^oV^ 
 
 
 V, ♦•To* .^^ 
 
 ^'•^^^. . 
 
 
 i«" 
 
 v^ 
 s.^'^^. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 »bv^ 
 
 
 ^^^ 
 
 
 ''^o.^'^' 
 
 
 
 •>* 
 
 
 
 
 

 • ^^ A^ /^V/>:- ^«. c'V' * 
 
 
 
 [.• ^ ^'^''^^ ^ -.^OT.' ^^"'^ '^wm.' . **^% -.1 
 
 *'' -^^ °" 6^ ..•JL*«. "^o. ,***.."-♦. ** 
 
 
 ■^ "o. » 
 
 ^*d* 
 
 .. .-v q. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 %.*^-'*/ V^^V V^"^*/ 
 
 •; "\^^ :» **«** •»■; *'*^ ••11 
 
 
 
 ,*»■ '^ 
 
 ^ »v;;«k. -e. c°.iAs^*.«c 
 
 .*V.-., <t 
 
 » ■«. 
 
 
 •" .«? ... V *•••' <: 
 
 .' «^^ 
 
 <-^^ 
 
CRIMINALS 
 
BT THE SAME AUTHOR 
 
 EMBERS 
 AND OTHER ONE-ACT PLAYS 
 
 TRADITION 
 
 AND OTHER ONE-ACT PLAYS 
 
 POSSESSION 
 
 AND OTHER ONE-ACT PLAYS 
 
 NOWADAYS 
 
 A THREE-ACT CONTEMPORANEOUS 
 COMEDY 
 
CRIMINALS 
 
 A ONE-ACT PLAY ABOUT MARRIAGE 
 BY GEORGE MIDDLETON 
 
 NEW YORK 
 
 B. W. HUEBSCH 
 
 MCMXV 
 
COPYRIGHT BY GEORGE MIDDLETON, 1914, 1915 
 
 This play in its printed form is designed for the reading 
 public only. All dramatic rights in it are fully protected by 
 copyright, and no performance — professional or amateur — or 
 public reading may be given without the written permission 
 of the author and the payment of royalty. Communication 
 should be sent to the author, care of the publisher, 225 Fifth 
 avenue. New York City. 
 
 2PC-7I9I5 
 
 CI.A420079 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 Truth to life does not necessarily imply 
 truth in art. [Though all human nature is 
 material for the author and there is no im- 
 morality in art save insincerity in its treat- 
 ment, I should be the first to admit the dan- 
 ger of deducing a generality from an isolated 
 instance. Therefore, the fact that this play 
 was founded on an actual occurrence would 
 not alone have prompted my using so inti- 
 mate a theme of life in the art form. And 
 since the dramatist must inevitably select the 
 high lights so that he may suggest the larger 
 problems radiating beyond the mere episode, 
 the arrangement of events in " Criminals " 
 may seem exceptional. Nevertheless, in 
 spite of the compression, necessitated by the 
 one-act form, the human reactions in this 
 play and its basic situation are by no means 
 so uncommon as one might casually assume. 
 It would be easy for the incredulous to 
 deny and for the cynical to scoff at its premise 
 of complete virginal ignorance; but that 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 would not erase the records of medical 
 literature. Psychologists and neurologists, 
 who have related divorce to something more 
 than legal causes, have also given abundant 
 testimony to the part which initial sex ex- 
 perience has ultimately played in the wreck- 
 age of marriage. And I have myself been 
 greatly surprised at the large number of col- 
 lateral cases which have been brought to my 
 attention since this was written and produced 
 — cases of women whose experiences have, 
 in essence, been similar to Janet's, though 
 their reactions have been translated into a 
 less radical course of conduct. 
 
 I have not sought to dramatize a particu- 
 lar pathological phenomenon : I have written 
 this play because I believe it intimates the 
 human drama which, with varying degrees 
 of intensity, may lurk In this phase of mar- 
 riage. The resolution arrived at Is not a 
 playwright's conclusion Intended to preach a 
 moral: it Is legitimately achieved, I hope, 
 through the shock of juxtaposed characters 
 finding a new point of view under stress of 
 circumstance, tragic to them. 
 
