t!

PETER. That's my saccharine [_Showing bottle._] and my lithia tabs.
[_Showing another bottle._] We'll have to go, mother; I've left them
home!

MRS. CULLINGHAM. We must go, anyway, my dear.

[_Rising._

[_JINNY also rises._

PETER. [_Suddenly claps his hand behind him and speaks joyfully._] No,
we needn't go after all; I forgot my hip pocket. Here they are!

[_Bringing them out._

MRS. CULLINGHAM. We must go all the same! [_To JINNY._] Sometimes I
think he takes too much medicine stuff!

JINNY. I should think so! Peter, you ought to diet.

PETER. I can't! I've tried, and I lose my appetite right away!

MRS. CULLINGHAM. Good-by, dear. How long will you be in town?

JINNY. I don't know--several weeks, I imagine. Jack came home on some
business, you know, and I don't think it's settled yet. Good-by.

[_To PETER._

PETER. Good-by. You know you mustn't drink water with your meals; that's
the great thing. So I drink only champagne.

[_He goes out Right._

MRS. CULLINGHAM. [_Waits and speaks to JINNY with real feeling._] I'm
awfully ashamed of myself, and I hope I haven't made any trouble or fuss
with my meddling. Don't let me!

JINNY. No, of course not.

[_With a strained smile._

MRS. CULLINGHAM. I wish I could believe you.

JINNY. Well, _do_.

MRS. CULLINGHAM. Good-by.

[_She goes out Right._

JINNY. Good-by. Where's that telegram that came for him a little while
ago? [_Going to the desk at Right, and finding the telegram._] Of course
it's from her, saying that she's arrived. That's the trouble with
telegrams; the address doesn't give the handwriting away. She must have
sent it from the dock! Couldn't even wait till she was home! [_She walks
to the window and stands there a moment, then comes back, looking at her
watch._] Nearly seven already, and no sign of him, and we must dress and
dine--huh! I think I might as well tear up my theatre tickets! [_She
paces up and down the room, stopping now and then with each new thought
that comes to her._] I wonder if he went down there to meet her--he must
have known the boat; if he cabled her to come back, she must have cabled
an answer and what boat she'd take! But no other telegram has come for
Jack here to my knowledge--oh! of course, what am I thinking of, she
sent _that one_ to _his office_ to-day; she was afraid he might have
left before this one could get there, so she risked it here. Good
Heavens! why am I maudling on like this t