class="speaker">Mary. You don't mean to tell me that you were here all that time and I not seeing you? Well, well, isn't that funny? But, by the way, Mrs. Baxter, are you still of the same idea regarding Woman Suffrage?

Mrs. Baxter. I still maintain what I have told you over and over again. A woman's place is in her home. (Yawns) To be candid, it would, indeed, bore me to have to vote, and broaden my mind, as you say. I have so many social affairs to attend I really find no time for your clubs.

Mary. You are too lazy. All you are good for is to——

Mrs. Baxter (stamps foot). How dare you insult me like that. I am my own mistress, and I can do as I please. What do you do? You go around demanding your rights, while your hus——

Mary (excited). I will not have a mean, gossiping woman like you, who would much rather go around to—— (Miss Prune enjoying it)

Miss Worker (comes between two). For shame! (Prayerful attitude) Oh Lord, forgive them. It would be better for both of you to go your own way without molesting one another.

Mrs. Baxter. Yes, I intend going my way. But I insist upon an apology from this woman.

Mary. Why should I apologize to you? Ah, my cause, my noble cause! (Stands on chair) Three cheers for Woman Suffrage and may she rule from one corner of the earth to the other! Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!

Mrs. Baxter (opposite). Three cheers for the Antis! Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah! [EXIT c.d. Miss Worker

ENTER Alice c.d., horrified; Miss Prune hides.

Alice. Why, Mary and Mrs. Baxter, what does this mean? (Mrs. Baxter and Mary both run to Alice)

Mrs. Baxter. Oh, my dear Alice, on which side are you? For it or against it?

Mary (scornfully). Of course she is on my side. She has too much brains to be on yours.

Mrs. Baxter. How dare you? Do you mean to insinuate——

Alice. Oh, come now. Stop this quarreling. To tell the truth, I am neutral.

Together (Mrs. Baxter and Mary glaring at one another) There.

Alice. But, tell me, what brought you here?

Mrs. Baxter. I just dropped in to ask you to attend a dinner party this evening.

Mary. She will not go. She is coming with me. (Puts arm around Alice) There's a dear. Won't you come to the lecture given by Dr. Weeks this evening on "What Woman Will Do With the Vote"?

Alice. I'll tell you what I will do. I shall go to neither place. Come now, you two shake hands and be good friends.

Mrs. Baxter. I will n——

Alice. For the land's sake, why keep up this pretense any longer? You know right well, Mary, that you are dying to know where Mrs. Baxter bought her new hat. (Mrs. Baxter and Mary look at one another; both laugh)

Mary. You are right, Alice. Although we rave and clamor for our rights, we are still only women down deep in our hearts.

Mrs. Baxter. And, although I try to make people think I would not be bothered about Woman's Rights, I am still enough of a woman not to want a man to get anything over on me. Well, come along, Mary; I have a new gown to show you.

Mrs. Baxter.}
Mary. } Good-bye, Alice dear, wish you luck.

[EXIT Mrs. Baxter and Mary c.d., chatting gaily

Alice. Well, those two are beyond me. A few minutes ago they were fighting like two bitter enemies, and now they go off like two of the best friends. Well, strange things do happen. (Turns to table) Oh dear, what has happened to my stenographer and—oh!—oh!—where have my papers and letters disappeared to? (Spies Miss Prune in corner) So, there you are. Will you kindly tell me the meaning of this? What have you done with my papers?

Miss Prune. Burned them.

Alice. You have what? Do you realize that they were important legal documents? (Falls in chair; covers face with hand) Oh dear, oh dear, what shall I do. I guess I might as well give it all up.

Miss Prune. Good!

Alice. Why, what do you mean?

Miss Prune. This. (Removes make-up)

Alice. Diana?

Diana. At your service, mum.

Alice. Explain!

Diana. It is simply this. When I left your office yesterday I was bound to have you come with us by hook or by crook, so, very much depressed in spirits, I walked into the club and who should I meet there but two of my old school-mates. Instantly I thought of this plan, and to bring back school-day memories they promised to help me. My beloved school chums were to apply for the position you had open and I would also. So, my dear, Miss Johnickstoner, the first applicant, happens to be Miss Marie Hopkins, daughter of the mayor of Koscoe, the second applicant, Miss Chickenfencer, was the most dare-devil girl in our school, Miss Rose Fishby, and the third stands before you.

Alice. Well, of all the nerve! I must say you had little to do to play such a joke on me.

Diana (arm around Alice). There now, cheer up. You know you are dying to laugh and vow it was a clever way to make you give up this silly fad. Of course, I am sure of your coming now.

Alice. Indeed. (Laughs) Well, I must admit you certainly played the game high. I suppose I simply must give in. But, oh dear, how I shall be laughed at.

Diana. All you have got to do is to laugh also. You know the old saying, "Laugh and the world laughs with you, weep and you weep alone."

Alice. But, Mrs. Baxter, what will she say when she finds this out?

Diana (laughs). Oh, some day I shall act for you the part Mrs. Baxter played in this tragedy. My, but her