MRS. PAGE.—Yes, she says Mr. Powers must move away from Raymond for she cannot bear it here. Of course their changed conditions would make no difference with us but it would with many people.

MRS. WINSLOW.—And even if she was received everywhere as before, she would not be happy. She would have to live so differently. Well, well, I am sorry for them. How can it be right for a man to force anything like that on his family?

MRS. PAGE. It is not right,—little short of criminal, I say. And then there is Mr. Norman. I am glad he has no family to suffer from his folly. He is sacrificing his whole fortune to a perfectly insane idea. He was a wealthy man. And now look at him. Yes, Mr. Wright told

MRS. WINSLOW.-(Nods approvingly.) me yesterday he feared Mr. Norman would be unable to pay the operating expenses of his paper much longer.

MRS. PAGE.—Indeed, I did not think it was quite so bad as that.

MRS. WINSLOW.—Mr. Wright says it is not altogether in his newspaper business that he has lost money or rather thrown it away. He has applied his pledge to all his business enterprises with the same disastrous result. He says if he can gain the election on the saloon question, he will be satisfied to lose his fortune.

MRS. PAGE.—Well, I am not at all sure he will do that. Many of our best people believe in high license, and I rather think I do. —(Enter West from hall.)

WEST.—What's that you think, auntie? How do you do, Mrs. Winslow. (Shakes hands.) It's a dangerous disease, this thinking. There is no knowing what it may lead to. When did you feel the first symptom? (Looks serious and feels her pulse. Sits on stool.)

MRS. PAGE.-(Pulls his ear.) Reginald, you're a simpleton! You have no respect for your old auntie.

WEST.—That's all right. I see the case is not serious. Where's

Virginia?

MRS. PAGE.—Gone down to the Rectangle, and goodness only knows what we may expect when she comes back. I live in daily fear of having the house filled with Rectangle people.

WEST. (Soothingly.) There, there, auntie. I don't believe Virginia will put them in your rooms, and you can have your meals sent up. You needn't eat with them.

MRS. PAGE.—You needn't laugh, Reginald. It's no laughing matter. I believe you are all crazy.

WEST.—I am afraid you have been thinking, after all. Don't do it any more. I really can't be responsible for the consequences. (To Mrs. Winslow.) Did Rachel go?

MRS. WINSLOW.—No. She went home before Virginia left. I do not think she was going.

MRS. PAGE.—Do you really think, Reginald, that it is the proper thing for the girls to go to the Rectangle alone?

WEST.—It's safe enough in the day time. I would rather not have them go alone at night. (Ladies both look shocked.)

MRS. WINSLOW.—Oh, no, indeed! Why, I am afraid to have Rachel go with all you men. I really don't feel easy from the time she goes till she is back again.

WEST.—Yes, we are afraid for our own girls, but think of the young girls there, not only without protection but forced into degredation and sin. Auntie, if that thinking disease attacks you again, let it run in that direction.

MRS. PAGE.—Oh, I think of lots of things you don't give me

credit for.

WEST.-(Pats her arm affectionately.) So Virginia has gone? That was my errand. One of the young girls she was interested in has got into trouble. I wondered if she would go down and see her. I just came from there.

MRS. WINSLOW.—If you didn't spend half your time in the Rectangle without pay, you might be a rich man, Dr. West.

WEST.—What would riches be, compared with the experience I get down there! Pure selfishness, my dear lady. When I attend anybody in the Rectangle, you had better believe there's something the matter with them. And their quarrels give me a chance to operate on every part of their bodies. But I must not linger in your charming society, ladies. Fare thee well. (Exit West.)

MRS. PAGE, MRS. WINSLOW.—Good bye.

MRS. PAGE.—I am very fond of Reginald, but he is as crazy as the rest of them. I never would have thought of his taking part in those Rectangle meetings.

MRS. WINSLOW.—Nor I. I used to think him almost sacrilegious.

MRS. PAGE.—He was at times. It used to trouble me a good deal. Why can't people be reasonable. Atheism isn't respectable, neither is fanaticism.

