STERLING.  Oh, nothing.  I forgot to send them up to her, that’s all.

BLANCHE.  But she says she sent three times.

STERLING.  One time too late to get into the vault; and the other, her letter was mislaid—­I mean not given to me.

BLANCHE.  You haven’t broken your word to me?

STERLING.  What if I had?

BLANCHE.  I would let the law take its course.

STERLING.  You must love me very little.

BLANCHE.  I live with you.  First you robbed me of my respect for you; then you dried up my heart with neglect.

STERLING.  And our boy?

BLANCHE.  Your blood runs in his veins; your shame and disgrace would be a fearful warning to him.  It might kill me; but never mind, if it saved him.

STERLING.  Oh, well, I haven’t broken my word!  So you needn’t worry.  I’ve been honest enough.

BLANCHE. [With a long sigh of relief.] Oh!  I hope so!

MRS. HUNTER. [Appearing in doorway at back.] The men are in the drawing-room—­shall we come here?

BLANCHE.  Yes, we’ll bring the others, mother.  Come, Dick.

[She goes out with MRS. HUNTER at back.

STERLING. [Goes to door Right, opens it, and calls.] Leonard!

[LEONARD enters Right

LEONARD.  Yes, sir?

STERLING.  Go up to my library at the top of the house, get a railroad guide you will find there, and bring it down and put it on the table in the hall just outside the drawing-room door.

LEONARD.  Yes, sir.

STERLING.  Then go to my room and pack my bag and dressing case.  Do you understand?

LEONARD.  Yes, sir.

[The women are heard singing “Follow the Man from Cook’s,” and gradually coming nearer.

STERLING.  Be quick, and say nothing to any one.

LEONARD.  Yes, sir.

[He goes out quickly Right. STERLING goes up stage and stands beside the door at back as the women dance in, singing “Follow the Man from Cook’s.”  They are led by CLARA, with MRS. HUNTER on the end. BLANCHE and RUTH follow alone, not dancing.  The others dance around the chairs and CLARA jumps on and off one of them; this stops the rest, who balk at it. STERLING goes out at back.  The SERVANTS enter Right.

CLARA.  I don’t care for this dinner party at all.  The women are all the time being chased away from the men!  I prefer being with Mr. Trotter.  Don’t you, mama?

MISS SILLERTON.  He doesn’t seem able to give a dinner party any more without you to chaperone, Mrs. Hunter.

BLANCHE.  Mother, how can you?

MRS. HUNTER.  Oh, I don’t know as it’s chaperoning!  I like Mr. Trotter very much.

MISS SILLERTON.  But he’s such a little cad.  I tried to give him a lift, but he was too heavy for me.