ER. What?

DOUGLAS. You must help me to get rid of all the guests!

MRS. LORRIMER. To get rid-- [_Interrupted._

DOUGLAS. [_Interrupting._] Mr. Wolton has committed suicide.

MRS. LORRIMER. [_Starts and shudders; speaks very rapidly._] Mr.--how
awful! What are you going to do? You can't tell the people now. What
in the world did the man mean by not waiting till the party was over!
If it isn't like you men! Your own comfort before anybody
else's.--Well--the only thing is to pretend it hasn't happened at
all--make some excuse for Marion and her mother--the guests needn't
know anything about it,--and finish the party!

DOUGLAS. Mrs. Lorrimer! Impossible!

MRS. LORRIMER. It would be sort of uncomfortable for us who know,
[_She adds sincerely._] --and the poor Woltons, of course,--it is awful
for them.

DOUGLAS. I thought if you spoke to Fanshaw and stopped the cotillion
and told a few of the guests-- [_Interrupted._

MRS. LORRIMER. [_Aghast._] What! The truth?

DOUGLAS. No, say Mr. Wolton has been taken suddenly and most
dangerously ill--

MRS. LORRIMER. [_To_ DOUGLAS.] Very well, I'll do what I can.

DOUGLAS. Stop! [_Music stops._ DOUGLAS _goes to doorway into ball-room
and draws the heavy portieres, shutting out the ball-room._ MARION
_enters_.

MARION. [_To_ DOUGLAS, _who stays at curtains._] They are going?

DOUGLAS. Yes.

MARION. They know?

DOUGLAS. Not the truth!

MARION. Thank you.

DOUGLAS. Mrs. Lorrimer is arranging it. [FOOTMAN _off stage calls_
"43." _The numbers are repeated in another voice and farther away. A
moment's pause._

DOUGLAS. I wish I could comfort you.

MARION. [_Smiling strainedly at him._] Thank you. [FOOTMAN _calls_
"56!--56!--89!" "32!--32!--61!" DOUGLAS _holds back the portiere into
ball-room_.

MARION. I'd better go back to mother. How good you are to us--believe
me, I appreciate it all, Douglas, _all_. [_Enter_ DAWSON _hurriedly.
Shows excitement and emotion. At the same moment enter_ FLETCHER _from
ball-room at back. The two men speak the word_ "Marion" _at the same
time, and turning, see each other._ DAWSON _also observes the presence
of_ DOUGLAS.] Uncle Fred! [_Crosses to him._ FOOTMAN _calls_ "115!"]
[_To_ DAWSON.] You know!

FLETCHER. [_Gently, persuasively joining her._] Why didn't you send
for me at once?

DAWSON. Gentlemen, you will forgive me if I thank you both and say the
guests are leaving. The family would like to be alone.

DOUGLAS. I understand