- Harriet Craig: Did you ask the Frazier boy into the house?
- Mrs. Harold: Little Danny? Well yes...
- Harriet Craig: I was under the impression it was up to me to decide whom we wish to have as guests.
- Mrs. Harold: Danny's a very well-behaved boy...
- Harriet Craig: When will you get it through your head that this is not your house?
- Mrs. Harold: I never supposed it was, but I sometimes forget that it's no longer Mr. Craig's.
- Harriet Craig: What did you say?
- Mrs. Harold: It makes no difference what he wants or who he wants in this house. It's only your wishes that count.
- Harriet Craig: Are you trying to suggest that I haven't made Mr. Craig a good home?
- Mrs. Harold: I'm sure you think you have, Mrs. Craig, but my idea of a good home is one that has a little warmth and friendliness in it. Why, when I walk through this house, I have the feeling that these rooms have died and been laid out.
- Harriet Craig: I refuse to tolerate such insolence from a servant!
- Mrs. Harold: You won't have to, Mrs. Craig. From now on I'm no longer in your employ.
- Walter Craig: Wives may be a little extra trouble now and then, but they're mighty handy gadgets to have around the house.
- Harriet Craig: No one cares for brandy, Lottie, I've already asked them.
- Lottie: Mr. Craig asked for it.
- Harriet Craig: Marriage is a practical matter .. the assurance that you can be absolutely certain of your husband at all times - without any fears or any doubts.
- Clare Raymond: You certainly trust Walter, don't you?
- Harriet Craig: So long as you know exactly what he's doing, yes. But if he does anything that I think might lead to trouble, I'll find a way to put a stop to it; you see, no man's born ready for marriage. He has to be trained.
- Clare Raymond: Have you done that with Walter?
- Harriet Craig: Well, of course I have.
- Clare Raymond: Doesn't he mind?
- Harriet Craig: You don't think I'd let him know, do you? There are some things you just don't tell men!
- Clare Raymond: Well you must be right; because your marriage is perfect; I've never seen a man so devoted to his wife as Walter is to you.
- Harriet Craig: Yes. Yes, he is, isn't he?
- Harriet Craig: No woman dares to be honest. She has to think of herself. Who else is going to protect her?
- Walter Craig: Does she need protection from a man who loves her?
- Harriet Craig: You bet she does. I wouldn't trust the love of any man after the things I've seen. I found out all about what you men call love the day my father left us. He always pretended to love my mother, and I worshipped him. And one day after school I went to his office. I found him with a woman. A cheap, vulgar blonde. What a sight they were. And I saw him for what he really was, a fat old fool with liquor on his breath. He said he was ashamed and tried to tell me it had nothing to do with his love for us. Well, maybe he could fool my mother, but he couldn't fool me. I told him I never wanted to see him again. I hated him, and I'd always hate him. That night, he didn't come home. He never came home. I watched my mother tramp the streets looking for a job. And at 14, I had to quit school and go to work. First in a factory, then in a laundry. We almost starved. So don't talk to me about protection. Don't try to tell me anything about love.
- Walter Craig: I think you're telling me the truth for the first time. I believe what you say about your father, and I feel sorry for you. I think I understand you now. You hated your father, and because of him, you hate me. You hate and distrust everybody. You're at war with the whole world. You'd never feel safe with anybody until you'd crushed them. But you're not going to do that to me.