( The other two spring apart. A short pause .)
CULVER. Which is the refusal?
MISS STARKEY. This one.
CULVER. Put it in the fire. (Miss Starkey obeys. Both the women show satisfaction in their different ways .) Give me the acceptance. ( He takes the letter of acceptance and reads it .)
MRS. CULVER ( while he is reading the letter ). Miss Starkey, you look very pale. Have you had any dinner?
MISS STARKEY. Not yet, madam.
MRS. CULVER. You poor dear! ( She strokes Miss Starkey. They both look at the tyrannical male .) I'll order something for you at once.
MISS STARKEY. I shall have to go to the post first.
CULVER ( glancing up ). I'll go to the post myself. I must have air, air! Where's the envelope? ( Exit Miss Starkey quickly, back .)
(Mrs. Culver gently takes the letter from her husband and reads it . Culver drops into a chair .)