ing back.

[_Throws a disk into the frog's open mouth._

TROTTER. _I'll_ give your mother all the presents she wants. I can
afford it; I don't want anybody to give us anything!

CLARA. You talk like Jess! [_Throws another disk._] You know Jess earns
her own living. She goes around to smart women's houses answering their
invitations and letters for 'em. She calls it being a visiting
secretary, but I tell her she's a _co-respon-dent_!

[_Throws a disk._

[WARDEN _and_ MASON _enter from behind the house quickly, with a manner
of suppressed excitement. They are surprised to find_ CLARA _and_
TROTTER.

WARDEN. Why, here they are!

MASON. No, only Miss Clara and Trotter.

WARDEN. Lucky I met you--you must take me back in your sleigh.

MASON. Yes, the riding's beastly.

TROTTER. Hello! I say, were you invited?

CLARA. Merry Christmas!

WARDEN. We came to see the Godesbys.

CLARA. They've gone down the road.

MASON. Sterling isn't here, is he?

TROTTER. No, haven't seen him.

CLARA. Do you know _why_ we're here?

[MASON _and_ WARDEN _are embarrassed._

MASON. Yes--er--er--a--many happy returns, Mr. Trotter.

TROTTER. It's a great day for me, Mr. Mason!

WARDEN. Wish you joy, Trotter!

[_Embarrassed and not going near him._ TROTTER _rushes eagerly to him
and grasps his hand warmly._

TROTTER. Thank you, old man! I say! _Thank you!_

MASON. Miss Clara, would you do me the great favor of going down the
road and hurrying the Godesbys back if you see them?

CLARA. Yes, I don't mind; come along, Trotty!

WARDEN. You must excuse Trotter. I want a talk with him if he will give
me five minutes.

CLARA. Oh, certainly.

[_She goes out Left behind the house._

WARDEN. [_To_ MASON.] Will you see Mrs. Hunter?

TROTTER. I beg your pardon, Mrs. _Trotter_!

WARDEN. [_Politely._] I beg yours. [_To_ MASON.] See Mrs. Trotter.

MASON. [_Aside to_ WARDEN.] You're going to ask _him_ to go on Dick's
note for Ryder?

WARDEN. [_In a low voice._] Yes.

MASON. You're a wonder! As if _he_ would!

WARDEN. _Somebody must_, and there's nobody else. That boy and that
mother have got to be saved!

MASON. I'm sorry my name's no good for us.

WARDEN. And mine mustn't be used.

MASON. No, indeed! The minute that was done, there'd be a new
complication, and more trouble would tumble down on Mrs. Sterling's
head. Good luck.

[_Shakes his hand and enters the house._

TROTTER. What's up? _You_ haven't come to kick