Mrs. Lawty. These ladies!
Ladies. (They all begin to talk at once again) Why, it was she herself who said—I had nothing to do with it at all—All I know about the whole affair is that—The impertinence of her saying—I didn't say a word about—— Etc.
Mrs. Warren. It was all of them ... every one of them. They said you had—oh, dear, I just can't say it! They came here to tell me you had eloped with ... with a married man ... with Doctor Hunter!
Betty. Ladies! Mother! How dare you! (She runs to her mother.) How dare you say such a thing! (To her mother) My poor, dear Mother!
Mrs. Warren. And it is so untrue. Oh! Clara ... Clara! My smelling-salts ... my smelling-salts! I'm going to faint ... I'm going to faint ... I'm going to faint!
Mrs. Romney. (Running to Mrs. Warren) Here, use mine, my dear, use mine.
Mrs. Lawty. But the letter, Mrs. Warren.
Mrs. Warren. (She has been fanning herself furiously with the letter. She suddenly holds it up as if it might be a bomb ready to go off in her hand.) The letter! Oh! Take it ... take it ... take it away!
Betty. (Taking the letter) Why, it is a note from——
Ladies. (On the very edges of their chairs) Yes?