her and shows relief; takes out cigar and
prepares to light it._

_Renie._ [_Standing in the middle of the room, pitying herself._] That's
where we get the worst of it, we women who have hearts! We must feel, we
must show our feelings, and then we get trampled down in the fight. Oh,
Dolly, how I envy you your nature!

_Dolly._ [_Very chilly._] Are you going into the spare room, dear?

_Renie._ Anywhere! Anywhere! Yes, the spare room!

PETERS, DOLLY'S _maid, appears at door._

_Dolly._ Peters, will you bank up the fire in the spare room and make
everything comfortable for Mrs. Sturgess?

_Peters._ Yes, ma'am. [_Exit._

_Renie._ [_Still in the middle of the room, pitying herself._] So my
poor little tragedy is ended! [_To_ MATT.

_Matt._ Yes. Well, let's be thankful no bones are broken!

_Renie._ No bones, but how about hearts? Well, I must bear it. [_With a
weary smile._] Mustn't I?

_Matt._ I'm afraid you must.

_Renie._ Good-night! [_Wrings his hand with gratitude._] Good-night!

_Matt._ Good-night.

[_Gets away from her, and busies himself with his cigar, lights
it._

_Renie._ Good-night, Dolly!

_Dolly._ I'll come up with you, and stay till you're quite comfortable.

_Renie._ Shall I ever be comfortable again? Will things ever be the
same? I wonder!

[_Goes off mournfully and tragically at back with a prolonged
sigh._ MATT _has seated himself on sofa and taken up paper._

_Dolly._ [_Calls his attention to_ RENIE'S _exit and makes a furious
gesture after her._] I know she'll be here next Christmas! [_Marches
down enraged to_ MATT _and repeats in an angry, aggrieved way,
emphasizing each word._] I know that woman will be here next
Christmas!

_Matt._ [_Seated comfortably with his cigar and paper_] I daresay she
will----

[DOLLY _marches indignantly and decisively to door and exit._

CURTAIN.

(_Half an hour passes between Acts II and III._)

ACT III.

SCENE: _The same. Discover_ MATT _in the same seat and attitude, with
paper and cigar._ DOLLY _enters._

_Matt._ Well??

_Dolly._ I've had an awful time with her----

_Matt._ How?

_Dolly._ [_Seated._] First she had another fit of hysterics--then she
longed to go out into the night air to cool her fevered brow--then she
moaned out something about her noble Lucas----

_Matt._ And now?

_Dolly._ I've persuaded her to let Peters undress her. I've got her off
my hands at last.