USTIN. [_Laughing._] Jinny, sweetheart, don't get such an absurd notion
into your head.

JINNY. [_Looks straight at him a moment, then speaks tenderly._]
No--no--I know it's not your fault. There was no other woman in this
house for you to-day but _me_, _was_ there?

AUSTIN. There was no other woman in the world for me since the first
week I knew you.

[_Taking her into his arms._

JINNY. This is good-by to _Jinny Tillman_!

[_He kisses her._

Jack, darling, do you think I could sit on your knee like a little child
and put my arm around your neck and rest my head on your shoulder for
just five seconds--I'm _so tired_!

[_MRS. CULLINGHAM opens the door._

MRS. CULLINGHAM. Oh!

[_Shuts the door very quickly and knocks._

[_JINNY and AUSTIN laugh._

JINNY. Yes, yes--come in!

[_MRS. CULLINGHAM enters. She is a handsome, whole-souled, florid
woman; one of those creatures of inexhaustible vitality who make
people of a nervous temperament tired almost on contact by sheer
contrast. She is the kindest, best meaning creature in the world._

MRS. CULLINGHAM. Oh, do excuse me! I haven't any more tact!--and I hate
to interrupt you, but I must say good-by. [_Calls._] Peter!

PETER. Yes'm.

[_Entering with a glass of water and a powder. He sits in the
arm-chair at right, and constantly looks at his watch._

AUSTIN. I'm much obliged to you, Mrs. Cullingham, for the interruption,
as I was sent long ago to make myself ready for the train, if you'll
excuse me!

MRS. CULLINGHAM. Certainly!

JINNY. Good-by!

[_Taking his hand as he passes her._

AUSTIN. Good-by!

[_He goes out Right._

MRS. CULLINGHAM. If it's time for _him_, it's certainly time for _you_.
I won't keep you a minute!

JINNY. No, really we've plenty of time,-- [_both sit on sofa._] Wasn't
it a lovely wedding!

MRS. CULLINGHAM. I never saw a sweeter, my dear! And it was perfectly
elegant! Simply great!

JINNY. And isn't Jack--

MRS. CULLINGHAM. He is! And so are you! In fact I've been telling your
mother I don't know how to thank you both. You've asked me to-day to
meet the swellest crowd I've ever been in where I was _invited_, and
didn't have to buy tickets, and felt I had a right to say something
besides "excuse me," and "I beg your pardon." Of course, I've sat next
to them all before in restaurants and at concerts, but this time I felt
like the real thing myself, and I shall never forget it! If you or your
hu