Miss Godesby. [To Mrs. Hunter.] Oh, well, Mrs. Hunter, we were only codding! There's lots of good in Trotter, and I'm sure you'll bring it out. Good luck!
[Shaking her hand.
Ruth. [To Blanche, aside.] You won't allow this!
Blanche. Certainly not. [Blanche crosses to her mother and they go to one side together; Blanche speaks in a lowered voice.] You've amazed and shocked me! I will not tolerate such a thing; we'll talk it over to-night.
[She leaves her and returns to her guests, Mrs. Hunter standing where she is left, biting her lips and almost crying with rage and mortification.
Miss Godesby. [Before the musicians, to Blanche as she joins her.] I'm crazy about these men, Mrs. Sterling; they play so awfully well—especially that one with the lovely legs!
[Jordan pulls aside the curtains at back and all the men reënter except Warden. They all join hands and dance around the tree, singing with the musicians; they break, and go up to a side table, where everything to drink is displayed. Warden enters at this moment and motions to Mason and leads him down stage.
Warden. There was a railway guide in the hall—that's what he went there for; he's going to run away to-night.
Mason. How'll we prevent it?
Warden. First, we must break up this party!