ACT II Rooms of Howard Knox at Hotel Waltham
ACT III A Room in the Washington House of Anthony Starkweather
ACT IV Same as Act I
Time of Play, To-Day, in Washington, D. C. It Occurs in Twenty
Hours
CHARACTERS
Margaret Chalmers
Howard Knox
Thomas Chalmers
Master Thomas Chalmers
Ellery Jackson Hubbard
Anthony Starkweather
Mrs Starkweather
Connie Starkweather
Felix Dobleman
Linda Davis
Julius Rutland
John Gieford
Matsu Sakari
Dolores Ortega
Senator Dowsett Mrs Dowsett
Housekeeper, Servs
Wife of Senator Chalmers
A Congressman from Oregon
A United States Senator and several times millionaire
Son of Margaret and Senator Chalmers
A Journalist
A great magnate, and father of Margaret Chalmers
His wife
Their younger daughter
Secretary to Anthony Starkweather
Maid to Margaret Chalmers
Episcopalian Minister
Labor Agitator
Secretary of Japanese Embassy
Wife of Peruvian Minister
Agents, etc
ACTORS' DESCRIPTION OF CHARACTERS
Margaret Chalmers. Twenty-seven years of age; a strong, mature
woman, but quite feminine where her heart or sense of beauty are
concerned. Her eyes are wide apart. Has a dazzling smile, which
she knows how to use on occasion. Also, on occasion, she can be
firm and hard, even cynical An intellectual woman, and at the
same time a very womanly woman, capable of sudden tendernesses,
flashes of emotion, and abrupt actions. She is a finished product
of high culture and refinement, and at the same time possesses
robust vitality and instinctive right-promptings that augur well
for the future of the race.
Howard Knox. He might have been a poet, but was turned
politician. Inflamed with love for humanity. Thirty-five years
of age. He has his vision, and must follow it. He has suffered
ostracism because of it, and has followed his vision in spite
of abuse and ridicule. Physically, a well-built, powerful man.
Strong-featured rather than handsome. Very much in earnest, and,
despite his university training, a trifle awkward in carriage and
demeanor, lacking in social ease. He has been elected to Congress
on a reform ticket, and is almost alone in fight he is making.
He has no party to back him, though he has a following of a few
independents and insurgents.
Thomas Chalmers. Forty-five to fifty years of age. Iron-gray
mustache. Slightly stout. A good liver, much given to Scotch
and soda, with a weak heart. Is liable to collapse any time. If
anything, slightly lazy or lethargic in his emotional life.
One of the "owned" senators representing a decadent New England
state, himself master of the state political machine. Also, he is
nobody's fool. He possesses the brain and strength of
character to play his part. His most distinctive feature is his
temperamental opportunism.
Master Thomas Chalmers. Six years of age. Sturdy and healthy
despite his grandmother's belief to the contrary.
Ellery Jackson Hubbard. Thirty-eight to forty years of age.
Smooth-shaven. A star journalist with a national reputation; a
large, heavy-set man, with large head, large hands--everything
about him is large. A man radiating prosperity, optimism
and selfishness. Has no morality whatever. Is a conscious
individualist, cold-blooded, pitiless, working only for himself,
and believing in nothing but himself.
Anthony Starkweather. An elderly, well preserved gentleman,
slenderly built, showing all the signs of a man who has lived
clean and has been almost an ascetic. One to whom the joys of the
flesh have had little meaning. A cold, controlled man whose one
passion is for power. Distinctively a man of power. An eagle-like
man, who, by keenness of brain and force of character, has carved
out a fortune of hundreds of millions. In short, an industrial
and financial magnate of the first water and of the finest type
to be found in the United States. Essentially a moral man,
his rigid New England morality has suffered a sea change and
developed into the morality of the master-man of affairs, equally
rigid, equally uncompromising, but essentially Jesuitical in
that he believes in doing wrong that right may come of it. He
is absolutely certain that civilization and progress rest on his
shoulders and upon the shoulders of the small group of men like
him.
Mrs. Starkweather. Of the helpless, comfortably stout, elderly
type. She has not followed her husband in his moral evolution.
She is the creature of old customs, old prejudices, old New
England ethics. She is rather confused by the modern rush of
life.
Connie Starkweather. Margaret's younger sister, twenty years old.
She is nothing that Margaret is, and everything that Margaret
is not. No essential evil in her, but has no mind of her
own--hopelessly a creature of convention. Gay, laughing, healthy,
buxom--a natural product of her care-free environment.
Feux Dobleman. Private secretary to Anthony Starkweather. A young
man of correct social deportment, thoroughly and in all
things just the sort of private secretary a man like Anthony
Starkweather would have. He is a weak-souled creature, timorous,
almost effeminate.
Linda Davis. Maid to Margaret. A young woman of twenty-five or
so, blond, Scandinavian, though American-born. A cold woman,
almost featureless because of her long years of training, but
with a hot heart deep down, and characterized by an intense
devotion to her mistress. Wild horses could drag nothing from her
where her mistress is concerned.
Junus Rutland. Having no strong features about him, the type
realizes itself.
John Gifford. A labor agitator. A man of the people, rough-hewn,
narrow as a labor-leader may well be, earnest and sincere. He is
a proper, better type of labor-leader.
Matsu Sakari. Secretary of Japanese Embassy. He is the perfection
of politeness and talks classical book-English. He bows a great
deal.
Dolores Ortega. Wife of Peruvian Minister; bright and
vivacious, and uses her hands a great deal as she talks, in the
Latin-American fashion.
Senator Dowsett. Fifty years of age; well preserved.
Mrs. Dowsett. Stout and middle-aged.
ACT I
A ROOM IN THE HOUSE OF SENATOR CHALMERS
Scene. _In Senator Chalmers' home. It is four o'clock in the
afternoon, in a modern living room with appropriate furnishings.
In particular, in front, on left, a table prepared for the
serving of tea, all excepting the tea urn itself. At rear, right
of center, is main entrance to the room. Also, doorways at sides,
on left and right. Curtain discloses Chalmers and Hubbard seated
loungingly at the right front._
{Hubbard}
(_After an apparent pause for cogitation._) I can't understand why
an old wheel-horse like Elsworth should kick over the traces that
way.
{Chalmers}
Disgruntled. Thinks he didn't get his fair share of plums out of
the Tariff Committee. Besides, it's his last term. He's announced
that he's going to retire.
{Hubbard}
(_Snorting contemptuously, mimicking an old man's pompous
enunciation._) "A Resolution to Investigate the High Cost of
Living!"--old Senator Elsworth introducing a measure like that!
The old buck!---- How are you going to handle it?
{Chalmers}
It's already handled.
{Hubbard}
Yes?
{Chalmers}
(_Pulling his mustache._) Turned it over to the Committee to Audit
and Control the Contingent Expenses of the Senate.
{Hubbard}
(_Grinning his appreciation._) And you're chairman. Poor old
Elsworth. This way to the lethal chamber, and the bill's on its
way.
{Chalmers}
Elsworth will be retired before it's ever reported. In the
meantime, say after a decent interval, Senator Hodge will
introduce another resolution to investigate the high cost of
living. It will be like Elsworth's, only it won't.
{Hubbard}
(_Nodding his head and anticipating._) And it will go to the
Committee on Finance and come back for action inside of
twenty-four hours.
{Chalmers}
By the way, I see _Cartwright's Magazine_ has ceased muck-raking.
{Hubbard}
_Cartwrights_ never did muck-rake--that is, not the big
Interests--only the small independent businesses that didn't
advertise.
{Chalmers}
Yes, it deftly concealed its reactionary tendencies.
{Hubbard}
And from now on the concealment will be still more deft. I've
gone into it myself. I have a majority of the stock right now.
{Chalmers}
I thought I had noticed a subtle change in the last two numbers.
{Hubbard}
(_Nodding._) We're still going on muck-raking. We have a splendid
series on Aged Paupers, demanding better treatment and more
sanitary conditions. Also we are going to run "Barbarous
Venezuela" and show up thoroughly the rotten political management
of that benighted country.
{Chalmers}
(_Nods approvingly, and, after a pause._) And now concerning Knox.
That's what I sent for you about. His speech comes off tomorrow
per schedule. At last we've got him where we want him.
{Hubbard}
I have the ins and outs of it pretty well. Everything's arranged.
