But it is a great social and cosmic process. It does not depend on one man. Kill off, at this instant, every leader of the people, and the process will go on just the same. The people will come into their own. Theft will be unseated. It is destiny. It is the process. Nothing can stop it. {Margaret} But it can be retarded. {Knox} You and I are no more than straws in relation to it. We cannot stop it any more than straws can stop an ocean tide. We mean nothing--except to each other, and to each other we mean all the world. {Margaret} (_Sadly and tenderly._) All the world and immortality thrown in. {Chalmers} (_Breaking in._) Nice situation, sitting here and listening to a strange man woo my wife in terms of sociology and scientific slang. (_Both Margaret and Knox ignore him._) {Knox} Dear, I want you so. {Margaret} (_Despairingly._) Oh! It is so hard to do right! {Knox} (_Eagerly._) He wants the letters very badly. Give them up for Tommy. He will give Tommy for them. {Chalmers} No; emphatically no. If she wants Tommy she can stay on; but she must give up the letters. If she wants you she may go; but she must give up the letters. {Knox} (_Pleading for a decision._) Margaret. {Margaret} Howard. Don't tempt me and press me. It is hard enough as it is. {Chalmers} (_Standing up._) I've had enough of this. The thing must be settled, and I leave it to you, Knox. Go on with your love-making. But I won't be a witness to it. Perhaps I--er--retard the--er--the flame process. You two must make up your minds, and you can do it better without me. I am going to get a drink and settle my nerves. I'll be back in a minute. (_He moves toward exit to right._) She will yield, Knox. Be warm, be warm. (_Pausing in doorway._) Ah, you flame! Flame to some purpose. (_Exit Chalmers._) (_Knox rests his head despairingly on his hand, and Margaret, pausing and looking at him sadly for a moment, crosses to him, stands beside him, and caresses his hair._) {Margaret} It is hard, I know, dear. And it is hard for me as well. {Knox} It is so unnecessary. {Margaret} No, it is necessary. What you said last night, when I was weak, was wise. We cannot steal from my child-- {Knox} But if he gives you Tommy? Margaret (_Shaking her head._) Nor can we steal from any other woman's child--from all the children of all the women. And other things I heard you say, and you were right. We cannot live by ourselves alone. We are social animals. Our good and our ill--all is tied up with all humanity. {Knox} (_Catching her hand and caressing it._) I do not follow you. I hear your voice, but I do not know a word you say. Because I am loving your voice--and you. I am so filled with love that there is no room for anything else. And you, who yesterday were so remote and unattainable, are so near and possible, so immediately possible. All you have to do is to say the word, one little word. Say it.--Say it. (_He carries her hand to his lips and holds it there._)