Part 1 (2/2)

TOMPSON. Just with this table, thank you, Marie. [_They begin to rearrange the room, putting it in its normal condition. They replace the table and put back the ornaments upon it._] Poor Mr. Hunter, and him so fond of mince pie. I shall never forget how that man ate mince pie.

[_She sighs lugubriously and continues her labor with the room._

LEONARD. I hope as how it's not going to make any difference with us.

JORDAN. [_Pompously._] Of course not; wasn't Mr. Hunter a millionnaire?

TOMPSON. Some millionnaires I've known turned out poor as Job's turkey in their coffins!

MARIE. What you say? You tink we shall 'ave some of madame's or ze young ladies' dresses?

TOMPSON. [_Hopefully._] Perhaps.

MARIE. I 'ave already made my choice. I like ze pale pink of Mees Jessie.

LEONARD. s.h.!.+ I heard a carridge.

TOMPSON. Then they're coming back.

[MARIE _quickly goes out Right._

JORDAN. [_To_ LEONARD, _hurriedly, as he quickly goes out Left._] Take them last two chairs!

[LEONARD, _with the chairs, follows_ JORDAN _out Left._ TOMPSON _hastily puts back a last arm-chair to its usual position in the room and goes out Right._ MRS. HUNTER _enters Left, followed by her three daughters_, BLANCHE, JESSICA, _and_ CLARA, _and_ MASTER STERLING, _who is a small, attractive child, five years of age. All are in the deepest conventional mourning,_ MRS. HUNTER _in widow's weeds and_ CLARA _with a heavy, black chiffon veil; the_ BOY _is also dressed in conventional mourning. As soon as they enter, all four women lift their veils._ MRS. HUNTER _is a well-preserved woman, with a pretty, rather foolish, and somewhat querulous face. Her figure is the latest mode._ BLANCHE STERLING, _her oldest daughter, is her ant.i.thesis,--a handsome, dignified woman, young, sincere, and showing, in her att.i.tude to the others and in her own point of view, the warmth of a true, evenly-balanced nature._ JESSICA _is a typical second child,--nice, good, self-effacing, sympathetic, unspoiled._ CLARA _is her opposite,--spoiled, petulant, pretty, pert, and selfish._

MRS. HUNTER. [_With a long sigh._] Oh, I am so glad to be back home and the whole thing over without a hitch!

[_She sinks with a great sigh of relief into a big chair._

BLANCHE. [_Takes her son to_ MRS. HUNTER.] Kiss grandmother good-by, and then Leonard will take you home.

MRS. HUNTER. Good-by, dear. Be a good boy. Don't eat too much candy.

[_Kisses him carelessly._

MASTER STERLING. Good-by. [_Runs towards the door Left, shouting happily._] Leonard! Leonard!

MRS. HUNTER. [_Tearfully._] My dears, it was a great success! Everybody was there!

[_The three younger women stand and look about the room, as if it were strange to them--as if it were empty. There is a moment's silence._

BLANCHE. [_Tenderly._] Mother, why don't you take off your bonnet?

MRS. HUNTER. Take it off for me; it _will_ be a great relief.

BLANCHE. Help me, Jess.

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