The boys have their cue, though they don't know just what's
going to be pulled off; and this time to-morrow afternoon their
dispatches will be singing along the wires.
{Chalmers}
(_Firmly and harshly._) This man Knox must be covered with
ridicule, swamped with ridicule, annihilated with ridicule.
{Hubbard}
It is to laugh. Trust the great American people for that. We'll
make those little Western editors sit up. They've been swearing
by Knox, like a little tin god. Roars of laughter for them.
{Chalmers}
Do you do anything yourself?
{Hubbard}
Trust me. I have my own article for Cartwright's blocked out.
They're holding the presses for it. I shall wire it along
hot-footed to-morrow evening. Say----?
{Chalmers}
(_After a pause._) Well?
{Hubbard}
Wasn't it a risky thing to give him his chance with that speech?
{Chalmers}
It was the only feasible thing. He never has given us an opening.
Our service men have camped on his trail night and day. Private
life as unimpeachable as his public life. But now is our chance.
The gods have given him into our hands. That speech will do more
to break his influence--
{Hubbard}
(_Interrupting._) Than a Fairbanks cocktail.
(_Both laugh._) But don't forget that this Knox is a live wire.
Somebody might get stung. Are you sure, when he gets up to make
that speech, that he won't be able to back it up?
{Chalmers}
No danger at all.
{Hubbard}
But there are hooks and crooks by which facts are sometimes
obtained.
{Chalmers}
(_Positively._) Knox has nothing to go on but suspicions and hints,
and unfounded assertions from the yellow press.
(_Man-servant enters, goes to tea-table, looks it over, and makes
slight rearrangements._) (_Lowering his voice._) He will make
himself a laughing stock. His charges will turn into boomerangs.
His speech will be like a sheet from a Sunday supplement, with
not a fact to back it up. (_Glances at Servant._) We'd better be
getting out of here. They're going to have tea.
(_The Servant, however, makes exit._) Come to the library and have
a high-ball. (_They pause as Hubbard speaks._)
{Hubbard}
(_With quiet glee._) And to-morrow Ali Baba gets his.
{Chalmers}
Ali Baba?
{Hubbard}
That's what your wife calls him--Knox.
{Chalmers}
Oh, yes, I believe I've heard it before. It's about time he
hanged himself, and now we've given him the rope.
{Hubbard}
(_Sinking voice and becoming deprecatingly confidential. _)
Oh, by the way, just a little friendly warning, Senator Chalmers.
Not so fast and loose up New York way. That certain lady, not to
be mentioned--there's gossip about it in the New York newspaper
offices. Of course, all such stories are killed. But be discreet,
be discreet If Gherst gets hold of it, he'll play it up against
the Administration in all his papers.
(_Chalmers, who throughout this speech is showing a growing
resentment, is about to speak, when voices are heard without and
he checks himself._)
(_Enter. Mrs. Starkweather, rather flustered and imminently in
danger of a collapse, followed by Connie Starkweather, fresh,
radiant, and joyous._)
{Mrs. Starkweather}
(_With appeal and relief._)
Oh----Tom!
(_Chalmers takes her hand sympathetically and protectingly._)
{Connie}
(_Who is an exuberant young woman, bursts forth._) Oh,
brother-in-law! Such excitement! That's what's the matter with
mother. We ran into a go-cart. Our chauffeur was not to blame. It
was the woman's fault. She tried to cross just as we were turning
the corner. But we hardly grazed it. Fortunately the baby was
not hurt--only spilled. It was ridiculous. (_Catching sight of
Hubbard._) Oh, there you are, Mr. Hubbard. How de do.
(_Steps half way to meet him and shakes hands with him._) (_Mrs.
Starkweather looks around helplessly for a chair, and Chalmers
conducts her to one soothingly._)
{Mrs. Starkweather}
Oh, it was terrible! The little child might have been killed. And
such persons love their babies, I know.
{Connie}
(_To Chalmers._) Has father come? We were to pick him up here.
Where's Madge?
{Mrs. Starkweather}
(_Espying Hubbard, faintly._) Oh, there is Mr. Hubbard.
(_Hubbard comes to her and shakes hands._) I simply can't get
used to these rapid ways of modern life. The motor-car is the
invention of the devil. Everything is _too_ quick. When I was
a girl, we lived sedately, decorously. There was time for
meditation and repose. But in this age there is time for nothing.
How Anthony keeps his head is more than I can understand. But,
then, Anthony is a wonderful man.
{Hubbard}
I am sure Mr. Starkweather never lost his head in his life.
{Chalmers}
Unless when he was courting you, mother.
{Mrs. Starkweather}
(_A trifle grimly._) I'm not so sure about that.
{Connie}
(_Imitating a grave, business-like enunciation._) Father probably
conferred first with his associates, then turned the affair over
for consideration by his corporation lawyers, and, when they
reported no flaws, checked the first spare half hour in his
notebook to ask mother if she would have him.
(_They laugh._) And looked at his watch at least twice while he was
proposing.
{Mrs. Starkweather}
Anthony was not so busy then as all that.
{Hubbard}
He hadn't yet taken up the job of running the United States.
{Mrs. Starkweather}
I'm sure I don't know what he is running, but he is a very busy
man--business, politics, and madness; madness, politics, and
business.
(_She stops breathlessly and glances at tea-table._) Tea. I should
like a cup of tea. Connie, I shall stay for a cup of tea, and
then, if your father hasn't come, we'll go home. (_To Chalmers._)
Where is Tommy?
{Chalmers}
Out in the car with Madge.
(_Glances at tea-table and consults watch._) She should be back
now.
{Connie}
Mother, you mustn't stay long. I have to dress.
{Chalmers}
Oh, yes, that dinner.
(_Yawns._) I wish I could loaf to-night.
{Connie}
(_Explaining to Hubbard._) The Turkish Charge d'Affaires--I never
can remember his name. But he's great fun--a positive joy. He's
giving the dinner to the British Ambassador.
{Mrs. Starkweather}
(_Starting forward in her chair and listening intently._) There's
Tommy, now.
(_Voices of Margaret Chalmers and of Tommy heard from without.
Hers is laughingly protesting, while Tommy's is gleefully
insistent._) (_Margaret and Tommy appear and pause just outside
door, holding each other's hands, facing each other, too immersed
in each other to be aware of the presence of those inside the
room. Margaret and Tommy are in street costume._)
{Tommy} (_Laughing._)
But mama.
{Margaret}
(_Herself laughing, but shaking her head._) No. Tommy First--
{Margaret}
No; you must run along to Linda, now, mother's boy. And we'll
talk about that some other time.
(_Tommy notices for the first time that there are persons in the
room. He peeps in around the door and espies Mrs. Starkweather.
At the same moment, impulsively, he withdraws his hands and runs
in to Mrs. Starkweather._)
{Tommy}
(_Who is evidently fond of his grandmother._) Grandma!
(_They embrace and make much of each other._)
(_Margaret enters, appropriately greeting the others--a kiss
(_maybe_) to Connie, and a slightly cold handshake to Hubbard._)
{Margaret}
(_To Chalmers._) Now that you're here, Tom, you mustn't run away.
(_Greets Mrs. Starkweather._)
{Mrs. Starkweather}
(_Turning Tommy's face to the light and looking at it anxiously._)
A trifle thin, Margaret.
{Margaret}
On the contrary, mother----
{Mrs. Starkweather}
(_To Chalmers._) Don't you think so, Tom?
{Connie}
(_Aside to Hubbard._) Mother continually worries about his health.
{Hubbard}
A sturdy youngster, I should say.
{Tommy}
(_To Chalmers._) I'm an Indian, aren't I, daddy?
{Chalmers}
(_Nodding his head emphatically._) And the stoutest-hearted in the
tribe.
(_Linda appears in doorway, evidently looking for Tommy, and
Chalmers notices her._) There's Linda looking for you, young stout
heart.
{Margaret}
Take Tommy, Linda. Run along, mother's boy.
{Tommy}
Come along, grandma. I want to show you something.
(_He catches Mrs. Starkweather by the hand. Protesting, but highly
pleased, she allows him to lead her to the door, where he extends
his other hand to Linda. Thus, pausing in doorway, leading a
woman by either hand, he looks back at Margaret._) (_Roguishly._)
Remember, mama, we're going to scout in a little while.
{Margaret}
(_Going to Tommy, and bending down with her arms around him._)
No, Tommy. Mama has to go to that horrid dinner to-night. But
to-morrow we'll play.
