thrusting Chalmers back._) That you shall
not!

(_Chalmers is afflicted with heart-seizure, and staggers._)

{Margaret}

(_Maternally, solicitously._) Tom, don't! Your heart! Be careful!

(_Chalmers starts to stagger toward bell_) Howard! Stop him! Don't
let him ring, or the servants will get the letters away from us.
(_Knox starts to interpose, but Chalmers, growing weaker, sinks
into a chair, head thrown back and legs out straight before him._)
Linda, a glass of water.

(_Linda gives documents to Margaret, and makes running exit to
right rear._) (_Margaret bends anxiously over Chalmers._) (_A pause._)

{Knox}

(_Touching her hand._) Give them to me.

(_Margaret gives him the documents, which he holds in his hand,
at the same time she thanks him with her eyes._) (_Enter Linda with
glass of water, which she hands to Margaret._) (_Margaret tries to
place the glass to Chalmer's lips._)

{Chalmers}

(_Dashing the glass violently from her hand to the floor and
speaking in smothered voice._) Bring me a whiskey and soda.

(_Linda looks at Margaret interrogatively. Margaret is undecided
what to say, shrugs her shoulders in helplessness, and nods her
head._)

(_Linda makes hurried exit to right._)

{Margaret}

(_To Knox._) You will go now and you will give the speech.

{Knox}

(_Placing documents in inside coat pocket._) I will give the
speech.

{Margaret}

And all the forces making for the good time coming will be
quickened by your words. Let the voices of the millions be in it.

(_Chalmers, legs still stretched out, laughs cynically._)

You know where my heart lies. Some day, in all pride and honor,
stealing from no one, hurting no one, we shall come together--to
be together always.

{Knox}

(_Drearily._) And in the meantime?

{Margaret}

We must wait

{Knox}

(_Decidedly._) We will wait.

{Chalmers}

(_Straightening up._) For me to die? eh?

(_During the following speech Linda enters from right with whiskey
and soda and gives it to Chalmers, who thirstily drinks half of
it. Margaret dismisses Linda with her eyes, and Linda makes exit
to right rear._)

{Knox}

I hadn't that in mind, but now that you mention it, it seems
to the point. That heart of yours isn't going to carry you
much farther. You have played fast and loose with it as with
everything else. You are like the carter who steals hay from his
horse that he may gamble. You have stolen from your heart. Some
day, soon, l