Theft Part 37

{Margaret}

I know everything--and without evidence, if you please. I am a woman. It is your atmosphere. Faugh! You have exhaled it for years. I doubt not that proofs, as you would call them, could have been easily obtained. But I was not interested. I had my boy. When he came, I gave you up, Tom. You did not seem to need me any more.

{Chalmers}

And so, in retaliation, you took up with this fellow Knox.

{Margaret}

No, no. It is not true, Tom. I tell you it is not true.

{Chalmers}

You were there, last night, in his rooms, alone--how long we shall soon find out--

(_Knock is heard at left rear. Dobleman proceeds to unlock door._) And now you have stolen your father's private papers for your lover.

{Margaret}

He is not my lover.

{Chalmers}

But you have acknowledged that you have the papers. For whom, save Knox, could you have stolen them?

(_Linda enters. She is white and strained, and looks at Margaret for some cue as to what she is to do._)

{Starkweather}

That is the woman.

(_To Linda._) Come here.

(_Linda advances reluctantly._) Where were you last night? You know what I mean.

(_She does not speak._) Answer me.

{Linda}

I don't know what you mean, sir--unless--

{Starkweather}

Yes, that's it. Go on.

{Linda}

But I don't think you have any right to ask me such questions.

What if I--if I did go out with my young man--

{Starkweather}

(_To Margaret._) A very faithful young woman you've got.

(_Briskly, to the others._) There's nothing to be got out of her.

Send for Tommy. Dobleman, ring the bell.

(_Dobleman starts to obey._)

{Margaret}

(_Stopping Dobleman._) No, no; not Tommy. Tell them, Linda.

(_Linda looks appealingly at her._)

(_Kindly._) Don't mind me. Tell them the truth.

{Chalmers}

(_Breaking in._) The whole truth.

{Margaret}

Yes, Linda, the whole truth.

(_Linda, looking very woeful, nerves herself for the ordeal._)

{Starkweather}

Never mind, Dobleman.

(_To Linda._) Very well. You were at Mr. Knox's rooms last night, with your mistress and Tommy.

{Linda}

Yes, sir.

{Starkweather}

Your mistress sent you and Tommy out of the room.

{Linda}

Yes, sir.

{Starkweather}

You waited in the machine.