STEVEN.  Thank you, Sam.

[Shakes his hand.

COAST. Oh, that’s all right.  Say, I want to marry your sister.  No objection on your part, is there?

STEVEN.  Well, I should say not!

COAST. She don’t seem to cotton to me.

STEVEN.  She doesn’t know you.

COAST. Do you think if she was up a tree for funds she’d look at me any kinder?

STEVEN.  Not a bit.

COAST. Some women do.

STEVEN.  Not Georgiana!  Good-by.

COAST. [To STEVE.] So long.

[STEVEN turns to go, but stops as MOLES shows COLEMAN into the room.  The latter is dressed in his uniform of first lieutenant.

DICK.  Hello, Steven!  Hello, Coast!

COAST. We gates!

STEVEN.  How are you, Dick?  Excuse me, I’m in a hurry.  You’re off to-day?

DICK.  Yes, I’ve come to shake hands.

STEVEN.  Good-by, old man, and good luck—­sorry to have to go!  Good-by!

[Shakes hands warmly, with feeling.

DICK.  Good-by.

[STEVEN goes out Left.

COAST. [Sitting Right.] Oh, I guess she ain’t so different.

DICK.  Who?

COAST. Georgiana, she’s just a woman!

DICK.  No, take my word for it, she’s not a woman, she’s the woman.

[Sits on the piano bench.

COAST.  ’Spose she likes money and nice things always about her?

DICK.  She’s always had them,—­and always would if I could help give them to her.

COAST. Huh, huh!  Well—­say, Steve’s got himself in a devil of a hole! 
Speculated with his wife’s money—­and they’re broke.

DICK.  Good God, what do you mean?

[Rises.

COAST. What I say.  Steve is one of those good-hearted gulls who’s a blame slob on the money market, and he’s gone under to the extent of Aunt Laura’s and Louise’s spondulix, that’s all.

[He is rather amused. DICK goes back of table, puts his hat on it.

DICK.  What are they going to do?

COAST. Georgiana wants to pony up like a brick and keep the whole lot!

DICK.  Just like her!

COAST. Oh, of course, I’ll see Georgiana don’t really lose by it in no way in the end.

DICK.  You will?

COAST. Why of course!

DICK.  She isn’t going to let Steve speculate with her money, is she?

COAST. Can’t say.

[A pause.

DICK.  Look here, I’d like to help Steve myself, if I thought I could protect Georgiana.  I’ll let Steve have some money.  You needn’t say anything to anybody.  How much will see him through?

COAST. That’s real good of you, but I couldn’t let outsiders help ’em.

DICK.  I’m not exactly an outsider; and the truth is, Coast, I’d give anything to have the right to help Georgiana. [A silence.] Look here.  I’m going to ask you a question, straight out!