[Enter Miss Ruth Hunter. She is an unmarried woman between thirty and forty years of age, handsome, distinguished; an aristocrat, without any pretensions; simple, unaffected, and direct in her effort to do kindnesses where they are not absolutely undeserved. She enters the room as if she carried with her an atmosphere of pure ozone. This affects all those in it. She is dressed in deep mourning and wears a thick chiffon veil, which she removes as she enters.
Ruth. Oh! you're having tea!
[Glad that they are.
Mrs. Hunter. [Taking a second cup.] I thought the children ought to.
Ruth. Of course they ought and so ought you, if you haven't.
Mrs. Hunter. Oh, I've trifled with something.
Jessica. Sit here, Aunt Ruth.
Blanche. Will you have a cup, Aunt Ruth?
Ruth. Yes, dear, I'm feeling very hungry.
[Sitting on the sofa beside Jessica and pressing her hand as she does so.