[Illustration: Mr. and Mrs. Herne in "Drifting Apart." Act III. See page 545.] Her enthusiasms bear fruit not only in her own phenomenal development, but in her power over others, both as an artist and friend. Wherever she goes she carries the magnetic influence of one who lives and thinks on high planes. Her earnestness is tremendous. They are both individualists in the sense of being for the highest and purest type of man, and the elimination of governmental control. "Truth, Liberty, and Justice," form the motto over their door. Mr. Herne has won great distinction as a powerful and ready advocate of the single tax theory, and they are both personal valued friends of Mr. George. It is Ibsen's individualism as well as his truth that appeals so strongly to both Mr. and Mrs. Herne. They are in deadly earnest like Ibsen, and _Margaret Fleming_ sprang directly from their radicalism on the woman question. The home of these extraordinary people is a charged battery radiating the most advanced thought. As one friend said: "No one ever leaves this house as he came. We all go away with something new and vital to think about." I give these personal impressions in order that those who saw them in _Margaret Fleming_ may know that its power was certainly a reflection of the high thought and purity of moral conviction and life which Mr. and Mrs. Herne brought to its production and its performance. It voices their love of truth in art, and freedom in life, and specifically their position on the woman question. The story of _Margaret Fleming_ is briefly:-- Philip Fleming is a fairly successful business man in a town near Boston. He has a devoted wife, a child just reaching its first year's birthday. The first scene develops the situation by a conversation between Fleming and his family physician. Fleming offers a cigar which Dr. Larkin refuses. _Philip._ You used to respect my cigars. (_Laughing._) _Doctor._ I used to respect you.... _Philip._ Why not, for heaven's sake? _Doctor._ Because you've no more moral nature than Joe Fletcher has. _Philip._ Oh! come now, Doctor, that's rather-- _Doctor._ (_Looking sternly at him._) At two o'clock last night, Lena Schmidt gave birth to a child. _Philip._ (_His eyes meet those of the Doctor, then drop to the floor._) How in God's name did they come to send for you? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _Doctor._ I don't believe she'll ever leave that bed alive. _Philip._ Well, I've done all I can to-- _Doctor._ Yeh have, eh? _Philip._ She's had all the money she needed.... If she'd a' done as I wanted her to, this never'd a' happened. I tried to get her away six months ago, but she wouldn't go. She was as obstinate as a mule. _Doctor._ Strange that she should want to be near you, aint it? If she'd got tired of you and wanted to go, you wouldn't have let her.