Part 20 (1/2)

RUTH. Richard ill?

[_All give exclamations of surprise and regret and sympathy._

BLANCHE. My little boy ill? Excuse me, I must go to him.

[_She hurries out at back._ RUTH _speaks to the musicians, who stop playing._

STERLING. [_Moved._] My boy ill--why, I can't--I can't--

WARDEN. ”Can't” what?

STERLING. How can I go away?

WARDEN. Surely you won't let business take you away from your boy who may be dying.

STERLING. No! I won't go! I'll face it out! I can't leave my boy like this--

RUTH. [_Coming to_ STERLING.] I'm going to take these women away; tell Blanche not to give them a thought. Their evening up to now has been charming.

[_During_ RUTH'S _speech_, WARDEN _has spoken aside with_ MASON.

WARDEN. [_Aside to_ MASON.] Don't let Miss Hunter go.

RUTH. [_To the other guests._] Come to the drawing-room.

MRS. HUNTER. I was crazy to see what was in my stocking.

[_All pa.s.s out talking, expressing conventional sympathy on account of_ RICHARD, _but evidently resenting the breaking up of the party._ STERLING _and_ WARDEN _are left alone in the room._ STERLING _moves to go up to back;_ WARDEN _interrupts him._

WARDEN. [_To_ STERLING.] Where are you going?

STERLING. To my boy and my wife.

WARDEN. Wait a minute; I want to speak to you.

STERLING. Speak to me later; I can't wait now.

BLANCHE. [_Off stage, at back, excitedly._] Jordan! [_She enters, excited, half hysterical._] Jordan! Where is Jordan? It was a lie! What did he mean? Richard is sleeping sweetly. The maid knows nothing of being alarmed! Where is Jordan?

[_She starts to go toward the door Right._

WARDEN. [_Stops her._] Mrs. Sterling, he had nothing to do with it! _I_ told Jordan to say what he said.

[BLANCHE _turns and looks at_ WARDEN _in astonishment._

STERLING. [_Stunned and at once suspicious._] What?

BLANCHE. But--

WARDEN. Forgive me for so cruelly alarming you; it was the only way I could think of for getting rid at once of your guests!