n never unite on independence!
We must bring this thing about!
Will you join me?
We have no power to vote. [_etc._]

FRANKLIN

Oh, Mr. Rutledge--

RUTLEDGE [_off_]

Yes, Dr. Franklin?

FRANKLIN

Please--may I speak to you?

RUTLEDGE [_coming in_]

Of course, Doctor--what is it?

FRANKLIN

Sit down here, my boy.

RUTLEDGE

Thank you.

FRANKLIN

Do you think you can swing the South Carolina delegation for
independence?

RUTLEDGE

I don't know, Dr. Franklin, but I've invited them to my lodging to dine
with me and talk over the question.

FRANKLIN

Good, good! Often an excellent meal and a taste of fine wine carry more
conviction than hours of argument. As I see it now, we must swing South
Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Delaware into line before tomorrow morning.

RUTLEDGE

Count on me for South Carolina.

FRANKLIN

And I'll take care of Pennsylvania. I think I'll try your strategy--I'll
invite the delegation to dinner.

RUTLEDGE

Then that leaves Delaware.

FRANKLIN

I wonder if McKeen of Delaware, who favors independence--

RUTLEDGE

Yes, I know.

FRANKLIN [_going on_]

--can't swing Dr. Reed in the same way.

RUTLEDGE

Perhaps.

FRANKLIN

Oh, there's McKeen now. Call him over here--will you, Rutledge?

RUTLEDGE

Of course. [_calling_] Oh, Mr. McKeen! Mr. McKeen!

MCKEEN [_off_]

Yes?

RUTLEDGE

Come over here a moment--will you, please?

MCKEEN

Why, certainly. [_coming in_] Well, Dr. Franklin, we had a stormy
session this morning.

FRANKLIN

All that will be forgotten--

MCKEEN

In victory.

FRANKLIN

If only we can make our victory complete.

MCKEEN

True.

FRANKLIN

What chance is there for Delaware to join us?

MCKEEN

None, I'm afraid. Dr. Reed and I are the only delegates here--and he is
as unalterably opposed to independence as I am in favor of it. The vote
of Delaware won't count.

FRANKLIN

What about getting another favoring delegate here by tomorrow? Could you
do that?

MCKEEN

Well, Doctor, I'm afraid it's out of the question. Caesar Rodney favors
the resolution, I know, but he's at home in Dover, Delaware.

FRANKLIN

Send a postrider for him!

MCKEEN

It's eighty miles.

FRANKLIN

Well, that's not impossible. We have until nine o'clock tomorrow
morning--it's now--let's see--just a little after twelve--that's nearly
twenty-one hours.

MCKEEN

But Rodney was very ill when he went home last week.

FRANKL