Therefore at all hazards women's feet must be kept small, even at the expense of their health and happiness; and so they put themselves up on several inches of heels, which cause them to toddle around like marionettes on a stage, with all their toes crowded down into a lump.
"The Book of Life: Vol. I Mind and Body; Vol. II Love and Society"
Upton Sinclair
That is to say, the real actors are behind the scenes, the forces that move the marionettes.
"Life and Writings of Maurice Maeterlinck"
Jethro Bithell
Here, to begin with, we have a "drama for marionettes."
"Life and Writings of Maurice Maeterlinck"
Jethro Bithell