 The advantage of play publication, as I 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 have indicated in my other volumes, is that 
 the dramatist has a written record of his en- 
 deavor, accessible to those who may be Inter- 
 ested in his work where wide production, for 
 obvious reasons, is denied it. 
 
 I should be ungrateful did I not here ex- 
 press my appreciation to Miss Aline Barns- 
 dall, for her courage in producing this play, 
 as well as my thanks to the little company 
 who interpreted, with rare tact and delicacy, 
 the very difficult roles which were intrusted 
 to them. 
 
 G. M. 
 
 September tenth, 191 5. 
 
CRIMINALS 
 
FIRST PERFORMANCE 
 
 at the Fine Arts Theatre, Chicago, 
 
 February third, 1915, 
 
 under the management of 
 The Players Producing Company. 
 
 THE CAST 
 
 Alfred York . ,. . ,. Fred Permaine 
 Ann, his wife . . Florence Le Clercq 
 Janet, their daughter . Bernice Golden 
 Carter Merwin . . Frank Stirling 
 
 Scene: The York home: about ten 0* clock, 
 one Spring evening. 
 
 Produced by the Author. 
 
CRIMINALS 
 
 door into Janet's room is open and Mrs. 
 York is silently gazing at it. She is seated 
 on the sofa and has ceased sewing. He is 
 in a deep chair, by the table, trying to read 
 the evening paper. But he cannot seem to 
 concentrate on it; he looks toward his wife 
 now and then as though both were dwelling 
 on the same thought. 
 
 York, in his late forties, is a rather obvious 
 kindly man with a quiet voice and gentle man- 
 ner. He wears a frock coat. 
 
 Mrs. York, somewhat younger, is also a 
 lovable personality who has expended all her 
 energies within the concentrated limits of her 
 home life. She still wears her formal gray 
 afternoon gown. 
 
 They are, in fact, a harmoniously happy 
 couple, reticent with regard to their inner 
 feelings, and instinctively submissive to cer- 
 tain conventions which, until now, the easy 
 habit of life has never made them question, 
 
 Mrs. York 
 [With a sigh'\ 
 
 I can't help thinking we shan't see Janet 
 come from that room again. 
 
CRIMINALS 
 
 York 
 
 No. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 Now she's gone we'll leave everything In 
 there just as it is. 
 
 York 
 Yes. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 [With contented recollection"] 
 She was so happy here. 
 
 York 
 She had a good mother. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 [Lovingly eyeing him J 
 And father, Fred. 
 
 York 
 I'm just an ordinary sort of person. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 But she appreciated all that you did for 
 
 her. 
 
4 CRIMINALS 
 
 York 
 A father Isn't much guidance to a da,ugh- 
 ter. It's the mother who counts there. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 I did everything I could to bring her up 
 properly. [Sighing again^ But times have 
 changed since / was a girl. One has to be so 
 careful. 
 
 York 
 It's the mothers who have changed — let- 
 ting their girls go about just as If they were 
 boys. There wouldn't be so much trouble, 
 Ann, If all mothers were companionable like 
 you. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 I was glad I could devote all my time to 
 Janet. I can almost be happy now that I'm 
 alone — thinking of that. 
 
 York 
 It was the greatest joy In my life to see 
 you two so Inseparable. Why, Janet hardly 
 left your side, did she? 
 
CRIMINALS 
 
 Mrs. York 
 No. When I was with her I always felt 
 as though I were walking in a garden of 
 lilies. 
 
 York 
 
 Yes, pure white. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 I often wondered why she liked white fur- 
 niture. 
 
 York 
 It was like herself somehow, I suppose. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 [She goes to himl 
 
 And to-night will be the first time she's 
 ever been away from me. [Shuddering^ 
 To-night ! 
 
 York 
 
 There, dear, don't worry. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 
 [With instinctive reserve as she takes his 
 
 hand] 
 
 You know what I'm thinking? 
 
CRIMINALS 
 
 York 
 Yes. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 I hate to think of such things. 
 
 York 
 [Trying to he cheerful] 
 
 Then don't let's talk of them. Carter is 
 her husband now. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 I know. It's strange how girls grow up 
 in a place and then leave when the first 
 man . . . 
 
 York 
 {With consoling assurance"] 
 
 He's a good chap and early marriages are 
 best. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 Yes. And she seemed so sure of herself. 
 [There is a pause as she thoughtfully goes 
 to window and gazes out] What time is 
 it? 
 
