class="smcap">Georgiana. I might—I say I might—

Coast. Honest!

Georgiana. [Laughing.] Oh, dear, no!

Coast. I take you at your word, anyhow.

[The children's voices are heard.

Children. [Off Left.] Come on back to our

room and have some more fun.

Georgiana. Sh! Here come the children.

[Rises.

Coast. Damn the children!

Georgiana. Sam!

[She puts finger up, Coast kisses it.

Coast. Pardon! But I don't give up! Understand—I'm going to marry you!

Georgiana. [Teasing him.] When? When?

[The children rush in screaming.

The Children. Aunt Georgiana! Here's papa! Here's papa!

[And Steven Carley enters Left. He is a slender, smooth-shaven, young-old looking man, his voice and body almost vibrating with nerve; a personality that so often appeals to the tenderness in women, while it irritates men. He brings his hat and

coat with him.

Steven. Hello, Sam!

Coast. Morning!

Steven. Many happy returns, Georgy.

Georgiana. Oh, no, thank you! It's not for me yet, thank goodness!

Philip. Now let's play hide and seek.

The Children. Hide and seek!

Lizzie. [Entering Left.] Excuse me, please. Mrs. Jackson's maid is here for Miss Elaine.

Philip. Oh, pshaw!

Christopher. Don't you go!

Elaine. Oh, yes, I must! I'm sorry! [She goes up stage with great diffidence to Steven and shakes his hand as she curtseys.] Good-by, sir. [To Coast also.] Good-by, sir. [To Georgiana.] Good-by, ma'am, I've had a perfectly lovely time. [Aside to Georgiana.] Phil is my

beau, but I like Mr. Coast awfully much too!

Georgiana. [Laughing.] You're beginning early! Come along, children, we'll take Elaine down. Excuse me, everybody, please.

Philip. If you've got any good tips, papa, save some for little brother.

[The children go out Left with Georgiana.

Steven. [Putting his hat and coat down on the sofa.] He's on to his father early! Sam, any news?

Coast. No.

Steven. I've heard of a big thing, an absolutely straight tip,—inside information.

Coast. [Sitting in the rocker.] Well, don't tell it, or you'll spoil it.

Steven. The women are so down on my speculating, Georgiana especially.

[Sits on the table.

Coast. What do the women folks know about business? Why don't you keep what you do to yourself?

Steven. But you see my money's all gone, and I need more—only to recoup with.

Coast. [After a slight pause.] As I remember, you can do what you like with Louise's money.

Steven. But is it right?

Coast. You're too blamed afraid, that's why you always lose.

Steven. [Walking up and down.] I know it. And this is the biggest chance I've had yet. If I dared risk it, I'm sure I could make a fortune! Not in words! I know what I'm talking about, Sam. Louise would have everything she wanted—and the way she'd live then! She could drop the social chip off her shoulders, go any

where, and receive everybody.

[Standing beside the table, he eats a little cake.

Coast. Well?

Steven. Do you advise me to risk it?

Coast. [Pretending indifference.] What?

Steven. Louise's money?

Coast. I ain't advising anything. If it went wrong, you'd blame me to the women.

Steven. Is that the kind of a man I am?

Coast. [Rises and goes to Steven and slaps him on the back.] No, Steve, I take it back. You take a licking better'n any feller I ever saw.

Steven. Experience! But this thing can't go wrong! The man who told me is the head and—I told Georgiana—didn't she give you a hint?

Coast. [After a slight pause.] No.

[Turns up to the window and stands there with

his back to Steven.

Steven. My tip's a great one—safe! Now, shall I take it?

Coast. Of course, when I feel as you do about a thing, I do it.

Steven. And by George, I will too!

Coast. Why not?

[Turning and facing him.

Steven. Yes! what I make's for Louise, not for myself.

Coast. I wouldn't say anything to Louise about it.

[Comes down a little.

Steven. No, she'd be sure to talk it over with Georgiana.

[He sits by the table.

Coast. And, say, not a word, you know, about me in all this.

Steven. I give you my word, Sam.

Coast. Why not let the old lady in, too, Aunt Laura, if it's such a good thing?

[He gives a side look at Steven.

Steven. Didn't they tell you?

Coast. What?

Steven. I put mother into East Mexicos!

Coast. Gee!

[Whistles, crosses to the sofa Right, and sits on Georgiana's furs; jumps up quickly, moves the furs, and then sits again.

Steven. That was an extraordinary thing. No one knows how it happened, but she lost every cent.

Coast. But—

Steven. Dear old Georgiana pays the interest for me, and the old lady doesn't know.

Coast. Georgiana's a damn fine girl.

Steven. She is! I'll pay her back out of this

coup, too, another good thing.

Coast. Fine!

Steven. I believe I'll go back down town now.

[Both rise and go Left as Moles comes in.

Coast. All right. Come on, we'll go together.

Steven. Good!

Moles. Please, sir, may I speak to you a minute, Mr. Carley?

Coast. I'll wait downstairs, Steve.

[He goes out Left.