t. If I dared risk it, I'm sure I could make a
fortune! Not in words! I know what I'm talking about, Sam. Louise would
have everything she wanted--and the way she'd live then! She could drop
the social chip off her shoulders, go anywhere, and receive everybody.

[_Standing beside the table, he eats a little cake._

COAST. Well?

STEVEN. Do you advise me to risk it?

COAST. [_Pretending indifference._] What?

STEVEN. Louise's money?

COAST. I ain't advising anything. If it went wrong, you'd blame me to
the women.

STEVEN. Is that the kind of a man I am?

COAST. [_Rises and goes to Steven and slaps him on the back._] No,
Steve, I take it back. You take a licking better'n any feller I ever
saw.

STEVEN. Experience! But this thing can't go wrong! The man who told me
is the head and--I told Georgiana--didn't she give you a hint?

COAST. [_After a slight pause._] No.

[_Turns up to the window and stands there with his back to Steven._

STEVEN. My tip's a great one--safe! Now, shall I take it?

COAST. Of course, when I feel as you do about a thing, I do it.

STEVEN. And by George, I will too!

COAST. Why not?

[_Turning and facing him._

STEVEN. Yes! what I make's for Louise, not for myself.

COAST. I wouldn't say anything to Louise about it.

[_Comes down a little._

STEVEN. No, she'd be sure to talk it over with Georgiana.

[_He sits by the table._

COAST. And, say, not a word, you know, about me in all this.

STEVEN. I give you my word, Sam.

COAST. Why not let the old lady in, too, Aunt Laura, if it's such a good
thing?

[_He gives a side look at_ STEVEN.

STEVEN. Didn't they tell you?

COAST. What?

STEVEN. I put mother into East Mexicos!

COAST. Gee!

[_Whistles, crosses to the sofa Right, and sits on_ GEORGIANA'S _furs;
jumps up quickly, moves the furs, and then sits again._

STEVEN. That was an extraordinary thing. No one knows how it happened,
but she lost every cent.

COAST. But--

STEVEN. Dear old Georgiana pays the interest for me, and the old lady
doesn't know.

COAST. Georgiana's a damn fine girl.

STEVEN. She is! I'll pay her back out of this coup, too, another good
thing.

COAST. Fine!

STEVEN. I believe I'll go back down town now.

[_Both rise and go Left as_ MOLES _comes in._

COAST. All right. Come on, we'll go together.

STEVEN. Good!

MOLES. Please, sir, may I speak to you a minute, Mr. Carley?

COAST. I'll wait downstairs, Steve.

[_He goes out