MARIE.  Will I help you?

TOMPSON.  Just with this table, thank you, Marie. [They begin to rearrange the room, putting it in its normal condition.  They replace the table and put back the ornaments upon it.] Poor Mr. Hunter, and him so fond of mince pie.  I shall never forget how that man ate mince pie.

[She sighs lugubriously and continues her labor with the room.

LEONARD.  I hope as how it’s not going to make any difference with us.

JORDAN. [Pompously.] Of course not; wasn’t Mr. Hunter a millionnaire?

TOMPSON.  Some millionnaires I’ve known turned out poor as Job’s turkey in their coffins!

MARIE.  What you say?  You tink we shall ’ave some of madame’s or ze young ladies’ dresses?

TOMPSON. [Hopefully.] Perhaps.

MARIE.  I ’ave already made my choice.  I like ze pale pink of Mees
Jessie.

LEONARD.  Sh!  I heard a carridge.

TOMPSON.  Then they’re coming back.

[MARIE quickly goes out Right.

JORDAN. [To LEONARD, hurriedly, as he quickly goes out Left.] Take them last two chairs!

[LEONARD, with the chairs, follows JORDAN out Left. TOMPSON hastily puts back a last arm-chair to its usual position in the room and goes out Right. MRS. HUNTER enters Left, followed by her three daughters, BLANCHE, JESSICA, and CLARA, and MASTER STERLING, who is a small, attractive child, five years of age.  All are in the deepest conventional mourning, MRS. HUNTER in widow’s weeds and CLARA with a heavy, black chiffon veil; the BOY is also dressed in conventional mourning.  As soon as they enter, all four women lift their veils. MRS. HUNTER is a well-preserved woman, with a pretty, rather foolish, and somewhat querulous face.  Her figure is the latest mode. BLANCHE STERLING, her oldest daughter, is her antithesis,—­a handsome, dignified woman, young, sincere, and showing, in her attitude to the others and in her own point of view, the warmth of a true, evenly-balanced nature. JESSICA is a typical second child,—­nice, good, self-effacing, sympathetic, unspoiled. CLARA is her opposite,—­spoiled, petulant, pretty, pert, and selfish.

MRS. HUNTER. [With a long sigh.] Oh, I am so glad to be back home and the whole thing over without a hitch!

[She sinks with a great sigh of relief into a big chair.

BLANCHE. [Takes her son to MRS. HUNTER.] Kiss grandmother good-by, and then Leonard will take you home.

MRS. HUNTER.  Good-by, dear.  Be a good boy.  Don’t eat too much candy.

[Kisses him carelessly.

MASTER STERLING.  Good-by. [Runs towards the door Left, shouting happily.] Leonard!  Leonard!

MRS. HUNTER. [Tearfully.] My dears, it was a great success!  Everybody was there!