MRS. WINSLOW.—I don't think he is an atheist. Rachel says he is an agnostic.

MRS. PAGE. (Shaking her head.) Very little difference and both very bad form. I believe in religion, but not fanaticism. Don't you think there has been a great change in Mr. Maxwell's sermons since the pledge taking?

MRS. WINSLOW.—Yes. Not nearly as finished in style. But they are very earnest. I believe they make one think more. I have heard a good many say so.

MRS. PAGE.—I don't believe in a minister mixing himself up in politics and business. We don't go to church to be informed on such affairs. Let him preach the gospel.

MRS. WINSLOW.—Of course. We go to church to hear about spiritual things, not the affairs of our daily life.

MRS. PAGE.—It's my opinion they have no right to preach social reform or politics from the pulpit. I for one am tired of hearing about politics, tenement houses, and saloons every Sunday.

MRS. WINSLOW.-(Gives a little laugh.) He does talk about them a good deal.

MRS. PAGE.—Well. I know one thing. If things go on as they have been lately, I shall not be able to stand it. I shall leave the town.

MRS. WINSLOW.--Oh, Mrs. Page! I hope you won't do that. We should miss you dreadfully.

MRS. PAGE.-(With lofty humility.) I used to think I had. slightest attention to my wishes.

with anyone.

Oh, I have to influence Virginia doesn't pay the

MRS. WINSLOW.—Yes, I know the girls are very trying just now, but I think they will get over this fad in a little while and be more reasonable. I hope Virginia will get back safely.

MRS. PAGE. O yes, I think so, but I have an uneasy feeling all the time as if some dreadful thing was going to happen.

MRS. WINSLOW.—I think they will get over this notion soon; it is just a novelty. They will soon tire of it, and become more reasonable. I really must go. (Rises.) I had no idea of staying

so long.

MRS. PAGE.—Come over again soon, Mrs. Winslow. I have enjoyed talking with you so much.

MRS. WINSLOW.—Yes, I will. Don't think of going away. I should be so sorry. (Both ladies walk toward the door.)

MRS. PAGE.—I only think of it when Virginia is particularly exasperating. I cannot understand her in the least lately.

MRS. WINSLOW.—It is hard, but we must be patient. Well, good bye—come over soon.

MRS. PAGE.—Yes, I will. Good bye. (Exit Mrs. Winslow. Mrs. Page returns to her chair, picks up her work, adjusts her spectacles, and begins to sew. An unusual noise is heard in the hall. She rises. Virginia and Loreen appear in doorway.)

VIRGINIA. This way, Loreen. I am taking you home.

LOREEN. (Wrenching away and coming down C.) You shall not touch me! Leave me! Let me go to hell!

VIRGINIA. (Following.) Loreen, you do not belong to Hell; you belong to Jesus. Come.

See!

LOREEN. (Turning away.) No. The devil's waiting for me.

There he is!

VIRGINIA.—(Placing hands on her shoulders.) You do not belong to him, you belong to Jesus. Come. (Loreen puts her head on Virginia's shoulder and bursts into tears.) Grandmother, I have brought one of my friends from the Rectangle. She has no home and I am going to care for her a little while.

MRS. PAGE. (Standing rigid with astonishment; speaks with difficulty.) Did you say—she was—one of your friends?

VIRGINIA.—Yes, I said so.

MRS. PAGE.—You have picked up some strange friends. Do you know what this girl is?

VIRGINIA. She is an outcast, grandmother. better than you do.

She is drunk this minute.

I know it even

(Loreen breaks away from Virginia and goes toward Mrs. Page singing, "Just as I am without one plea." Madam Page retreats to right of library table. Virginia comes from behind and puts her arm around Loreen.)

VIRGINIA.—Will you please ring? I must take her upstairs. MRS. PAGE.—You shall not do this, Virginia! It is outrageous, unheard of, might easily cost us our standing in society (Virginia lets Loreen sink into the arm chair.)

VIRGINIA.—I will bear all that society may do or say. Society is not my God. By the side of this poor soul I count the verdict of society as nothing. (Rings bell at L.)

