shan't do any such thing!

[_They all laugh and break up the ring._

GERTRUDE. Dear me, isn't she jealous!

BELLE. Yes, it is evidently time we all went! Good-by, Jinny! [_Kissing
her._] A happy journey to _Washington_!

JINNY. No, it isn't!

[_General good-bys. JINNY begins with RUTH at one end, and AUSTIN at
the other; he says good-by and shakes hands with each girl._

GERTRUDE. [_Kissing JINNY._] Good-by, and a pleasant trip to _Niagara
Falls_!

JINNY. Not a bit!

GRACE. [_Kissing JINNY._] Good-by, I believe it's _Boston_ or _Chicago_!

JINNY. _Neither!_

RUTH. Good-by, dear, and all the happiness in the world!

[_Kisses her._

JINNY. Thank you.

[_She turns and goes with the other three girls to the double doors at
back, where they are heard talking._

RUTH. Mr. Austin?

AUSTIN. Yes?

[_Joining her._

RUTH. [_Embarrassed._] You like your new brother, _don't_ you?

AUSTIN. Geof? most certainly I do, and Jinny adores him.

RUTH. I know, then, you'll be a good friend to him if he needs one.

AUSTIN. Surely I will.

RUTH. I think he does need one.

AUSTIN. Really--

[_The GIRLS are passing out through the doors._

BELLE. Come along, Ruth.

[_THEY pass out and JINNY stands in the doorway talking to them till
they are out of hearing._

RUTH. Sh! please don't tell any one, not even Jinny, what I've said! I
may be betraying something I've no right to do, and don't tell _him_
I've spoken to you.

AUSTIN. All right!

[_JINNY turns around in the doorway._

RUTH. Thank you--and good-by.

[_Shaking his hand again._

[_JINNY notices that they shake hands twice. A queer little look comes
into her face._

AUSTIN. Good-by.

RUTH. Have they gone?--Oh! [_Hurrying past_ JINNY.] Good-by, dear.

[_She goes out through the double doors._

JINNY. [_In a curious little voice._] Good-by....

[_She comes slowly down the room toward AUSTIN, and smiles at him
quizzically._] What were you two saying?

AUSTIN. Good-by!

JINNY. But you'd said it once to her already! Why did you have to say
good-by _twice_ to _Ruth_? Once was enough for all the other girls!

AUSTIN. [_Banteringly._] The first time _I_ said good-by to _her_, and
the second time _she_ said good-by to _me_!

JINNY. Do you know what I believe--_Ruth Chester's in love with you_!

AUSTIN. Oh, darling!

[_Laughs._

JINNY. Yes, that explains the whole thing. No wonder she was _triste_
to-day.

A