 York 
 Just ten. 
 
CRIMINALS 
 
 Mrs. York 
 Tm so glad they told us where they were 
 
 going. 
 
 York 
 But didn't you feel as though it spoiled 
 their little romance for us to know? 
 
 Mrs. York 
 {^Smiling'] 
 Nothing could spoil their romance; it was 
 like a story-book. But Janet really wanted 
 us to go down to the boat to-morrow and see 
 her off. [mstfully] It must be nice to 
 have a honeymoon in Italy. 
 
 York 
 [Trying to be cheerful throughout'] 
 Carter's got more money than / had when 
 you and I were married. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 
 [Afectionately'] 
 
 But they won't have a happier time over 
 
 there than we did in Washington, will they? 
 
 [After another silence] I — I thought per- 
 
8 CRIMINALS 
 
 haps she'd 'phone us to let us know she 
 reached the hotel safely. 
 
 York 
 [Playfully] 
 We didn't think of 'phoning. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 Mother didn't have a 'phone then. \ln 
 recollection] But I thought of her. \They 
 smile; then she puts her arm on his shoulder, 
 as she stands behind his chair] Oh, Fred, 
 I . . . 
 
 York 
 [ Under standingly] 
 
 You mustn't feel like this about Janet, 
 dear. Everything will be as it should be — 
 just as it was between us. Carter's a fine 
 fellow and . . . 
 
 Mrs. York 
 She's only a little girl. 
 
 York 
 So were you, Ann, when I took you away 
 from your mother. 
 
CRIMINALS 9 
 
 Mrs. York 
 It's foolish of me I know, but . . . [As 
 though wishing to change the subject^ The 
 room and hallway are full of fragrance. 
 
 York 
 Suppose we send her wedding flowers to 
 the hospital to-morrow. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 You are always so thoughtful, Fred. I'll 
 tell Mary in the morning. 
 
 York 
 Shall we go down and look at them again 
 before we go to bed? 
 
 Mrs. York 
 
 Yes; I'm tired though. It's been such a 
 
 long day. [She goes to him tenderly and 
 
 puts her arms on his shoulders as he now 
 
 stands facing her^ Fred, it takes me back. 
 
 York 
 Some twenty years, eh? 
 
10 CRIMINALS 
 
 Mrs. York 
 We only have each other now. 
 
 York 
 Yes; the way It was when we started. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 It was hard for me to see my little girl go. 
 \_She kisses him'] I've been so happy here 
 with you and Janet. \^The telephone rings. 
 She goes to it] I knew she'd 'phone. Let 
 me go, Fred. I want to hear her voice. 
 [Taking off the receiver eagerly] Yes, 
 hello! Is that you, Janet? No? . . . 
 You wish to speak to Mr, York? Is that 
 you, Carter? Yes; he's here. [She slowly 
 hands the receiver to York as she stands half 
 trembling with sudden premonition] Carter 
 wants to speak to you. [York slowly takes 
 the receiver] Oh, I'm afraid. 
 
 York 
 [At 'phone] 
 
 Yes, Carter. [Startled] What's that? 
 Coming back here? To-night? [After a 
 pause] Yes, of course: you'd better come 
 
CRIMINALS II 
 
 around yourself right away. Walt. The 
 front door will be unlatched. Come right up 
 to the sitting room. [He hangs up the re- 
 ceiver and looks at Mrs. York, who is 
 dumbly questioning him^ Janet's on her 
 way here. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 Here! 
 
 York 
 She left the hotel fifteen minutes ago — 
 alone. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 [ Terrified] 
 Alone ? 
 
 York 
 She has her own key? 
 
 Mrs. York 
 Yes. I wanted her always to keep It. 
 But you told Carter to come also? 
 
 York 
 Yes. Has Mary gone upstairs yet? 
 
12 CRIMINALS 
 
 Mrs. York 
 No! [As York ^oes to telephone and 
 switches it~\ What are you doing? 
 
 York 
 [Into telephone'] 
 
 Is that you, Mary? I've just had a 
 'phone. We are expecting somebody. Put 
 the front door latch back so he can come right 
 up to us. No, I don't want to keep you up : 
 then go to bed. Understand? Good-night. 
 
