ROSBY (_standing in front of table over_ R.). I would.

WILLIAM (R.C.) Tell us what?

CROSBY (C.). You did this just in time. To-morrow I was going to forbid
you to have anything more to do with this young woman.

HELEN (L. _of_ CROSBY). You see!

WILLIAM. What for?

CROSBY. Your mother and I felt that you were pretty slow with your
love-making--

WILLIAM. Oh, mother!

CROSBY (_continuing_).--and I knew darned well that if I interfered,
you'd take the girl out and marry her.

HELEN. Oh!

WILLIAM. You old schemer!

CROSBY (_crossing over_ R.C. _below_ MRS. CROSBY). I bet it would have
worked.

WILLIAM (_as_ CROSBY _crosses_ R. WILLIAM _slaps him on the back_).
It would. (_Crosses behind_ HELEN _to_ L.C.)

(_The door down_ L. _opens and_ EDWARD WALES _enters._)

WALES. I came ahead of the others to tell you--

CROSBY. Why, Ned, old man, you came just in time to congratulate them.
(_He points toward_ WILLIAM _and_ HELEN.)

WALES. On what? (L.C.)

MRS. CROSBY. They're going to be married: isn't it fine?

WALES. Oh!

(_There is a long pause._)

WILLIAM. You don't congratulate us, Mr. Wales.

WALES. No, Will, I don't. I'm not sure that I can. (_Down stage a step_.)

CROSBY. Why, Ned?

WILLIAM. I'm afraid that calls for an explanation.

WALES. Yes, I expect that it does.

(_There is a long pause._)

WILLIAM. Well?

WALES. I'm sorry, but I can't explain anything until to-morrow.

MRS. CROSBY. But really, Mr. Wales, don't you think--

WALES. I think my action is almost indefensible. I'm admitting that. But
I have very good reasons for what I am doing. (_He turns to_ CROSBY.)
Roscoe, I've been your close friend for a great many years. You've
trusted me and believed in me. I'm going to ask you to wait. After all,
twenty-four hours can't make any difference, and it may save you all a
great deal of unhappiness.

WILLIAM (_coming to_ WALES _a step_). This is intolerable.

CROSBY. Ned, I can't understand--

WILLIAM. Father, this is my affair.

WALES. I'm sorry.

WILLIAM. Sorry? I should think you would be.

HELEN. Billy, I told you what would happen. Mr. Wales, I don't know what
you have discovered. But it's nothing of which I am ashamed, nothing.

WILLIAM. Dear, you mustn't mind what he says.

HELEN (_crossing in front of_ WILLIAM _and moving a few steps towards_
WALES). Oh, but I do, I can't bear it. Why, my mother is the most
wonderful woman in the world. I won't have her attacked. D