[She rises.

LOUISE.  Not till we are a little more certain.  It would be dreadful to open the wound of her grief again for nothing.  Oh, if it’s only true!

MRS. CARLEY.  And you’ve seen Steve?

LOUISE.  Yes, he went off at once to the newspaper to see how authentic their information was, and then he was going on to the Colemans. [MOLES enters Left in answer to the bell.] Moles, bring me the morning paper.

MOLES. [Unable to suppress his excitement.] I’ve read it, m’m!  We’re all nearly crazy over it downstairs.  Lizzie’s took to crying and can’t answer her bells.—­Is it true, Mrs. Carley?

LOUISE.  Yes, we hope it’s true, Moles.

MOLES.  Thank God, m’m, if you’ll excuse me!

LOUISE.  But we’re not sure yet, and you mustn’t let anything drop before
Miss Georgiana till we are certain.

MOLES.  No, m’m.

[He goes out.

MRS. CARLEY.  Oughtn’t we to give Georgiana a hint to prepare her in some way?

LOUISE.  Perhaps, if we do it very carefully.

MRS. CARLEY.  It seems awful to me not to tell her right out.  Of course we won’t have Dick Coleman’s money to help live on now, if he’s back.

LOUISE.  Never mind that, mother.

[MOLES returns with the paper.

MOLES.  Here is the paper, m’m, and Miss Shindle is come—­she says to interview the drawing-room.

LOUISE.  Very well—­tell Miss Georgiana.

MOLES.  Yes, m’m.

[Goes out Right. LOUISE looks through the paper. MOLES brings in BELLA.  BELLA shows signs of suppressed excitement.

BELLA.  Oh, Mrs. Carley, have you seen the papers—­isn’t it splendid?

LOUISE.  Yes, if it’s only true.  We’re trying to make sure!

[LOUISE finds the place in the paper.

MRS. CARLEY. [Rising.] She doesn’t know yet.

BELLA.  Oh, Mrs. Carley!

LOUISE.  We’re waiting to be sure, and that we may be almost any minute.

BELLA.  Mercy!  I don’t see how you can keep it to yourself.

MRS. CARLEY.  You might give her a little hint, Bella, if you get a chance.

BELLA.  I wouldn’t dare.  If I opened my mouth wide enough to give her a hint, I know it would all burst out!

LOUISE.  As soon as Mr. Carley comes, make an excuse to leave her, won’t you?  We expect him to bring us some definite news?

BELLA.  Yes, indeed!

[MRS. CARLEY and LOUISE go out Left, as GEORGIANA comes in.

GEORGIANA. [Pleasantly.] Good morning, Bella.

[She sits by the table.

BELLA.  Good morning, ain’t it a fine morning?

GEORGIANA.  Is it?  I haven’t been out.

BELLA.  I’m scared to death. [Laughing nervously.] I ain’t going to write the article myself, you know.  It’s my sister’s husband’s friend—­she’s real literary enough!  She’s got a typewriter.