MISS GODESBY.  They say he has one of those men who arrange shop windows decorate his dinner table for him!

BLANCHE.  The only time I ever dined with him I was really ashamed to go home with my dinner favor—­it was so gorgeous!  And there were such big bunches of violets in the finger bowls there wasn’t room for your little finger.

MISS GODESBY.  You never saw such a lot of decoration!  The game have ribbon garters on their legs, and even the raw oysters wear corsage bouquets! [To MRS. HUNTER.] I hope you don’t mind what we’re saying, Mrs. Hunter?

MRS. HUNTER. [Offended.] I must say I do mind very much.—­[A pause.]—­because—­[A second pause.]—­well, I am going to marry Mr. Trotter—­[All, not believing her, laugh merrily.] You are all very rude!

MISS GODESBY.  Not on the level!  Not Trotter!

MISS SILLERTON.  Not really!

BLANCHE.  No, no, of course not!

[She rings bell.

MRS. HUNTER.  But I am!  And I thought here at my daughter’s table, among my own friends (I was allowed to name the guests to-night), I could count on good wishes and congratulations.

[There is a dead silence.

[The musicians, a band of Neapolitan players, enter and take their places in a recess at Left.

BLANCHE. [To the musicians.] You may play. [To JORDAN, who has brought in the Neapolitans.] We are ready, Jordan.

[JORDAN goes out at back.

[RUTH goes to BLANCHE.

[The guitars and mandolins begin a popular song.

MISS GODESBY. [To MRS. HUNTER.] Oh, well, Mrs. Hunter, we were only codding!  There’s lots of good in Trotter, and I’m sure you’ll bring it out.  Good luck!

[Shaking her hand.

RUTH. [To BLANCHE, aside.] You won’t allow this!

BLANCHE.  Certainly not. [BLANCHE crosses to her mother and they go to one side together; BLANCHE speaks in a lowered voice.] You’ve amazed and shocked me!  I will not tolerate such a thing; we’ll talk it over to-night.

[She leaves her and returns to her guests, MRS. HUNTER standing where she is left, biting her lips and almost crying with rage and mortification.

MISS GODESBY. [Before the musicians, to BLANCHE as she joins her.] I’m crazy about these men, Mrs. Sterling; they play so awfully well—­especially that one with the lovely legs!

[JORDAN pulls aside the curtains at back and all the men reenter except WARDEN. They all join hands and dance around the tree, singing with the musicians; they break, and go up to a side table, where everything to drink is displayed. WARDEN enters at this moment and motions to MASON and leads him down stage.

WARDEN.  There was a railway guide in the hall—­that’s what he went there for; he’s going to run away to-night.