Theft Part 52

(_Pausing in doorway._) Ah, you flame! Flame to some purpose. (_Exit Chalmers._)

(_Knox rests his head despairingly on his hand, and Margaret, pausing and looking at him sadly for a moment, crosses to him, stands beside him, and caresses his hair._)

{Margaret}

It is hard, I know, dear. And it is hard for me as well.

{Knox}

It is so unnecessary.

{Margaret}

No, it is necessary. What you said last night, when I was weak, was wise. We cannot steal from my child--

{Knox}

But if he gives you Tommy? Margaret

(_Shaking her head._) Nor can we steal from any other woman's child--from all the children of all the women. And other things I heard you say, and you were right. We cannot live by ourselves alone. We are social animals. Our good and our ill--all is tied up with all humanity.

{Knox}

(_Catching her hand and caressing it._) I do not follow you. I hear your voice, but I do not know a word you say. Because I am loving your voice--and you. I am so filled with love that there is no room for anything else. And you, who yesterday were so remote and unattainable, are so near and possible, so immediately possible.

All you have to do is to say the word, one little word. Say it.--Say it.

(_He carries her hand to his lips and holds it there._)

{Margaret}

(_Wistfully._) I should like to. I should like to. But I can't.

{Knox}

You must.

{Margaret}

There are other and greater things that say must to me. Oh, my dear, have you forgotten them? Things you yourself have spoken to me--the great stinging things of the spirit, that are greater than you and I, greater even than our love.

{Knox}

I exhaust my arguments--but still I love you.

{Margaret}

And I love you for it.

(_Chalmers enters from right, and sees Margaret still caressing Knox's hair._)

{Chalmers}

(_With mild elation, touched with sarcasm._) Ah, I see you have taken my advice, and reached a decision.

(_They do not answer. Margaret moves slowly away and seats herself._) (_Knox remains with head bowed on hand._) No?

(_Margaret shakes her head._) Well, I've thought it over, and I've changed my terms. Madge, go with Knox, take Tommy with you.

(_Margaret wavers, but Knox, head bowed on hand, does not see her._) There will be no scandal. I'll give you a proper divorce.

And you can have Tommy.

{Knox}

(_Suddenly raising his head, joyfully, pleadingly._) Margaret!

(_Margaret is swayed, but does not speak._)

{Chalmers}

You and I never hit it off together any too extraordinarily well, Madge; but I'm not altogether a bad sort. I am easy-going. I always have been easy-going. I'll make everything easy for you now. But you see the fix I am in. You love another man, and I simply must regain those letters. It is more important than you realize.

{Margaret}

(_Incisively._) You make me realize how important those letters are.

{Knox}

Give him the letters, Margaret

{Chalmers}

So she hasn't turned them over to you yet?

{Margaret}

No; I still have them.

{Knox}

Give them to him.

{Chalmers}

Selling out for a petticoat. A pretty reformer.

{Knox} (_Proudly._)

A better lover.