(_Tommy is cast down and looks as if he might pout._) Where is my
little Indian now?
{Hubbard}
Be an Indian, Tommy.
{Tommy}
(_Brightening up._)
All right, mama. To-morrow.----if you can't find time to-day.
(_Margaret kisses him._) (_Exit Tommy, Mrs. Starkweather, and Linda,
Tommy leading them by a hand in each of theirs._)
{Chalmers}
(_Nodding to Hubbard, in low voice to Hubbard and starting to make
exit to right._) That high-ball.
(_Hubbard disengages himself from proximity of Connie, and starts
to follow._)
{Connie}
(_Reproachfully._) If you run away, I won't stop for tea.
{Margaret}
Do stop, Tom. Father will be here in a few minutes.
{Connie}
A regular family party.
{Chalmers}
All right. We'll be back. We're just going to have a little talk.
(_Chalmers and Hubbard make exit to right._) (_Margaret puts her
arm impulsively around Connie--a sheerly spontaneous act of
affection--kisses her, and at same time evinces preparation to
leave._)
{Margaret}
I've got to get my things off. Won't you wait here, dear, in case
anybody comes? It's nearly time.
(_Starts toward exit to rear, but is stopped by Connie._) Madge.
(_Margaret immediately pauses and waits expectantly, smiling,
while Connie is hesitant._)
I want to speak to you about something, Madge. You don't mind?
(_Margaret, still smiling, shakes her head._) Just a warning. Not
that anybody could believe for a moment, there is anything wrong,
but----
{Margaret}
(_Dispelling a shadow of irritation that has crossed her face._)
If it concerns Tom, don't tell me, please. You know he does do
ridiculous things at times. But I don't let him worry me any
more; so don't worry me about him.
(_Connie remains silent, and Margaret grows curious._) Well?
{Connie}
It's not about Tom--
(_Pauses._) It's about you.
{Margaret}
Oh.
{Connie}
I don't know how to begin.
{Margaret}
By coming right out with it, the worst of it, all at once, first.
{Connie}
It isn't serious at all, but--well, mother is worrying about
it. You know how old-fashioned she is. And when you consider our
position--father's and Tom's, I mean--it doesn't seem just right
for you to be seeing so much of such an enemy of theirs. He
has abused them dreadfully, you know. And there's that dreadful
speech he is going to give to-morrow. You haven't seen the
afternoon papers. He has made the most terrible charges against
everybody--all of us, our friends, everybody.
{Margaret}
You mean Mr. Knox, of course. But he wouldn't harm anybody,
Connie, dear.
{Connie}
(_Bridling,_) Oh, he wouldn't? He as good as publicly called father
a thief.
{Margaret}
When did that happen? I never heard of it.
{Connie}
Well, he said that the money magnates had grown so unprincipled,
sunk so low, that they would steal a mouse from a blind kitten.
{Margaret}
I don't see what father has to do with that.
{Connie}
He meant him just the same.
{Margaret}
You silly goose. He couldn't have meant father. Father? Why,
father wouldn't look at anything less than fifty or a hundred
millions.
{Connie}
And you speak to him and make much of him when you meet him
places. You talked with him for half an hour at that Dugdale
reception. You have him here in your own house--Tom's house--when
he's such a bitter enemy of Tom's. (_During the foregoing speech,
Anthony Starkweather makes entrance from rear. His face is grave,
and he is in a brown study, as if pondering weighty problems.
At sight of the two women he pauses and surveys them. They are
unaware of his presence._)
{Margaret}
You are wrong, Connie. He is nobody's enemy. He is the truest,
cleanest, most right-seeking man I have ever seen.
{Connie}
(_Interrupting._) He is a trouble-maker, a disturber of the public
peace, a shallow-pated demagogue--
{Margaret}
(_Reprovingly._)
Now you're quoting somebody---- father, I suppose. To think of
him being so abused--poor, dear Ali Baba--
{Starkweather}
(_Clearing his throat in advertisement of his presence._) A-hem.
(_Margaret and Connie turn around abruptly and discover him._)
{Margaret}
And Connie Father!
(_Both come forward to greet him, Margaret leading._)
{Starkweather}
(_Anticipating, showing the deliberate method of the busy man
saving time by eliminating the superfluous._) Fine, thank you.
Quite well in every particular. This Ali Baba? Who is Ali Baba?
(_Margaret looks amused reproach at Connie._)
{Connie}
Mr. Howard Knox.
{Starkweather}
And why is he called Ali Baba?
{Margaret}
That is my nickname for him. In the den of thieves, you know. You
remember your Arabian Nights.
{Starkweather}
(_Severely._) I have been wanting to speak to you for some time,
Margaret, about that man. You know that I have never interfered
with your way of life since your marriage, nor with your and
Tom's housekeeping arrangements. But this man Knox. I understand
that you have even had him here in your house--
{Margaret}
(_Interrupting._) He is very liable to be here this afternoon, any
time, now.
(_Connie displays irritation at Margaret._)
{Starkweather}
(_Continuing imperturbably._) _Your_ house--_you_, my daughter, and
the wife of Senator Chalmers. As I said, I have not interfered
with you since your marriage. But this Knox affair transcends
household arrangements. It is of political importance. The man is
an enemy to our class, a firebrand. Why do you have him here?
{Margaret}
Because I like him. Because he is a man I am proud to call
"friend." Because I wish there were more men like him, many
more men like him, in the world. Because I have ever seen in him
nothing but the best and highest. And, besides, it's such good
fun to see how one virtuous man can so disconcert you captains of
industry and arbiters of destiny. Confess that you are very
much disconcerted, father, right now. He will be here in a few
minutes, and you will be more disconcerted. Why? Because it is
an affair that transcends family arrangements. And it is your
affair, not mine.
{Starkweather}
This man Knox is a dangerous character--one that I am not pleased
to see any of my family take up with. He is not a gentleman.
{Margaret}
He is a self-made man, if that is what you mean, and he certainly
hasn't any money.
{Connie}
(_Interrupting._) He says that money is theft--at least when it is
in the hands of a wealthy person.
{Starkweather}
He is uncouth--ignorant.
{Margaret}
I happen to know that he is a graduate of the University of
Oregon.
{Starkweather}
(_Sneeringly._) A cow college. But that is not what I mean. He is a
demagogue, stirring up the wild-beast passions of the people.
{Margaret}
Surely you would not call his advocacy of that child labor bill
and of the conservation of the forest and coal lands stirring up
the wild-beast passions of the people?
{Starkweather}
(_Wearily._) You don't understand. When I say he is dangerous it is
because he threatens all the stabilities, because he threatens
us who have made this country and upon whom this country and its
prosperity rest.
(_Connie, scenting trouble, walks across stage away from them._)
{Margaret}
The captains of industry--the banking magnates and the mergers?
{Starkweather}
Call it so. Call it what you will. Without us the country falls
into the hands of scoundrels like that man Knox and smashes to
ruin.
{Margaret}
(_Reprovingly._) Not a scoundrel, father.
{Starkweather}
He is a sentimental dreamer, a hair-brained enthusiast. It is the
foolish utterances of men like him that place the bomb and the
knife in the hand of the assassin.
{Margaret}
He is at least a good man, even if he does disagree with you on
political and industrial problems. And heaven knows that good men
are rare enough these days.
{Starkweather}
I impugn neither his morality nor his motives--only his
rationality. Really, Margaret, there is nothing inherently
vicious about him. I grant that. And it is precisely that which
makes him such a power for evil.
{Margaret}
When I think of all the misery and pain which he is trying to
remedy--I can see in him only a power for good. He is not working
for himself but for the many. That is why he has no money. You
have heaven alone knows how many millions--you don't; you have
worked for yourself.
{Starkweather}
I, too, work for the many. I give work to the many. I make
life possible for the many. I am only too keenly alive to the
responsibilities of my stewardship of wealth.
{Margaret}
But what of the child laborers working at the machines? Is that
necessary, O steward of wealth? How my heart has ached for them!
How I have longed to do something for them--to change conditions
so that it will no longer be necessary for the children to
toil, to have the playtime of childhood stolen away from them.
Theft--that is what it is, the playtime of the children coined
into profits. That is why I like Howard Knox. He calls theft
theft. He is trying to do something for those children. What are
you trying to do for them?
