ass of champagne which has been left untouched by a
guest._

JORDAN. He ain't nobody; he hasn't any money; he was just asked to fill
up. He's one of these yere singing chaps what's asked to pass the time
after dinner with a song or two _gratis_. This dinner'll last him for
food for a week!

_Their manners suddenly change as the men reenter and take seats about
the two ends of the table._ STERLING, MASON, _and_ DOCTOR _down Left
form one group. The other men are in a group between the window and the
other end. On entering_ STERLING _speaks._

STERLING. Jordan, for heaven's sake, give us something to see by! You
can't tell which end of your cigar to light in this confounded woman's
candle-light. If I had my way, I'd have candelabras made of Welsbachs!

TROTTER. Bright idea, Sterling.

[STERLING, _laughing, joins his group, who laugh gently with him._
JORDAN _turns on the electric light. The servants pass the coffee,
liqueurs, and the cigars and cigarettes. Meanwhile the following
dialogue takes place, the men beginning to talk at once on their
entrance._

STERLING. Mr. Mason, I'd like to ask your honest opinion on something if
you'll give it me.

MASON. Certainly.

STERLING. This Hudson Electric Company.

DR. STEINHART. Oh! Dropped fearfully to-day.

STERLING. But that can happen easily with the best thing. To-morrow--

MASON. [_Interrupting._] To-morrow it will drop to its _very bottom_!

STERLING. I don't believe it.

DR. STEINHART. Surely, Mr. Mason, the men who floated that are too
clever to ruin _themselves_?

MASON. They're out of it.

STERLING. Out of it!

MASON. They got out last week quietly.

STERLING. But--

MASON. Mark my words, the day after to-morrow there'll be several
foolish people ruined, and _not one of the promoters of that company
will lose a penny_!

STERLING. I don't believe it!

[_The crowd at the other end of the table, who have been listening to a
tale from_ TROTTER, _laugh heartily._

TROTTER. [_Delighted with his success._] I'm no Dodo bird!

[WARDEN _leaves this group casually and joins the other._

MASON. [_To_ STERLING.] Don't tell me _you're_ in it?

STERLING. [_Ugly._] Yes, I am in it!

MASON. Not _much?_

STERLING. Yes, _much!_

WARDEN. Much what?

STERLING. Oh, nothing; we were just discussing stocks.

WARDEN. And up there they're discussing Jeffreys and Fitzsimmons.

MASON. Listen, Dick, after a lifelong experience in Wall Street, I defy
any bro