I stick to that. Only let me tell you 
 every word you have said is monstrously cruel and 
 unjust. 
 
 MIKIAM. [Coldly.] You think that ? 
 
 BARTLEY. Most emphatically I do. In plain
 
 FREEDOM 99 
 
 English, I've been faithful to you, and you haven't to 
 me. That's all it amounts to. 
 
 MIRIAM. [Sorrowfully.] Faithful, Bartley 1 Oh, is 
 there only one kind of fidelity our miserable body ! 
 And have you been faithful you who were willing to 
 send me away? You might have committed every 
 crime in the world and I'd have stood by you I 
 
 BARTLEY. So would I you know that but 
 this 
 
 MIRIAM. Yes this that means so little is the 
 greatest crime of all to the Male I [She turns to ihe 
 door.] Well in time you may think differently. 
 Time does strange things. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Defiantly.] I shall never think differently 
 never be quite sure of that ! And these things 
 you've been saying I can't shuffle words, I can't 
 pick up arguments but I know they're not true. 
 They're simply not human men and women couldn't 
 go on existing the whole world would have to change ! 
 I've been a good husband and father and you 
 weren't content with just being my wife. You've 
 done wrong and you can't see it. That's tragedy 
 enough but at least don't think you're entitled to 
 put the blame on me ! 
 
 MIRIAM. [Calmly.] Let us leave it there, Bartley 
 and take up our lives again. There is much we can 
 do. [She turns to the door. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Bitterly.] And this great love you spoke 
 of! What of that? 
 
 MIRIAM. [Turning and looking at him.] It is there
 
 100 FREEDOM 
 
 waiting. It is there ! . . . [She turns from him, a/nd 
 opens the door.] Shall I send the car for you? 
 BARTLBY. [Sulkily, as he moves away.] No, no. 
 MIKIAM. You'll ring if you want it. And I shall 
 expect you to tea. 
 
 [She goes, and shuts the door. BARTLEY stands 
 there for a momtnt, muttering to himself, 
 "Damned nonsense that's what it is 
 damned nonsense ! " then goes to his table, 
 sits, passes his hands wearily over his brow, 
 and rings. After a moment BALDERTON 
 comes in with the bag. 
 BALDERTON. The clothes, sir ? 
 BARTLEY. Yes. 
 
 BALDERTON. Shall I take them out, sir ? 
 BARTLEY. No, no, I'll do it myself. Just put the 
 bag down. 
 
 BALDERTON. Very well, sir. [He crosses over and 
 puts the bag on a chair by the table.] Anything else, 
 sir? 
 
 BARTLEY. No, no, thanks. By the way, I'm in to 
 no one except Mr. Parning. You understand ? 
 BALDERTON. Yes, sir. Yes. 
 
 [He goes, and shuts the door, BARTLEY rises 
 slowly, still muttering to himself, stretches 
 and yawns, goes to the bag, and begins to 
 take out the clothes. There is a knock at 
 the glass door. He stops, and lifts his head 
 eagerly. The knock is repeated, and EVE, 
 off, calls " Bartley ! "
 
 FREEDOM 101 
 
 BABTLSY. [Happily.] Eve! 
 
 [He hastens to the door and flings it open. EYE 
 comes in. He shuts the door, goes eagerly 
 to her, and holds out both his hands. 
 
 BABTLEV. Oh, I'm so glad yon've come ! Eve ! 
 I'm so glad ! 
 
 EVE. [Shyly.] I thought you'd like 
 
 BAHTLEY. Miriam's been here Toby all telling 
 me I've been wrong 1 
 
 EVE. I met Miriam on the stairs. 
 
 BARTLEY. Did she say anything ? 
 
 EVE. No. She just smiled, and nodded. 
 
 BABTLEY. You should have heard her oh, you 
 should have heard her ! It's I am to blame only I ! 
 I who loved her you know how I loved her ! And 
 this this! Wouldn't you have thought it im- 
 possible ? 
 
 EVE. [At she sits on the sofa.] He's my husband. 
 
 BABTLBY. [Sitting beside her.] Yes, yes, of course 
 you've suffered too. Did you suspect 
 
 EVE. [Very simply] Oh, I knew. I always get to 
 know, sooner or later. 
 
 BABTLEY. [Dropping her hand] Always! Then 
 there have been others ! 
 
 EVE. Oh yes. Before we'd been married a year, 
 there was another. 
 
 BABTLEY. Eve! 
 
 EVE. And there have been more since then. 
 
 BABTLEY. And you hare endured it allowed it i
 
 102 FREEDOM 
 
 EVB. What can one do ? I've been very miserable, 
 of course. But it happens to so many women. 
 
 BARTLEY. And you've actually been able to go on 
 seeing Miriam although you knew . . . 
 
 EVE. Oh yes. 
 
 BARTLEY. You could you could do that ! 
 
 EVE. Oh, Bartley, what difference could it make 
 whether I saw her, or not ? 
 
 BARTLEY. Waa that why you broke down last 
 night? 
 
 EVE. I don't often give way. I was dreadfully 
 ashamed. You see, I love him. 
 
 BARTLBY. Notwithstanding all, you still love him ? 
 
 EVE. One loves, because one loves. I suppose 
 women are like that. At least some women. They 
 just cry a little, and go on darning the children's 
 clothes. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Nervously.] Then you think I've been 
 wrong, too ? 
 
