and
offer them to their respective owners._

[_All the women thank the men profusely, and apologize at the same
time._ STERLING _takes_ MRS. HUNTER _out at back, followed by all the
other couples, all talking._ RUTH _and_ MASON _lag behind._

RUTH. [_To_ BLANCHE, _who with_ WARDEN _waits for_ RUTH _and_ MASON _to
pass._] I want just a minute with Mr. Mason, Blanche. [BLANCHE _and_
WARDEN _pass out before her._ RUTH _is alone with_ MASON. _She speaks as
if she were carrying on a conversation that had been interrupted. She
speaks in a lowered voice, indicating the private nature of what she has
to say._] I sent him imperative word yesterday I must have the bonds. I
told him I wanted one to give to his wife for Christmas. He pretends
to-day he didn't receive this letter, but he must have.

MASON. This makes the third time there has been some excuse for not
giving you the bonds?

RUTH. Yes, and this letter he says he didn't get was sent to his office
by hand.

MASON. I'll speak to him before I leave.

[_They go out at back._

[_As they pass out,_ JORDAN _stands by the doorway holding the curtains
back. The other three men stand stiffly at the Right. As_ MASON _and_
RUTH _go out, the_ SERVANTS _relax and exchange glances, each giving a
little laugh out loud, except_ JORDAN. _During the following dialogue
they empty the table preparatory to arranging the room for the Christmas
tree._

JORDAN. Sh! A very dull dinner, not an interesting word spoke.

FIRST FOOTMAN. The widder seemed chipper like!

LEONARD. And did you get on to the old lady's rig-out; mourning don't
hang very heavy on her shoulders.

[_One chair is moved back._

JORDAN. [_To_ FIRST FOOTMAN.] Get the coffee. [_He goes out Right. To_
LEONARD.] Get the smoking lay-out!

[LEONARD _goes out Right and brings back a silver tray laden with
cigarettes, cigar boxes, and a burning alcohol lamp._

LEONARD. If you ask me, I think she's going to put a bit more on the
matrimonial mare if she gets the chance.

JORDAN. It's none of your business. You're _Mrs. Sterling's_ servant
now.

LEONARD. Good thing, too; it was a happy day for us when _they_ moved
in.

FIRST FOOTMAN. [_Reenters with the coffee._] Say, did you see how that
young feller over there [_Motioning to the lower right-hand corner of
the table._] shovelled the food in?

LEONARD. And the way he poured down the liquid--regular hog! My arm's
tired a-filling of his glass.

[_And he drinks a gl