 [He hangs up the receiver, Mrs. 
 York has gazed before her during 
 this, as though bewildered. There is 
 a long pause before either speaks: 
 then it is in broken tones, full of an 
 implication that is hardly phrased] 
 
 Mrs. York 
 Fred; something terrible's happened. 
 
 York 
 There's no reason to think that. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 The tone of his voice. 
 
CRIMINALS 13 
 
 York 
 Now don't give way: It's all right. 
 [Slowly] Perhaps . . . 
 
 Mrs. York 
 [Slowly'] 
 Perhaps what? 
 
 York 
 [Hesitating] 
 Well, sometimes . . . 
 
 Mrs. York 
 But Carter must have known she . . . 
 
 York 
 [Half to himself] 
 It may be . . . 
 
 Mrs. York 
 [Hysterical] 
 Why don't you say what you think? 
 
 York 
 I remember men telling me . . i 
 
14 CRIMINALS 
 
 Mrs. York 
 Do men ever talk of such things? 
 
 York 
 Yes: afterwards. [He apparently hears 
 the maid going upstairs. He goes hack to 
 he sure, then turns to his wife^ Mary has 
 gone up to bed. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 Do you think Janet will tell us? 
 
 York 
 If not, why Is she coming back here? 
 
 Mrs. York 
 
 Where else could she go? . . . Oh, Fred, 
 
 this Is more than I can stand. Suppose — • 
 suppose she doesn't come ? 
 
 York 
 Nonsense. Shall we go downstairs? 
 
 Mrs. York 
 No; not where their flowers are. [She 
 tries to control her growing agitation^ 
 Why doesn't she come ? — She ought to be 
 
CRIMINALS 2 
 
 here by now.- Are you sure Carter said she 
 was coming here? 
 
 York 
 Maybe she walked. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 
 \^Murmuring'\ 
 
 Alone In the street this time of night? 
 
 York 
 There's no danger. 
 
 \The curtains are pushed open and 
 Janet enters. She goes hysterically 
 to Mrs. York and buries her face in 
 her mother's lap, sobbing. York 
 comes over beside them, anxiously. 
 
 Janet York, about nineteen, is 
 the personification of sensitive deli- 
 cacy and fragile grace. Her present 
 agitation is such that, when words 
 fail she conveys her meaning through 
 groping, broken tones and suggestion. 
 She is wearing her smart ''going 
 away '' tailor-made gown and hat\ 
 
1 6 CRIMINALS 
 
 Janet 
 Mother ! Mother ! 
 
 Mrs. York 
 My girl! What is it? 
 
 York 
 Wait, Ann. 
 
 Janet 
 Oh, I . . . I . . . 
 
 Mrs. York 
 Don't cry so. 
 
 York 
 [Patting her shoulder'] 
 Janet, dear! 
 
 Janet 
 [Looking up at himi 
 Father ! 
 
 York 
 Tell us. 
 
 Janet 
 I'll . . . I'll tell mother. 
 
CRIMINALS 17 
 
 Mrs. York 
 [Looking at York] 
 Leave us together, Fred. Maybe she'll 
 
 York 
 You'd better tell me, too, in case . . . 
 
 Mrs. York 
 Your father's right, Janet. 
 
 Janet 
 I ... I can't tell it. 
 
 York 
 But your mother's frightened. 
 
 Janet 
 So ... so ... was I — frightened, 
 
 York 
 But, dear . . . ? 
 
 Janet 
 
 It was different from ... I didn't know. 
 . . Why didn't you tell me? 
 
1 8 CRIMINALS 
 
 Mrs. York 
 lAstonishedl 
 Tell you? 
 
 Janet 
 Yes : what marriage means. . . . He said 
 that was marriage. 
 
 • [Mr. and Mrs. York exchange looks, 
 slowly realizing the situation^ 
 
 Mrs. York 
 Didn't your heart tell you? 
 
 Janet 
 
 \_Phrasing her feeling with great difficulty 
 
 throughout] 
 
 Not that. How could It? My heart 
 couldn't know thatf It stopped. It seemed 
 to snap. It felt ashamed. I'm ashamed 
 now. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 \_Perplexed~\ 
 
 But all the time when Carter was with you 
 here, didn't you — didn't your heart . . .? 
 
