Theft Part 11

Believe me, we are not so black as we're painted. There are two sides to this question. Like you, we do our best to do what is right. And we hope, we still hope, to win you over to our side.

(_Knox shakes his head with a quiet smile._)

{Margaret}

Oh, Tom, be truthful. You don't hope anything of the sort. You know you are hoping to destroy him.

{Chalmers}

(_Smiling grimly._) That is what usually happens to those who are not won over.

(_Preparing to depart with cup of tea; speaking to Knox._) You might accomplish much good, were you with us. Against us you accomplish nothing, absolutely nothing.

(_Returns to Dolores Ortega._)

{Margaret}

(_Hurriedly._) You see. That is why I was anxious--why I sent for you. Even Tom admits that they who are not won over are destroyed. This speech is a crucial event. You know how rigidly they rule the House and gag men like you. It is they, and they alone, who have given you opportunity for this speech? Why?--Why?

{Knox}

(_Smiling confidently._) I know their little scheme. They have heard my charges. They think I am going to make a firebrand speech, and they are ready to catch me without the proofs. They are ready in every way for me. They are going to laugh me down.

The a.s.sociated Press, the Washington correspondents--all are ready to manufacture, in every newspaper in the land, the great laugh that will destroy me. But I am fully prepared, I have--

{Margaret}

The proofs?

{Knox}

Yes.

{Margaret}

Now?

{Knox}

They will be delivered to me to-night--original doc.u.ments, photographs of doc.u.ments, affidavits--

{Margaret}

Tell me nothing. But oh, do be careful! Be careful!

{Mrs. Dowsett}

(_Appealing to Margaret._) Do give me some a.s.sistance, Mrs.

Chalmers.

(_Indicating Sakari._) Mr. Sakari is trying to make me ridiculous.

{Margaret}

Impossible.

{Mrs. Dowsett}

But he is. He has had the effrontery--

{Chalmers}

(_Mimicking Mrs. Dowsett._) Effrontery!--O, Sakari!

{Sakari}

The dear lady is pleased to be facetious.

{Mrs. Dowsett}

He has had the effrontery to ask me to explain the cause of high prices. Mr. Dowsett says the reason is that the people are living so high.

{Sakari}

Such a marvelous country. They are poor because they have so much to spend.

{Chalmers}

Are not high prices due to the increased output of gold?

{Mrs. Dowsett}

Mr. Sakari suggested that himself, and when I agreed with him he proceeded to demolish it. He has treated me dreadfully.

{Rutland}

(_Clearing his throat and expressing himself with ponderous unction._) You will find the solution in the drink traffic. It is liquor, alcohol, that is undermining our industry, our inst.i.tutions, our faith in G.o.d--everything. Yearly the working people drink greater quant.i.ties of alcohol. Naturally, through resulting inefficiency, the cost of production is higher, and therefore prices are higher.

{Dowsett}

Partly so, partly so. And in line with it, and in addition to it, prices are high because the working cla.s.s is no longer thrifty.

If our working cla.s.s saved as the French peasant does, we would sell more in the world market and have better times.

{Sakari} (_Bowing._) As I understand it then, the more thrifty you are the more you save, and the more you save the more you have to sell, the more you sell, the better the times?

{Dowsett}

Exactly so. Exactly.