Theft Part 54

{Margaret}

And all the forces making for the good time coming will be quickened by your words. Let the voices of the millions be in it.

(_Chalmers, legs still stretched out, laughs cynically._)

You know where my heart lies. Some day, in all pride and honor, stealing from no one, hurting no one, we shall come together--to be together always.

{Knox}

(_Drearily._) And in the meantime?

{Margaret}

We must wait

{Knox}

(_Decidedly._) We will wait.

{Chalmers}

(_Straightening up._) For me to die? eh?

(_During the following speech Linda enters from right with whiskey and soda and gives it to Chalmers, who thirstily drinks half of it. Margaret dismisses Linda with her eyes, and Linda makes exit to right rear._)

{Knox}

I hadn't that in mind, but now that you mention it, it seems to the point. That heart of yours isn't going to carry you much farther. You have played fast and loose with it as with everything else. You are like the carter who steals hay from his horse that he may gamble. You have stolen from your heart. Some day, soon, like the horse, it will quit We can afford to wait. It won't be long.

{Chalmers}

(_After laughing incredulously and sipping his whiskey._) Well, Knox, neither of us wins. You don't get the woman. Neither do I.

She remains under my roof, and I fancy that is about all. I won't divorce her. What's the good? But I've got her tied hard and fast by Tommy. You won't get her.

(_Knox, ignoring hint, goes to right rear and pauses in doorway._)

{Margaret}

Work. Bravely work. You are my knight. Go.

(_Knox makes exit._)

(_Margaret stands quietly, face averted from audience and turned toward where Knox was last to be seen._)

{Chalmers}

Madge.

(_Margaret neither moves nor answers._) I say, Madge.

(_He stands up and moves toward her, holding whiskey gla.s.s in one hand._) That speech is going to make a devil of a row. But I don't think it will be so bad as your father says. It looks pretty dark, but such things blow over. They always do blow over. And so with you and me. Maybe we can manage to forget all this and patch it up somehow.

(_She gives no sign that she is aware of his existence._) Why don't you speak? (_Pause._)

(_He touches her arm._) Madge.

{Margaret}

(_Turning upon him in a blase of wrath and with unutterable loathing._)

Don't touch me!

(_Chalmers recoils._)

Curtain