Rench.  That’s fair.  Human nature ain’t so rotten, when you give it a chance.

George.  Well, then, are you willing to try it out, on the level?

Rench.  I cal’late we’ll stick, Captain.

Hillman.  We sure will.

Fersen.  We’ll be pioneers!

George.  That’s good American, Fersen, not to be afraid of an ideal. 
Shake!  We’ll sit down with it in a day or two.

(They all shake.  The members of the committee file out of the room, lower right.  George is left alone for a brief interval, when Minnie, in the white costume of a nurse, enters, lower right, with a glass of medicine in her hand.)

Minnie (halting).  You’re all alone?  Where’s Dr. Jonathan?

George.  He’s gone off with dad.

Minnie.  It’s nine o’clock.

   (She hands him the glass, he drinks the contents and sets the glass
   on the table.  Then he takes her hands and draws her to him and
   kisses her.  She submits almost passively.)

Why are you doing this, George?

George.  Because I love you, because I need you, because I’m going to marry you.

Minnie (shaking her head:  slowly).  No you’re not.

George.  Why not?

Minnie.  You know why not, as well as I do.

(She gazes up at him.  He is still holding her in his arms.  Suddenly she kisses him passionately, breaks away from him and starts to fly from the room, when she runs into Dr. Jonathan, who is entering, lower right.)

Dr. Jonathan.  Where are you going, Minnie?

   (Minnie halts, and is silent.  Dr. Jonathan lays a detaining hand on
   her arm, and looks from one to the other, comprehendingly.)

George.  I’ve asked her to marry me, Dr. Jonathan.

Dr. Jonathan.  And what are your objections, Minnie?

Minnie.  You know why I can’t, Dr. Jonathan.  What kind of a wife would I make for him, with his family and friends.  I’d do anything for him but that!  He wouldn’t be happy.

Dr. Jonathan.  And what’s your answer, George?

George.  I don’t want her for my family and friends,—­I want her for myself.  This isn’t a snap judgment—­I’ve had time to think it over.

Minnie.  I didn’t mean to be here when you got home.  I know I’m not fit to be your wife I haven’t had any education.

George.  Neither have I. We start level there.  I’ve lived among people of culture, and I’ve found out that culture chiefly consists of fixed ideas, and obstruction to progress, of hating the President,—­of knowing the right people and eating fish with a fork.

Minnie (smiling, though in tears).  Well, I never ate fish with a knife, anyway.