_Mr. G._ (_Rising, placing plate on table, and speaking with bombastic enthusiasm._) Alice, 'tis the era of progress. Woman's rights will soon be fully recognized, and woman take her place among the gifted and the learned. They will be called to the bar, the pulpit. Think of that time, and prepare to take your place,—to rule, and not be ruled. Married life for you! Preposterous! 'Twould be a galling chain 'gainst which your noble intellect would chafe and worry. _Alice._ Uncle, are you crazy? _Mrs. G._ Poor Simon, has second childhood come so soon to you? _Mr. G._ My dear, let's change the subject. _Mrs. G._ Certainly; to the third and last reason. What is that? _Mr. G._ The third and last? That I refuse to make public. _Mrs. G._ What! you have another reason? _Mr. G._ I have, and it's a clincher; but I positively refuse to give it. _Mrs. G._ To your own lawful wife? to her from whom you have often said you have no secrets? Simon Graylock, I'm ashamed of you. _Mr. G._ But, my dear Susan— _Mrs. G._ Don't dear me, Mr. Graylock. You are a very ungrateful man. Do I deserve this treatment? Have I not sacrificed my young and ardent admirers for your sake? Have I not crushed out the brightness and gayety of my young life to settle down, and become the slave of a man old enough to be my father? For what? To have your confidence withheld from me— _Mr. G._ Sue— _Mrs. G._ Silence, Mr. Graylock! When I fondly hoped, in making our Alice happy, to brighten our home with the presence of gay, lively company— _Mr. G._ Susan— _Mrs. G._ Silence, sir! I must be content with your company; not even allowed to share your confidence. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. I wonder your iron-gray locks do not turn white with shame. They look streaked enough. You want to dye them. You'd better. Disguise yourself somehow. Keep out of my sight, for I'm thoroughly ashamed of you. Come, Alice, I'll not waste my time with such a wretch. _Alice._ But, Aunt Susy, my marriage— _Mrs. G._ Must wait till my lord and master concludes to give his third reason. O Simon, Simon! you've broken my heart. (_Weeps._) You—you—you've br-br-br-oken my heart. [_Exit_, R., _followed by_ ALICE.