[After this remark both turn toward her and both smile.

[Exit.

After ELFIE exits, JOHN turns to LAURA with a pleasant smile, and jerks his head towards the door where ELFIE has gone out.

JOHN.  I bet she’s a character.

LAURA.  She’s a dear.

JOHN.  I can see that all right. [Crossing to centre.

LAURA.  She’s been a very great friend to me.

JOHN.  That’s good, but don’t I get a “how-dy-do,” or a handshake, or a little kiss?  You know I’ve come a long way.

LAURA goes to him and places herself in his arms; he kisses her affectionately.  During all this scene between them the tenderness of the man is very apparent.  As she releases herself from his embrace he takes her face in his hands and holds it up towards his.

JOHN.  I’m not much on the love-making business, Laura, but I never thought I’d be as happy as I am now. [JOHN and LAURA cross to centre. LAURA kneels in armchair with back to audience, JOHN stands left of her.] I’ve been counting mile-posts ever since I left Chicago, and it seemed like as if I had to go ’round the world before I got here.

LAURA.  You never told me about your good fortune.  If you hadn’t telegraphed I wouldn’t even have known you were coming.

JOHN.  I didn’t want you to.  I’d made up my mind to sort of drop in here and give you a great big surprise,—­a happy one, I knew,—­but the papers made such a fuss in Chicago that I thought you might have read about it—­did you?

LAURA.  No.

JOHN.  Gee! fixed up kind o’ scrumptious, ain’t you? [Crosses in front of sofa, around behind it, surveying rooms.] Maybe you’ve been almost as prosperous as I have.

LAURA.  You can get a lot of gilt and cushions in New York at half price, and besides, I’ve got a pretty good part now.

JOHN.  Of course I know that, but I didn’t think it would make you quite so comfortable.  Great, ain’t it?

LAURA.  Yes.

JOHN. [Standing beside her chair, with a smile.] Well, are you ready?

LAURA.  For what, dear? [Looking up at him.

JOHN.  You know what I said in the telegram?

LAURA.  Yes. [Leans her head affectionately on his shoulder.

JOHN.  Well, I meant it.

LAURA.  I know.

JOHN.  I’ve got to get back [JOHN looks around; crosses behind table to chair right of table, and sits facing her across it.], Laura, just as soon as ever I can.  There’s a lot of work to be done out in Nevada and I stole away to come to New York.  I want to take you back.  Can you go?

LAURA.  Yes—­when?

JOHN.  This afternoon.  We’ll take the eighteen-hour train to Chicago, late this afternoon, and connect at Chicago with the Overland, and I’ll soon have you in a home. [Pause.] And here’s another secret.