ALL THE MEN. [Not in unison.] Good!  Bravo!  Bully toast! [Ad lib.]

[Every one drinks.

BLANCHE.  One more toast, Dick. [To the others.] Christmas Day is our boy’s birthday.

RUTH.  Surely! a toast to Richard!

STERLING.  Long life to Master Sterling, the best boy in the world, and to all his good friends at this table.

THE MEN.  Hear!  Hear!

[All the women speak their next speeches at the same time.

BLANCHE. [Laughing.] Of course!  I’ve dropped my handkerchief.}
          
                                                     }
[NED dives under the table for it. }
          
                                                     }
MISS SILLERTON.  O dear, my fan! }
          
                                                     }
MISS GODESBY.  What a bore!  I’ve dropped a glove! }
          
                                                     }
[STEINHART goes under the table for it. }
          
                                                     }
CLARA.  Both my gloves gone—­I’m so sorry! }
          
                                                     }
[GODESBY goes under the table for them. }
          
                                                     }
MRS. HUNTER.  Dick, please, I’ve dropped my smelling bottle. } [ALL
          
                                                     } together]
[TROTTER and STERLING go under the table for it. }
          
                                                     }
RUTH.  My gloves, please, I’m so sorry! }
          
                                                     }
[MASON goes under the table for them. }
          
                                                     }
[The speeches of the women are simultaneous, followed }
by the movements of the men also, all at the same time. }

BLANCHE.  Please don’t bother; the servants—­

LEONARD, JORDAN and, two extra men start to hunt under the table, too.

MISS GODESBY.  Women ought to have everything they own fastened to them with rubberneck elastics.

[The men, somewhat flustered, all rise with the various articles, and offer them to their respective owners.

[All the women thank the men profusely, and apologize at the same time. STERLING takes MRS. HUNTER out at back, followed by all the other couples, all talking. RUTH and MASON lag behind.