Mr. B._ (changes weight to other foot). Yes, sir.

_Mrs. De S._ Won't you be seated, Mr. Bulbus?

_Mr. B._ (sits on edge of small chair). Yessum, thank yer.

_Maude_ Let's have just the graduating class.

_Jack_ No, I'm dead tired of the push! Let's have a picked
crowd,--friends of "the highly contracting parties," you know.

_Mrs. De S._ We ought to have your professors.

_Maude_ We'd have to invite Grindem, and he's so awfully--

_Mrs. De S._ Professor Grindem is a very delightful gentleman, Maudie!

_Jack_ (in imitation). Yes, ahem, he has--power--ahem,--power is--power
is a wonderful thing, a wonderful thing!

_Mrs. De S._ Well, as to the decorations.

_Maude_ Smilax from the chandelier--

_Jack_ Don't let's have any smilax. It's too much like funerals.

(Mr. De Smythe returns.)

_Mr. De S._ Well, Mr. Bulbus, have they decided?

_Mrs. De S._ No, Papa, we can't decide who to have.

_Mrs. De S._ Let that slide now, and go into a committee of the whole on
decorations.

_Maude_ Let's--but I don't want the faculty.

_Jack_ You'd like to have Professor Graham. All girls are gone on him.

_Mrs. De S._ We needn't order cut flowers. All of Maudie's--(stops to
cough).

_Miss H._ (throws down her darning). Jennie, you'll have an attack! I
won't be no committee! I won't encourage this nonsense. Education is
all right; everybody needs a little,--enough to make an honest livin'.
But look at your mother, look at your father! They're plumb wore out
settin' up nights to get you graduated! In my day when girls got
through school they quit, they didn't go to Commencin' and carrin' on!
I won't be no committee of the whole nor no other kind. When you're
all dead nobody can blame me! (walks out, sniffing disdainfully).

_Mrs. De S._ (rising hastily). Oh, dear, now she'll go sweep every room
in the house! (goes out in haste).

_Maude_ (springs up). Mamma mustn't wear herself out. It would be all
right if Auntie had graduated. (goes in haste).

_Mr. De S._ (gazing helplessly after them all). Matilda's Declaration of
Independence! (seating himself resignedly). Draw up your chairs,
gentlemen. We'll have to 'wait til the clouds roll by'.

(Curtain falls on the three men looking at each other silently.)

ACT III.

(Hallway of the DeSmythe house. Flowers on extra tables, cards
attached. Door bell in vestibule rings constantly; flowers and
packages arriving. Maude's picture hat, gloves and fan on chair. Mr.