(Servant has reached Starkweather, who has taken a telegram from tray, opened it, and is reading it.)
Starkweather
Damnation!
Servant
I beg your pardon, sir.
Starkweather
Send Senator Chalmers to me, and Mr. Hubbard.
Servant
Yes, sir.
(Servant crosses to Chalmers and Hubbard, both of whom immediately arise and cross to Starkweather.)
(While this is being done, Margaret reassembles the three broken groups into one, seating herself so that she can watch Starkweather and his group across the stage.)
(Servant lingers to receive a command from Margaret.)
(Chalmers and Hubbard wait a moment, standing, while Starkweather rereads telegram.)
Starkweather
(Standing up.) Dobleman has just forwarded this telegram. It's from New York – from Martinaw. There's been rottenness. My papers and letter-files have been ransacked. It's the confidential stenographer who has been tampered with – you remember that middle-aged, youngish-oldish woman, Tom? That's the one. – Where's that servant?
(Servant is just making exit.) Here! Come here!
(Servant comes over to Starkweather.) Go to the telephone and call up Dobleman. Tell him to come here.
Servant
(Perplexed.) I beg pardon, sir.
Starkweather
(Irritably.) My secretary. At my house. Dobleman. Tell him to come at once.
(Servant makes exit.)
Chalmers
But who can be the principal behind this theft?
(Starkweather shrugs his shoulders.)
Hubbard
A blackmailing device most probably. They will attempt to bleed you —
Chalmers
Unless —
Starkweather
(Impatiently.) Yes?
Chalmers
Unless they are to be used to-morrow in that speech of Knox.
(Comprehension dawns on the faces of the other two men.)
Mrs. Starkweather
(Who has arisen.) Anthony, we must go now. Are you ready? Connie has to dress.
Starkweather
I am not going now. You and Connie take the car.
Mrs. Starkweather
You mustn't forget you are going to that dinner.
Starkweather
(Wearily.) Do I ever forget?
(Servant enters and proceeds toward Starkweather, where he stands waiting while Mrs. Starkweather finishes the next speech. Starkweather listens to her with a patient, stony face.)
Mrs. Starkweather
Oh, these everlasting politics! That is what it has been all afternoon – high prices, graft, and theft; theft, graft, and high prices. It is terrible. When I was a girl we did not talk of such things. Well, come on, Connie.
Mrs. Dowsett
(Rising and glancing at Dowsett.) And we must be going, too.
(During the following scene, which takes place around Starkweather, Margaret is saying good-bye to her departing guests.)
(Mrs. Starkweather and Connie make exit.)
(Dowsett and Mrs. Dowsett make exit.)
(The instant Mrs. Dowsett's remark puts a complete end to Mrs. Starkweather's speech, Starkweather, without answer or noticing his wife, turns and interrogates Servant with a glance.)
Servant
Mr. Dobleman has already left some time to come here, sir.
Starkweather
Show him in as soon as he comes.
Servant
Yes, sir.
(Servant makes exit.)
(Margaret, Dolores Ortega, and Rutland are left in a group together, this time around tea-table, where Margaret serves Rutland another cup of tea. From time to time Margaret glances curiously at the serious group of men across the stage.)
(Starkweather is thinking hard with knitted brows. Hubbard is likewise pondering.)
Chalmers
If I were certain Knox had those papers I would take him by the throat and shake them out of him.
Starkweather
No foolish talk like that, Tom. This is a serious matter.
Hubbard
But Knox has no money. A Starkweather stenographer comes high.
Starkweather
There is more than Knox behind this. (Enter Dobleman, walking quickly and in a state of controlled excitement.)
Dobleman
(To Starkweather.) You received that telegram, sir?
(Starkweather nods.) I got the New York office – Martinaw – right along afterward, by long distance. I thought best to follow and tell you.
Starkweather
What did Martinaw say?
Dobleman
The files seem in perfect order.
Starkweather
Thank God!
(During the following speech of Dobleman, Rutland says good-bye to Margaret and Dolores Ortega and makes exit.)
