Ruth. You are your mother's own child, Clara, and I never could pretend anything I didn't feel. [She turns to Blanche and Jessica, who stand side by side.] You two are all I have left in the world of my brother. [She kisses them, and lets the tears come, this time without struggling.] Take pity on your old-maid aunt and come and see me, won't you, often—[Trying to smile away her tears.] And now good-by!
Jessica and Ruth. [Taking her hands.] Good-by.
[Ruth looks about the room to say good-by to it; she cries and hurriedly begins pulling down her veil, and starts to go out as Jordan enters Left and announces "Mr. Mason!"
[Mrs. Hunter fluffs her hair a little and hopes she looks becoming.
[Mason is a typical New Yorker, well built, well preserved, dignified, and good-looking,—a solid man in every sense of the word.
Mason. [Meeting Ruth, shakes hands with her.] Miss Hunter.
Ruth. I am just going, Mr. Mason.
Mason. You must stay. I sent word to your house this morning to meet me here.
[Shakes hands with the others.
Ruth. I was here all night.