Theft Part 26

(_Bending her head forward on her hand and weeping._) I have been so lonely--and then you--you came, and the world grew bright and warm--a few short minutes ago you held me--in your arms--a few short minutes ago and it seemed my dream of happiness had come true--and now you dash it from me--

{Knox}

(_Struggling to control himself now that she is no longer looking at him._) No; I ask you to dash it from yourself. I am not too strong. You must help me. You must call your child to your aid in helping me. I could go mad for you now--

(_Rising impulsively and coming to her with arms outstretched to clasp her._) Right now--

{Margaret}

(_Abruptly raising her head, and with one outstretched arm preventing the embrace._) Wait.

(_She bows her head on her hand for a moment, to think and to win control of herself._)

(_Lifting her head and looking at him._) Sit down--please.

(_Knox reseats himself._)

(_A pause, during which she looks at him and loves him._) Dear, I do so love you--

(_Knox loses control and starts to rise._) No! Sit there. I was weak. Yet I am not sorry. You are right. We must forego each other. We cannot be thieves, even for love's sake. Yet I am glad that this has happened--that I have lain in your arms and had your lips on mine. The memory of it will be sweet always.

(_She draws her cloak around her, and rises._)

(_Knox rises._) You are right. The future belongs to the children.

There lies duty--yours, and mine in my small way. I am going now.

We must not see each other ever again. We must work--and forget.

But remember, my heart goes with you into the fight. My prayers will accompany every stroke.

(_She hesitates, pauses, draws her cloak thoroughly around her in evidence of departure._) Dear--will you kiss me--once--one last time? (_There is no pa.s.sion in this kiss, which is the kiss of renunciation. Margaret herself terminates the embrace._)

(_Knox accompanies her silently to the door and places hand on k.n.o.b._) I wish I had something of you to have with me always--a photograph, that little one, you remember, which I liked so. (_She nods._) Don't run the risk of sending it by messenger. Just mail it ordinarily.

{Margaret}

I shall mail it to-morrow. I'll drop it in the box myself.

{Knox}

(_Kissing her hand._) Good-bye.

{Margaret}

(_lingeringly._) But oh, my dear, I am glad and proud for what has happened. I would not erase a single line of it.

(_She indicates for Knox to open door, which he does, but which he immediately closes as she continues speaking._) There must be immortality. There must be a future life where you and I shall meet again. Good-bye.

(_They press each other's hands._)

(_Exit Margaret._)

(_Knox stands a moment, staring at closed door, turns and looks about him indecisively, sees chair in which Margaret sat, goes over to it, kneels down, and buries his face._)

(_Door to bedroom opens slowly and Hubbard peers out cautiously.

He cannot see Knox._)

{Hubbard}

(_Advancing, surprised._) What the deuce? Everybody gone?

{Knox}

(_Startled to his feet._) Where the devil did you come from?

{Hubbard}

(_Indicating bedroom._) In there. I was in there all the time.

{Knox}

(_Endeavoring to pa.s.s it off._) Oh, I had forgotten about you.

Well, my callers are gone.

{Hubbard}

(_Walking over close to him and laughing at him with affected amus.e.m.e.nt._) Honest men are such dubs when they do go wrong.

{Knox}

The door was closed all the time. You would not have dared to spy upon me.

{Hubbard}

There was something familiar about the lady's voice.

{Knox}

You heard!--what did you hear?

{Hubbard}

Oh, nothing, nothing--a murmur of voices--and the woman's--I could swear I have heard her voice before.

(_Knox shows his relief._) Well, so long.

(_Starts to move toward exit to right._) You won't reconsider your decision?

{Knox}