(Margaret and Dolores Ortega rise a minute afterward and go toward exit, throwing curious glances at the men but not disturbing them.)
(Dolores Ortega makes exit.)
(Margaret pauses in doorway a moment, giving a final anxious glance at the men, and makes exit.)
Dobleman
But they are not. The stenographer, Miss Standish, has confessed. For a long time she has followed the practice of taking two or three letters and documents at a time away from the office. Many have been photographed and returned. But the more important ones were retained and clever copies returned. Martinaw says that Miss Standish herself does not know and cannot tell which of the ones she returned are genuine and which are copies.
Hubbard
Knox never did this.
Starkweather
Did Martinaw say whom Miss Standish was acting for?
Dobleman
Gherst.
(The alarm on the three men's faces is patent.)
Starkweather
Gherst!
(Pauses to think.)
Hubbard
Then it is not so grave after all. A yellow journal sensation is the best Gherst can make of it. And, documents or not, the very medium by which it is made public discredits it.
Starkweather
Trust Gherst for more ability than that. He will certainly exploit them in his newspapers, but not until after Knox has used them in his speech. Oh, the cunning dog! Never could he have chosen a better mode and moment to strike at me, at the Administration, at everything. That is Gherst all over. Playing to the gallery. Inducing Knox to make this spectacular exposure on the floor of the House just at the critical time when so many important bills are pending.
(To Dobleman.)
Did Martinaw give you any idea of the nature of the stolen documents?
Dobleman
(Referring to notes he has brought.) Of course I don't know anything about it, but he spoke of the Goodyear letters —
(Starkweather betrays by his face the gravity of the information.)
the Caledonian letters, all the Black Rider correspondence. He mentioned, too, (Referring to notes.) the Astonbury and Glutz letters. And there were others, many others, not designated.
Starkweather
This is terrible!
(Recollecting himself.)
Thank you, Dobleman. Will you please return to the house at once. Get New York again, and fullest details. I'll follow you shortly. Have you a machine?
Dobleman
A taxi, sir.
Starkweather
All right, and be careful.
(Dobleman makes exit)
Chalmers
I don't know the import of all these letters, but I can guess, and it does seem serious.
Starkweather
(Furiously.) Serious! Let me tell you that there has been no exposure like this in the history of the country. It means hundreds of millions of dollars. It means more – the loss of power. And still more, it means the mob, the great mass of the child-minded people rising up and destroying all that I have labored to do for them. Oh, the fools! The fools!
Hubbard
(Shaking his head ominously.) There is no telling what may happen if Knox makes that speech and delivers the proofs.
Chalmers
It is unfortunate. The people are restless and excited as it is. They are being constantly prodded on by the mouthings of the radical press, of the muck-raking magazines and of the demagogues. The people are like powder awaiting the spark.
Starkweather
This man Knox is no fool, if he is a dreamer. He is a shrewd knave. He is a fighter. He comes from the West – the old pioneer stock. His father drove an ox-team across the Plains to Oregon. He knows how to play his cards, and never could circumstances have placed more advantageous cards in his hands.
Chalmers
And nothing like this has ever touched you before.
Starkweather
I have always stood above the muck and ruck – clear and clean and unassailable. But this – this is too much! It is the spark. There is no forecasting what it may develop into.
Chalmers
A political turnover.
Starkweather
(Nodding savagely.) A new party, a party of demagogues, in power. Government ownership of the railways and telegraphs. A graduated income tax that will mean no less than the confiscation of private capital.
Chalmers
And all that mass of radical legislation – the Child Labor Bill, the new Employers' Liability Act, the government control of the Alaskan coal fields, that interference with Mexico. And that big power corporation you have worked so hard to form.
Starkweather
It must not be. It is an unthinkable calamity. It means that the very process of capitalistic development is hindered, stopped. It means a setback of ten years in the process. It means work, endless work, to overcome the setback. It means not alone the passage of all this radical legislation with the consequent disadvantages, but it means the fingers of the mob clutching at our grip of control. It means anarchy. It means ruin and misery for all the blind fools and led-cattle of the mass who will strike at the very sources of their own existence and comfort.
