(_Interrupting._) He said the churchmen stole from God. I remember he once said there had been only one true Christian and that He died on the Cross. {Margaret} He quoted that from Nietzsche. {Starkweather} (_To Rutland, in quiet glee._) He had you there. {Rutland} (_In composed fury._) Nietzsche is a blasphemer, sir. Any man who reads Nietzsche or quotes Nietzsche is a blasphemer. It augurs ill for the future of America when such pernicious literature has the vogue it has. {Margaret} (_Interrupting, laughing._) I leave the quarrel in your hands, sir knight. Remember--the dreamer and the dream. (_Margaret makes exit._) {Rutland} (_Shaking his head._) I cannot understand what is coming over the present generation. Take your daughter, for instance. Ten years ago she was an earnest, sincere lieutenant of mine in all our little charities. {Starkweather} Has she given charity up? {Connie} It's settlement work, now, and kindergartens. {Rutland} (_Ominously._) It's writers like Nietzsche, and men who read him, like Knox, who are responsible. (_Senator Dowsett and Mrs. Dowsett enter from rear._) (_Connie advances to greet them. Rutland knows Mrs. Dowsett, and Connie introduces him to Senator Dowsett._) (_In the meantime, not bothering to greet anybody, evincing his own will and way, Starkweather goes across to right front, selects one of several chairs, seats himself, pulls a thin note-book from inside coat pocket, and proceeds to immerse himself in contents of same._) (_Dowsett and Rutland pair and stroll to left rear and seat themselves, while Connie and Mrs. Dowsett seat themselves at tea-table to left front. Connie rings the bell for Servant._) {Mrs. Dowsett} (_Glancing significantly at Starkweather, and speaking in a low voice._) That's your father, isn't it? I have so wanted to meet him. {Connie} (_Softly._) You know he's peculiar. He is liable to ignore everybody here this afternoon, and get up and go away abruptly, without saying good-bye. {Mrs. Dowsett} (_Sympathetically. _) Yes, I know, a man of such large affairs. He must have so much on his mind. He is a wonderful man--my husband says the greatest in contemporary history--more powerful than a dozen presidents, the King of England, and the Kaiser, all rolled into one. (_Servant enters with tea urn and accessories, and Connie proceeds to serve tea, all accompanied by appropriate patter--"Two lumps?" "One, please." "Lemon;" etc._) (_Rutland and Dowsett come forward to table for their tea, where they remain._) (_Connie, glancing apprehensively across at her father and debating a moment, prepares a cup for him and a small plate with crackers, and hands them to Dowsett, who likewise betrays apprehensiveness._) {Connie} Take it to father, please, senator.