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(_Servant crosses to Chalmers and Hubbard, both of whom immediately arise and cross to Starkweather._)
(_While this is being done, Margaret rea.s.sembles 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 princ.i.p.al 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._)