(Tommy enters from left, evidently playing a game, in the course of which he is running away. By his actions he shows that he is pursued. He intends to cross stage, but is stopped by sight of the men. Unobserved by them, he retraces his steps and crawls under the tea-table.)
Chalmers
Without doubt, Knox is in possession of the letters right now.
Starkweather
There is but one thing to do, and that is – get them back.
(He looks questioningly at the two men.)
(Margaret enters from left, in flushed and happy pursuit of Tommy – for it is a game she is playing with him. She startles at sight of the three men, whom she first sees as she gains the side of the tea-table, where she pauses abruptly, resting one hand on the table.)
Hubbard
I'll undertake it.
Starkweather
There is little time to waste. In twenty hours from now he will be on the floor making his speech. Try mild measures first. Offer him inducements – any inducement. I empower you to act for me. You will find he has a price.
Hubbard
And if not?
Starkweather
Then you must get them at any cost.
Hubbard
(Tentatively.) You mean – ?
Starkweather
I mean just that. But no matter what happens, I must never be brought in. Do you understand?
Hubbard
Thoroughly.
Margaret
(Acting her part, and speaking with assumed gayety.) What are you three conspiring about? (All three men are startled.)
Chalmers
We are arranging to boost prices a little higher.
Hubbard
And so be able to accumulate more motorcars.
Starkweather
(Taking no notice of Margaret and starting toward exit to rear.) I must be going. Hubbard, you have your work cut out for you. Tom, I want you to come with me.
Chalmers
(As the three men move toward exit.) Home?
Starkweather
Yes, we have much to do.
Chalmers
Then I'll dress first and follow you.
(Turning to Margaret.) Pick me up on the way to that dinner.
(Margaret nods. Starkweather makes exit without speaking. Hub-bard says good-bye to Margaret and makes exit, followed by Chalmers.)
(Margaret remains standing, one hand resting on table, the other hand to her breast. She is thinking, establishing in her mind the connection between Knox and what she has overheard, and in process of reaching the conclusion that Knox is in danger.)
(Tommy, having vainly waited to be discovered, crawls out dispiritedly, and takes Margaret by the hand. She scarcely notices him.)
Tommy
(Dolefully.) Don't you want to play any more? (Margaret does not reply). I was a good Indian.
Margaret
(Suddenly becoming aware of herself and breaking down. She stoops and clasps Tommy in her arms, crying out, in anxiety and fear, and from love of her boy.) Oh, Tommy! Tommy!
Curtain
ACT II
Scene. Sitting room of Howard Knox – dimly lighted. Time, eight o'clock in the evening.
Entrance from hallway at side to right. At right rear is locked door leading to a room which dees not belong to Knox's suite. At rear center is fireplace. At left rear door leading to Knox's bedroom. At left are windows facing on street. Near these windows is a large library table littered with books, magazines, government reports, etc. To the right of center, midway forward, is a Hat-top desk. On it is a desk telephone. Behind it, so that one sitting in it faces audience, is revolving desk-chair. Also, on desk, are letters in their envelopes, etc. Against clear wall-spaces are bookcases and filing cabinets. Of special note is bookcase, containing large books, and not more than five feet high, which is against wall between fireplace and door to bedroom.
Curtain discloses empty stage.
(After a slight interval, door at right rear is shaken and agitated. After slight further interval, door is opened inward upon stage. A Man's head appears, cautiously looking around).
(Man enters, turns up lights, is followed by second Man. Both are clad decently, in knock-about business suits and starched collars, cuffs, etc. They are trim, deft, determined men).
(Following upon them, enters Hubbard. He looks about room, crosses to desk, picks up a letter, and reads address).
Hubbard
This is Knox's room all right
First Man
Trust us for that.
Second Man
We were lucky the guy with the whiskers moved out of that other room only this afternoon.
First Man
His key hadn't come down yet when I engaged it.