CRIMINALS 19 
 
 Janet 
 I tell you I never knew there were such 
 things in the world. But you knew. You 
 both knew! [Reproachfully^ You should 
 have told me and then I wouldn't have . . . 
 Oh, why didn't you tell me ? 
 
 Mrs. York 
 [Helplessly'] 
 Fred? 
 
 York 
 [At a loss] 
 
 Don't — don't be harsh at your mother, 
 Janet. 
 
 Janet 
 [hooking up] 
 Then why didn't you tell me? 
 
 Mrs. York 
 How could your father . . .? 
 
 Janet 
 [Interrupting abruptly] 
 
 Why not? He let me marry Carter when 
 I came and asked him. My father let me go 
 
20 CRIMINALS 
 
 away with Carter. And you both knew; 
 Carter said you both knew. And neither of 
 you told me. 
 
 [York shakes his head slowly as though 
 overcome by it all; they try, however, 
 to console Janet] 
 
 Mrs. York 
 Dear, you — you mustn't feel like this 
 about Carter. 
 
 York 
 [Tenderlyl 
 No — no. 
 
 Janet 
 I can't help how I feel. 
 
 York 
 But, Janet; he's your husband. 
 
 Janet 
 Yes. My husband ! I know that. But I 
 didn't know what it meant having a husband. 
 [Quickly'] Does that give him the right if 
 I . . ,? 
 
CRIMINALS 21 
 
 York 
 Yes, Janet 
 
 Janet 
 [More deeply hurt at the thought'] 
 Then if neither of you would tell me, why 
 didn't he tell me before . . .? 
 
 Mrs. York 
 [^Shocked] 
 
 Why people don't talk of such things be- 
 fore they're married, dear. 
 
 Janet 
 They don't? 
 
 Mrs. York 
 How could they be so immodest? 
 
 Janet 
 Immodest? Immodest to talk?, Yet he 
 could . . .? Oh . . .! 
 
 York 
 
 What did you think marriage was, 
 dear? 
 
22 CRIMINALS 
 
 Janet 
 [Simply 1 
 
 I — I thought it was just being together, 
 like you and father. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 [Involuntarily^ 
 But your father and I . . . 
 
 Janet 
 
 [Retreating from them in realization and 
 astonishment'] 
 
 You and father ! Oh ! 
 
 Mrs. York 
 Janet. 
 
 York 
 Janet ! 
 
 Janet 
 Don't touch me, father. [She moves 
 quickly away from him] I don't want any- 
 body to put their hands on me again. I — 
 I have to think. I want to understand what 
 you said. — I always knew there was some- 
 
CRIMINALS 23 
 
 thing I didn't understand. . . . [^Incredu- 
 lously^ How could any girl grow up and 
 not . . .? [Quickly turning to her mother^ 
 Mother, did you know what — what . . .? 
 Did you know this, when you and Father 
 first . . .? 
 
 Mrs. York 
 [Hardly able to speak] 
 
 No! 
 
 Janet 
 
 [Incredulously'] 
 
 You didn't know either, when you were 
 married? 
 
 Mrs. York 
 [Emphatically] 
 A good girl shouldn't. 
 
 Janet 
 [Fehemently] 
 
 A good girl! Then I wish I weren't a 
 good girl! 
 
 York 
 Janet 1 
 
24 CRIMINALS 
 
 Janet 
 [Persistently'] 
 
 Mother. Didn't you even feel for father 
 as I did to-night when Carter . . . ? 
 
 Mrs. York 
 [Horrified throughout] 
 No. No. I loved your father. 
 
 York 
 And don't you love Carter? 
 
 Janet 
 [Incredulously] 
 Is that love? 
 
 Mrs. York 
 It's part of love. 
 
 Janet 
 
 [Introspectively] 
 Then — don't I love Carter? 
 
 York 
 [Trying to quiet her] 
 Of course, you do. 
 
CRIMINALS 25 
 
 Janet 
 
 [Speaking as though overcome with a new 
 
 revelation^ 
 
 I don't. I don't. How could I love him 
 if I couldn't let — ? Oh ! — If you, mother, 
 loved father and . . . and yet / couldn't . . . 
 
 York 
 Janet, you're all nerves. Are you differ- 
 ent from other girls? 
 
