MR. VAN TOUSEL. One moment, Mrs. Tilsbury. I am afraid I cannot stay any longer. We have an early dinner to-night, because my mother is to preside at a meeting of the X.Y.Z. The President is ill, and she as Vice-President must be there on time. I promised to be home promptly. Let me thank you for a delightful afternoon. To see a noble army of martyrs—of women I mean, marching through the street in thinly clad delicate feet, bearing heavy banners for the sake of freedom, is an inspiring sight. It should make every man stop and think how much he owes to that other sex which we are accustomed to look upon as less enduring than our own.
SOPHIE. Mr. Van Tousel, you give me thrills.
MRS. THOM. Mr. Van Tousel, it is a pleasure to have met you.
MR. BECKER. (To MRS. BROWN.) Having signed the petition and thereby sold his birthright for a mess of pottage, he is bound to tell every one how good it is and how much he likes pottage. I admire his obstinacy.
SOPHIE. I must go too. I forgot I have an engagement, Mrs. Thom. Give my love to Mildred. I will come and see her to-morrow. Will you be so kind as to put me in a car, Mr. Van Tousel, at the corner please. The cops are so rough to a poorly dressed working girl who is out alone after dark. They say, “I will run you in if I catch you again.” Good-night, Mrs. Tilsbury, Good-night, Mrs. Brown. Good-night, Mr. Woman Hater.
MRS. THOM. Good-night, Sophie. I know the way to Mildred’s room, Mrs. Tilsbury. You need not leave your friends. (Goes out.)
MRS. TILSBURY. Good-night, Mr. Van Tousel. I am sorry that you must go so soon and that we shall not have our little game. I hope it is only postponed however. (MRS. TILSBURY shakes hands with MR. VAN TOUSEL, who goes out, followed by SOPHIE.)
MRS. TILSBURY. Excuse me a moment. I will be right back. I don’t want Mrs. Thom to excite Mildred.
MRS. BROWN. Wait, and tell us something about Mrs. Thom.
MR. BECKER. The lady seems to know her way about.