his campaign funds?

HEGAN. Why, Laura! I am a Democrat. Surely I have a right to support my
party!

LAURA. [Quickly.] Have you ever contributed to the Republican campaign
funds?

HEGAN. [Disconcerted; laughs.] Why... really...

LAURA. Please answer me.

HEGAN. I am a Gold Democrat, my dear.

LAURA. I see. [She Pauses.] You put Mr. Grimes in the way of making a
great deal of money, do you not?

HEGAN. I do that.

LAURA. He is interested in companies that you give contracts to?

HEGAN. Really! You seem to be informed about my affairs!

LAURA. I have taken some trouble to inform myself. Father, don't you
realize what it means to corrupt the government of the city in this way?

HEGAN. Corrupt the government, my dear?

LAURA. Does not Grimes have the nominating of judges and legislators?

HEGAN. Why, yes... in a way...

LAURA. And does he not consult with you?

HEGAN. Why, my dear...

LAURA. Please tell me.

HEGAN. [Realizing that he cannot make any more admissions.] No, my dear.

LAURA. Never?

HEGAN. Absolutely never.

LAURA. He has never made any attempt to influence the courts in your
favor?

HEGAN. Never.

LAURA. Not in any way, father?

HEGAN. Not in any way.

LAURA. Nor in favor of your companies?

HEGAN. No, my dear.

LAURA. You mean, you can give me your word of honor that that is the
truth?

HEGAN. I can, my dear.

LAURA. And that none of your lawyers do it? Do you mean that the courts
escape your influence...

HEGAN. [Laughing disconcertedly.] Really, my dear, this is as bad as
a Government investigation! I shall have to take refuge in a lapse of
memory.

LAURA. [Intensely.] Father! Is it nothing to you that I have the blood
of that poor girl on my conscience?

HEGAN. My child!

LAURA. Yes; just that! She was caught in the grip of this ruthless
system; it held her fast and crushed her life out. And we maintain this
system! I profit by it... all this luxury and power that I enjoy comes
from it directly! Can't you see what I mean?

HEGAN. I see, my dear, that you are frightfully overwrought, and that
you are making yourself ill. Can't you imagine what it means to me to
have you acting in this way? Here I am at one of the gravest crises of
my life; I am working day and night, under frightful strain... I have
hardly slept six hours in the past three days. And here, when I get a
chance for a moment's rest, you come and put me through such an ordeal!
You never think of t