 Janet 
 [Gazing before her'\ 
 
 I don't know. I can't understand my- 
 self — [Impulsively^ Mother, mother; I 
 hated him ! 
 
 Mrs. York 
 Janet ! 
 
 Janet 
 [Shuddering in recollection'] 
 
 Yes — yes. His face changed ... his 
 eyes . . . oh ! . . . And then he — he was 
 sorry. There were tears in his eyes. But 
 I was frightened and . . . oh, I thought I 
 belonged to myself. 
 
26 CRIMINALS 
 
 York 
 [Kindly] 
 
 You belong to Carter, and he's coming 
 here for you. 
 
 Janet 
 [Startled'} 
 Coming here? 
 
 Mrs. York 
 Yes. He 'phoned. 
 
 Janet 
 I thought I was safe here in my home. 
 
 York 
 Your home is with him now. You're his 
 wife, Janet. And you promised him . . . 
 
 Janet 
 \_Indignantly~\ 
 
 How could I promise something I didn't 
 know about? But you knew what I was 
 promising and you didn't tell me. You 
 didn't tell me ! How could you do such a 
 thing? It was a crime! 
 
CRIMINALS 27 
 
 Mrs. York 
 [Deeply wounded^ 
 
 A crime ? 
 
 York 
 Janet, you're talking to your mother. 
 
 Janet 
 My mother; yes; my dear little mother 
 whom I trusted so. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 You're breaking my heart. I did every- 
 thing in the world for you. 
 
 Janet 
 \^With great reproach] 
 Except tell me the one thing I should have 
 known ! 
 
 Mrs. York 
 
 Janet! 
 
 Janet 
 
 And now I understand the strange look 
 you gave me, mother, when you said good- 
 by. You knew you should have told me. 
 
28 CRIMINALS 
 
 [Mrs. York lowers her head. 
 The outer door down-stairs is heard 
 opening and then closing^ 
 
 York 
 There's Carter. 
 
 Janet 
 I won't see him now. 
 
 York 
 Now, Janet : don't be a foolish girl. 
 
 Janet 
 [With a certain calm\ 
 I'm going to my own room. 
 
 York 
 You must listen to reason. 
 
 Janet 
 I don't know what you mean by reason. 
 
 York 
 [Taking hold of her arms\ 
 Janet, was he ... ? 
 
CRIMINALS 29 
 
 Janet 
 Let me go, father. 
 
 York 
 IF orce fully] 
 
 Answer me. Was Carter unkind or 
 bru . . .? 
 
 Janet 
 How should I know? He tried to kiss 
 me — differently. And he didn't tell me be- 
 fore ... I won't see him. I won't. I 
 won't. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 Janet ! Janet ! 
 
 [Janet ^oes into her room slam- 
 ming the door. Mrs. York holds 
 her hands out after her. York 
 seems thoroughly aroused to anger] 
 
 Mrs. York 
 [Turning helplessly to her husband] 
 You don't think It was because . . . ? 
 
30 CRIMINALS 
 
 York 
 [Determined] 
 
 That's what I mean to find out. Go to 
 her. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 And she called me a criminal ! 
 
 [Mrs. York almost timidly goes 
 into the room, closing the door. 
 Carter is heard coming up the 
 stairs, York turns and waits with 
 suppressed excitement. 
 
 After a moment Carter Mer- 
 WIN enters. There is a look of anx- 
 iety upon his strongly modeled face. 
 In appearance he is immediately in- 
 gratiating since his whole manner 
 suggests great sincerity of character. 
 He is in his early thirties. 
 
 He stands there looking at YoRK 
 and throughout the following seems 
 deeply moved with pity for Janet. 
 They speak with subdued intensity, 
 never raising their voice for fear the 
 others will hear] 
 
CRIMINALS 31 
 
 Carter 
 Janet's here? 
 
 York 
 Yes. With her mother. 
 
 Carter 
 IRelievedl 
 
 I'm glad. [He starts towards door} 
 Poor little girl. 
 
 York 
 [Stopping him} 
 
 Where are you going? 
 
 Carter 
 To tell her not to worry. 
 
 York 
 You can't ^ee her now. 
 
 Carter 
 Why do you stop me? 
 
