E. [_Hanging on to him._] I say! Where are you and Cousin Jinny
going to, anyway?

AUSTIN. [_Smiling._] I don't know.

SUSIE. O my, what a fib! And that's a nice example to set a little girl!

[_She goes out Right._

MAGGIE. [_Coming forward._] I beg pardon, sir, but may I speak to you a
minute?

AUSTIN. Certainly, Maggie, what is it?

MAGGIE. I've been trying for a chance to see you alone. I wouldn't
bother you, sir--but it's only because I'm fond of Miss Jinny, and of
Mr. and Mrs. Tillman, and they've all been so good to me; I know it
would nearly kill 'em if they knew.

AUSTIN. Come, Maggie, knew what?

MAGGIE. Well, _one member_ of this family ain't been good to me, sir.
[_From this point her feelings begin to get the better of her and she
speaks rapidly and hysterically._] He's been bad, bad as he could, and
somebody's got to talk to him, and I don't see who's a-goin' to do it
but you. If he don't change, I'll not hold my tongue any longer. It's
all I can do for their sakes to hold it now!

AUSTIN. Look here, what are you talking about? You don't mean Mr.
Geoffrey?

MAGGIE. Yes, I do, sir; he's my husband.

AUSTIN. What!!

MAGGIE. We was married when he was at Yale, sir; I was in a shop there.

AUSTIN. But--! Well, after all, isn't this your and Geoffrey's affair?
Why bring me in?

MAGGIE. Because he's making love to Miss Chester, and promising to marry
_her_ now, and if he don't stop--I'll make trouble!

AUSTIN. But if he's married to you, as you say--he can't marry--any one
else.

MAGGIE. He's tried to make me believe our marriage ain't legal, because
he was only twenty and he'd been drinking!

AUSTIN. What makes you think Mr. Geoffrey cares for--Miss Chester?

MAGGIE. I just heard and see him making love to her _here_!

AUSTIN. This is a pretty bad story, Maggie.

MAGGIE. Yes, sir, and the worst is, sir, I know I ain't good enough for
him, and that's why I've kept still about it these three years, but I
can't help loving him no matter how ugly he's treated me. [_Breaking
down into tears._] I just can't help it! I _love_ him, sir, even if I'm
only a servant girl, and I can't stand it thinking he's going to try and
get rid of me for some one else!

[_She sobs out loud._

AUSTIN. Sh!--Maggie. Sit down a minute, and control yourself.
Somebody'll hear you, and besides they'll be coming down presently. I'll
have a talk with Mr. Geoffrey when I come back--

[_Interrupted as GEOFFREY