Hubbard
Well, get to work. That must be his bedroom.
(He goes to door of bedroom, opens, and peers in, turns on electric lights of bedroom, turns them out, then turns back to men.) You know what it is – a bunch of documents and letters. If we find it there is a clean five hundred each for you, in addition to your regular pay.
(While the conversation goes on, all three engage in a careful search of desk, drawers, filing cabinets, bookcases, etc.)
Second Man
Old Starkweather must want them bad.
Hubbard
Sh-h. Don't even breathe his name.
Second Man
His nibs is damned exclusive, ain't he?
First Man
I've never got a direct instruction from him, and I've worked for him longer than you.
Second Man
Yes, and you worked for him for over two years before you knew who was hiring you.
Hubbard
(To First Man.) You'd better go out in the hall and keep a watch for Knox. He may come in any time.
(First Man produces skeleton keys and goes to door at right. The first key opens it. Leaving door slightly ajar, he makes exit.)
(Desk telephone rings and startles Hubbard.)
Second Man
(Grinning at Hubbard's alarm.)
It's only the phone.
Hubbard
(Proceeding with search.) I suppose you've done lots of work for Stark —
Second Man
(Mimicking him.) Sh-h. Don't breathe his name.
(Telephone rings again and again, insistently, urgently.)
Hubbard
(Disguising his voice.) Hello – Yes.
(Shows surprise, seems to recognize the voice, and smiles knowingly.)
No, this is not Knox. Some mistake. Wrong number —
(Hanging up receiver and speaking to Second Man in natural voice.) She did hang up quick.
Second Man
You seemed to recognize her.
Hubbard
No, I only thought I did.
(A pause, while they search.)
Second Man
I've never spoken a word to his nibs in my life. And I've drawn his pay for years too.
Hubbard
What of it?
Second Man
(Complainingly.) He don't know I exist.
Hubbard
(Pulling open a desk drawer and examining contents.)
The pay's all right, isn't it?
Second Man
It sure is, but I guess I earn every cent of it. (First Man enters through door at right He moves hurriedly but cautiously. Shuts door behind him, but neglects to re-lock it.)
First Man
Somebody just left the elevator and is coming down the hall.
(Hubbard, First Man, and Second Man, all start for door at right rear.)
(First Man pauses and looks around to see if room is in order. Sees desk-drawer which Hubbard has neglected to close, goes back and closes it.)
(Hubbard and Second Man make exit.)
(First Man turns lights low and makes exit.)
(Sound of locking door is heard.)
(A pause.)
(A knocking at door to right. A pause. Then door opens and Gilford enters. He turns up lights, strolls about room, looks at watch, and sits down in chair near right of fireplace.) (Sound of key in lock of door to right.) (Door opens, and Knox enters, key in hand. Sees Gifford.)
Knox
(Advancing to meet him at fireplace and shaking hands.) How did you get in?
Gifford
I let myself in. The door was unlocked.
Knox
I must have forgotten it.
Gifford
(Drawing bundle of documents from inside breast pocket and handing them to Knox.) Well, there they are.
Knox
(Fingering them curiously.) You are sure they are originals? (Gifford nods.)
I can't take any chances, you know. If Gherst changed his mind after I gave my speech and refused to show the originals – such things have happened.
Gifford
That's what I told him. He was firm on giving duplicates, and for awhile it looked as if my trip to New York was wasted. But I stuck to my guns. It was originals or nothing with you, I said, and he finally gave in.
Knox
(Holding up documents.) I can't tell you what they mean to me, nor how grateful —
Gifford
(Interrupting.) That's all right. Don't mention it. Gherst is wild for the chance. It will do organized labor a heap of good. And you are able to say your own say at the same time. How's that compensation act coming on?
Knox
(Wearily.) The same old story. It will never come before the House. It is dying in committee. What can you expect of the Committee of Judiciary? – composed as it is of ex-railroad judges and ex-railroad lawyers.
Gifford
The railroad brotherhoods are keen on getting that bill through.