MRS. PAGE. (Following to C.) It would be demoralizing to have her in the house. She is the very scum of the earth.

VIRGINIA.-(Returning to C.) She is also a child of God. I have seen her on her knees repentant and have seen hell reach out its horrible fingers after her again. I must do what I can for her. MRS. PAGE.—But it is not necessary to keep her here. VIRGINIA.—Grandmother, we call ourselves Christians. ture of appeal.) Here is a poor lost human creature without a home, slipping back into a life of misery and shame, and we have more than enough.

(Ges

MRS. PAGE.—Send her to the asylum for helpless women. Pay all expenses, but for the sake of our reputation don't shelter her here. (Enter Mary R. Gazes at Loreen with disgust and horror.)

VIRGINIA.—Mary! Call up Dr. West. Ask him to come here as soon as possible. Tell James to come here at once and Jennie to go to the front chamber to assist me there. (Exit Mary.) Grandmother, I do not wish to do anything displeasing to you, but I shall keep Loreen here tonight, and longer, if I think best. MRS. PAGE.—Then you can answer for the consequences. not stay in the same house with a miserable

I do

VIRGINIA. (Stopping her with a gesture.) Grandmother, this house is mine. It is your home as long as you choose to remain. But in this matter, I shall act as I fully believe Jesus would in my place. (Bends over Loreen.)

MRS. PAGE.—Then I shall not remain. (Goes to door and then returns.) You can always remember that you have driven your grandmother out of your house in favor of a drunken woman. (Virginia stands upright and watches her go out, and then turns to Loreen. James enters, comes down and stares at Loreen.)

VIRGINIA. Take hold of her arm and help me take her up stairs. (James does not move and continues to stare.) Do as I tell you. (James stretches out his arm and timidly takes hold of Loreen. She leans heavily on Virginia and they go out.)

Curtain.

Scene same as Act II.

АСТ III.

Virginia seated in arm chair, reading. Time is early evening; an electric lamp is lighted on the table. Rollin more dignified and serious than in Act II enters from hall. ROLLIN. (Coming down.) Well, the News is secure anyway. If Mr. Norman loses all his subscribers, he can still thunder away on the side of righteousness for some time.

VIRGINIA. (Coming toward him.) All the details attended to? I am so glad that business is disposed of.

ROLLIN. (Pretending to be serious.) You have disposed of half a million dollars very easily. At this rate your superfluous money will soon cease to trouble you.

VIRGINIA. (Anxiously.) You still think it was a wise thing to do?

-

ROLLIN. (Laughs.) I'm afraid I am rather envious. (Regretfully.) But of course a fellow who has been as extravagant as I have for the last few years, couldn't endow a paper like Norman's. VIRGINIA. (They go to couch and sit down.) You did the next best thing, helped me to see the opportunity. You are a great help to me, Rollin.

ROLLIN.—It is time I was of some use. I have been a worthless careless fellow all my life.

VIRGINIA.—You are no longer. I have regrets for time lost and money wasted, but don't let's think of that. What shall we do next?

ROLLIN. (More cheerfully.) I think we can manage the Rectangle scheme.

VIRGINIA.-(Meditatively.)

I fear I will not have money

enough; now I have put so much in the paper.

ROLLIN.—Well, your humble servant hasn't quite pauperized himself. He might dig up three or four hundred thousand.

VIRGINIA. (Delighted.) And do it together? How splendid!

I had no idea when Mr. Norman advised me to get that land what use I would make of it.

And

ROLLIN.—Just what you need for settlement purposes! you got it in the nick of time. You could sell it now for three times what you paid for it.

VIRGINIA.—Sell it! No money could buy it. begin a house?

When can we

ROLLIN. (Laughs.) I suppose we will have to see about plans

first.

VIRGINIA.—I'll see an architect tomorrow. (Gets up and crosses to R. as though too excited to keep still. Turns suddenly toward Rollin.) It is not right, Rollin. We get nothing but pleas ure out of everything, and there is so much misery in the world. It seems selfish to be as happy as I am, now you are in such perfect sympathy with me, and Loreen is doing so nicely.