third row of chairs next the
foot-lights. Up to now her back is partly turned toward the
audience._ KITTY RAND, _dressed in short skirts, is just
behind her_.

FANSHAW. [_Leaning over to_ MARION.] I think, Marion, this was really
a most amusing idea of yours, having us all come as children.

_Enter_ DOUGLAS RHODES, _in white sailor costume. He meets_
MRS. WOLTON _who enters. They talk._

MARION. [_To_ KITTY.] Your costume, Kitty, is charming.

KITTY. [_With a ball on rubber cord._] My dear, I'm sure I look a
sight. I feel as if it were bathing hour at Narragansett.

MARION. Here's Bessie. How splendid she was. [_Rises._] [_Enter_
BESSIE. _She laughs as she is greeted by shouts of laughter and
applause by guests. She joins_ MARION, _who shakes her hand_.] You
were too funny, Bessie. [_A guest rises and offers seat to_ BESSIE.
_She accepts it and sits._

JOHNSTONE. [_Monkey; white kilt suit._] [_To_ BESSIE _as she sits_.]
Yes. Isn't this an awfully lovely party? [_To_ FANSHAW.] Here,
Fanshaw, it's your turn.

GUESTS _and_ ALL. Yes, come on Fanshaw, etc. [FANSHAW _exits_.

RHODES _comes from_ MRS. WOLTON, _nodding pleasantly to guests as he
passes round behind them, to_ MARION. _He shakes her hand._

MARION. Why so late, Douglas?

DOUGLAS. I was dining with Mrs. Lorrimer; but I hope you've saved me a
seat by you. [BLANCHE _exits, ready for stage_.

MARION. I'm sorry, but I haven't. There's the curtain.

_She sits and_ DOUGLAS _takes a place back of guests, shaking
hands with_ TRIMMINS _as he does so. Mimic curtain rises,
music begins, all interrupt with "Sh-h."_ FANSHAW _enters on
mimic stage, dressed as Little Lord Fauntleroy, and sings.
Mimic curtain falls to applause. Curtain is raised. Black
rag-baby thrown to him during song._ FANSHAW _enters, bows,
and, as he does so_, BLANCHE _throws a small bouquet of
flowers to him. This he catches and makes entrance upon stage
by jumping over mimic foot-lights. He is congratulated and
thanked by_ MARION _and resumes his seat_.

_Music begins. All interrupt again with "Sh-h." Curtain is
raised, and enter_ ETHEL, _dressed as a child of 1840, in
white and green. She comes forward and sings_ ("_Henrietta_"),
_with orchestral accompaniment, a flute obligato being a
feature of the latter, which, every little while, indulges in
loud variations, entirely drowning the singer's voice, much to
her annoy