.

(_They laugh._) And looked at his watch at least twice while he was
proposing.

{Mrs. Starkweather}

Anthony was not so busy then as all that.

{Hubbard}

He hadn't yet taken up the job of running the United States.

{Mrs. Starkweather}

I'm sure I don't know what he is running, but he is a very busy
man--business, politics, and madness; madness, politics, and
business.

(_She stops breathlessly and glances at tea-table._) Tea. I should
like a cup of tea. Connie, I shall stay for a cup of tea, and
then, if your father hasn't come, we'll go home. (_To Chalmers._)
Where is Tommy?

{Chalmers}

Out in the car with Madge.

(_Glances at tea-table and consults watch._) She should be back
now.

{Connie}

Mother, you mustn't stay long. I have to dress.

{Chalmers}

Oh, yes, that dinner.

(_Yawns._) I wish I could loaf to-night.

{Connie}

(_Explaining to Hubbard._) The Turkish Charge d'Affaires--I never
can remember his name. But he's great fun--a positive joy. He's
giving the dinner to the British Ambassador.

{Mrs. Starkweather}

(_Starting forward in her chair and listening intently._) There's
Tommy, now.

(_Voices of Margaret Chalmers and of Tommy heard from without.
Hers is laughingly protesting, while Tommy's is gleefully
insistent._) (_Margaret and Tommy appear and pause just outside
door, holding each other's hands, facing each other, too immersed
in each other to be aware of the presence of those inside the
room. Margaret and Tommy are in street costume._)

{Tommy} (_Laughing._)

But mama.

{Margaret}

(_Herself laughing, but shaking her head._) No. Tommy First--

{Margaret}

No; you must run along to Linda, now, mother's boy. And we'll
talk about that some other time.

(_Tommy notices for the first time that there are persons in the
room. He peeps in around the door and espies Mrs. Starkweather.
At the same moment, impulsively, he withdraws his hands and runs
in to Mrs. Starkweather._)

{Tommy}

(_Who is evidently fond of his grandmother._) Grandma!

(_They embrace and make much of each other._)

(_Margaret enters, appropriately greeting the others--a kiss
(_maybe_) to Connie, and a slightly cold handshake to Hubbard._)

{Margaret}

(_To Chalmers._) Now that you're here, Tom, you mustn't run away.

(_Greets Mrs. Starkweather._)

{Mrs. Starkweather}

(_Turning Tommy's face to the light and looking at it anxiously._)
A trifle thin, Margaret.

{Margaret}

On