Theft | Page 4

cup of tea. Connie, I shall stay for a cup of tea, and then, if your father
hasn't come, we'll go home. (To Chalmers.) Where is Tommy?
{Chalmers}
Out in the car with Madge.
(Glances at tea-table and consults watch.) She should be back now.

{Connie}
Mother, you mustn't stay long. I have to dress.
{Chalmers}
Oh, yes, that dinner.
(Yawns.) I wish I could loaf to-night.
{Connie}
(Explaining to Hubbard.) The Turkish Charge d'Affaires--I never can
remember his name. But he's great fun--a positive joy. He's giving the
dinner to the British Ambassador.
{Mrs. Starkweather}
(Starting forward in her chair and listening intently.) There's Tommy,
now.
(Voices of Margaret Chalmers and of Tommy heard from without. Hers
is laughingly protesting, while Tommy's is gleefully insistent.)
(Margaret and Tommy appear and pause just outside door, holding
each other's hands, facing each other, too immersed in each other to be
aware of the presence of those inside the room. Margaret and Tommy
are in street costume.)
{Tommy} (Laughing.)
But mama.
{Margaret}
(Herself laughing, but shaking her head.) No. Tommy First--
{Margaret}
No; you must run along to Linda, now, mother's boy. And we'll talk

about that some other time.
(Tommy notices for the first time that there are persons in the room. He
peeps in around the door and espies Mrs. Starkweather. At the same
moment, impulsively, he withdraws his hands and runs in to Mrs.
Starkweather.)
{Tommy}
(Who is evidently fond of his grandmother.) Grandma!
(They embrace and make much of each other.)
(Margaret enters, appropriately greeting the others--a kiss (maybe) to
Connie, and a slightly cold handshake to Hubbard.)
{Margaret}
(To Chalmers.) Now that you're here, Tom, you mustn't run away.
(Greets Mrs. Starkweather.)
{Mrs. Starkweather}
(Turning Tommy's face to the light and looking at it anxiously.) A trifle
thin, Margaret.
{Margaret}
On the contrary, mother----
{Mrs. Starkweather}
(To Chalmers.) Don't you think so, Tom?
{Connie}
(Aside to Hubbard.) Mother continually worries about his health.

{Hubbard}
A sturdy youngster, I should say.
{Tommy}
(To Chalmers.) I'm an Indian, aren't I, daddy?
{Chalmers}
(Nodding his head emphatically.) And the stoutest-hearted in the tribe.
(Linda appears in doorway, evidently looking for Tommy, and
Chalmers notices her.) There's Linda looking for you, young stout
heart.
{Margaret}
Take Tommy, Linda. Run along, mother's boy.
{Tommy}
Come along, grandma. I want to show you something.
(He catches Mrs. Starkweather by the hand. Protesting, but highly
pleased, she allows him to lead her to the door, where he extends his
other hand to Linda. Thus, pausing in doorway, leading a woman by
either hand, he looks back at Margaret.) (Roguishly.) Remember,
mama, we're going to scout in a little while.
{Margaret}
(Going to Tommy, and bending down with her arms around him.) No,
Tommy. Mama has to go to that horrid dinner to-night. But to-morrow
we'll play.
(Tommy is cast down and looks as if he might pout.) Where is my little
Indian now?

{Hubbard}
Be an Indian, Tommy.
{Tommy}
(Brightening up.)
All right, mama. To-morrow.----if you can't find time to-day.
(Margaret kisses him.) (Exit Tommy, Mrs. Starkweather, and Linda,
Tommy leading them by a hand in each of theirs.)
{Chalmers}
(Nodding to Hubbard, in low voice to Hubbard and starting to make
exit to right.) That high-ball.
(Hubbard disengages himself from proximity of Connie, and starts to
follow.)
{Connie}
(Reproachfully.) If you run away, I won't stop for tea.
{Margaret}
Do stop, Tom. Father will be here in a few minutes.
{Connie}
A regular family party.
{Chalmers}
All right. We'll be back. We're just going to have a little talk.
(Chalmers and Hubbard make exit to right.) (Margaret puts her arm
impulsively around Connie--a sheerly spontaneous act of

affection--kisses her, and at same time evinces preparation to leave.)
{Margaret}
I've got to get my things off. Won't you wait here, dear, in case
anybody comes? It's nearly time.
(Starts toward exit to rear, but is stopped by Connie.) Madge.
(Margaret immediately pauses and waits expectantly, smiling, while
Connie is hesitant.)
I want to speak to you about something, Madge. You don't mind?
(Margaret, still smiling, shakes her head.) Just a warning. Not that
anybody could believe for a moment, there is anything wrong, but----
{Margaret}
(Dispelling a shadow of irritation that has crossed her face.)
If it concerns Tom, don't tell me, please. You know he does do
ridiculous things at times. But I don't let him worry me any more; so
don't worry me about him.
(Connie remains silent, and Margaret grows curious.) Well?
{Connie}
It's not about Tom--
(Pauses.) It's about you.
{Margaret}
Oh.
{Connie}

I don't know how to begin.
{Margaret}
By coming right out with it, the worst of it, all at once, first.
{Connie}
It isn't serious at all, but--well, mother is worrying about it. You know
how old-fashioned she is. And when you consider