(Curtain falls.)
Scene III.—Room in confusion. Slippers under the sofa, coats on chairs, two of Mary’s dresses on sofa, and her shawl and bonnet on John’s arm-chair. Two of John’s hats on table. Mary crocheting, R. John and Edwin Hastings enter, L.
John (glancing in surprise, first around the room, then at his wife). What! house-cleaning, Mary?
M. Oh, no. (Turns to greet his companion.) I’m glad to see you, Mr. Hastings. Sit down, do. (Takes coat from chair, and tosses it carelessly on sofa.) You haven’t been here for a long time.
Edwin (looking round with an amused smile). It is a long time for me to be away.
J. (taking M.’s shawl and bonnet from easy-chair.) Say, Mary, what shall I do with these dry-goods?
M. Oh, lay them on the table.
J. But there isn’t room.
M. Isn’t there? Well, put them on the piano.
J. But I was just going to open it, so that we might have some music.