RUTH. [To BLANCHE, who with WARDEN waits for RUTH and MASON to pass.] I want just a minute with Mr. Mason, Blanche. [BLANCHE and WARDEN pass out before her. RUTH is alone with MASON. She speaks as if she were carrying on a conversation that had been interrupted.  She speaks in a lowered voice, indicating the private nature of what she has to say.] I sent him imperative word yesterday I must have the bonds.  I told him I wanted one to give to his wife for Christmas.  He pretends to-day he didn’t receive this letter, but he must have.

MASON.  This makes the third time there has been some excuse for not giving you the bonds?

RUTH.  Yes, and this letter he says he didn’t get was sent to his office by hand.

MASON.  I’ll speak to him before I leave.

[They go out at back.

[As they pass out, JORDAN stands by the doorway holding the curtains back.  The other three men stand stiffly at the Right.  As MASON and RUTH go out, the SERVANTS relax and exchange glances, each giving a little laugh out loud, except JORDAN. During the following dialogue they empty the table preparatory to arranging the room for the Christmas tree.

JORDAN.  Sh!  A very dull dinner, not an interesting word spoke.

FIRST FOOTMAN.  The widder seemed chipper like!

LEONARD.  And did you get on to the old lady’s rig-out; mourning don’t hang very heavy on her shoulders.

[One chair is moved back.

JORDAN. [To FIRST FOOTMAN.] Get the coffee. [He goes out Right.  To
LEONARD.] Get the smoking lay-out!

[LEONARD goes out Right and brings back a silver tray laden with cigarettes, cigar boxes, and a burning alcohol lamp.

LEONARD.  If you ask me, I think she’s going to put a bit more on the matrimonial mare if she gets the chance.

JORDAN.  It’s none of your business.  You’re Mrs. Sterling’s servant now.

LEONARD.  Good thing, too; it was a happy day for us when they moved in.

FIRST FOOTMAN. [Reenters with the coffee.] Say, did you see how that young feller over there [Motioning to the lower right-hand corner of the table.] shovelled the food in?

LEONARD.  And the way he poured down the liquid—­regular hog!  My arm’s tired a-filling of his glass.

[And he drinks a glass of champagne which has been left untouched by a guest.

JORDAN.  He ain’t nobody; he hasn’t any money; he was just asked to fill up.  He’s one of these yere singing chaps what’s asked to pass the time after dinner with a song or two gratis.  This dinner’ll last him for food for a week!

Their manners suddenly change as the men reenter and take seats about the two ends of the table. STERLING, MASON, and DOCTOR down Left form one group.  The other men are in a group between the window and the other end.  On entering STERLING speaks.