door) No!
Kate is coming.

Mrs. Delormis. (In door) Yes, I'm here, too, Helen.

Hel. Come in, Cousin Catherine.

(All three advance)

Mrs. Del.
Madela had a feminine version of the
jim-jams--tea-nerves, you know--so must get
us both up.

Hel. (Drawing forward a huge chair for Mrs. Truelord while Mrs.
Delormis takes a smaller one) I was not in bed.

Mrs. Tru. (Looking toward bed in alcove, right) But you have
been! You could not sleep either. Ah!

(Sighs deeply)

Hel. (Goes to couch) Now, mamma!

Mrs. Tru. (Embarrassed by Helen's straightforward look)
Helen--I--I've just got to have it out to-night. You are
only my step-daughter, but I've loved you like my own.

Hel. (Quaintly) Yes.

Mrs. Tru.
Haven't I always treated you as if you were my
daughter born?

Hel. (Slowly) You have indeed!

Mrs. Tru.
And I can't bear for you to--to--O, I just can't bear
it, I say!

Hel. Bear what, mamma?

Mrs. Tru.
This--this man--

Mrs. Del.
Edgar Poe, Helen.

Mrs. Tru.
You are going to give up Roger--Roger who has
worshipped you since you were a baby, who has lived under
the same roof and been a brother to you since you were two
years old--you are going to give him up for a strange
man--a man without a penny--a man you have seen but
once--(Almost shrieking)--but once--(Rising)

Hel. (Crosses, and stands before her, speaking calmly) We know
angels at first sight, mamma.

Mrs. Tru. (Grabbing Helen by the shoulders and staring at her)
You have done it already! (Falls to chair as if fainting)

Hel. Soothe her, Catherine. I will get some wine. (Exit)

Mrs. Tru. (Sitting up, at once recovered) She's made up her
mind. When her eyes shine like that it's no use to argue.
And all of Roger's fortune in Mr. Truelord's hands! We've
considered it a family resource for years!

Mrs. Del.
What a fool Roger was to bring Edgar Poe to the house!

Mrs. Tru.
He's crazy about the man. Says he's a genius, and all
that stuff.

Mrs. Del.
Well, he is. But to introduce him to a girl like
Helen! They'll be off before morning!

Mrs. Tru.
Oh-h! Don'