BELLA. [Entering Right.] May I come in?

GEORGIANA.  Yes, Bella.

BELLA.  Oh, good evening, Mr. Carley, it’s a pleasant evening!

STEVEN.  Good evening, Miss Shindle.

BELLA.  What I come to ask is if I shall do you now, and Mrs. Wishings around the corner afterwards?

GEORGIANA.  I think I’d rather you went to Mrs. Wishings first if you don’t mind.

BELLA.  Oh, it’s all the same to me!  Mrs. Wishings ain’t really in the smart set and they say her husband ain’t so rich, and she’s horrid to her servants—­don’t give them cake.  I don’t care if I lost her head to do!  I’m like that, as you know, particular when I’m particular, but—­well—­just supercilious and negligee when it don’t count!  Good gracious! [Laughing.] Oh, here’s a letter for you I brought up for Lizzie.  It’s from the Phillypeenys and has a special delivery on. [GEORGIANA takes letter and opens it and reads it.] That’s how it come at this hour.  Some folks do have luck, as the saying is!  I’ve got to wait till to-morrow morning for mine if I get one, and if there’s a Phillypeeny post and I don’t get one, well, I pity the ladies’ hair I dress to-morrow, that’s all! [To STEVEN.] Mr. Carley, you’ve got lovely soft hair, haven’t you?  I know you have a lovely disposition, I can tell it from your hair.  Yes, indeed, they always go together, it’s a certain sign!  Now Mrs. Wishings’ hair is just like a horse’s tail! what there is of it.  I often feel like asking her which she’d rather I done it, on or off! [Laughs heartily.] I must have my little joke, but nobody minds me—­good-by.

STEVEN.  Good-by.

[BELLA goes out Left.

GEORGIANA. [Looking up, bursting with happiness and reading as she speaks.] Oh, Steve!  Steve!  Such good news!  I can hardly wait to tell you, but just let me finish it.

STEVEN.  Finish anything that means good news, Georgy, and then for heaven’s sake tell me what it is.

GEORGIANA. [Closing the letter.] It’s finished!

[She looks up radiant and forgetful of him for a moment.

STEVEN.  Well!

[Rises and goes to GEORGIANA.

GEORGIANA. [Softly.] Dick loves me!

STEVEN.  Dick Coleman?

GEORGIANA.  He loves me, he’s always loved me!

STEVEN.  But why—?  I don’t understand—­

GEORGIANA.  No, I didn’t know it.  I thought—­there were reasons why I thought he didn’t love me.  But I understand now.  Listen; I’ll read you a part of his letter—­a part of it! Oh, this makes up for everything, Steve. [She reads.] “My dear—­[She stops and improvises the next three words.] my dear Georgy:  [She looks up slyly to see if Steven noticed the change; he didn’t.] Each steamer brings me letters from home, but never a word of your engagement to Coast, never a word of your marriage.  Is that broken off—­” How do you suppose he got the impression I was going to marry Sam?