{Starkweather}
Sentiment. Sentiment. The question is too vast and complicated,
and you cannot understand. No woman can understand. That is
why you run to sentiment. That is what is the matter with this
Knox--sentiment. You can't run a government of ninety millions of
people on sentiment, nor on abstract ideas of justice and right.
{Margaret}
But if you eliminate justice and right, what remains?
{Starkweather}
This is a practical world, and it must be managed by practical
men--by thinkers, not by near-thinkers whose heads are addled
with the half-digested ideas of the French Encyclopedists and
Revolutionists of a century and a half ago.
(_Margaret shows signs of impatience--she is not particularly
perturbed by this passage-at-arms with her father, and is anxious
to get off her street things._)
Don't forget, my daughter, that your father knows the books
as well as any cow college graduate from Oregon. I, too, in my
student days, dabbled in theories of universal happiness and
righteousness, saw my vision and dreamed my dream. I did not know
then the weakness, and frailty, and grossness of the human clay.
But I grew out of that and into a man. Some men never grow out of
that stage. That is what is the trouble with Knox. He is still a
dreamer, and a dangerous one.
(_He pauses a moment, and then his thin lips shut grimly. But he
has just about shot his bolt._)
{Margaret}
What do you mean?
{Starkweather}
He has let himself in to give a speech to-morrow, wherein he will
be called upon to deliver the proofs of all the lurid charges he
has made against the Administration--against us, the stewards of
wealth if you please. He will be unable to deliver the proofs,
and the nation will laugh. And that will be the political end of
Mr. Ali Baba and his dream.
{Margaret}
It is a beautiful dream. Were there more like him the dream would
come true. After all, it is the dreamers that build and that
never die. Perhaps you will find that he is not so easily to be
destroyed. But I can't stay and argue with you, father. I simply
must go and get my things off.
(_To Connie._) You'll have to receive, dear. I'll be right back.
(_Julius Rutland enters. Margaret advances to meet him, shaking
his hand._) You must forgive me for deserting for a moment.
{Rutland}
(_Greeting the others._) A family council, I see.
{Margaret}
(_On way to exit at rear._) No; a discussion on dreams and
dreamers. I leave you to bear my part.
{Rutland}
(_Bowing._) With pleasure. The dreamers are the true architects.
But--a--what is the dream and who is the dreamer?
{Margaret}
(_Pausing in the doorway._) The dream of social justice, of fair
play and a square deal to everybody. The dreamer--Mr. Knox.
(_Rutland is so patently irritated, that Margaret lingers in the
doorway to enjoy._)
{Rutland}
That man! He has insulted and reviled the Church--my calling.
He--
{Connie}
(_Interrupting._) He said the churchmen stole from God. I remember
he once said there had been only one true Christian and that He
died on the Cross.
{Margaret}
He quoted that from Nietzsche.
{Starkweather}
(_To Rutland, in quiet glee._) He had you there.
{Rutland}
(_In composed fury._) Nietzsche is a blasphemer, sir. Any man who
reads Nietzsche or quotes Nietzsche is a blasphemer. It augurs
ill for the future of America when such pernicious literature has
the vogue it has.
{Margaret}
(_Interrupting, laughing._) I leave the quarrel in your hands, sir
knight. Remember--the dreamer and the dream. (_Margaret makes
exit._)
{Rutland}
(_Shaking his head._) I cannot understand what is coming over the
present generation. Take your daughter, for instance. Ten years
ago she was an earnest, sincere lieutenant of mine in all our
little charities.
{Starkweather}
Has she given charity up?
{Connie}
It's settlement work, now, and kindergartens.
{Rutland}
(_Ominously._) It's writers like Nietzsche, and men who read him,
like Knox, who are responsible.
(_Senator Dowsett and Mrs. Dowsett enter from rear._)
(_Connie advances to greet them. Rutland knows Mrs. Dowsett, and
Connie introduces him to Senator Dowsett._)
(_In the meantime, not bothering to greet anybody, evincing
his own will and way, Starkweather goes across to right front,
selects one of several chairs, seats himself, pulls a thin
note-book from inside coat pocket, and proceeds to immerse
himself in contents of same._) (_Dowsett and Rutland pair and
stroll to left rear and seat themselves, while Connie and Mrs.
Dowsett seat themselves at tea-table to left front. Connie rings
the bell for Servant._)
{Mrs. Dowsett}
(_Glancing significantly at Starkweather, and speaking in a low
voice._) That's your father, isn't it? I have so wanted to meet
him.
{Connie} (_Softly._) You know he's peculiar. He is liable to ignore
everybody here this afternoon, and get up and go away abruptly,
without saying good-bye.
{Mrs. Dowsett}
(_Sympathetically. _) Yes, I know, a man of such large affairs. He
must have so much on his mind. He is a wonderful man--my husband
says the greatest in contemporary history--more powerful than a
dozen presidents, the King of England, and the Kaiser, all rolled
into one.
(_Servant enters with tea urn and accessories, and Connie proceeds
to serve tea, all accompanied by appropriate patter--"Two lumps?"
"One, please." "Lemon;" etc._)
(_Rutland and Dowsett come forward to table for their tea, where
they remain._)
(_Connie, glancing apprehensively across at her father and
debating a moment, prepares a cup for him and a small plate
with crackers, and hands them to Dowsett, who likewise betrays
apprehensiveness._)
{Connie}
Take it to father, please, senator.
(_Note:--Throughout the rest of this act, Starkweather is like
a being apart, a king sitting on his throne. He divides the tea
function with Margaret. Men come up to him and speak with him.
He sends for men. They come and go at his bidding. The whole
attitude, perhaps unconsciously on his part, is that wherever he
may be he is master. This attitude is accepted by all the others;
forsooth, he is indeed a great man and master. The only one who
is not really afraid of him is Margaret; yet she gives in to him
in so far as she lets him do as he pleases at her afternoon tea._)
(_Dowsett carries the cup of tea and small plate across stage to
Starkweather. Starkweather does not notice him at first._)
{Connie}
(_Who has been watching._) Tea, father, won't you have a cup of
tea?
(_Through the following scene between Starkweather and Dowsett,
the latter holds cup of tea and crackers, helplessly, at a
disadvantage. At the same time Rutland is served with tea and
remains at the table, talking with the two women._)
{Starkweather}
(_Looking first at Connie, then peering into cup of tea. He grunts
refusal, and for the first time looks up into the other man's
face. He immediately closes note-book down on finger to keep the
place._) Oh, it's you. Dowsett.
(_Painfully endeavoring to be at ease._) A pleasure, Mr.
Starkweather, an entirely unexpected pleasure to meet you here. I
was not aware you frequented frivolous gatherings of this nature.
{Starkweather}
(_Abruptly and peremptorily._) Why didn't you come when you were
sent for this morning?
{Dowsett}
I was sick--I was in bed.
{Starkweather}
That is no excuse, sir. When you are sent for you are to come.
Understand? That bill was reported back. Why was it reported
back? You told Dobleman you would attend to it.
{Dowsett}
It was a slip up. Such things will happen.
{Starkweather}
What was the matter with that committee? Have you no influence
with the Senate crowd? If not, say so, and I'll get some one who
has.
{Dowsett}
(_Angrily._) I refuse to be treated in this manner, Mr.
Starkweather. I have some self-respect--
(_Starkweather grunts incredulously._) Some decency--
(_Starkweather grunts._) A position of prominence in my state.
You forget, sir, that in our state organization I occupy no mean
place.
{Starkweather}
(_Cutting him off so sharply that Dowsett drops cup and saucer._)
Don't you show your teeth to me. I can make you or break you.
That state organization of yours belongs to me.
(_Dowsett starts--he is learning something new. To hide his
feelings, he stoops to pick up cup and saucer._) Let it alone! I
am talking to you.
(_Dowsett straightens up to attention with alacrity._) (_Connie,
who has witnessed, rings for Servant._) I bought that state
organization, and paid for it. You are one of the chattels that
came along with the machine. You were made senator to obey my
orders. Understand? Do you understand?
{Dowsett}
(_Beaten._) I--I understand.
{Starkweather}
That bill is to be killed.
{Dowsett}
Yes, sir.
{Starkweather}
Quietly, no headlines about it.
(_Dowsett nods._) Now you can go.
