CKEEN

You must have given them a good dinner, Doctor.

FRANKLIN

And good advice. [_chuckles_] Oh, here comes Rutledge.

MCKEEN

I hope he's convinced his colleagues from South Carolina.

FRANKLIN

Good morning, Mr. Rutledge.

RUTLEDGE

Good morning, Doctor--good morning, McKeen.

FRANKLIN

I trust, Mr. Rutledge, your dinner of last evening was as productive of
good results as mine.

RUTLEDGE

You can count on South Carolina.

FRANKLIN

Great news, sir!

MCKEEN

Good!

RUTLEDGE

The members are beginning to assemble.

ALL [_growing from one voice to many_]

Good morning.
How do you do, Doctor?
Good morning, Mr. McKeen.
What news this morning?
Has Rodney come?
How will Pennsylvania vote, Doctor?
Good morning, Mr. Hancock.
Good morning, Dr. Franklin. A fine day, isn't it?
How is it with New Hampshire?
New Hampshire is unanimous, sir.
Good morning, gentlemen.
The hour of assembling is nearly here.
Shall we go in, gentlemen?
How do you do, Dr. Franklin?
Has New York been heard from?
Can we swing Delaware, Mr. McKeen?
Well, it's nearly nine o'clock.
There's no question about it, Mr. Livingston.
No, no, I don't believe we can go so far.
Yes, but we have no alternative. [_etc._]
[_this thins out but does not stop entirely_]

VOICE [_calling_]

Come on, gentlemen, we must go in! It's nine o'clock. The session will
open in a moment.

MCKEEN

Doctor, ask the members to delay--hold them a few minutes--don't let a
quorum assemble.

FRANKLIN

Yes, yes! [_louder_] Gentlemen, just a moment.

ALL

Yes, Doctor, what is it?
What do you want, Dr. Franklin? [_etc._]

FRANKLIN

Wait--wait a moment--don't go in just yet--come--do you mind standing
here with us--no--perhaps--Mr. Adams, take several members and go up
Market Street!

VOICE

Yes, certainly, Doctor--why?

FRANKLIN

Don't ask me why! We must delay the opening of the meeting. Come back in
a quarter of an hour!

VOICE

Of course, sir.

FRANKLIN

And Livingston, keep the members here on the steps in
conversation--don't let them go in.

VOICE

Certainly, Doctor.

FRANKLIN

Oh, Jefferson, you are always too prompt! My boy, be late this
morning--stroll about the Square! Take some of your friends with
you--sh--don't ask me why--I might incriminate myself! It's a beautiful
morning for a stroll--you need the air, my boy--you need--[_sound of
horses' hoofs off, growing louder_]

MCKEEN

Oh, Doctor, look!