SERVANT. Yes, sair.

WARDEN. I hear a sleigh coming. If a lady is in it, ask if her name is
Mrs. Sterling, and if she says yes, tell her Mr. Warden is here and
would like to speak with her a moment before she goes in to Mrs.--

[_He hesitates a second._

SERVANT. Trottair?

WARDEN. Yes.

SERVANT. Yes, sair.

[_He goes into the house._

[_The sun grows red, and the colors of sunset creep over the sky during
the scene which follows. After a moment the_ SERVANT _shows_ BLANCHE
_out from the house._

BLANCHE. [_Surprised and depressed._] Good morning, Mr. Warden, have you
been asked to these funeral baked meats?

WARDEN. No, I'll explain why I am here in a few minutes. Only let me ask
you first when you last saw your husband?

BLANCHE. Early this morning.

WARDEN. And you have come just now from where?

BLANCHE. Aunt Ruth's. Of course you know about my mother? When I heard
it I started to come here, but my heart failed me and I turned back to
my aunt's. She has persuaded me that I ought to come and put the best
face on the matter possible, but it seems as if I'd had now a little
more than I _can_ bear!

[_Her voice breaks and her eyes fill with tears._

WARDEN. [_Almost tenderly._] Shall we go inside?

BLANCHE. No, no! Let us stay out in the air; my head would burst in one
of these close little rooms. Have you seen mother?

WARDEN. No, not yet.

BLANCHE. Where is Dick? Did he go to Ryder's?

WARDEN. No, but I have some good news to tell you all the same--Ryder
has promised silence.

BLANCHE. [_With tremendous relief._] Oh! that's too good, too good to be
true! To whom did he promise?

WARDEN. I want you not to ask me that.

BLANCHE. I can guess, it was--

WARDEN. [_Lying._] No, it was--_Mason_.

BLANCHE. [_Doubting him._] Mr. Mason?

WARDEN. And I've more good news for you, Mrs. Sterling--the _Godesbys_,
too; _they_ will be silent.

BLANCHE. You're sure?

WARDEN. We have their word!

BLANCHE. [_Pointedly._] Mr. Mason again?--

[WARDEN _bows his head in assent._] He was _here_?

WARDEN. Some time ago, but only for a minute. He didn't stay; he went to
find your husband.

BLANCHE. But the _Godesbys_? I just met them now on the road going back.
How could Mr. Mason, if he didn't stay--[WARDEN _is embarrassed, and is
silent, searching a way out of it._] Oh, no! no! it wasn't Mr. Mason! I
see the whole thing clearly. Dick was too great a coward, and _you_ did
it! It was _you_ who won ove