 York 
 She's my daughter and — 
 
32 CRIMINALS 
 
 Carter 
 [Quietly'] 
 My wife. 
 
 York 
 [Halted somemhat by his tone\ 
 What kind of a man are you ? 
 
 Carter 
 What do you mean ? 
 
 York 
 You Know what I mean. 
 
 Carter 
 I don't understand. 
 
 York 
 She's come here seeking my protection. 
 
 Carter 
 Protection? Her greatest protection 
 would have been a little knowledge. 
 
 York 
 [Controlling himself with difficulty] 
 
 We kept for you a glrPs greatest gift to 
 her husband: her innocence. 
 
CRIMINALS 33 
 
 Carter 
 She brought me only Ignorance. 
 
 York 
 I tell you, you shan't go to her now. 
 
 Carter 
 But she must see how I care for her. 
 She mustn't think I don't understand. She 
 must let me help her — be kind to her. 
 You don't think I have come to take her away 
 unwillingly ? 
 
 York 
 Then why are you here? 
 
 Carter 
 Because I don't want her to be afraid. 
 
 York 
 
 Damn you ! 
 
 Carter 
 Mr. York! 
 
 York 
 Why did you frighten her? 
 
34 CRIMINALS 
 
 Carter 
 / didn't frighten her. 
 
 York 
 What did? 
 
 Carter 
 A fact. The commonest fact in life. 
 
 York 
 Which a man who knows life should have 
 learned how to tell a . . . 
 
 Carter 
 Most men don't have to tell women. 
 Twice you've insinuated . . . 
 
 York 
 She left you; didn't she? 
 
 Carter 
 Yes. She said nothing. She cried and 
 she struck me. 
 
 York 
 [Astonished] 
 Struck you? 
 
CRIMINALS 35 
 
 Carter 
 Yes. 
 
 York 
 [Coming closer to himi 
 Then you did give her cause ? 
 
 Carter 
 I came to her with a man's love. 
 
 York 
 And acted like a — 
 
 Carter 
 Say It. 
 
 York 
 
 Like a brute! 
 
 Carter 
 
 [He rushes at him, clutching his arms, but 
 
 trying to control himself] 
 
 Mr. York! I love her. Do you hear? 
 I love her. 
 
 York 
 But forgot what kind of a girl she was. 
 
36 CRIMINALS 
 
 Carter 
 [Hardly helieving'] 
 What are you saying? 
 
 York 
 Isn't It the truth? 
 
 Carter 
 [^Still holding him and speaking iensely'\ 
 
 Do you think because the language men 
 have to use Is the same to all women, that 
 the feeling back of It can't be different? 
 Don't you know I felt differently? I tell 
 you I love her. No, no, it wasn't as you 
 think. I was kind. I understood she had 
 never ... I understood. But I thought 
 she knew what marriage was; thought she 
 was happy coming to me; thought she was 
 willingly coming to me. But she made me 
 feel as though I weren't her husband. I was 
 only a thief in her room. Not the man she 
 loved; but a criminal I 
 
 York 
 [Staring at himl 
 A criminal! You, too! 
 
CRIMINALS 37 
 
 Carter 
 Yes. And don't you feel like a criminal? 
 Didn't you give her to me? 
 
 York 
 
 [With indignant sarcasm] 
 
 I thought I gave her to a man of honor. 
 
 Carter 
 
 Yet you never asked me one question. I 
 never thought of it myself till she struck me. 
 Then the crime we had done her stunned 
 me — before I could talk to her. I didn't 
 blame her. I blamed myself and you: for 
 you gave her to me, as the service says; but 
 you didn't tell her a single thing about what 
 was to happen. And I took her from your 
 hands — I who had talked of everything our 
 hfe was to hold together — everything but 
 that. 
 
 York 
 
 Carter ! 
 
 Carter 
 WeVe made the fact of marriage seem 
 horrible. Oh, Fm ashamed to my soul of 
 my part in this crime. 
 
38 CRIMINALS 
 
 York 
 How dare you speak like this ! 
 
 Carter 
 But isn't it the truth? Did you or I do 
 anything to make her see the beauty of this? 
 Did you or I tell her the simplest fact? Did 
 you or I do anything else to protect her ? 
 
