Dr. Jonathan | Page 9

following the MAID.)
GEORGE (who has been regarding DR. JONATHAN: after a moment's
hesitation). You seem to think there's something to be said for the
workman's attitude, Dr. Jonathan.
DR. JONATHAN. What is his attitude, George?
GEORGE. Well, you heard Bert just now. I thought he had poor old
dad on the hip when he accused the employer of holding up the war,
too. But after all, what labour is after is more money, isn't it? and
they're taking advantage of a critical situation to get it. And when they
get money, most of them blow it in on sprees.
DR. JONATHAN. George, what are you going to France to fight for?
GEORGE. Germany's insulted our flag, murdered our people on the
high seas and wants to boss the world.
DR. JONATHAN (smiling). The issue, then, is human freedom.
GEORGE. Sure thing!
DR. JONATHAN. And you think every man and woman in this
country is reasonably free?
GEORGE. Every man can rise if he has the ability.
DR. JONATHAN. What do you mean by rise?
GEORGE. He can make money, set up for himself and be his own
boss.
DR. JONATHAN. In other words, he can become free.
GEORGE (grinning). I suppose that's one way of putting it.

DR. JONATHAN. Money gives him freedom, doesn't it? Money gave
you yours,--to go to school and college until you were twenty four, and
get an education,--such as it was.
GEORGE. Such as it was!
DR. JONATHAN. Money gave you the choice of engaging in an
occupation in which you could take an interest and a pride, and enabled
you occasionally to go on a spree, if you ever went on a spree, George.
GEORGE. Once in awhile.
DR. JONATHAN. But this craving for amusement, for excitement and
adventure isn't peculiar to you and me. Workingmen have it too,--and
working girls.
GEORGE. You're a wise guy, I guess.
DR. JONATHAN. Oh no,--not that! But I've found out that you and I
are not so very different from Timothy Farrell and his children,--Bert
and Jamesy and--Minnie.
GEORGE (startled, and looking around to follow DR. JONATHAN'S
glance toward the windows). What do you know about them?
DR. JONATHAN. Oh, nothing at first hand. But I can see why Bert's
going to the war, and why Jamesy took to drink, and why Minnie left
Foxon Falls.
GEORGE. The deuce you can!
DR. JONATHAN. And so can you, George. When you get back from
France you will know what you have been fighting for.
GEORGE. And what's that?
DR. JONATHAN. Economic freedom, without which political freedom
is a farce. Industrial democracy.
GEORGE. Industrial democracy! Well, it wasn't included in my
education at Harvard.
DR. JONATHAN. Our education begins, unfortunately, after we leave
Harvard,--with Bert and Jamesy and Minnie. And here's Minnie, now!
GEORGE (hastily). I'll beat it! Mother wants to talk to her.
DR. JONATHAN (his hand on GEORGE'S arm). No,--wait.
(Enter, lower right, AUGUSTA, followed by MINNIE FARRELL.
MINNIE, AUGUSTA'S back being turned toward her, gives GEORGE
a wink, which he acknowledges, and then glances toward DR.
JONATHAN. AUGUSTA, with her knitting, seats herself in an
armchair. Her attitude is somewhat inquisitorial; her tone, as she

addresses MINNIE, non- committal. She is clearly offended by
MINNIE'S poise and good- natured self-assertion.)
AUGUSTA. You remember Mr. Pindar, Minnie.
MINNIE (demurely). Glad to meet you again, Mr. Pindar. I hear you're
going off to the war. Well, that's great.
GEORGE (squeezing her hand; she winces a little). Oh, yes,-I
remember Minnie.
AUGUSTA. And this is Dr. Jonathan Pindar.
MINNIE (who has been eyeing DR. JONATHAN as a possible enemy;
with reserve). Glad to meet you, I'm sure.
DR. JONATHAN (smiling at her as he takes her hand). The pleasure
is-- mutual.
MINNIE (puzzled, but somewhat reassured). Glad to meet you.
DR. JONATHAN. I've come to live in Foxon Falls. I hope we'll be
friends.
MINNIE. I hope so. I'm going back to Newcastle this afternoon, there's
nothing doing here.
DR. JONATHAN. Would you stay, if there were something doing?
MINNIE. I--I don't know. What would I be doing here?
AUGUSTA (disapprovingly, surveying, MINNIE'S costume). I don't
think I should have recognized you, Minnie.
MINNIE. City life agrees with me, Mrs. Pindar. But I needed a little
rest cure, and I came to see what the village looked like.
DR. JONATHAN. A sort of sentimental journey, Minnie.
MINNIE (flashing a look at GEORGE, and another at DR.
JONATHAN). Well, you might call it that. I get you.
AUGUSTA. Minnie, what church do you attend in Newcastle?
MINNIE. Well, I haven't got a seat in any particular church, Mrs.
Pindar.
AUGUSTA. I didn't expect you to go to the expense of getting a seat. I
hope you delivered the letter our minister gave you to the minister of
the First Church in