Theft Part 40

Madge, I, your mother, implore you, on my bended knees. Give up the papers to your father, and I shall forget all I have heard.

Think of the family name. I don't believe it, not a word of it; but think of the shame and disgrace. Think of me. Think of Connie, your sister. Think of Tommy. You'll have your father in a terrible state. And you'll kill me. (_Moaning and rolling her head._)

I'm going to be sick. I know I am going to be sick.

{Margaret}

(_Bending over mother and raising her, while Connie comes across stage to help support mother._) Mother, you do not understand.

More is at stake than the good name of the family or--(_Looking at Rutland._)--G.o.d. You speak of Connie and Tommy. There are two millions of Connies and Tommys working as child laborers in the United States to-day. Think of them. And besides, mother, these are all lies you have heard. There is nothing between Mr.

Knox and me. He is not my lover. I am not the--the shameful thing--these men have said I am.

{Connie}

(_Appealingly._) Madge.

{Margaret}

(_Appealingly._) Connie. Trust me. I am right. I know I am right.

(_Mrs. Starkweather, supported by Connie, moaning incoherently, is led back across stage to chair._)

{Starkweather}

{Margaret}, a few minutes ago, when you told me there was nothing between you and this man, you lied to me--lied to me as only a wicked woman can lie.

{Margaret}

It is clear that you believe the worst.

{Starkweather}

There is nothing less than the worst to be believed. Besides, more heinous than your relations with this man is what you have done here in this room, stolen from me, and practically before my very eyes. Well, you have crossed your will with mine, and in affairs beyond your province. This is a man's game in which you are attempting to play, and you shall take the consequences. Tom will apply for a divorce.

{Margaret}

That threat, at least, is without power.

{Starkweather}

And by that means we can break Knox as effectually as by any other. That is one thing the good stupid people will not tolerate in a chosen representative. We will make such a scandal of it--

{Mrs. Starkweather}

(_Shocked._) Anthony!

{Starkweather}

(_Glancing irritably at his wife and continuing._) Another thing.

Being proven an adulterous woman, morally unfit for companionship with your child, your child will be taken away from you.

{Margaret}

No, no. That cannot be. I have done nothing wrong. No court, no fair-minded judge, would so decree on the evidence of a creature like that.

(_Indicating Hubbard._)

{Hubbard}

My evidence is supported. In an adjoining room were two men.

I happen to know, because I placed them there. They were your father's men at that. There is such a thing as seeing through a locked door. They saw.

{Margaret}

And they would swear to--to anything.

{Hubbard}

I doubt not they will know to what to swear.

{Starkweather}

Margaret, I have told you some, merely some, of the things I shall do. It is not too late. Return the papers, and everything will be forgotten.

{Margaret}

You would condone this--this adultery. You, who have just said that I was morally unfit to have my own boy, will permit me to retain him. I had never dreamed, father, that your own immorality would descend to such vile depths. Believing this shameful thing of me, you will forgive and forget it all for the sake of a few sc.r.a.ps of paper that stand for money, that stand for a license to rob and steal from the people. Is this your morality--money?

{Starkweather}

I have my morality. It is not money. I am only a steward; but so highly do I conceive the duties of my stewardship--

{Margaret}

(_Interrupting, bitterly._) The thefts and lies and all common little sins like adulteries are not to stand in the way of your high duties--that the end hallows the means.

{Starkweather}

(_Shortly._) Precisely.

{Margaret}

(_To Rutland._) There is Jesuitism, Mr. Rutland. I would suggest that you, as my father's spiritual adviser--

{Starkweather}

Enough of this foolery. Give me the papers.

{Margaret}