WILLIAM.  Well?

WALES.  I’m sorry, but I can’t explain anything until to-morrow.

MRS. CROSBY.  But really, Mr. Wales, don’t you think—­

WALES.  I think my action is almost indefensible.  I’m admitting that.  But I have very good reasons for what I am doing. (He turns to CROSBY.) Roscoe, I’ve been your close friend for a great many years.  You’ve trusted me and believed in me.  I’m going to ask you to wait.  After all, twenty-four hours can’t make any difference, and it may save you all a great deal of unhappiness.

WILLIAM (coming to WALES a step).  This is intolerable.

CROSBY.  Ned, I can’t understand—­

WILLIAM.  Father, this is my affair.

WALES.  I’m sorry.

WILLIAM.  Sorry?  I should think you would be.

HELEN.  Billy, I told you what would happen.  Mr. Wales, I don’t know what you have discovered.  But it’s nothing of which I am ashamed, nothing.

WILLIAM.  Dear, you mustn’t mind what he says.

HELEN (crossing in front of WILLIAM and moving a few steps towards WALES).  Oh, but I do, I can’t bear it.  Why, my mother is the most wonderful woman in the world.  I won’t have her attacked.  Do you know what she did?  When I was ten years old she sent me away from her.  I was the one thing she had in the world to love and she gave me up because she thought—­because she thought it was the best thing she could do for me.  I was sent to a fine school, then to college, and then when I was nineteen, quite by accident, I found out that she wasn’t dead, as they’d always told me, and when I went to her all she said was, “Well, my dear, I wanted to make a lady of you.”

(Turns to WILLIAM C. He takes her in his arms, then HELEN moves over to R. of him.)

MRS. CROSBY (in front of table R.).  I think she succeeded, my dear.

WALES (L.C.).  Miss O’Neill, I didn’t even know that you had a mother.

WILLIAM (C.).  Then you’d better tell us now whatever your objection is.

WALES.  I can tell you nothing until to-morrow. (He turns to WILLIAM.) Billy, I’d rather be shot than do what I’m doing.  If I’m wrong I’ll come to you gladly and eat dirt.  I’ll beg this young lady’s pardon, on my knees if she likes. (Voices and laughter heard off L.) Now that’s all I’m going to say about it until then. (Moves up L.)

(The door L. opens.  MARY EASTWOOD, HELEN TRENT, ELIZABETH ERSKINE, GRACE STANDISH, HOWARD STANDISH, PHILIP MASON and BRADDISH TRENT enter laughing and talking.)

MISS EASTWOOD (at L.C. To crowd in doorway).  And he said whose wife?

(All laugh.)

WILLIAM (C.  HELEN in front of table R.).  Quiet, quiet, everybody.  I’ve got a surprise for you.

(From the people at the door come laughter and buzz of conversation.)