Mason. How?
Warden. I haven't quite thought yet. Go back to the others; send Jordan to me; don't lose sight of Dick. Jordan! [He takes him aside.] I want you to go out of this room for a minute, pretend to go upstairs, then come back and tell Mrs. Sterling, loud enough for the others to hear you, that Master Richard is very ill, and say the maid is frightened.
Jordan. [Hesitating.] But—
Warden. [Quickly and firmly.] Do as I tell you. I am responsible for whatever happens.
[Jordan goes out at back. The men and women are laughing and talking about the sideboard.
Blanche. Come now, everybody! Let's have the presents. Dick, you know you are to be Santa Claus.
[Sterling looks nervously at his watch.
Sterling. Just a minute, dear! Ned! [Takes Warden to one side. The women move about the tree, hunting for their own names on the stockings on the table at the foot of the tree.] Ned, I've been suddenly called out of town on business—must catch the eleven-twenty train. I don't want to break up the party, so you empty the tree, and when the time comes for me to go, I'll slip out.
Warden. And when your guests go?
Sterling. Oh, then you can explain for me.