 York 
 Do you realize — • 
 
 Carter 
 Oh, if you'd seen the look In her eyes — 
 the helpless shocked expression. Instead of 
 the man's pure love / brought her, she might 
 have had to face anything, anything. Think 
 of It: anything! Good God! It's terrible. 
 She was helpless and she knew nothing — 
 nothing. [Going to him] But you and I 
 knew: you knew life, knew men. Yet 
 neither you nor the minister ever asked me 
 one question. You never asked me what 
 was also her right to know before she came 
 to me. You never asked me what my life 
 had been or whether I was jit to be her hus- 
 band. [York tries to protest] Oh, you 
 
CRIMINALS 39 
 
 must listen to me; for you stand there judg- 
 ing me and forgetting what you, her father, 
 had done to her. I'm ashamed of myself 
 and so should you be. You asked me about 
 my bank-account but you never asked me 
 about my body. 
 
 York 
 [^Fundamentally of ended"] 
 
 Do you think I would have insulted you 
 with such a question? 
 
 Carter 
 But you were willing to take a chance on 
 your daughter. 
 
 York 
 No man who wasn't decent would have 
 married a sweet pure girl like Janet. 
 
 Carter 
 Wouldn't he ? I know hundreds ! ! 
 
 [As they stand there tense, fac' 
 ing each other, the door opens; they 
 turn toward it. There is a pause and 
 Mrs. York, almost a changed 
 woman, slowly comes into the room. 
 
40 CRIMINALS 
 
 She closes the door. No word is 
 spoken. Carter stands there look' 
 ing at her in question. Her eyes are 
 on the ground, York moves as one 
 dazed to the deep chair and later 
 sinks into it, staring fixedly before 
 him] 
 
 Carter 
 [Very quietly] 
 She knows I am here? 
 
 Mrs. York 
 Yes. 
 
 Carter 
 She'll see me? 
 
 Mrs. York 
 She sent me away. 
 
 Carters 
 [Understanding] 
 She wants to be alone. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 Yes. 
 
CRIMINALS 41 
 
 Carter 
 [After some hesitation he goes slowly to 
 Janet's door and knocks, speaking with 
 ill-controlled emotion'] 
 Janet! Janet! It's Carter. I shan't see 
 you till you wish me. But don't be afraid, 
 little girl. Don't be afraid any more. 
 We'll go away together and everything will 
 be as you wish, everything as you wish — 
 
 [He waits but there is no answer. 
 He sits upon the sofa unable to 
 speak'] 
 
 Mrs. York 
 
 [She crosses to him, placing her hand on his 
 
 shoulder] 
 
 Don't, Carter. 
 
 Carter 
 [With deep conviction] 
 It can never be the same. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 In time. 
 
42 CRIMINALS 
 
 Carter 
 No. She'll never forget the shock — that 
 first shock. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 Women do. 
 
 Carter 
 How could they? 
 
 Mrs. York 
 She loves you. She broke down and cried. 
 She sees now it wasn't your fault. 
 
 Carter 
 But it was. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 
 [As she sits down slowly on the sofa beside 
 
 him'] 
 
 I never knew there could be girls like 
 Janet. 
 
 Carter 
 
 She must see there are other things in 
 marriage than this. She must. [He knocks 
 at the door again] Janet! Janet! Let 
 me be your friend! I'll protect you. It's 
 
 ti, 1 
 
CRIMINALS 43 
 
 my right now. I love you, little girl. I'll 
 wait till — [But there is no answer. He 
 sits domn again, murmuring^ It could all 
 have been spared if one of us had had a little 
 courage. 
 
 Mrs. York 
 [Staring before her~\ 
 
 Yes; it takes courage. 
 
 Carter 
 Why should It? 
 
 Mrs. York 
 She knows now. 
 
 Carter 
 And It all could have been so simple. 
 
 York 
 [Still staring guiltily before him] 
 Criminals ! 
 
 [Mrs. York looks slowly at him, 
 but Carter's eyes lift to the door, 
 hoping it will open again. There is 
 a long silence. Then the curtain 
 slowly closes them from view] 
 
kc» *$tf H^ ♦Vol 
 
 
 .' ^.^^'^ '-o^ 
 
 
 
 r/^o^ 
 

 
 
 
 ^-^9^" 
 
 L*^' 
 
 
 
 .0 «» • • ^