(_Dowsett proceeds rather limply across to join group at
tea-table._) (_Chalmers and Hubbard enter from right, laughing
about something. At sight of Starkweather they immediately become
sober._) (_No hands are shaken. Starkweather barely acknowledges
Hubbard's greeting._)
{Starkweather}
Tom, I want to see you.
(_Hubbard takes his cue, and proceeds across to tea-table._)
(_Enter Servant. Connie directs him to remove broken cup and
saucer. While this is being done, Starkweather remains silent.
He consults note-book, and Chalmers stands, not quite at ease,
waiting the other's will. At the same time, patter at tea-table.
Hubbard, greeting others and accepting or declining cup of tea._)
(_Servant makes exit_).
{Starkweather}
(_Closing finger on book and looking sharply at Chalmers._) Tom,
this affair of yours in New York must come to an end. Understand?
{Chalmers}
(_Starting._) Hubbard has been talking.
{Starkweather}
No, it is not Hubbard. I have the reports from other sources.
{Chalmers}
It is a harmless affair.
{Starkweather}
I happen to know better. I have the whole record. If you wish,
I can give you every detail, every meeting. I know. There is no
discussion whatever. I want no more of it.
{Chalmers}
I never dreamed for a moment that I was--er--indiscreet.
{Starkweather}
Never forget that every indiscretion of a man in your position is
indiscreet. We have a duty, a great and solemn duty to perform.
Upon our shoulders rest the destinies of ninety million people.
If we fail in our duty, they go down to destruction. Ignorant
demagogues are working on the beast-passions of the people.
If they have their way, they are lost, the country is lost,
civilization is lost. We want no more Dark Ages.
{Chalmers}
Really, I never thought it was as serious as all that.
{Starkweather}
(_Shrugging shoulders and lifting eyebrows._) After all, why should
you? You are only a cog in the machine. I, and the several men
grouped with me, am the machine. You are a useful cog--too useful
to lose--
{Chalmers}
Lose?--Me?
{Starkweather}
I have but to raise my hand, any time--do you understand?--any
time, and you are lost. You control your state. Very well. But
never forget that to-morrow, if I wished, I could buy your whole
machine out from under you. I know you cannot change yourself,
but, for the sake of the big issues at stake, you must be
careful, exceedingly careful. We are compelled to work with weak
tools. You are a good liver, a flesh-pot man. You drink too
much. Your heart is weak.--Oh, I have the report of your doctor.
Nevertheless, don't make a fool of yourself, nor of us. Besides,
do not forget that your wife is my daughter. She is a strong
woman, a credit to both of us. Be careful that you are not a
discredit to her.
{Chalmers}
All right, I'll be careful. But while we are--er--on this
subject, there's something I'd like to speak to you about.
(_A pause, in which Starkweather waits non-committally._) It's
this man Knox, and Madge. He comes to the house. They are as
thick as thieves.
{Starkweather}
Yes?
{Chalmers}
(_Hastily._) Oh, not a breath of suspicion or anything of
that sort, I assure you. But it doesn't strike me as exactly
appropriate that your daughter and my wife should be friendly
with this fire-eating anarchist who is always attacking us and
all that we represent.
{Starkweather}
I started to speak with her on that subject, but was interrupted.
(_Puckers brow and thinks._) You are her husband. Why don't you
take her in hand yourself?
(_Enters Mrs. Starkweather from rear, looking about, bowing, then
locating Starkweather and proceeding toward him._)
{Chalmers}
What can I do? She has a will of her own--the same sort of a will
that you have. Besides, I think she knows about my--about some of
my--indiscretions.
{Starkweather}
(_Slyly._)
_Harmless_ indiscretions?
(_Chalmers is about to reply, but observes Mrs. Starkweather
approaching._)
{Mrs. Starkweather}
(_Speaks in a peevish, complaining voice, and during her harrangue
Starkweather immerses himself in notebook._) Oh, there you are,
Anthony. Talking politics, I suppose. Well, as soon as I get a
cup of tea we must go. Tommy is not looking as well as I could
wish. Margaret loves him, but she does not take the right care of
him. I don't know what the world is coming to when mothers do
not know how to rear their offspring. There is Margaret, with her
slum kindergartens, taking care of everybody else's children but
her own. If she only performed her church duties as eagerly!
Mr. Rutland is displeased with her. I shall give her a talking
to--only, you'd better do it, Anthony. Somehow, I have never
counted much with Margaret. She is as set in doing what she
pleases as you are. In my time children paid respect to their
parents. This is what comes of speed. There is no time for
anything. And now I must get my tea and run. Connie has to dress
for that dinner.
(_Mrs. Starkweather crosses to table, greets others
characteristically and is served with tea by Connie._)
(_Chalmers waits respectfully on Starkweather._)
{Starkweather}
(_Looking up from note-book._) That will do, Tom.
(_Chalmers is just starting across to join others, when voices are
heard outside rear entrance, and Margaret enters with Dolores
Ortega, wife of the Peruvian Minister, and Matsu Sakari,
Secretary of Japanese Legation--both of whom she has met as they
were entering the house._)
(_Chalmers changes his course, and meets the above advancing
group. He knows Dolores Ortega, whom he greets, and is introduced
to Sakari._)
(_Margaret passes on among guests, greeting them, etc. Then she
displaces Connie at tea-table and proceeds to dispense tea to the
newcomers._)
(_Groups slowly form and seat themselves about stage as follows:
Chalmers and Dolores Ortega; Rutland, Dowsett, Mrs. Starkweather;
Connie, Mr. Dowsett, and Hubbard._)
(_Chalmers carries tea to Dolores Ortega._)
(_Sakari has been lingering by table, waiting for tea and
pattering with Margaret, Chalmers, etc._)
{Margaret}
(_Handing cup to Sakari._) I am very timid in offering you this,
for I am sure you must be appalled by our barbarous methods of
making tea.
{Sakari}
(_Bowing._) It is true, your American tea, and the tea of the
English, are quite radically different from the tea in my
country. But one learns, you know. I served my apprenticeship
to American tea long years ago, when I was at Yale. It was
perplexing, I assure you--at first, only at first I really
believe that I am beginning to have a--how shall I call it?--a
tolerance for tea in your fashion.
{Margaret}
You are very kind in overlooking our shortcomings.
{Sakari}
(_Bowing._) On the contrary, I am unaware, always unaware, of any
shortcomings of this marvelous country of yours.
{Margaret}
(_Laughing._) You are incorrigibly gracious, Mr. Sakari. (_Knox
appears at threshold of rear entrance and pauses irresolutely for
a moment_)
{Sakari}
(_Noticing Knox, and looking about him to select which group he
will join._) If I may be allowed, I shall now retire and consume
this--tea.
(_Joins group composed of Connie, Mrs. Dowsett, and Hubbard._)
(_Knox comes forward to Margaret, betraying a certain awkwardness
due to lack of experience in such social functions. He greets
Margaret and those in the group nearest her._)
{Knox}
(_To Margaret._) I don't know why I come here. I do not belong. All
the ways are strange.
{Margaret}
(_Lightly, at the same time preparing his tea._) The same Ali
Baba--once again in the den of the forty thieves. But your watch
and pocket-book are safe here, really they are.
(_Knox makes a gesture of dissent at her facetiousness._) Now don't
be serious. You should relax sometimes. You live too tensely.
(_Looking at Starkweather._) There's the arch-anarch over there,
the dragon you are trying to slay.
(_Knox looks at Starkweather and is plainly perplexed._) The man
who handles all the life insurance funds, who controls more
strings of banks and trust companies than all the Rothschilds
a hundred times over--the merger of iron and steel and coal and
shipping and all the other things--the man who blocks your child
labor bill and all the rest of the remedial legislation you
advocate. In short, my father.
{Knox}
(_Looking intently at Starkweather._) I should have recognized him
from his photographs. But why do you say such things?
{Margaret}
Because they are true.
(_He remains silent._) Now, aren't they? (_She laughs._) Oh, you
don't need to answer. You know the truth, the whole bitter truth.
This _is_ a den of thieves. There is Mr. Hubbard over there, for
instance, the trusty journalist lieutenant of the corporations.
{Knox}
(_With an expression of disgust._) I know him. It was he that wrote
the Standard Oil side of the story, after having abused Standard
Oil for years in the pseudo-muck-raking magazines. He made them
come up to his price, that was all. He's the star writer on
_Cartwright's_, now, since that magazine changed its policy
and became subsidizedly reactionary. I know him--a thoroughly
dishonest man. Truly am I Ali Baba, and truly I wonder why I am
here.
