the loss of the
documents, and that they believe you have them. I did not hear
them mention your name, yet I am absolutely certain that they
were talking about you. Also, I could tell from father's face
that something was terribly wrong. Oh, be careful! Do be careful!

{Knox}

There is no danger, I assure you.

{Margaret}

But you do not know them. I tell you you do not know them. They
will stop at nothing--at nothing. Father believes he is right in
all that he does.

{Knox}

I know. That is what makes him so formidable. He has an ethical
sanction.

{Margaret}

(_Nodding._) It is his religion.

{Knox}

And, like any religion with a narrow-minded man, it runs to
mania.

{Margaret}

He believes that civilization rests on him, and that it is his
sacred duty to preserve civilization.

{Knox}

I know. I know.

{Margaret}

But you? But you? You are in danger.

{Knox}

No; I shall remain in to-night. To-morrow, in the broad light of
midday, I shall proceed to the House and give my speech.

{Margaret}

(_Wildly._) Oh, if anything should happen to you!

{Knox}

(_Looking at her searchingly._) You do care?

(_Margaret nods, with eyes suddenly downcast._) For Howard Knox,
the reformer? Or for me, the man?

{Margaret}

(_Impulsively._) Oh, why must a woman forever remain quiet? Why
should I not tell you what you already know?--what you
must already know? I do care for you--for man and reformer,
both--for--

(_She is aflame, but abruptly ceases and glances across at Tommy
by the window, warned instinctively that she must not give way to
love in her child's presence._)

Linda! Will you take Tommy down to the machine--

{Knox}

(_Alarmed, interrupting, in low voice._) What are you doing?

{Margaret}

(_Hushing Knox with a gesture._) I'll follow you right down.

(_Linda and Tommy proceed across stage toward right exit._)

{Tommy}

(_Pausing before Knox and gravely extending his hand._) Good
evening, Mr. Knox.

{Knox}

(_Awkwardly._) Good evening, Tommy. You take my word for it, and
look up this Lincoln question.

{Tommy}

I shall. I'll ask father about it.

{Margaret}

(_Significantly._) You attend to that, Linda. Nobody must
know--this.

(_Linda nods._)

(_Linda and Tommy make exit to right._)

(_Margaret, seated, slips back her cloak, revealing herself
in evening gown, and looks at Knox sumptuously, lovingly, and
willingly._)

{Knox}

(_Inflamed by the sight o