MONTAGUE. I had never thought of any other possibility.
LAURA. Listen! I don"t understand the matter very clearly. The Grand Avenue Railroad case...
MONTAGUE. It is an effort to annul a franchise which was obtained by proven bribery.
LAURA. Then, if the public could win, it would be worth while, would it not?
MONTAGUE. It would establish a precedent of vast importance. But how could that be done?
LAURA. We have a hold upon these men... we could compel them to give way!
MONTAGUE. They would never do it, Miss Hegan... they have too much at stake.
LAURA. But... the evidence you have! Mr. Bullen said you could send Grimes to jail.
MONTAGUE. That was just wild talk. Grimes has the district attorney and the courts. He could never be punished for anything.
LAURA. But the exposure!
JACK. He"s been exposed a hundred times. What does that matter to him?
LAURA. But then... my father is involved.
JACK. Quite true, Miss Hegan...
LAURA. And I can make him see how wrong it is.
JACK. You can make him see it! But you can"t make him do anything!
LAURA. Ah, but you don"t know my father... truly, you don"t. He does these evil things, but at heart he"s a kind and loyal man! And he loves me... I am his only daughter... and I can help him to see what is right.
We have always understood each other; he will listen to me as he would not to any one else in the world.
JACK. But what can you say to him? We can"t put our evidence in your hands...
LAURA. I don"t need your evidence. I must tell you that I, too, have found out something about this case. I know that my father paid Mr.
Grimes to influence the decision of that Court. And I know how much he paid him.
MONTAGUE. Miss Hegan!
JACK. Good G.o.d!
LAURA. You see, I am not afraid to trust you.... [A pause.] What is the nature of your evidence against Grimes?
MONTAGUE. It comes from an eye-witness of his interview with the judge.
LAURA. And it is some one you can trust?
MONTAGUE. It"s for Bullen to tell you.
JACK. The judge has a nephew, a dissipated chap, whose inheritance he is holding back... and who hates him in consequence. The nephew happens to be a college chum of mine. He witnessed the interview and he brought me the evidence.
LAURA. I see. Then, certainly, I have a case. And don"t you see what a hold that gives me upon my father?
JACK. Miss Hegan, you are a brave woman, and I would like to give way to you. But you could accomplish nothing. This suit, which is nominally in the public interest, is really backed by Murdock and his crowd, who are fighting your father; you must realize his position.. . the thousand ties that bind him... all the habits of a lifetime! Think of the friends he has to protect; you don"t know...
LAURA. I know it all. And, on the other hand, I know some things that you do not know. I know that my father is not a happy man. There is a canker eating at his heart... the fruit of life has turned to ashes on his lips. And he has one person in all this world that he loves.. .
myself. He has toiled and fought for me... all these years he has told himself that he was making his money for me. And now he finds that it brings me only misery and grief... it is as useless to me as it is to him! And now, suppose I should go to him and say: "Father, you have committed a crime. And I cannot stand it another hour. You must choose here and now... you must give up this fight against the people... you must give up this career, and come with me and help me to do good in the world. Or else"... [her voice breaking.]... "I shall have to leave you!
I shall refuse to touch a dollar of your money; I shall refuse in any way to share your guilt!" Don"t you see? He will know that I am speaking the truth... and that I mean every word of it. Oh, gentlemen, believe me... my father would be as strong to atone for his injustices as he has been to commit them! Surely, you can"t refuse me this chance to save him?
JACK. Miss Hegan...
MONTAGUE. For G.o.d"s sake, Jack...
JACK. Excuse me, Montague. How long would you expect us to wait, Miss Hegan?
LAURA. You need not wait at all. You could go right ahead with your own plans. Meantime, I can go to my father... I will have tonight to plead with him, and tomorrow morning you will know if I have succeeded.
JACK. Very well... I will consent to that.
LAURA. Let Mr. Montague come to my father"s office tomorrow morning at ten o"clock. I shall not give him up... even if I have to follow him there! And now... good-bye... [Starts toward the door, breaks down and cries.] Thank you! Thank you!
[Stretches out her hands to them.]
MONTAGUE. [Springing toward her.] Miss Hegan!
LAURA. Give me a little courage! Tell me you think I shall succeed!
MONTAGUE. [Seizing her hand.] I believe you will, Miss Hegan!
LAURA. Ah! Thank you!
MONTAGUE. [Kisses her hand; tries to speak; overcome.] Good-bye!
LAURA. [Exit.] Ah, G.o.d!
JACK. I understand, old man! If only she weren"t so rich!
MONTAGUE. If only she weren"t...
JACK. Yes, yes, dear boy; I know how it is. You"re troubled with a conscience, and yours must be strictly a cottage affair! But forget it just now, old fellow... we"ve got work before us. Play ball!
[Takes him by the shoulder; they go off.]
[CURTAIN]
ACT III