Theft: A Play In Four Acts. Джек Лондон
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it concerns Tom, don't tell me, please. You know he does do ridiculous things at times. But I don't let him worry me any more; so don't worry me about him.
(Connie remains silent, and Margaret grows curious.) Well?
Connie
It's not about Tom —
(Pauses.) It's about you.
Margaret
Oh.
Connie
I don't know how to begin.
Margaret
By coming right out with it, the worst of it, all at once, first.
Connie
It isn't serious at all, but – well, mother is worrying about it. You know how old-fashioned she is. And when you consider our position – father's and Tom's, I mean – it doesn't seem just right for you to be seeing so much of such an enemy of theirs. He has abused them dreadfully, you know. And there's that dreadful speech he is going to give to-morrow. You haven't seen the afternoon papers. He has made the most terrible charges against everybody – all of us, our friends, everybody.
Margaret
You mean Mr. Knox, of course. But he wouldn't harm anybody, Connie, dear.
Connie
(Bridling,) Oh, he wouldn't? He as good as publicly called father a thief.
Margaret
When did that happen? I never heard of it.
Connie
Well, he said that the money magnates had grown so unprincipled, sunk so low, that they would steal a mouse from a blind kitten.
Margaret
I don't see what father has to do with that.
Connie
He meant him just the same.
Margaret
You silly goose. He couldn't have meant father. Father? Why, father wouldn't look at anything less than fifty or a hundred millions.
Connie
And you speak to him and make much of him when you meet him places. You talked with him for half an hour at that Dugdale reception. You have him here in your own house – Tom's house – when he's such a bitter enemy of Tom's. (During the foregoing speech, Anthony Starkweather makes entrance from rear. His face is grave, and he is in a brown study, as if pondering weighty problems. At sight of the two women he pauses and surveys them. They are unaware of his presence.)
Margaret
You are wrong, Connie. He is nobody's enemy. He is the truest, cleanest, most right-seeking man I have ever seen.
Connie
(Interrupting.) He is a trouble-maker, a disturber of the public peace, a shallow-pated demagogue —
Margaret
(Reprovingly.)
Now you're quoting somebody – father, I suppose. To think of him being so abused – poor, dear Ali Baba —
Starkweather
(Clearing his throat in advertisement of his presence.) A-hem.
(Margaret and Connie turn around abruptly and discover him.)
Margaret
And Connie Father!
(Both come forward to greet him, Margaret leading.)
Starkweather
(Anticipating, showing the deliberate method of the busy man saving time by eliminating the superfluous.) Fine, thank you. Quite well in every particular. This Ali Baba? Who is Ali Baba?
(Margaret looks amused reproach at Connie.)
Connie
Mr. Howard Knox.
Starkweather
And why is he called Ali Baba?
Margaret
That is my nickname for him. In the den of thieves, you know. You remember your Arabian Nights.
Starkweather
(Severely.) I have been wanting to speak to you for some time, Margaret, about that man. You know that I have never interfered with your way of life since your marriage, nor with your and Tom's housekeeping arrangements. But this man Knox. I understand that you have even had him here in your house —
Margaret
(Interrupting.) He is very liable to be here this afternoon, any time, now.
(Connie displays irritation at Margaret.)
Starkweather
(Continuing imperturbably.) Your house —you, my daughter, and the wife of Senator Chalmers. As I said, I have not interfered with you since your marriage. But this Knox affair transcends household arrangements. It is of political importance. The man is an enemy to our class, a firebrand. Why do you have him here?
Margaret
Because I like him. Because he is a man I am proud to call "friend." Because I wish there were more men like him, many more men like him, in the world. Because I have ever seen in him nothing but the best and highest. And, besides, it's such good fun to see how one virtuous man can so disconcert you captains of industry and arbiters of destiny. Confess that you are very much disconcerted, father, right now. He will be here in a few minutes, and you will be more disconcerted. Why? Because it is an affair that transcends family arrangements. And it is your affair, not mine.
Starkweather
This man Knox is a dangerous character – one that I am not pleased to see any of my family take up with. He is not a gentleman.
Margaret
He is a self-made man, if that is what you mean, and he certainly hasn't any money.
Connie
(Interrupting.) He says that money is theft – at least when it is in the hands of a wealthy person.
Starkweather
He is uncouth – ignorant.
Margaret
I happen to know that he is a graduate of the University of Oregon.
Starkweather
(Sneeringly.) A cow college. But that is not what I mean. He is a demagogue, stirring up the wild-beast passions of the people.
Margaret
Surely you would not call his advocacy of that child labor bill and of the conservation of the forest and coal lands stirring up the wild-beast passions of the people?
Starkweather
(Wearily.) You don't understand. When I say he is dangerous it is because he threatens all the stabilities, because he threatens us who have made this country and upon whom this country and its prosperity rest.
(Connie, scenting trouble, walks across stage away from them.)
Margaret
The captains of industry – the banking magnates and the mergers?
Starkweather
Call it so. Call it what you will. Without us the country falls into the hands of scoundrels like that man Knox and smashes to ruin.
Margaret
(Reprovingly.)