RUTH. I know, then, you'll be a good friend to him if he needs one.

AUSTIN. Surely I will.

RUTH. I think he does need one.

AUSTIN. Really--

[_The GIRLS are pa.s.sing out through the doors._

BELLE. Come along, Ruth.

[_THEY pa.s.s out and JINNY stands in the doorway talking to them till they are out of hearing._

RUTH. Sh! please don't tell any one, not even Jinny, what I've said! I may be betraying something I've no right to do, and don't tell _him_ I've spoken to you.

AUSTIN. All right!

[_JINNY turns around in the doorway._

RUTH. Thank you--and good-by.

[_Shaking his hand again._

[_JINNY notices that they shake hands twice. A queer little look comes into her face._

AUSTIN. Good-by.

RUTH. Have they gone?--Oh! [_Hurrying past_ JINNY.] Good-by, dear.

[_She goes out through the double doors._

JINNY. [_In a curious little voice._] Good-by....

[_She comes slowly down the room toward AUSTIN, and smiles at him quizzically._] What were you two saying?

AUSTIN. Good-by!

JINNY. But you'd said it once to her already! Why did you have to say good-by _twice_ to _Ruth_? Once was enough for all the other girls!

AUSTIN. [_Banteringly._] The first time _I_ said good-by to _her_, and the second time _she_ said good-by to _me_!

JINNY. Do you know what I believe--_Ruth Chester's in love with you_!

AUSTIN. Oh, darling!

[_Laughs._

JINNY. Yes, that explains the whole thing. No wonder she was _triste_ to-day.

AUSTIN. [_Laughing._] Jinny, sweetheart, don't get such an absurd notion into your head.

JINNY. [_Looks straight at him a moment, then speaks tenderly._]

No--no--I know it's not your fault. There was no other woman in this house for you to-day but _me_, _was_ there?

AUSTIN. There was no other woman in the world for me since the first week I knew you.

[_Taking her into his arms._

JINNY. This is good-by to _Jinny Tillman_!

[_He kisses her._

Jack, darling, do you think I could sit on your knee like a little child and put my arm around your neck and rest my head on your shoulder for just five seconds--I'm _so tired_!

[_MRS. CULLINGHAM opens the door._

MRS. CULLINGHAM. Oh!

[_Shuts the door very quickly and knocks._

[_JINNY and AUSTIN laugh._

JINNY. Yes, yes--come in!

[_MRS. CULLINGHAM enters. She is a handsome, whole-souled, florid woman; one of those creatures of inexhaustible vitality who make people of a nervous temperament tired almost on contact by sheer contrast. She is the kindest, best meaning creature in the world._

MRS. CULLINGHAM. Oh, do excuse me! I haven't any more tact!--and I hate to interrupt you, but I must say good-by. [_Calls._] Peter!

PETER. Yes'm.

[_Entering with a gla.s.s of water and a powder. He sits in the arm-chair at right, and constantly looks at his watch._

AUSTIN. I'm much obliged to you, Mrs. Cullingham, for the interruption, as I was sent long ago to make myself ready for the train, if you'll excuse me!

MRS. CULLINGHAM. Certainly!

JINNY. Good-by!

[_Taking his hand as he pa.s.ses her._

AUSTIN. Good-by!

[_He goes out Right._

MRS. CULLINGHAM. If it's time for _him_, it's certainly time for _you_.

I won't keep you a minute!

JINNY. No, really we've plenty of time,-- [_both sit on sofa._] Wasn't it a lovely wedding!