s only that I want _your wedding_ to be as
happy as _mine_--that's all, and here's a little gift for you to
remember your disagreeable but loving friend by!

[_Giving her a small jewelry box._

BELLE. Thank you, Jinny! Thank you!

[_A little moved._

GRACE. Mercy! I hope you're not going to take each one of us!

JINNY. I am, and come here, _you're_ next!

GRACE. I'll swear I don't want to get married at all!

JINNY. Don't be silly, you _icicle_! Of course you don't; you freeze
all the men away, so that you've no idea how nice and comfy they can
be! My advice to you, Grace darling,--and I _love_ you, or I wouldn't
bother,--is to _thaw_! [_Laughs._] I used to be awfully jealous of you--

GRACE. [_Interrupting._] Oh!

JINNY. Yes, I was! You're lots prettier than I am.

GRACE. Jinny!

JINNY. You _are_! But I got over it because I soon saw you were so cold,
there was no danger of any conflagration near you! Oh, I've watched your
_eyes_ often to see if any man had lighted the fires in them yet. And
now I'm determined they shall be lighted. You're too _cold_! Thaw,
dear,--not to _everybody_,--that would be like slushy weather, but
don't keep yourself so continually so far below zero that you won't have
time to strike--well--say eighty-five in _the shade_, when the right bit
of masculine sunshine _does_ come along! Here--with my best love!

[_Giving her a small jewelry box._

[_GRACE kisses JINNY._

GERTRUDE. I am the next _victim_, I believe!

JINNY. All I've got to say to _you_, Miss, is, that if you don't decide
pretty soon on _one_ of the half dozen men you are flirting with
_disgracefully_ at present, they'll every one find you out and you'll
have to go in for widowers.

GERTRUDE. [_Mockingly._] Horrors!

JINNY. Oh, I don't know! I suppose a widower is sort of _broken in_ and
would be more likely to put up with your caprices! For the sake of your
charm and wit and true heart underneath it all, you dear old girl you!

[_Giving her a small jewel box._

GERTRUDE. Thank you, Jinny. I'm only afraid I will do the wrong thing
with you away! You know you're always my ballast!

JINNY. Nonsense! Female ballast is no good; masculine ballast is the
only kind that's safe if you want to make life's journey in a love
balloon. [_SHE turns to RUTH CHESTER._] Ruth--the trouble with you is,
you're too sad lately, and show such a lack of interest. I should think
you might be in love, only I haven't been able