and—

MRS. CROSBY. My dear child, suppose we admit all that, what then?

HELEN. But don't you see—

WILLIAM (embracing her in front of table R.). You little idiot! I don't see anything but you.

MRS. CROSBY. You love each other, that's the whole of it, children. Suppose you listen to an old woman.

WILLIAM. Old! Huh!

MRS. CROSBY. Well, old enough. If Billy was the usual rich man's son it might be different. There might be something in what you say. But thank God he isn't. Mind you, I don't say he wasn't like most of them when he was younger. I dare say he was, I know he went to supper with a chorus girl once.

WILLIAM. Twice.

HELEN. What was she like?

WILLIAM. Like a chorus girl.

MRS. CROSBY. The trouble with you, my dear, is that you've been reading novels. When Billy's father married me, I was a school teacher, and he was a clerk. We didn't have any money, but we were awfully in love—we still rather like each other. Now just for the sake of argument, suppose we should have acted like stern parents, what would be the use? Billy's in business for himself, he's making his own money, he can marry when he wants to and as he wants to, and if you want my real opinion, I don't mind confessing that I think he's pretty lucky to get you.

WILLIAM. There!

HELEN. But you know so little about me.

WILLIAM. Oh, rot!

MRS. CROSBY (to WILLIAM). Thank you, Billy. I was trying to think of an effective word. (To HELEN.) You've been my private secretary for over a year, and no matter how much my looks belie it, I'm not a bit of a fool. I know a great deal about you.

HELEN. My family—

WILLIAM (C.). I'm not marrying your family!

HELEN. I'm afraid you are.

WILLIAM. Oh!

HELEN. There's only mother.

MRS. CROSBY (rising and moving to HELEN'S side in front of table R.). Oh, my dear, forgive me. Your mother should have been here to-night.

HELEN. No, my mother—Mrs. Crosby—mother doesn't go out—she'd be unhappy here, and you'd be uncomfortable if she came. You'll find her trying sometimes, you'll think she's common. Oh, don't misunderstand me. She's the most wonderful mother in the world. And she's—

MRS. CROSBY. Suppose, my dear, that we take your mother for granted. (She crosses to a position between WILLIAM and HELEN.) Take us as you find us and we will try to be happy.

(Enter CROSBY from door L. He is a fine-looking man of about sixty, with a pleasant personality, a good deal of charm and that masterful self-possession which sometimes marks the man of affairs. It is always evident that the most delightful intimacy exists between himself and his wife.)

MRS. CROSBY. Well, Roscoe?

CROSBY (moves to L.C.). Welcome, my dear. (HELEN crosses to him and he takes her in his arms.)

HELEN. Oh, Mr. Crosby—I—

CROSBY (placing HELEN L. of him with arm still around her, reaching his other hand to WILLIAM). Bill, shake!

(Father and son shake hands.)

(CROSBY looks at his wife and they laugh gently.)

Shall I tell 'em?

MRS. CROSBY (standing in front of table over R.). I would.

WILLIAM (R.C.) Tell us what?

CROSBY (C.). You did this just in time. To-morrow I was going to forbid you to have anything more to do with this young woman.

HELEN (L. of CROSBY). You see!

WILLIAM. What for?

CROSBY. Your mother and I felt that you were pretty slow with your love-making——

WILLIAM. Oh, mother!

CROSBY (continuing).—and I knew darned well that if I interfered, you'd take the girl out and marry her.

HELEN. Oh!

WILLIAM. You old schemer!

CROSBY (crossing over R.C. below MRS. CROSBY). I bet it would have worked.

WILLIAM (as CROSBY crosses R. WILLIAM slaps him on the back). It would. (Crosses behind HELEN to L.C.)

(The door down L. opens and EDWARD WALES enters.)

WALES. I came ahead of the others to tell you—

CROSBY. Why, Ned, old man, you came just in time to congratulate them. (He points toward WILLIAM and HELEN.)

WALES. On what? (L.C.)

MRS. CROSBY. They're going to be married: isn't it fine?

WALES. Oh!

(There is a long pause.)

WILLIAM. You don't congratulate us, Mr. Wales.

WALES. No, Will, I don't. I'm not sure that I can. (Down stage a step.)

CROSBY. Why, Ned?

WILLIAM. I'm afraid that calls for an explanation.

WALES. Yes, I expect that it does.

(There is a long pause.)

WILLIAM. Well?

WALES. I'm sorry, but I can't explain anything until to-morrow.

MRS. CROSBY. But really, Mr. Wales, don't you think—

WALES. I think my action is almost indefensible. I'm admitting that. But I have very good reasons for what I am doing. (He turns to CROSBY.) Roscoe, I've been your close friend for a great many years. You've trusted me and believed in me. I'm going to ask you to wait. After all, twenty-four hours can't make any difference, and it may save you all a great deal of unhappiness.

WILLIAM (coming to WALES a step). This is intolerable.

CROSBY. Ned, I can't understand—

WILLIAM. Father, this is my affair.

WALES. I'm sorry.

WILLIAM. Sorry? I should think you would be.

HELEN. Billy, I told you what would happen. Mr. Wales, I don't know what you have discovered. But it's nothing of which I am ashamed, nothing.

WILLIAM. Dear, you mustn't mind what he says.

HELEN (crossing in front of WILLIAM and moving a few steps towards WALES). Oh, but I do, I can't bear it. Why, my mother is the most wonderful woman in the world. I won't have her attacked. Do you know what she did? When I was ten years old she sent me away from her. I was the one thing she had in the world to love and she gave me up because she thought—because she thought it was the best thing she could do for me. I was sent to a fine school, then to college, and then when I was nineteen, quite by accident, I found out that she wasn't dead, as they'd always told me, and when I went to her all she said was, "Well, my dear, I wanted to make a lady of you."

(Turns to WILLIAM C. He takes her in his arms, then HELEN moves over to R. of him.)

MRS. CROSBY (in front of table R.). I think she succeeded, my dear.

WALES (L.C.). Miss O'Neill, I didn't even know that you had a mother.

WILLIAM (C.). Then you'd better tell us now whatever your objection is.

WALES. I can tell you nothing until to-morrow. (He turns to WILLIAM.) Billy, I'd rather be shot than do what I'm doing. If I'm wrong I'll come to you gladly and eat dirt. I'll beg this young lady's pardon, on my knees if she likes. (Voices and laughter heard off L.) Now that's all I'm going to say about it until then. (Moves up L.)

(The door L. opens. MARY EASTWOOD, HELEN TRENT, ELIZABETH ERSKINE, GRACE STANDISH, HOWARD STANDISH, PHILIP MASON and BRADDISH TRENT enter laughing and talking.)

MISS EASTWOOD (at L.C. To crowd in doorway). And he said whose wife?

(All laugh.)

WILLIAM (C. HELEN in front of table R.). Quiet, quiet, everybody. I've got a surprise for you.

(From the people at the door come laughter and buzz of conversation.)

Nellie and I are going to be married.

(Girls rush C. and congratulate HELEN. Men and WILLIAM L.C. Business ad lib., congratulating him.)

MISS EASTWOOD (coming to WILLIAM C.). If you hadn't been engaged to her, she could have you arrested