Knox
Well, they won't, and they never will until they learn to vote right. When will your labor leaders quit the strike and boycott and lead your men to political action?
Gifford
(Holding out hand.) Well, so long. I've got to trot, and I haven't time to tell you why I think political action would destroy the trade union movement.
(Knox tosses documents on top of low bookcase between fireplace and bedroom door, and starts to shake hands.) You're damn careless with those papers. You wouldn't be if you knew how much Gherst paid for them.
Gifford
You don't appreciate that other crowd. It stops at nothing.
Knox
I won't take my eyes off of them. And I'll take them to bed with me to-night for safety. Besides, there is no danger. Nobody but you knows I have them.
Gifford
(Proceeding toward door to right.) I'd hate to be in Starkweather's office when he discovers what's happened. There'll be some bad half hours for somebody. (Pausing at door.) Give them hell to-morrow, good and plenty. I'm going to be in a gallery. So long. (Makes exit.)
(Knox crosses to windows, which he opens, returns to desk, seats himself in revolving chair, and begins opening his correspondence.) (A knock at door to right.)
Knox
Come in.
(Hubbard enters, advances to desk, but does not shake hands. They greet each other, and Hubbard sits down in chair to left of desk.) (Knox, still holding an open letter, re-volves chair so as to face his visitor. He waits for Hubbabd to speak.)
Hubbard
There is no use beating about the bush with a man like you. I know that. You are direct, and so am I. You know my position well enough to be assured that I am empowered to treat with you.
Knox
Oh, yes; I know.
Hubbard
What we want is to have you friendly.
Knox
That is easy enough. When the Interests become upright and honest —
Hubbard
Save that for your speech. We are talking privately. We can make it well worth your while —
Knox
(Angrily.) If you think you can bribe me —
Hubbard
(Suavely.) Not at all. Not the slightest suspicion of it. The point is this. You are a congressman. A congressman's career depends on his membership in good committees. At the present you are buried in the dead Committee on Coinage, Weights, and Measures. If you say the word you can be appointed to the livest committee —
Knox
(Interrupting.) You have these appointments to give?
Hubbard
Surely. Else why should I be here? It can be managed.
Knox
(Meditatively.) I thought our government was rotten enough, but I never dreamed that House appointments were hawked around by the Interests in this fashion.
Hubbard
You have not given your answer.
Knox
You should have known my answer in advance.
Hubbard
There is an alternative. You are interested in social problems. You are a student of sociology. Those whom I represent are genuinely interested in you. We are prepared, so that you may pursue your researches more deeply – we are prepared to send you to Europe. There, in that vast sociological laboratory, far from the jangling strife of politics, you will have every opportunity to study. We are prepared to send you for a period of ten years. You will receive ten thousand dollars a year, and, in addition, the day your steamer leaves New York, you will receive a lump sum of one hundred thousand dollars.
Knox
And this is the way men are bought
Hubbard
It is purely an educational matter.
Knox
Now it is you who are beating about the bush.
Hubbard
(Decisively.) Very well then. What price do you set on yourself?
Knox
You want me to quit – to leave politics, everything? You want to buy my soul?
Hubbard
More than that. We want to buy those documents and letters.
Knox
(Showing a slight start.) What documents and letters?
Hubbard
You are beating around the bush in turn. There is no need for an honest man to lie even —
Knox
(Interrupting.) To you.
Hubbard
(Smiling.) Even to me. I watched you closely when I mentioned the letters. You gave yourself away. You knew I meant the letters stolen by Gherst from Starkweather's private files – the letters you intended using to-morrow.
Knox
Intend using to-morrow.
Hubbard
Precisely. It is the same thing. What is the price? Set it.
Knox
I have nothing to sell. I am not on the market.
Hubbard
One moment. Don't make up your mind hastily. You don't know with whom you have to deal. Those letters will not appear in your speech to-morrow. Take that from me. It would be far wiser to sell for a fortune than to get nothing for them and at the same time not use them.
(A knock at door to right startles Hubbard.)
