Part 30 (1/2)

{Margaret}

(_Interrupting bitterly._) I don't think you were considering your daughter at all in the matter. I know your views on woman and woman's place. I have never counted for anything with you.

Neither has mother, nor Connie, when business was uppermost, and business always is uppermost with you. I sometimes wonder if you think a woman has a soul. As for my marriage--you saw that Tom could be useful to you. He had the various distinctive points you have mentioned. Better than that he was pliable, capable of being molded to perform your work, to manipulate machine politics and procure for you the legislation you desired. You did not consider what kind of a husband he would make for your daughter whom you did not know. But you gave your daughter to him--sold her to him--because you needed him--

(_Laughs hysterically._) In your business.

{Starkweather}

(_Angrily._) Margaret! You must not speak that way. (_Relaxing._)

Ah, you do not change. You were always that way, always bent on having your will--

{Margaret}

Would to G.o.d I had been more successful in having it.

{Starkweather}

(_Testily._) This is all beside the question. I sent for you to tell you that this must stop--this a.s.sociation with a man of the type and character of Knox--a dreamer, a charlatan, a scoundrel--

{Margaret}

It is not necessary to abuse him.

{Starkweather}

It must stop--that is all. Do you understand? It must stop.

{Margaret}

(_Quietly._) It has stopped. I doubt that I shall ever see him again. He will never come to my house again, at any rate. Are you satisfied?

{Starkweather}

Perfectly. Of course, you know I have never doubted you--that--that way.

{Margaret}

(_Quietly._) How little you know women. In your comprehension we are automatons, puppets, with no hearts nor heats of desire of our own, with no springs of conduct save those of the immaculate and puritanical sort that New England crystallized a century or so ago.

{Starkweather}

(_Suspiciously._) You mean that you and this man--?

{Margaret}

I mean nothing has pa.s.sed between us. I mean that I am Tom's wife and Tommy's mother. What I did mean, you have no more understood than you understand me--or any woman.

{Starkweather}

(_Relieved._) It is well.