{Margaret}
You are here, sir, because I like you to come.
{Knox}
We do have much in common, you and I.
{Margaret}
The future.
{Knox}
(_Gravely, looking at her with shining eyes._) I sometimes fear for
more immediate reasons than that.
(_Margaret looks at him in alarm, and at the same time betrays
pleasure in what he has said._) For you.
{Margaret}
(_Hastily._) Don't look at me that way. Your eyes are flashing.
Some one might see and misunderstand.
{Knox}
(_In confusion, awkwardly._) I was unaware that I--that I was
looking at you----in any way that----
{Margaret}
I'll tell you why you are here. Because I sent for you.
{Knox}
(_With signs of ardor._) I would come whenever you sent for me, and
go wherever you might send me.
{Margaret}
(_Reprovingly._)
Please, please---- It was about that speech. I have been hearing
about it from everybody--rumblings and mutterings and dire
prophecies. I know how busy you are, and I ought not to have
asked you to come. But there was no other way, and I was so
anxious.
{Knox}
(_Pleased._) It seems so strange that you, being what you are,
affiliated as you are, should be interested in the welfare of the
common people.
{Margaret}
(_Judicially._) I do seem like a traitor in my own camp. But as
father said a while ago, I, too, have dreamed my dream. I did it
as a girl--Plato's _Republic_, Moore's _Utopia_--I was steeped in
all the dreams of the social dreamers.
(_During all that follows of her speech, Knox is keenly
interested, his eyes glisten and he hangs on her words._)
And I dreamed that I, too, might do something to bring on the
era of universal justice and fair play. In my heart I dedicated
myself to the cause of humanity. I made Lincoln my hero-he
still is. But I was only a girl, and where was I to find
this cause?--how to work for it? I was shut in by a thousand
restrictions, hedged in by a thousand conventions. Everybody
laughed at me when I expressed the thoughts that burned in me.
What could I do? I was only a woman. I had neither vote nor right
of utterance. I must remain silent. I must do nothing. Men, in
their lordly wisdom, did all. They voted, orated, governed. The
place for women was in the home, taking care of some lordly man
who did all these lordly things.
{Knox}
You understand, then, why I am for equal suffrage.
{Margaret}
But I learned--or thought I learned. Power, I discovered early.
My father had power. He was a magnate--I believe that is the
correct phrase. Power was what I needed. But how? I was a woman.
Again I dreamed my dream--a modified dream. Only by marriage
could I win to power. And there you have the clew to me and what
I am and have become. I met the man who was to become my husband.
He was clean and strong and an athlete, an outdoor man, a wealthy
man and a rising politician. Father told me that if I married him
he would make him the power of his state, make him governor, send
him to the United States Senate. And there you have it all.
{Knox}
Yes?---- Yes?
{Margaret}
I married. I found that there were greater forces at work than I
had ever dreamed of. They took my husband away from me and molded
him into the political lieutenant of my father. And I was without
power. I could do nothing for the cause. I was beaten. Then it
was that I got a new vision. The future belonged to the children.
There I could play my woman's part. I was a mother. Very well. I
could do no better than to bring into the world a healthy son and
bring him up to manhood healthy and wholesome, clean, noble, and
alive. Did I do my part well, through him the results would be
achieved. Through him would the work of the world be done
in making the world healthier and happier for all the human
creatures in it. I played the mother's part. That is why I left
the pitiful little charities of the church and devoted myself
to settlement work and tenement house reform, established my
kindergartens, and worked for the little men and women who come
so blindly and to whom the future belongs to make or mar.
{Knox}
You are magnificent. I know, now, why I come when you bid me
come.
{Margaret}
And then you came. You were magnificent. You were my knight of
the windmills, tilting against all power and privilege, striving
to wrest the future from the future and realize it here in the
present, now. I was sure you would be destroyed. Yet you are
still here and fighting valiantly. And that speech of yours
to-morrow--
{Chalmers}
(_Who has approached, bearing Dolores Ortega's cup._) Yes, that
speech. How do you do, Mr. Knox.
(_They shake hands._) A cup of tea, Madge. For Mrs. Ortega. Two
lumps, please.
(_Margaret prepares the cup of tea._) Everybody is excited over
that speech. You are going to give us particular fits, to-morrow,
I understand.
{Knox}
(_Smiling._) Really, no more than is deserved.
{Chalmers}
The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
{Knox}
Precisely.
(_Receiving back cup of tea from Margaret._)
{Chalmers}
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 Associated 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 documents,
photographs of documents, affidavits--
{Margaret}
Tell me nothing. But oh, do be careful! Be careful!
{Mrs. Dowsett}
(_Appealing to Margaret._) Do give me some assistance, 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
institutions, our faith in God--everything. Yearly the working
people drink greater quantities 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 class is no longer thrifty.
If our working class 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.
{Sakari}
The less you sell, the harder are the times?
{Dowsett}
Just so.
{Sakari}
Then if the people are thrifty, and buy less, times will be
harder?
{Dowsett}
(_Perplexed._) Er--it would seem so.
{Sakari}
Then it would seem that the present bad times are due to the fact
that the people are thrifty, rather than not thrifty?
(_Dowsett is nonplussed, and Mrs. Dowsett throws up her hands in
despair._)
{Mrs. Dowsett}
(_Turning to Knox._) Perhaps you can explain to us, Mr. Knox, the
reason for this terrible condition of affairs.
(_Starkweather closes note-book on finger and listens._) (_Knox
smiles, but does not speak._)
{Dolores Ortega}
Please do, Mr. Knox. I am so dreadfully anxious to know why
living is so high now. Only this morning I understand meat went
up again.
(_Knox hesitates and looks questioningly at Margaret._)
{Hubbard}
I am sure Mr. Knox can shed new light on this perplexing problem.
{Chalmers}
Surely you, the whirlwind of oratorical swords in the House, are
not timid here--among friends.
{Knox} (_Sparring._) I had no idea that questions of such nature
were topics of conversation at affairs like this.
{Starkweather}
(_Abruptly and imperatively._) What causes the high prices?
{Knox}
(_Equally abrupt and just as positive as the other was
imperative._) _Theft_!
(_It is a sort of a bombshell he has exploded, but they receive it
politely and smilingly, even though it has shaken them up._)
{Dolores Ortega}
What a romantic explanation. I suppose everybody who has anything
has stolen it.
{Knox}
Not quite, but almost quite. Take motorcars, for example. This
year five hundred million dollars has been spent for motor-cars.
It required men toiling in the mines and foundries, women sewing
their eyes out in sweat-shops, shop girls slaving for four and
five dollars a week, little children working in the factories and
cotton-mills--all these it required to produce those five hundred
millions spent this year in motor-cars. And all this has been
stolen from those who did the work.
{Mrs. Starkweather}
I always knew those motor-cars were to blame for terrible things.
{Dolores Ortega}
But Mr. Knox, I have a motor-car.
{Knox}
Somebody's labor made that car. Was it yours?
{Dolores Ortega}
Mercy, no! I bought it---- and paid for it.
{Knox}
Then did you labor at producing something else, and exchange the
fruits of that labor for the motor-car?
(_A pause._)
You do not answer. Then I am to understand that you have a
motor-car which was made by somebody else's labor and for which
you gave no labor of your own. This I call theft. You call it
property. Yet it is theft.
{Starkweather}
(_Interrupting Dolores Ortega who was just about to speak._)
But surely you have intelligence to see the question in larger
ways than stolen motor-cars. I am a man of affairs. I don't steal
motor-cars.
{Knox}
(_Smiling._) Not concrete little motor-cars, no. You do things on a
large scale.
{Starkweather}
Steal?
{Knox}
(_Shrugging his shoulders._) If you will have it so.
{Starkweather}
I am like a certain gentleman from Missouri. You've got to show
me.
{Knox}
And I'm like the man from Texas. It's got to be put in my hand.
{Starkweather}
I shift my residence at once to Texas. Put it in my hand that I
steal on a large scale.
{Knox}
Very well. You are the great financier, merger, and magnate. Do
you mind a few statistics?
{Starkweather}
Go ahead.
