)
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.
GEORGE. I spent my valuable youth learning Greek and Latin, and I can't
speak or read either of them.
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