in as it
is.

MRS. TILLMAN. [_Rising._] We can take the seven-two.

[_MAGGIE shows in MRS. CULLINGHAM and PETER. PETER shakes hands with
MRS. TILLMAN, then with JINNY, and then with MR. TILLMAN._

[_MRS. CULLINGHAM kisses MRS. TILLMAN and shakes hands with MR.
TILLMAN._

MRS. CULLINGHAM. Jinny, you angel, aren't you surprised!

[_Kissing her._

JINNY. Well, rather!

MRS. CULLINGHAM. Well, you aren't a bit more surprised than I am. [_A
clock strikes six-thirty._] There goes the half hour, Peter; you must
take your powder.

PETER. I beg your pardon, mother; it's the tablet now.

MRS. CULLINGHAM. Excuse me, dear, I'm so dead tired.

[_Sits on the sofa._

JINNY. [_To Peter._] Will you have some water?

PETER. No, thank you, I've learned now to take them _au naturel_, and
without much, if any, inconvenience!

[_Takes his tablet with still a certain amount of difficulty, and sits
Right._

MRS. TILLMAN. [_To MRS. CULLINGHAM._] Did you have a bad voyage?

MRS. CULLINGHAM. No, perfectly beautiful!

PETER. [_Reproachfully, and with a final swallow._] Oh, mother!

MRS. CULLINGHAM. Except, of course, for poor Peter; he gets worse every
trip! He can eat _absolutely nothing_--that is _for long_! But it's the
Custom House that's worn me out; I was there from twelve till four.

MRS. TILLMAN. But you wouldn't have had time to buy anything!

MRS. CULLINGHAM. Of course not! But I took plenty of new dresses for the
entire summer; most of them hadn't been worn, and they were determined
to make me pay duty.

JINNY. We had to pay awfully for things! I wanted to try and smuggle,
but Jack wouldn't let me!

MR. TILLMAN. I'm afraid _we_ must go!

[_ALL rise._

MRS. CULLINGHAM. What do you think the Inspector had the impudence to
ask me finally,--if I wanted to bring the dresses in as theatrical
properties!

[_They laugh._

MRS. TILLMAN. You must have some _gorgeous_ frocks!

MRS. CULLINGHAM. Oh, there are some _paillettes_! But who do you suppose
he took me for--Sarah Bernhardt!

TILLMAN. [_Looking at his watch._] I don't wish to interrupt this vital
political conversation, but, Susan, if you don't want to miss the
seven-two train, too--!

MRS. TILLMAN. [_Rising._] Oh, no, we mustn't do that. Good-by. [_To MRS.
CULLINGHAM, shaking hands._] It's nice to see you again, anyway. Is Ruth
better?

MRS. CULLINGHAM. I'm sorry to say--I don't think she is--good-by.

[_To MR. TILLMAN, who says