Part 22 (2/2)

CLARA. That's just what _I feel_! You'll take care of her, and me, too, all our lives, and that's what makes me so happy. I'm full of plans!

We'll go abroad soon and stay two years. [_He has stopped swinging her._] Go on, swing me!

TROTTER. [_Holding the swing still._] Say! if you think you are going to run me and the whole family, you're a Dodo bird! Remember that you're my daughter; you must wait a little if you want to be a mother-in-law.

[_Sleigh-bells are heard in the distance, coming nearer._

CLARA. Good gracious! If you ask _me_, I think mama has got her hands full. What's become of Miss G.o.desby and her brother?

TROTTER. When you went upstairs with your mother, they went down the road.

CLARA. You know originally the idea was _I_ was to marry you.

TROTTER. Really--

CLARA. [_Laughingly._] Yes, and mama cut me out.

TROTTER. Oh, well, it can't be helped; we can't marry everybody.

CLARA. [_Noticing the bells._] _Somebody else arriving!_ That's queer--n.o.body comes here in the winter; that's why we chose it, because it would be quiet! Let's play this game.

[_Going to an iron frog on a box which stands near the house._

TROTTER. Perhaps it's Mrs. Sterling.

CLARA. No; if she was coming at all, she'd have come in time for the wedding. [_She takes up the disks which lie beside the frog._] I should hate to get married like you and mama--no splurge and no presents! Why, the presents'd be half the fun! And think of all those you and she've given in your life, and have lost now a good chance of getting back.

[_Throws a disk into the frog's open mouth._

TROTTER. _I'll_ give your mother all the presents she wants. I can afford it; I don't want anybody to give us anything!

CLARA. You talk like Jess! [_Throws another disk._] You know Jess earns her own living. She goes around to smart women's houses answering their invitations and letters for 'em. She calls it being a visiting secretary, but I tell her she's a _co-respon-dent_!

[_Throws a disk._

[WARDEN _and_ MASON _enter from behind the house quickly, with a manner of suppressed excitement. They are surprised to find_ CLARA _and_ TROTTER.

WARDEN. Why, here they are!

MASON. No, only Miss Clara and Trotter.

WARDEN. Lucky I met you--you must take me back in your sleigh.

MASON. Yes, the riding's beastly.

TROTTER. h.e.l.lo! I say, were you invited?

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