{Knox}
You exercise a controlling interest in nine billion dollars'
worth of railways; in two billion dollars' worth of industrial
concerns; in one billion dollars' worth of life insurance groups;
in one billion dollars' worth of banking groups; in two billion
dollars' worth of trust companies. Mind you, I do not say you own
all this, but that you exercise a controlling interest. That
is all that is necessary. In short, you exercise a controlling
interest in such a proportion of the total investments of the
United States, as to set the pace for all the rest. Now to my
point. In the last few years seventy billions of dollars have
been artificially added to the capitalization of the nation's
industries. By that I mean water--pure, unadulterated water. You,
the merger, know what water means. I say seventy billions. It
doesn't matter if we call it forty billions or eighty billions;
the amount, whatever it is, is a huge one. And what does seventy
billions of water mean? It means, at five per cent, that three
billions and a half must be paid for things this year, and every
year, more than things are really worth. The people who labor
have to pay this. There is theft for you. There is high prices
for you. Who put in the water? Who gets the theft of the water?
Have I put it in your hand?
{Starkweather}
Are there no wages for stewardship?
{Knox}
Call it any name you please.
{Starkweather}
Do I not make two dollars where one was before? Do I not make for
more happiness than was before I came?
{Knox}
Is that any more than the duty any man owes to his fellowman?
{Starkweather}
Oh, you unpractical dreamer. (_Returns to his note-book._)
{Rutland}
(_Throwing himself into the breach._) Where do I steal, Mr.
Knox?--I who get a mere salary for preaching the Lord's Word.
{Knox}
Your salary comes out of that water I mentioned. Do you want to
know who pays your salary? Not your parishioners. But the little
children toiling in the mills, and all the rest--all the slaves
on the wheel of labor pay you your salary.
{Rutland} I earn it.
{Knox}
They pay it.
{Mrs. Dowsett}
Why, I declare, Mr. Knox, you are worse than Mr. Sakari. You are
an anarchist.
(_She simulates shivering with fear._)
{Chalmers}
(_To Knox._) I suppose that's part of your speech to-morrow.
{Dolores Ortega}
(_Clapping her hands._) A rehearsal! He's trying it out on us!
{Sakari}
How would you remedy this--er--this theft?
(_Starkweather again closes note-book on finger and listens as
Knox begins to speak._)
{Knox}
Very simply. By changing the governmental machinery by which this
household of ninety millions of people conducts its affairs.
{Sakari}
I thought--I was taught so at Yale--that your governmental
machinery was excellent, most excellent.
{Knox}
It is antiquated. It is ready for the scrap-heap. Instead of
being our servant, it has mastered us. We are its slaves. All the
political brood of grafters and hypocrites have run away with it,
and with us as well. In short, from the municipalities up, we are
dominated by the grafters. It is a reign of theft.
{Hubbard}
But any government is representative of its people. No people
is worthy of a better government than it possesses. Were it
worthier, it would possess a better government.
(_Starkweather nods his head approvingly._)
{Knox}
That is a lie. And I say to you now that the average morality and
desire for right conduct of the people of the United States is
far higher than that of the government which misrepresents it.
The people are essentially worthy of a better government than
that which is at present in the hands of the politicians, for the
benefit of the politicians and of the interests the politicians
represent. I wonder, Mr. Sakari, if you have ever heard the story
of the four aces.
{Sakari}
I cannot say that I have.
{Knox}
Do you understand the game of poker?
{Sakari}
(_Considering._) Yes, a marvelous game. I have learned it--at Yale.
It was very expensive.
{Knox}
Well, that story reminds me of our grafting politicians.
They have no moral compunctions. They look upon theft as
right--eminently right. They see nothing wrong in the arrangement
that the man who deals the cards should give himself the best in
the deck. Never mind what he deals himself, they'll have the deal
next and make up for it.
{Dolores Ortega}
But the story, Mr. Knox. I, too, understand poker.
{Knox}
It occurred out in Nevada, in a mining camp. A tenderfoot was
watching a game of poker, He stood behind the dealer, and he saw
the dealer deal himself four aces from the bottom of the deck.
(_From now on, he tells the story in the slow, slightly drawling
Western fashion._) The tenderfoot went around to the player on the
opposite side of the table.
"Say," he says, "I just seen the dealer give himself four aces
off the bottom."
The player looked at him a moment, and said, "What of it?"
"Oh, nothing," said the tenderfoot, "only I thought you might
want to know. I tell you I seen the dealer give himself four aces
off the bottom."
"Look here, Mister," said the player, "you'd better get out of
this. You don't understand the game. It's HIS deal, ain't it?"
{Margaret}
(_Arising while they are laughing._) We've talked politics long
enough. Dolores, I want you to tell me about your new car.
{Knox}
(_As if suddenly recollecting himself._) And I must be going.
(_In a low voice to Margaret._) Do I have to shake hands with all
these people?
{Margaret}
(_Shaking her head, speaking low._) Dear delightful Ali Baba.
{Knox}
(_Glumly._) I suppose I've made a fool of myself.
{Margaret}
(_Earnestly._) On the contrary, you were delightful. I am proud of
you.
(_As Knox shakes hands with Margaret, Sakari arises and comes
forward_).
{Sakari}
I, too, must go. I have had a charming half hour, Mrs. Chalmers.
But I shall not attempt to thank you.
(_He shakes hands with Margaret._)
(_Knox and Sakari proceed to make exit to rear._)
(_Just as they go out, Servant enters, carrying card-tray, and
advances toward Starkweather._)
(_Margaret joins Dolores Ortega and Chalmers, seats herself with
them, and proceeds to talk motor-cars._)
(_Servant has reached Starkweather, who has taken a telegram from
tray, opened it, and is reading it._)
{Starkweather}
Damnation!
{Servant}
I beg your pardon, sir.
{Starkweather}
Send Senator Chalmers to me, and Mr. Hubbard.
{Servant}
Yes, sir.
(_Servant crosses to Chalmers and Hubbard, both of whom
immediately arise and cross to Starkweather._)
(_While this is being done, Margaret reassembles the three
broken groups into one, seating herself so that she can watch
Starkweather and his group across the stage._)
(_Servant lingers to receive a command from Margaret._)
(_Chalmers and Hubbard wait a moment, standing, while Starkweather
rereads telegram._)
{Starkweather}
(_Standing up._) Dobleman has just forwarded this telegram. It's
from New York--from Martinaw. There's been rottenness. My papers
and letter-files have been ransacked. It's the confidential
stenographer who has been tampered with--you remember that
middle-aged, youngish-oldish woman, Tom? That's the one.--Where's
that servant?
(_Servant is just making exit._) Here! Come here!
(_Servant comes over to Starkweather._) Go to the telephone and
call up Dobleman. Tell him to come here.
{Servant}
(_Perplexed._) I beg pardon, sir.
{Starkweather}
(_Irritably._) My secretary. At my house. Dobleman. Tell him to
come at once.
(_Servant makes exit._)
{Chalmers}
But who can be the principal behind this theft?
(_Starkweather shrugs his shoulders._)
{Hubbard}
A blackmailing device most probably. They will attempt to bleed
you--
{Chalmers}
Unless--
{Starkweather}
(_Impatiently._) Yes?
{Chalmers}
Unless they are to be used to-morrow in that speech of Knox.
(_Comprehension dawns on the faces of the other two men._)
{Mrs. Starkweather}
(_Who has arisen._) Anthony, we must go now. Are you ready? Connie
has to dress.
{Starkweather}
I am not going now. You and Connie take the car.
{Mrs. Starkweather}
You mustn't forget you are going to that dinner.
{Starkweather}
(_Wearily._) Do I ever forget?
(_Servant enters and proceeds toward Starkweather, where he
stands waiting while Mrs. Starkweather finishes the next speech.
Starkweather listens to her with a patient, stony face._)
{Mrs. Starkweather}
Oh, these everlasting politics! That is what it has been all
afternoon--high prices, graft, and theft; theft, graft, and high
prices. It is terrible. When I was a girl we did not talk of such
things. Well, come on, Connie.
{Mrs. Dowsett}
(_Rising and glancing at Dowsett._) And we must be going, too.
(_During the following scene, which takes place around
Starkweather, Margaret is saying good-bye to her departing
guests._)
(_Mrs. Starkweather and Connie make exit._)
(_Dowsett and Mrs. Dowsett make exit._)
(_The instant Mrs. Dowsett's remark puts a complete end to Mrs.
