Bea. We can hardly consider ourselves engaged, while Corney is, so to speak, on trial. If Papa approves of him, of course we shall be married.
Bus.; Hattie and Beatrice quietly congratulate each other.
Hel. I’m sorry I cannot live with you and manage the household, but Carrie could not get along without me. She has no talent for management and Peter is too engrossed with outside business.
Hat. (laughingly) If you’d watched him at dinner, you’d think he did not neglect his inside business.
Carrie and Beatrice laugh.
Hel. (sternly) I can see nothing humorous in that ribald remark.
Car. (L.) A man of Peter’s excitable temperament has enough worry abroad, he deserves to enjoy himself at home.
Carrie goes up L. to fireplace, puts cup on mantelpiece, as if looking for something.
Hel. But he brings his worries home with him. I’m sure we didn’t want that troublesome Statue in the house, though Mr. Tompkins does think it the greatest treasure on earth. He calls it Niobe Lachrymans,—whatever that means.