Sterling. Be quick, and say nothing to any one.
Leonard. Yes, sir.
[He goes out quickly Right. Sterling goes up stage and stands beside the door at back as the women dance in, singing "Follow the Man from Cook's." They are led by Clara, with Mrs. Hunter on the end. Blanche and Ruth follow alone, not dancing. The others dance around the chairs and Clara jumps on and off one of them; this stops the rest, who balk at it. Sterling goes out at back. The Servants enter Right.
Clara. I don't care for this dinner party at all. The women are all the time being chased away from the men! I prefer being with Mr. Trotter. Don't you, mama?
Miss Sillerton. He doesn't seem able to give a dinner party any more without you to chaperone, Mrs. Hunter.
Blanche. Mother, how can you?
Mrs. Hunter. Oh, I don't know as it's chaperoning! I like Mr. Trotter very much.
Miss Sillerton. But he's such a little cad. I tried to give him a lift, but he was too heavy for me.
Clara. Oh, well, you ought just to pretend it's the money in his pocket makes him so heavy; then you'd find him dead easy.
[Meanwhile the Servants have arranged the table, taken out the extra leaves and made it square, and left the room. They now reënter, bringing in a gorgeously decorated and lighted Christmas tree. There is at once a loud chorus of delighted approval from the women. The Servants place the tree in the centre of the table. The women who are sitting rise and come near to examine the tree.