God knows! O, if I could really help him!

(Enter Ethel and Annie)

Eth. O, Virginia, now that we're rid of that troublesome
husband let's have one of our good old-fashioned times!
We'll sit by the fire and tell tales. It's too cold anyway
to go to the woods.

Vir. (Absently) Edgar is there.

Annie. And there let him stay! I'm sure it's better for both of
you. You hang about him too much, Virginia. He'll quit
loving you, mamma says he will, if you're not more
sensible. Help me draw up this sofa, Ethel. (They pull
sofa to the fire. Annie settles herself comfortably) I
feel just like giving you a lecture, Virginia. You must
make Edgar go out more. Anybody will get queer shut up
here. The other day when mamma asked him to come to our
party he wasn't more than half polite when he refused, and
we were going to have Mr. Melrose Libbie to meet him too.
Said his work would keep him at home! Now you know,
Virginia, that poetry isn't work. It's just dash off a
line now and then, and there you are! Mr. Libbie said so.
O, he had the sweetest thing on the woman's page in last
Sunday's paper! Did you see it? You'd better call Edgar's
attention to it. Mamma read it to all of us at the
breakfast table, and--

Eth. O, stop your chatter, Annie, and let Virginia tell us one
of her fairy stories just as she used to do. We'll forget
all about Edgar and make believe she isn't married at all.

Vir. (Painfully) Forgive me, dear girls, but I've some work
that I must do to-day.

Mabel. Must do! Who ever heard the like?

Vir. I was wrong. It is some work that I choose to do--that it
will be my happiness to do.

Ethel. For Edgar?

Vir. Yes.

Annie. You are a little fool!

Vir. Yes ... I am a little fool.

Ethel. O, there's help for you if you know it!

Vir. If I were not a little fool I could be of more help to
Edgar.

Ethel and Annie.
Oh!

Annie. (Jumping up) Then we can't stay to-day!

Vir. I am so sorry--but--

Annie. O, we might as well give you up first as last!
(Exeunt girls)

Vir. (Sits at table and stares at the papers) ... A little fool
... a little fool.

(CURTA