Mrs. Cullingham. [Waits and speaks to Jinny with real feeling.] I'm awfully ashamed of myself, and I hope I haven't made any trouble or fuss with my meddling. Don't let me!
Jinny. No, of course not.
[With a strained smile.
Mrs. Cullingham. I wish I could believe you.
Jinny. Well, do.
Mrs. Cullingham. Good-by.
[She goes out Right.
Jinny. Good-by. Where's that telegram that came for him a little while ago? [Going to the desk at Right, and finding the telegram.] Of course it's from her, saying that she's arrived. That's the trouble with telegrams; the address doesn't give the handwriting away. She must have sent it from the dock! Couldn't even wait till she was home! [She walks to the window and stands there a moment, then comes back, looking at her watch.] Nearly seven already, and no sign of him, and we must dress and dine—huh! I think I might as well tear up my theatre tickets! [She paces up and down the room, stopping now and then with each new thought that comes to her.] I wonder if he went down there to meet her—he must have known the boat; if he cabled her to come back, she must have cabled an answer and what boat she'd take! But no other telegram has come for Jack here to my knowledge—oh! of course, what am I thinking of, she sent that one to his office to-day; she was afraid he might have left before this one could get there, so she risked it here. Good Heavens! why am I maudling on like this to myself out loud? It's really nothing—Jack will explain once more that he can't explain, but that Ruth has "troubles," and I'll believe him again! But I won't! He promised me she should stay over there! [Looks at her watch again.] He's there, with her! Nothing ever kept him half as late down town as this! What a little fool I am!
[Geoffrey enters suddenly Right.
Jinny. [Cries out, joyfully.] Geoffrey! [And rushing to him, embraces him.] You brute, you, not to come straight back to New York when you heard I was home! You dear old darling, you!