(_Housekeeper appears triumphantly with envelope in her hand and hands it to Hubbard._) {Hubbard} (_Immediately._) That's not it. (_Glances at address and starts._) It's addressed to Knox. {Starkweather} Tear it open. Read it. (_Hubbard tears envelope open._) (_While this is going on, struggle behind screen is suspended._) {Hubbard} (_Withdrawing contents of envelope._) It is only a photograph--of Mrs. Chalmers. (_Reading._) "For the future--Margaret." {Chalmers} (_Thrusting Linda back to right front and striding up to Hubbard._) Give it to me. (_Hubbard passes it to him, and he looks at it, crumples it in his hand, and grinds it under foot._) {Starkweather} That is not what we wanted, Mrs. Middleton. Go on with the search. (_The search goes on behind the screen without any further struggling._) (_A pause, during which screen is occasionally agitated by the searchers removing Margaret's garments._) {Housekeeper} (_Appearing around corner of screen._) I find nothing else, sir. {Starkweather} Is she stripped? {Housekeeper} Yes, sir. {Starkweather} Every stitch? {Housekeeper} (_Disappearing behind screen instead of answering for a pause, during which it is patent that the ultimate stitch is being removed, then reappearing._) Yes, sir. {Starkweather} Nothing? {Housekeeper} Nothing. {Starkweather} Throw out her clothes--everything. (_A confused mass of feminine apparel is tossed out, falling near Dobleman's feet, who, in consequence, is hugely mortified and embarrassed._) (_Chalmers examines garments, then steps behind screen a moment, and reappears._) {Chalmers} Nothing. (_Chalmers, Starkweather, and Hubbard gaze at each other dumbfoundedly._) (_The two Maids come out from behind screen and stand near door to right rear._) (_Starkweather is loath to believe, and steps to Margaret's garments and overhauls them._) {Starkweather} (_To Chalmers, looking inquiringly toward screen._) Are you sure? {Chalmers} Yes; I made certain. She hasn't them. {Starkweather} (_To Housekeeper._) Mrs. Middleton, examine those girls. {Housekeeper} (_Passing hands over dresses of Maids._) No, sir. {Margaret} (_From behind screen, in a subdued, spiritless voice._) May I dress--now? (_Nobody answers._) It--it is quite chilly. (_Nobody answers._) Will you let Linda come to me, please? (_Starkweather nods savagely to Linda, to obey._) (_Linda crosses to garments, gathers them up, and disappears behind screen._) {Starkweather} (_To Housekeeper._) You may go. (_Exit Housekeeper and the two Maids._) {Dobleman} (_Hesitating, after closing door._) Shall I lock it? (_Starkweather does not answer, and Dobleman leaves door unlocked._) {Connie} (_Rising._) May I take mother away? (_Starkweather, who is in a brown study, nods._) (_Connie assists Mrs. Starkweather to her feet._) {Mrs. Starkweather}