Theft Part 48

{Knox}

(_With fervor._) Margaret! Margaret! Don't send for them. Let them go. I don't want them.

(_Rising and going toward her impulsively._) (_Margaret rises and retreats, holding him off._) I want you--you--you.

(_He catches her hand and kisses it. She tears it away from him, but tenderly._)

{Margaret}

(_Still retreating, roguishly and tenderly._) Dear, dear man, I love to see you so. But it cannot be.

(_Looking anxiously toward right rear._) No, no, please, please sit down.

(_Enter Linda from right rear. She is dressed for the street._)

{Margaret}

(_Surprised._) Where are you going?

{Linda}

Tommy and the nurse and I were going down town. There is some shopping she wants to do.

{Margaret}

Very good. But go first to my father's house. Listen closely. In the library, behind the portrait of Lincoln--you know it? (_Linda nods._)

You will find a packet of papers. It took me five seconds to put it there. It will take you no longer to get it. Let no one see you. Let it appear as though you had brought Tommy to see his grandmother and cheer her up. You know she is not feeling very well just now. After you get the papers, leave Tommy there and bring them immediately back to me. Step on a chair to the ledge of the bookcase, and reach behind the portrait. You should be back inside fifteen minutes. Take the car.

{Linda}

Tommy and the nurse are already in it, waiting for me.

{Margaret}

Be careful. Be quick.

(_Linda nods to each instruction and makes exit._)

{Knox}

(_Bursting out pa.s.sionately._) This is madness. You are sacrificing yourself, and me. I don't want them. I want you. I am tired.

What does anything matter except love? I have pursued ideals long enough. Now I want you.

{Margaret}

(_Gravely._) Ah, there you have expressed the pith of it. You will now forsake ideals for me--(_He attempts to interrupt._) No, no; not that I am less than an ideal. I have no silly vanity that way. But I want you to remain ideal, and you can only by going on--not by being turned back. Anybody can play the coward and a.s.sert they are fatigued. I could not love a coward. It was your strength that saved us last night. I could not have loved you as I do, now, had you been weak last night. You can only keep my love--

{Knox}

(_Interrupting, bitterly._) By foregoing it--for an ideal.

Margaret, what is the biggest thing in the world? Love. There is the greatest ideal of all.

{Margaret}

(_Playfully._) Love of man and woman?

{Knox}

What else?

{Margaret}

(_Gravely._) There is one thing greater--love of man for his fellowman.

{Knox}

Oh, how you turn my preachments back on me. It is a lesson.

Nevermore shall I preach. Henceforth--

{Margaret}

Yes.

(_Chalmers enters un.o.bserved at left, pauses, and looks on._)

{Knox}

Henceforth I love. Listen.

{Margaret}

You are overwrought. It will pa.s.s, and you will see your path straight before you, and know that I am right. You cannot run away from the fight.

{Knox}

I can--and will. I want you, and you want me--the man's and woman's need for each other. Come, go with me--now. Let us s.n.a.t.c.h at happiness while we may.

(_He arises, approaches her, and gets her hand in his. She becomes more complaisant, and, instead of repulsing him, is willing to listen and receive._) As I have said, the fight will go on just the same. Scores of men, better men, stronger men, than I, will rise to take my place. Why do I talk this way? Because I love you, love you, love you. Nothing else exists in all the world but love of you.

{Margaret}

(_Melting and wavering._) Ah, you flame, you flame.

(_Chalmers utters an inarticulate cry of rage and rushes forward at Knox_)

(_Margaret and Knox are startled by the cry and discover Chalmer's presence._)