ting right front._)

(_Linda pauses irresolutely and Margaret nods to her to obey and
smiles encouragement. Linda, protesting in every fiber of her,
goes to right front._)

(_A knock at right rear and Dobleman unlocks door, confers with
maid, and closes and locks door._)

{Starkweather}

(_To Margaret._) This is no time for trifling, nor for mawkish
sentimentality. Return the papers or take the consequences.

(_Margaret makes no answer._)

{Chalmers}

You have taken a hand in a man's game, and you've got to play it
out or quit. Give up the papers.

(_Margaret remains resolved and impassive._)

{Hubbard}

(_Suavely._) Allow me to point out, my dear Mrs. Chalmers, that
you are not merely stealing from your father. You are playing the
traitor to your class.

{Starkweather}

And causing irreparable damage.

{Margaret}

(_Firing up suddenly and pointing to Lincoln's portrait_) I doubt
not he caused irreparable damage when he freed the slaves and
preserved the Union. Yet he recognized no classes. I'd rather be
a traitor to my class than to him.

{Starkweather}

Demagoguery. Demagoguery.

(_A knock at right rear. Dobleman opens door. Enter Mrs. Middleton
who is the housekeeper, followed by two Housemaids. They pause
at rear. Housekeeper to the fore and looking expectantly at
Starkweather. The Maids appear timid and frightened._)

{Housekeeper}

Yes, sir.

{Starkweather}

Mrs. Middleton, you have the two maids to assist you. Take Mrs.
Chalmers behind that screen there and search her. Strip all
her clothes from her and make a careful search. (_Maids show
perturbation._)

{Housekeeper}

(_Self-possessed. _) Yes, sir. What am I to search for?

{Starkweather}

Papers, documents, anything unusual. Turn them over to me when
you find them.

{Margaret}

(_In a sudden panic._) This is monstrous! This is monstrous!

{Starkweather}

So is your theft of the documents monstrous.

{Margaret}

(_Appealing to the other men, ignoring Rutland and not considering
Dobleman at all._)

You cowards! Will you stand by and permit this thing to be done?
Tom, have you one atom of manhood in you?

{Chalmers} (_Doggedly._) Return the papers, then.

{Margaret}

Mr. Rutland--

{Rutland}

(_Very awkwardly and oilily._) My dear Mrs. Chalmers. I assure you
the whole circumstance is unfortunate. But you are so palpably
in the wrong that I cannot interfere--(_Margaret turns from him in
withering scorn._)-