Thief. Not a bit. Not one little white lie.
Charles [entering with a young man behind him]. It's a man from the News. He says he was out here on another story and he's got a big scoop. There's been some artistic burglary in the neighborhood and he's run onto it. I told him we hadn't lost anything and that we don't want to get into the papers; but he wants us to answer a few questions.
Reporter. Please do. I need some stuff about the neighborhood.
Clara. I don't know, Charles, but that it's our duty. [She smiles wickedly at the thief.] Something we say may help catch the thieves. Perhaps we owe it to law and order.
Reporter. That's right. Would you object if I used your name?
[Charles and the thief motion to Clara to keep still, but throughout the rest of the conversation she disregards their frantic signals, and sails serenely on.]
Clara. I don't know that we should mind if you mention us nicely. Will the Hempsteds be in? I shan't mind it, if they don't.
Reporter. Good for you. Now, have you—
Clara. We have missed something. We haven't had time to look thoroughly, but we do know that one of our pictures is gone.
[The men are motioning to her, but she goes on sweetly.]