Knox
(Intending to say, "Come in") Come —
Hubbard
(Interrupting.) Hush. Don't. I cannot be seen here.
Knox
(Laughing.) You fear the contamination of my company. (The knock is repeated.)
Hubbard
(In alarm, rising, as Knox purses his lips to bid them enter.) Don't let anybody in. I don't want to be seen here – with you. Besides, my presence will not put you in a good light.
Knox
(Also rising, starting toward door.) What I do is always open to the world. I see no one whom I should not permit the world to know I saw.
(Knox starts toward door to open it.) (Hubbabd, looking about him in alarm, flees across stage and into bedroom, closing the door. During all the following scene, Hubbard, from time to time, opens door, and peers out at what is going on.)
Knox
(Opening door, and recoiling.) Margaret! Mrs. Chalmers!
(Margaret enters, followed by Tommy and Linda. Margaret is in evening dress covered by evening cloak.)
Margaret
(Shaking hands with Knox.) Forgive me, but I had to see you. I could not get you on the telephone. I called and called, and the best I could do was to get the wrong number.
Knox
(Recovering from his astonishment.) Yes. I am glad.
(Seeing Tommy.) Hello, Tommy.
(Knox holds out his hand, and Tommy shakes it gravely. Linda stays in back-ground. Her face is troubled.)
Tommy
How do you do?
Margaret
There was no other way, and it was so necessary for me to warn you. I brought Tommy and Linda along to chaperon me.
(She looks curiously around room, specially indicating filing cabinets and the stacks of government reports on table.) Your laboratory.
Knox
Ah, if I were only as great a sociological wizard as Edison is a wizard in physical sciences.
Margaret
But you are. You labor more mightily than you admit – or dare to think. Oh, I know you – better than you do yourself.
Tommy
Do you read all those books?
Knox
Yes, I am still going to school and studying hard. What are you going to study to be when you grow up?
(Tommy meditates but does not answer.)
President of these great United States?
Tommy
(Shaking his head.) Father says the President doesn't amount to much.
Knox
Not a Lincoln?
(Tommy is in doubt.)
Margaret
But don't you remember what a great good man Lincoln was? You remember I told you?
Tommy
(Shaking his head slowly.) But I don't want to be killed. – I'll tell you what!
Knox
What?
Tommy
I want to be a senator like father. He makes them dance.
(Margaret is shocked, and Knox's eyes twinkle.)
Knox
Makes whom dance?
Tommy
(Puzzled.) I don't know.
(With added confidence.) But he makes them dance just the same.
(Margaret makes a signal to Linda to take Tommy across the room.)
Linda
(Starting to cross stage to left.) Come, Tommy. Let us look out of the window.
Tommy
I'd rather talk with Mr. Knox.
Margaret
Please do, Tommy. Mamma wants to talk to Mr. Knox.
(Tommy yields, and crosses to right, where he joins Linda in looking out of the window.)
Margaret
You might ask me to take a seat
Knox
Oh! I beg pardon.
(He draws up a comfortable chair for her, and seats himself in desk-chair, facing her.)
Margaret
I have only a few minutes. Tom is at father's, and I am to pick him up there and go on to that dinner, after I've taken Tommy home.
Knox
But your maid?
Margaret
Linda? Wild horses could not drag from her anything that she thought would harm me. So intense is her fidelity that it almost shames me. I do not deserve it. But this is not what I came to you about.
(She speaks the following hurriedly.) After you left this afternoon, something happened. Father received a telegram. It seemed most important. His secretary followed upon the heels of the telegram. Father called Tom and Mr. Hubbard to him and they held a conference. I think they have discovered the loss of the documents, and that they believe you have them. I did not hear them mention your name, yet I am absolutely certain that they were talking about you. Also, I could tell from father's face that something was terribly wrong. Oh, be careful! Do be careful!
Knox
There is no danger, I assure you.
Margaret
But you do not know them. I tell you you do not know them. They will stop at nothing – at nothing. Father believes he is right in all that he does.
