Theft Part 39

(_Slowly._) Almost I do not know. Almost I do not know.

(_A knock is heard at left rear. Dobleman answers._)

{Dobleman}

(_Looking at card Maid has given him, to Starkweather._) Mr.

Rutland.

{Starkweather}

(_Making an impatient gesture, then abruptly changing his mind, speaking grimly._) Very well. Bring him in. I've paid a lot for the Church, now we'll see what the Church can do for me.

{Connie}

(_Impulsively crossing stage to Margaret, putting arms around her, and weeping._)

Please, please, Madge, give up the papers, and everything will be hushed up. You heard what father said. Think what it means to me if this scandal comes out. Father will hush it up. Not a soul will dare to breathe a word of it. Give him the papers.

{Margaret}

(_Kissing her, shaking head, and setting her aside._) No; I can't.

But Connie, dearest--

(_Connie pauses._) It is not true, Connie. He--he is not my lover.

Tell me that you believe me.

{Connie}

(_Caressing her._) I do believe you. But won't you return the papers--for my sake?

(_A knock at door._)

{Margaret}

I can't.

(_Enter Rutland._)

(_Connie returns to take care of Mrs. Starkweather._)

{Rutland}

(_Advances beamingly upon Starkweather._) My, what a family gathering. I hastened on at once, my dear Mr. Starkweather, to thank you in person, ere you fled away to New York, for your generously splendid--yes, generously splendid--contribution--

(_Here the strained situation dawns upon him, and he remains helplessly with mouth open, looking from one to another._)

{Starkweather}

A theft has been committed, Mr. Rutland. My daughter has stolen something very valuable from me--a package of private papers, so important--well, if she succeeds in making them public I shall be injured to such an extent financially that there won't be any more generously splendid donations for you or anybody else. I have done my best to persuade her to return what she has stolen.

Now you try. Bring her to a realization of the madness of what she is doing.

{Rutland}

(_Quite at sea, hemming and hawing._) As your spiritual adviser, Mrs. Chalmers--if this be true--I recommend--I suggest--I--ahem--I entreat--

{Margaret}

Please, Mr. Rutland, don't be ridiculous. Father is only making a stalking horse out of you. Whatever I may have done, or not done, I believe I am doing right. The whole thing is infamous. The people have been lied to and robbed, and you are merely lending yourself to the infamy of perpetuating the lying and the robbing.

If you persist in obeying my father's orders--yes, orders--you will lead me to believe that you are actuated by desire for more of those generously splendid donations. (_Starkweather sneers._)

{Rutland}

(_Embarra.s.sed, hopelessly at sea._) This is, I fear--ahem--too delicate a matter, Mr. Starkweather, for me to interfere. I would suggest that it be advisable for me to withdraw--ahem--

{Starkweather}

(_Musingly._) So the Church fails me, too.

(_To Rutland._) No, you shall stay right here.

{Margaret}

Father, Tommy is down in the machine alone. Won't you let me go?

{Starkweather}

Give me the papers.

(_Mrs. Starkweather rises and totters across to Margaret, moaning and whimpering._)

{Mrs. Starkweather}

Madge, Madge, it can't be true. I don't believe it. I know you have not done this awful thing. No daughter of mine could be guilty of such wickedness. I refuse to believe my ears--

(_Mrs. Starkweather sinks suddenly on her knees before Margaret, with clasped hands, weeping hysterically._)

{Starkweather}

(_Stepping to her side._) Get up.

(_Hesitates and thinks._) No; go on. She might listen to you.

{Margaret}

(_Attempting to raise her mother._) Don't, mother, don't. Please get up.

(_Mrs. Starkweather resists her hysterically._) You don't understand, mother. Please, please, get up.

{Mrs. Starkweather}