WARDEN I wish you would, please.

SERVANT.  Ze big room for ze breakfast is altogether ready and warm; you will be able to go in there now.

WARDEN.  No, that wouldn’t do.  It’s all right out here for me, only I am expecting a lady.

[Sleigh-bells are heard in the distance, coming quickly nearer.

SERVANT.  Yes, sair.

WARDEN.  I hear a sleigh coming.  If a lady is in it, ask if her name is Mrs. Sterling, and if she says yes, tell her Mr. Warden is here and would like to speak with her a moment before she goes in to Mrs.—­

[He hesitates a second.

SERVANT.  Trottair?

WARDEN.  Yes.

SERVANT.  Yes, sair.

[He goes into the house.

[The sun grows red, and the colors of sunset creep over the sky during the scene which follows.  After a moment the SERVANT shows BLANCHE out from the house.

BLANCHE. [Surprised and depressed.] Good morning, Mr. Warden, have you been asked to these funeral baked meats?

WARDEN.  No, I’ll explain why I am here in a few minutes.  Only let me ask you first when you last saw your husband?

BLANCHE.  Early this morning.

WARDEN.  And you have come just now from where?

BLANCHE.  Aunt Ruth’s.  Of course you know about my mother?  When I heard it I started to come here, but my heart failed me and I turned back to my aunt’s.  She has persuaded me that I ought to come and put the best face on the matter possible, but it seems as if I’d had now a little more than I can bear!

[Her voice breaks and her eyes fill with tears.

WARDEN. [Almost tenderly.] Shall we go inside?

BLANCHE.  No, no!  Let us stay out in the air; my head would burst in one of these close little rooms.  Have you seen mother?

WARDEN.  No, not yet.

BLANCHE.  Where is Dick?  Did he go to Ryder’s?

WARDEN.  No, but I have some good news to tell you all the same—­Ryder has promised silence.

BLANCHE. [With tremendous relief.] Oh! that’s too good, too good to be true!  To whom did he promise?

WARDEN.  I want you not to ask me that.

BLANCHE.  I can guess, it was—­

WARDEN. [Lying.] No, it was—­Mason.

BLANCHE. [Doubting him.] Mr. Mason?

WARDEN.  And I’ve more good news for you, Mrs. Sterling—­the Godesbys, too; they will be silent.

BLANCHE.  You’re sure?

WARDEN.  We have their word!

BLANCHE. [Pointedly.] Mr. Mason again?—­

[WARDEN bows his head in assent.] He was here?

WARDEN.  Some time ago, but only for a minute.  He didn’t stay; he went to find your husband.

BLANCHE.  But the Godesbys?  I just met them now on the road going back.  How could Mr. Mason, if he didn’t stay—­[WARDEN is embarrassed, and is silent, searching a way out of it.] Oh, no! no! it wasn’t Mr. Mason!  I see the whole thing clearly.  Dick was too great a coward, and you did it!  It was you who won over Ryder!  It was you who persuaded the Godesbys!—­