ge!

_Maude_ (buttering a biscuit, slowly). What is it?

_Jack_ By George!

_Maude_ What is it? A woman might as well live on--on Vesuvius!

_Jack_ George Graham is in the New York legislature!

_Maude_ Professor George De Witt Graham!

_Jack_ (reading while he speaks). The same, my dear. We're to banquet
him; it seems he's made a big speech.

_Maude_ He was very handsome, and nice to us girls. He pulled us all
through chemistry.

_Jack_ (absently). Yes, he was a good wire puller. And now he's Senator,
Senator in New York. That's great.

_Maude_ How do you know? Is that from him?

_Jack_ This is the Alumni Letter.

_Maude_ Alumni?

_Jack_ (slowly and elaborately). Yes, my dear, the Alumni
Letter,--Alumni. We graduated in 1902,--possibly you remember the
circumstances. You ought to.

_Maude_ How long ago it seems,--how long, long ago!

_Jack_ Thank you. It is. Three years.

(Silence. He stirs coffee.)

_Maude_ The lace for my dress gave out,--do you remember? And I wore
Paris muslin and Mamma was sick.

_Jack_ It was a great day! You remember your Aunt?

_Maude_ Poor Aunty! I can see her now--so 'fraid I would forget--sitting
on the edge of her chair! And those lemon drops,--I thought I should
faint when Bob brought 'em up!

_Jack_ Yes, I remember how his shoes squeaked! And Bob would usher!

_Maude_ Poor Aunty, I hope she is happier now out among the Hottentots.
Aren't they Hottentots?

_Jack_ (with scholarly precision). Your Aunt, my dear, is in Korea.
Korea is an island just east of--

_Maude_ (vaguely). Well aren't the Hottentots there, too? I thought
they were all together over there somewhere,--all fat and dusty
together, with their queer hats like plates,--all praying and
embroidering lovely silks.

_Jack_ As I was saying, Korea is east of--of Asia.

_Maude_ (taking another biscuit). Asia was always hard for me. The
rivers had such dreadful names! "1902! 1902! We are the people, who
are you?" What fun we had! Let's go back!

_Jack_ Haven't time. You write 'em greetings and so on, and enclose
three dollars. I wonder where old Grindem is?

_Maude_ Old Grindem! You remember his side whiskers? I couldn't bear
that man! He was horrid on Commencement day--wouldn't wait one second!
Not one second! And Valeria, (she sighs heavily). Poor Valeria!

_Jack_ (cheerfully). You looked mighty pretty that day. You didn't need
any lace.

(She sighs gently and shakes her head.)

_Jack_ (with d