style and position, and
some one classy who would know how to spend my money for me!

WARDEN. Well, you've got _that, surely_!

[CLARA _comes back from the house._

CLARA. The Godesbys are coming. Trotter, there's skating on the river
near here, and they've skates in the house--don't you want a spin?

TROTTER. Yes, I don't mind--if my wife doesn't need me! [CLARA _laughs
as_ GODESBY _and_ MISS GODESBY _enter from behind the house._ TROTTER
_meets them, with_ CLARA _on his arm._] Excuse us for a little while!

CLARA. _Poppa_ and I're going skating!

[_They go out Left._

GODESBY. Hello, Warden.

WARDEN. Good morning, Miss Godesby.

MISS GODESBY. Good morning.

WARDEN. How are you, Godesby? I've come on a matter most serious, most
urgent--something very painful.

GODESBY. What is it?

[_Comes forward._

WARDEN. Both of you trusted Dick Sterling.

MISS GODESBY. What's he done?

WARDEN. Misused your funds.

GODESBY. How d'you mean?

WARDEN. I mean that the money you intrusted to him is gone, and I've
come to make a proposition to you.

MISS GODESBY. Gone?

[GODESBY _and_ MISS GODESBY _are aghast. A second's silence, during
which_ GODESBY _and_ MISS GODESBY _look at each other, then back at_
WARDEN.

GODESBY. Do you mean to say--

WARDEN. The money is _gone_, every penny of it, and I want you to accept
a note from Sterling to cover the amount.

MISS GODESBY. I can't _grasp_ it!

GODESBY. Where is Sterling? Why didn't _he_ come?

WARDEN. He was ashamed.

GODESBY. I should hope so!

WARDEN. Several of us are going to stick by him; we'll manage to put him
on his feet again, and we want you to accept his note.

GODESBY. [_Incredulous._] Accept his note?

MISS GODESBY. [_Also incredulous._] On _what security_?

GODESBY. [_Quickly._] You'll do nothing of the sort, Julia!

MISS GODESBY. I'll see him where he belongs, in State's Prison, first!

WARDEN. That wouldn't bring you back your money.

MISS GODESBY. Neither will his note!

WARDEN. If I get it indorsed?

GODESBY. Likely!

MISS GODESBY. Rather!

WARDEN. I want your silence to keep it from the public for the family's
sake. I've secured a satisfactory indorser for a note to satisfy Ryder's
claim.

MISS GODESBY. Why didn't you give him to _me_ instead of Ryder?

WARDEN. I felt you would be willing, out of friendship--

[_There are sleigh-bells in the distance, coming nearer._

MISS GODESBY. Huh! you must take me for an idiot