Starkweather's speech, Starkweather, without answer or noticing
his wife, turns and interrogates Servant with a glance._)
{Servant}
Mr. Dobleman has already left some time to come here, sir.
{Starkweather}
Show him in as soon as he comes.
{Servant}
Yes, sir.
(_Servant makes exit._)
(_Margaret, Dolores Ortega, and Rutland are left in a group
together, this time around tea-table, where Margaret serves
Rutland another cup of tea. From time to time Margaret glances
curiously at the serious group of men across the stage._)
(_Starkweather is thinking hard with knitted brows. Hubbard is
likewise pondering._)
{Chalmers}
If I were certain Knox had those papers I would take him by the
throat and shake them out of him.
{Starkweather}
No foolish talk like that, Tom. This is a serious matter.
{Hubbard}
But Knox has no money. A Starkweather stenographer comes high.
{Starkweather}
There is more than Knox behind this. (_Enter Dobleman, walking
quickly and in a state of controlled excitement._)
{Dobleman}
(_To Starkweather._) You received that telegram, sir?
(_Starkweather nods._) I got the New York office--Martinaw--right
along afterward, by long distance. I thought best to follow and
tell you.
{Starkweather}
What did Martinaw say?
{Dobleman}
The files seem in perfect order.
{Starkweather}
Thank God!
(_During the following speech of Dobleman, Rutland says good-bye
to Margaret and Dolores Ortega and makes exit._)
(_Margaret and Dolores Ortega rise a minute afterward and
go toward exit, throwing curious glances at the men but not
disturbing them._)
(_Dolores Ortega makes exit._)
(_Margaret pauses in doorway a moment, giving a final anxious
glance at the men, and makes exit._)
{Dobleman}
But they are not. The stenographer, Miss Standish, has confessed.
For a long time she has followed the practice of taking two or
three letters and documents at a time away from the office. Many
have been photographed and returned. But the more important ones
were retained and clever copies returned. Martinaw says that Miss
Standish herself does not know and cannot tell which of the ones
she returned are genuine and which are copies.
{Hubbard}
Knox never did this.
{Starkweather}
Did Martinaw say whom Miss Standish was acting for?
{Dobleman}
Gherst.
(_The alarm on the three men's faces is patent._)
{Starkweather}
Gherst!
(_Pauses to think._)
{Hubbard}
Then it is not so grave after all. A yellow journal sensation is
the best Gherst can make of it. And, documents or not, the very
medium by which it is made public discredits it.
{Starkweather}
Trust Gherst for more ability than that. He will certainly
exploit them in his newspapers, but not until after Knox has
used them in his speech. Oh, the cunning dog! Never could he
have chosen a better mode and moment to strike at me, at the
Administration, at everything. That is Gherst all over. Playing
to the gallery. Inducing Knox to make this spectacular exposure
on the floor of the House just at the critical time when so many
important bills are pending.
(_To Dobleman._)
Did Martinaw give you any idea of the nature of the stolen
documents?
{Dobleman}
(_Referring to notes he has brought._) Of course I don't know
anything about it, but he spoke of the Goodyear letters--
(_Starkweather betrays by his face the gravity of the
information._)
the Caledonian letters, all the Black Rider correspondence. He
mentioned, too, (_Referring to notes._) the Astonbury and Glutz
letters. And there were others, many others, not designated.
{Starkweather}
This is terrible!
(_Recollecting himself._)
Thank you, Dobleman. Will you please return to the house at once.
Get New York again, and fullest details. I'll follow you shortly.
Have you a machine?
{Dobleman}
A taxi, sir.
{Starkweather}
All right, and be careful.
(_Dobleman makes exit_)
{Chalmers}
I don't know the import of all these letters, but I can guess,
and it does seem serious.
{Starkweather}
(_Furiously._) Serious! Let me tell you that there has been no
exposure like this in the history of the country. It means
hundreds of millions of dollars. It means more--the loss of
power. And still more, it means the mob, the great mass of the
child-minded people rising up and destroying all that I have
labored to do for them. Oh, the fools! The fools!
{Hubbard}
(_Shaking his head ominously._) There is no telling what may happen
if Knox makes that speech and delivers the proofs.
{Chalmers}
It is unfortunate. The people are restless and excited as it
is. They are being constantly prodded on by the mouthings of
the radical press, of the muck-raking magazines and of the
demagogues. The people are like powder awaiting the spark.
{Starkweather}
This man Knox is no fool, if he _is_ a dreamer. He is a shrewd
knave. He is a fighter. He comes from the West--the old pioneer
stock. His father drove an ox-team across the Plains to Oregon.
He knows how to play his cards, and never could circumstances
have placed more advantageous cards in his hands.
{Chalmers}
And nothing like this has ever touched you before.
{Starkweather}
I have always stood above the muck and ruck--clear and clean and
unassailable. But this--this is too much! It is the spark. There
is no forecasting what it may develop into.
{Chalmers}
A political turnover.
{Starkweather}
(_Nodding savagely._) A new party, a party of demagogues, in power.
Government ownership of the railways and telegraphs. A graduated
income tax that will mean no less than the confiscation of
private capital.
{Chalmers}
And all that mass of radical legislation--the Child Labor Bill,
the new Employers' Liability Act, the government control of the
Alaskan coal fields, that interference with Mexico. And that big
power corporation you have worked so hard to form.
{Starkweather}
It must not be. It is an unthinkable calamity. It means that the
very process of capitalistic development is hindered, stopped.
It means a setback of ten years in the process. It means work,
endless work, to overcome the setback. It means not alone the
passage of all this radical legislation with the consequent
disadvantages, but it means the fingers of the mob clutching at
our grip of control. It means anarchy. It means ruin and misery
for all the blind fools and led-cattle of the mass who will
strike at the very sources of their own existence and comfort.
(_Tommy enters from left, evidently playing a game, in the course
of which he is running away. By his actions he shows that he is
pursued. He intends to cross stage, but is stopped by sight of
the men. Unobserved by them, he retraces his steps and crawls
under the tea-table._)
{Chalmers}
Without doubt, Knox is in possession of the letters right now.
{Starkweather}
There is but one thing to do, and that is--get them back.
(_He looks questioningly at the two men._)
(_Margaret enters from left, in flushed and happy pursuit of
Tommy--for it is a game she is playing with him. She startles at
sight of the three men, whom she first sees as she gains the side
of the tea-table, where she pauses abruptly, resting one hand on
the table._)
{Hubbard}
I'll undertake it.
{Starkweather}
There is little time to waste. In twenty hours from now he will
be on the floor making his speech. Try mild measures first. Offer
him inducements--any inducement. I empower you to act for me. You
will find he has a price.
{Hubbard}
And if not?
{Starkweather}
Then you must get them at any cost.
{Hubbard}
(_Tentatively._) You mean--?
{Starkweather}
I mean just that. But no matter what happens, I must never be
brought in. Do you understand?
{Hubbard}
Thoroughly.
{Margaret}
(_Acting her part, and speaking with assumed gayety._) What are you
three conspiring about? (_All three men are startled._)
{Chalmers}
We are arranging to boost prices a little higher.
{Hubbard}
And so be able to accumulate more motorcars.
{Starkweather}
(_Taking no notice of Margaret and starting toward exit to rear._)
I must be going. Hubbard, you have your work cut out for you.
Tom, I want you to come with me.
{Chalmers}
(_As the three men move toward exit._) Home?
{Starkweather}
Yes, we have much to do.
{Chalmers}
Then I'll dress first and follow you.
(_Turning to Margaret._) Pick me up on the way to that dinner.
(_Margaret nods. Starkweather makes exit without speaking.
Hub-bard says good-bye to Margaret and makes exit, followed by
Chalmers._)
(_Margaret remains standing, one hand resting on table, the other
hand to her breast. She is thinking, establishing in her mind
the connection between Knox and what she has overheard, and in
process of reaching the conclusion that Knox is in danger._)
(_Tommy, having vainly waited to be discovered, crawls out
dispiritedly, and takes Margaret by the hand. She scarcely
notices him._)
{Tommy} (_Dolefully._) Don't you want to play any more? (_Margaret
does not reply_). I was a good Indian.
{Margaret}
(_Suddenly becoming aware of herself and breaking down. She stoops
and clasps Tommy in her arms, crying out, in anxiety and fear,
and from love of her boy._) Oh, Tommy! Tommy!
Curtain