Knox
I know. That is what makes him so formidable. He has an ethical sanction.
Margaret
(Nodding.) It is his religion.
Knox
And, like any religion with a narrow-minded man, it runs to mania.
Margaret
He believes that civilization rests on him, and that it is his sacred duty to preserve civilization.
Knox
I know. I know.
Margaret
But you? But you? You are in danger.
Knox
No; I shall remain in to-night. To-morrow, in the broad light of midday, I shall proceed to the House and give my speech.
Margaret
(Wildly.) Oh, if anything should happen to you!
Knox
(Looking at her searchingly.) You do care?
(Margaret nods, with eyes suddenly downcast.) For Howard Knox, the reformer? Or for me, the man?
Margaret
(Impulsively.) Oh, why must a woman forever remain quiet? Why should I not tell you what you already know? – what you must already know? I do care for you – for man and reformer, both – for —
(She is aflame, but abruptly ceases and glances across at Tommy by the window, warned instinctively that she must not give way to love in her child's presence.)
Linda! Will you take Tommy down to the machine —
Knox
(Alarmed, interrupting, in low voice.) What are you doing?
Margaret
(Hushing Knox with a gesture.) I'll follow you right down.
(Linda and Tommy proceed across stage toward right exit.)
Tommy
(Pausing before Knox and gravely extending his hand.) Good evening, Mr. Knox.
Knox
(Awkwardly.) Good evening, Tommy. You take my word for it, and look up this Lincoln question.
Tommy
I shall. I'll ask father about it.
Margaret
(Significantly.) You attend to that, Linda. Nobody must know – this.
(Linda nods.)
(Linda and Tommy make exit to right.)
(Margaret, seated, slips back her cloak, revealing herself in evening gown, and looks at Knox sumptuously, lovingly, and willingly.)
Knox
(Inflamed by the sight of her.) Don't! Don't! I can't stand it. Such sight of you fills me with madness.
(Margaret laughs low and triumphantly.) I don't want to think of you as a woman. I must not. Allow me.
(He rises and attempts to draw cloak about her shoulders, but she resists him. Yet does he succeed in partly cloaking her.)
Margaret
I want you to see me as a woman. I want you to think of me as a woman. I want you mad for me.
(She holds out her arms, the cloak slipping from them.)
I want – don't you see what I want? —
(Knox sinks back in chair, attempting to shield his eyes with his hand.)
(Slipping cloak fully back from her again.)
Look at me.
Knox
(Looking, coming to his feet, and approaching her, with extended arms, murmuring softly.) Margaret. Margaret.
(Margaret rises to meet him, and they are clasped in each other's arms.)
(Hubbard, peering forth through door, looks at them with an expression of cynical amusement. His gaze wan-ders, and he sees the documents, within arm's reach, on top of bookcase. He picks up documents, holds them to the light of stage to glance at them, and, with triumphant expression on face, disappears and closes door.)
Knox
(Holding Margaret from him and looking at her.) I love you. I do love you. But I had resolved never to speak it, never to let you know.
Margaret
Silly man. I have known long that you loved me. You have told me so often and in so many ways. You could not look at me without telling me.
Knox
You saw?
Margaret
How could I help seeing? I was a woman. Only, with your voice you never spoke a word. Sit down, there, where I may look at you, and let me tell you. I shall do the speaking now.
(She urges him back into the desk-chair, and reseats herself.) (She makes as if to pull the cloak around 'her.) Shall I?
Knox
(Vehemently.) No, no! As you are. Let me feast my eyes upon you who are mine. I must be dreaming.
Margaret
(With a low, satisfied laugh of triumph.) Oh, you men! As of old, and as forever, you must be wooed through your senses. Did I display the wisdom of an Hypatia, the science of a Madam Curie, yet would you keep your iron control, throttling the voice of your heart with silence. But let me for a moment be Lilith, for a moment lay aside this garment constructed for the purpose of keeping out the chill of night, and on the instant you are fire and aflame, all voluble with love's desire.