AUNT ISABEL:  Well, he’ll have to put his party off.  Your uncle has been thinking it all out.  We’re to go to his office and you’ll have a talk with him and with Judge Watkins.  He’s off the state supreme bench now—­practising again, and as a favour to your uncle he will be your lawyer.  You don’t know how relieved we are at this, for Judge Watkins can do—­anything he wants to do, practically.  Then you and I will go on home and call up some of the crowd to come in and dance to-night.  We have some beautiful new records.  There’s a Hungarian waltz—­

MADELINE:  And what’s the price of all this, auntie?

AUNT ISABEL:  The—­Oh, you mean—­Why, simply say you felt sorry for the Hindu students because they seemed rather alone; that you hadn’t realized—­what they were, hadn’t thought out what you were saying—­

MADELINE:  And that I’m sorry and will never do it again.

AUNT ISABEL:  I don’t know that you need say that.  It would be gracious,
I think, to indicate it.

MADELINE:  I’m sorry you—­had the cake made.  I suppose you can eat it, anyway.  I (turning away)—­can’t eat it.

AUNT ISABEL:  Why—­Madeline.

(Seeing how she has hurt her, MADELINE goes out to her aunt.)

MADELINE:  Auntie, dear!  I’m sorry—­if I hurt your feelings.

AUNT ISABEL:  (quick to hold out a loving hand, laughing a little)
They’ve been good birthday cakes, haven’t they, Madeline?

MADELINE:  (she now trying not to cry) I don’t know—­what I’d have done without them.  Don’t know—­what I will do without them.  I don’t—­see it.

AUNT ISABEL:  Don’t try to.  Please don’t see it!  Just let me go on helping you.  That’s all I ask. (she draws MADELINE to her) Ah, dearie, I held you when you were a little baby without your mother.  All those years count for something, Madeline.  There’s just nothing to life if years of love don’t count for something. (listening) I think I hear them.  And here are we, weeping like two idiots. (MADELINE brushes away tears, AUNT ISABEL arranges her veil, regaining her usual poise) Professor Holden was hoping you’d take a tramp with him.  Wouldn’t that do you good?  Anyway, a talk with him will be nice.  I know he admires you immensely, and really—­perhaps I shouldn’t let you know this—­sympathizes with your feeling.  So I think his maturer way of looking at things will show you just the adjustment you need to become a really big and useful person.  There’s so much to be done in the world, Madeline.  Of course we ought to make it a better world. (in a manner of agreement with MADELINE) I feel very strongly about all that.  Perhaps we can do some things together.  I’d love that.  Don’t think I’m hopeless!  Way down deep we have the same feeling.  Yes, here’s Professor Holden.

(HOLDEN comes in.  He seems older.)

HOLDEN:  And how are you, Madeline? (holding out his hand)