their
places in a recess at Left._

BLANCHE. [_To the musicians._] You may play. [_To_ JORDAN, _who has
brought in the Neapolitans._] We are ready, Jordan.

[JORDAN _goes out at back._

[RUTH _goes to_ BLANCHE.

[_The guitars and mandolins begin a popular song._

MISS GODESBY. [_To_ MRS. HUNTER.] Oh, well, Mrs. Hunter, we were only
codding! There's lots of good in Trotter, and I'm sure you'll bring it
out. Good luck!

[_Shaking her hand._

RUTH. [_To_ BLANCHE, _aside._] You won't allow this!

BLANCHE. Certainly not. [BLANCHE _crosses to her mother and they go to
one side together;_ BLANCHE _speaks in a lowered voice._] You've amazed
and shocked me! I will not tolerate such a thing; we'll talk it over
to-night.

[_She leaves her and returns to her guests_, MRS. HUNTER _standing where
she is left, biting her lips and almost crying with rage and
mortification._

MISS GODESBY. [_Before the musicians, to_ BLANCHE _as she joins her._]
I'm crazy about these men, Mrs. Sterling; they play so awfully
well--especially that one with the lovely legs!

[JORDAN _pulls aside the curtains at back and all the men reenter
except_ WARDEN. _They all join hands and dance around the tree, singing
with the musicians; they break, and go up to a side table, where
everything to drink is displayed._ WARDEN _enters at this moment and
motions to_ MASON _and leads him down stage._

WARDEN. There was a railway guide in the hall--that's what he went there
for; he's _going to run away to-night_.

MASON. How'll we prevent it?

WARDEN. First, we must break up this party!

MASON. How?

WARDEN. I haven't quite thought yet. Go back to the others; send Jordan
to me; don't lose sight of Dick. Jordan! [_He takes him aside._] I want
you to go out of this room for a minute, pretend to go upstairs, then
come back and tell Mrs. Sterling, loud enough for the others to hear
you, that Master Richard is very ill, and say the maid is frightened.

JORDAN. [_Hesitating._] But--

WARDEN. [_Quickly and firmly._] Do as I tell you. I am responsible for
whatever happens.

[JORDAN _goes out at back. The men and women are laughing and talking
about the sideboard._

BLANCHE. Come now, everybody! Let's have the presents. Dick, you know
you are to be Santa Claus.

[STERLING _looks nervously at his watch._

STERLING. Just a minute, dear! Ned! [_Takes_ WARDEN _to one side. The
women move about the tree, hunting for their own names on the stockings
on