Part 50 (1/2)

{Margaret}

(_Plaintively, looking from one man to the other._) Men are so strangely and wonderfully made. What am I to do with the pair of you? Why won't you reason together like rational human beings?

{Chalmers}

(_Bitterly gay, rising to his feet._) Yes; let us come and reason together. Be rational. Sit down and talk it over like civilized humans. This is not the stone age. Be rea.s.sured, Mr. Knox. I won't brain you. Margaret--

(_Indicating chair,_) Sit down. Mr. Knox--

(_Indicating chair._) Sit down.

(_All three seat themselves, in a triangle._) Behold the problem--the ever ancient and ever young triangle of the playwright and the short story writer--two men and a woman.

{Knox}

True, and yet not true. The triangle is incomplete. Only one of the two men loves the woman.

{Chalmers}

Yes?

{Knox}

And I am that man.

{Chalmers}

I fancy you're right.

(_Nodding his head._) But how about the woman?

{Margaret}

She loves one of the two men.

{Knox}

And what are you going to do about it?

{Chalmers}

(_Judicially._) She has not yet indicated the man.

(_Margaret is about to indicate Knox._) Be careful, Madge. Remember who is Tommy's father.

{Margaret}

Tom, honestly, remembering what the last years have been can you imagine that I love you?

{Chalmers}