Theft Part 2

(_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 fl.u.s.tered 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 a.s.sociates, 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 Amba.s.sador.

{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._)