 EVE. [Very earnestly.] Oh no, Bartley, I don't. It's 
 different for a man. And I'm very sorry. I told 
 Laurence, when he was so sure you wouldn't 
 mind . . . 
 
 BARTLEY. He really, really could think 
 
 EVE. Oh yes. You've no idea how unhappy he 
 was last night. I've never seen him so unhappy. 
 He has very few man friends he has never cared for 
 any one as much as he does for you. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Throwing up his hands.] That's beyond 
 everything !
 
 FREEDOM 103 
 
 EVE. You see, they're different, Miriam and he. 
 They're both BO clever. They talk guch a lot. 
 
 BABTLEY. [Bitterly.] Yes f till of wonderful reasons 
 and BO forth. Well we suffer. 
 
 EVE. It's hard on you, Bartley. You didn't 
 deserve it. I'm dreadfully sorry. 
 
 BARTLEY. Miriam spoke about you and me. 
 
 EVE. Did she ? That was silly of her. 
 
 BARTLEY. Not suggesting anything, of course but 
 merely saying that if it had been 
 
 EVE. I daresay. That's how they feel they don't 
 quite understand. Laurence always tells me I'm as 
 free as he is. That he wouldn't blame me. And, 
 really, I don't think he would. 
 
 BARTLEY. Well, of course, he can't love you. 
 
 EVE. Oh yes, he does, in his way. More than any 
 of the others, I'm sure. But men like him can't 
 really love any woman. They put them into their 
 books, they get a great deal out of them. And I 
 believe that's why he attracts women "because he 
 can't love them. He always comes back to me. 
 
 BARTLEY. And that satisfies you ? 
 
 EVE. What can one do? It was very hard, at 
 first. I found out, quite by chance. 
 
 BARTLEY. And he wouldn't give her up ? 
 
 EVE. He swore that he would but he didn't, of 
 course. And, as I've said, there've been others, since 
 then. And will be more. I sometimes think I'd like 
 to have their photographs and keep them in a 
 special album. It would have to be quite a large one.
 
 104 FREEDOM 
 
 BARTLBY. Ton take it like that t 
 
 EVE. It's the best way, isn't it I Happier for the 
 children. 
 
 BARTLEY. And you yon though he told you you 
 were free you've always been content ? 
 
 EVE. Oh, yes. You see, I'm different. 
 
 BARTLEY.; [With a nod.] Yes. You are the old- 
 fashioned woman. 
 
 EVE. I'm not old-fashioned or new-fashioned I'm 
 just like that. 
 
 BARTLEY. What do you mean ? 
 
 Ev*. [Shaking her head.] I don't know. But, what- 
 ever they do, or laws that they make, there'll always 
 be some in whose life there'll be only one man. 
 Women like me. 
 
 BARTLIY. [Earnestly.] Yes I believe thatt And 
 that's why I want the paper to go on. 
 
 EVE. It is going on ? 
 
 BARTLEY. Yes. He'll be editor again. 
 
 EVE. Oh, I'm glad. 
 
 BARTLEY. Just because of him ? 
 
 EVE. Not only that. It does good. There are 
 many women it helps. 
 
 BARTLEY. T'm going out of it, Eve. And Miriam. 
 She has consented to give him up. 
 
 EVE. Of course. 
 
 BARTLEY. [Grumbling] Oh, there wasn't so much 
 " of course " about it. She gives me up too. 
 
 EVE. Does she ? 
 
 BARTLEY. Yes. What do you think of that ?
 
 FREEDOM 105 
 
 EVE. I don't know. I dare say she'll come back, 
 as he does. 
 
 BAKTLEY. You imagine I'll wait ? 
 
 EVE. I suppose so. Yes. 
 
 BAKTLEY. Well, I won't. I'll go away. 
 
 EVE. Where? 
 
 HARTLEY. Oh, anywhere. I'll go and work. Do 
 something. 
 
 EVE. You'll come back, Bartley ? 
 
 BABTLEY. Of course I'll come back to my children. 
 But I've lost my faith, Eve. The paper shall go on 
 yes because that wasn't what we were working for. 
 
 EVE. Yes, it was. 
 
 BAKTLEY. What do you mean ? 
 
 EVE. You can't make women free in one way 
 and not in another. [She rises.] Well, I must go 
 home. 
 
 BABTLEY. [Rising with her.] Why ? 
 
 EVE. Laurence is lunching at home, and he likes 
 me to be there. Especially when he's upset. 
 
 BABTLEY. Notwithstanding everything, notwith- 
 standing everything, you always do what he wants ? 
 
 EVE. [Very simply.] Oh, yes. And if I were you, 
 Bartley, I wouldn't go away. Why should you ? 
 X"ou can work here just as well. And the children 
 would miss you. And Miriam loves you, you know. 
 She has only done this because she's so clever. 
 
 BABTLEY. [Going to the glass door vnth her opening 
 it, then suddenly stopping >\ Eve just tell me you 
 don't think I've been wrong?
 
 106 FREEDOM 
 
 EVE. [Very earnestly.] Oh, no, Bartley really I 
 don't not in the least ! 
 
 BARTLEY. And yet you think it right that women 
 should be free ? 
 
 EVE. Oh, Bartley, it's difficult to explain. But I 
 do believe that, some day, when they've got their 
 freedom, they'll learn how to use it. Good-bye. 
 
 [TPVfA a nod, she goes. BARTLEY closes the 
 door, returns to the chair on which the 
 lag is, and begins to take out the clothes. 
 The curtain fall*.
 
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