(_He draws up a comfortable chair for her, and seats himself in desk-chair, facing her._) {Margaret} I have only a few minutes. Tom is at father's, and I am to pick him up there and go on to that dinner, after I've taken Tommy home. {Knox} But your maid? {Margaret} Linda? Wild horses could not drag from her anything that she thought would harm me. So intense is her fidelity that it almost shames me. I do not deserve it. But this is not what I came to you about. (_She speaks the following hurriedly._) After you left this afternoon, something happened. Father received a telegram. It seemed most important. His secretary followed upon the heels of the telegram. Father called Tom and Mr. Hubbard to him and they held a conference. I think they have discovered 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._)