JESSE LYNCH WILLIAMS

ILLUSTRATED

PUBLISHED BY CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS

Copyright, 1914, 1918, BY CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS Published October, 1914 New and revised edition published April, 1918 Reprinted September, 1918; February, 1919 [All rights strictly reserved—including amateur acting rights.]

TO HARRIET AND JAMES LEES LAIDLAW

WHY MARRY?

A Comedy in Three Acts

New York: Astor Theatre: Produced by Selwyn & Company, Dec. 25, 1917, under the direction of Roi Cooper Megrue. The scene is a week-end at a country house not far away; the time, Saturday afternoon, Sunday morning, and Sunday evening. THE PEOPLE AT THE HOUSE (As You Meet Them)

JEAN, the host's younger sister, who has been brought up to be married and nothing elseLOTUS ROBB

REX, an unmarried neighbor, who has not been brought up to be anything but richHAROLD WEST

LUCY, the hostess, who is trying her best to be "just an old-fashioned wife" in a new-fashioned home,BEATRICE BECKLEY

UNCLE EVERETT, a Judge, who belongs to the older generation and yet understands the new—and believes in divorceNAT C. GOODWIN

COUSIN THEODORE, a clergyman and yet a human being, who believes in everything—except divorce,ERNEST LAWFORD

JOHN, who owns the house and almost every one in it—and does not believe in divorceEDMUND BREESE

HELEN, the host's other sister, whom every one wants to marry, but who doesn't want to marry any one,ESTELLE WINWOOD

ERNEST, a scientist, who believes in neither divorce nor marriage but makes a great discoverySHELLEY HULL (By arrangement with George C. Tyler)

THE BUTLERRICHARD PITMAN

THE FOOTMANWALTER GOODSON