ROSALIE.  I did not know anything could give to you a thrill.

MISS EASTWOOD.  You don’t like me, do you, Madame la Grange?

ROSALIE.  Oh, mademoiselle, I am indeed very fond of you.

WALES (standing below circle R.C.).  I think we’re all ready.

(The others are all seated and WALES is about to sit down.)

MISS ERSKINE (counting hurriedly).  Oh!  There are thirteen of us.  Don’t sit there, Mr. Wales.

WALES.  Oh, I don’t mind those little superstitions. (Sits down stage side of circle between HELEN and MRS. TRENT.)

MRS. CROSBY.  What do we do now?

ROSALIE.  Now, will you please all join your ’ands, and then sit very, very quiet.  Do not try to think of anything.

TRENT.  By Jove, that’ll be easy for me.

(The others laugh.)

WALES.  We can’t get any results if you treat this as a joke.

(All laugh.)

STANDISH.  Oh, let’s be serious.

MISS ERSKINE.  Why, Howard?

STANDISH.  Well, there might be something in it.  Anyhow, it’s only fair to do what Madame la Grange wants.  I suppose you’d like the lights out?  I’ve always understood that was necessary.

ROSALIE.  We shall ’ave better results in that way.

CROSBY.  Right! (He rises, goes to door L., and switches off light.  This leaves only the two table lamps R. and L. of the chesterfield C. still lit.  All other lights on scene out.  Crosses back to his chair—­turns out table lamp L. of chesterfield.) Billy, you turn out that light as soon as we are ready.

WILLIAM.  Right you are, dad.

ROSALIE.  That is all, then.  Now you are not to be afraid if I cry or moan when I do go into a trance.  I am not in pain or anything like that.  I do not even know that I do such things, but I ’ave been told that it sometime ’appen.  My spirit control is a sweet little child named Laughing Eyes.  When she begins to talk you can ask ’er anything you do want.  If she do not answer you she do not want to talk to you.  Then whoever it is speaking must let someone else try.  That is all, ladies and gentlemen. (She settles back in her chair.) Now then, sir, please to put out that light.

(WILLIAM turns off the light, and the stage is in darkness all but spots on ceiling.)

CROSBY.  That won’t do.  Billy, pull down the blind, that light on the ceiling is too strong.

(WILLIAM turns on light, crosses R., pulls blind down and closes curtains, then resumes his seat and puts light out. ROSALIE rises, crosses back of circle to the back of MISS EASTWOOD’S chair.  There is a pause.  Suddenly MISS EASTWOOD screams shrilly.)

MISS EASTWOOD.  There’s a hand on my face.  There’s a hand on my face!

CROSBY.  Will, the light!