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ear, until I hear all your story. UNA. Well, I decided I'd make the chance. You see, I--I've been led to think recently that I ought to be getting married. BRAITHEWAITE. May I ask why? UNA. Yes, dear, but I'd rather not answer. BRAITHEWAITE. I beg pardon. UNA. And when I looked about me for the possibilities in my own set, I--[she makes a face]--well, I wasn't attracted. BRAITHEWAITE. I admit, in society, as a rule, the women grow stronger and the men weaker. UNA. Exactly. And I knew you wanted to be a proud grandfather. BRAITHEWAITE. You're mistaken, dear. I hadn't given the subject any thought; so I had no desires. UNA. Well, I have... [BRAITHEWAITE slightly shows that he is perhaps shocked. UNA notices this and continues in explanation] given the subject a good deal of thought. I've spent days buying second-hand clothing to give away at the missions and lodging houses in order to have a look. BRAITHEWAITE. At least there was charity in that. UNA. Yes. You see I didn't want charity to have to begin at my home. Self-preservation is the first law of Nature. BRAITHEWAITE. And self-propagation, I suppose, the second. UNA. Well--the missions were no good. They were all so starved and pinched-looking there I couldn't tell what they'd be like if they got proper nourishment. And I didn't want to take a chance. So I went to some coal yards. BRAITHEWAITE. To find the devil not so black as painted? UNA [with a grimace]. Blacker! I couldn't see what they looked like. Of course if I could have asked them to wash their faces. BRAITHEWAITE [looking at GEORGE]. Considering what you have done, I don't see---- UNA. I did ask one, but he made some vulgar remark about black dirt and red paint. So I left him. BRAITHEWAITE. And then? UNA. I spent all to-day riding up and down town in street cars. It's very fascinating, Dad. All you can see for a nickel! I never realized what a public benefactor you were. BRAITHEWAITE [modestly]. Oh, I am amply repaid. UNA [in explanation to GEORGE]. Dad's the president of your traction company, you know. [GEORGE rises in fright.] Oh, that's all right. I've lost you your job, but I'll get you a better one as I promised. Don't be afraid of Dad--in the parlor. Sit down. BRAITHEWAITE [to GEORGE]. You might as well make yourself physically comfortable, you know. There's no telling how my daughter may make us feel in other ways. [GEORGE sits down again, rega
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