Theft Part 7

(_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 att.i.tude, perhaps unconsciously on his part, is that wherever he may be he is master. This att.i.tude 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}