The Climbers Part 18

MASON. Can _we_ do anything?

WARDEN. Nothing but watch him closely till the people go. Then force him to make a clean breast of it, so we can all know where we stand; how we can best protect his aunt from ruin and his wife and boy from public disgrace.

MASON. He is watching us.

WARDEN. He knows I know him; we must be careful. He's coming toward us.

[_He then speaks in a different tone, but no louder._] You're certain of the trustworthiness of your information?

MASON. Absolutely. Every man left in that concern will be ruined before the 'Change closes after to-morrow. [STERLING _has joined them in time to hear the end of_ MASON'S _speech._ MASON _continues._] I am telling Warden what I told you about the Hudson Electric Company.

STERLING. Can't you talk of something pleasanter?

[BLANCHE _reenters at back. On her entrance all the men rise. The servants finish preparing the room for the tree._

BLANCHE. I'm very sorry--I really can't let you men stay here any longer.

ALL THE MEN. Why not? How's that? [_Ad lib._]

BLANCHE. You know we want to get this room ready for Santa Claus! d.i.c.k!

[_She goes to her husband. All the men go out at back in a group led by_ WARDEN _and_ MASON. _They are all talking and laughing._ BLANCHE _is left alone with her husband._] What is this Aunt Ruth has been telling me about not being able to get some bonds from you?

STERLING. Oh, nothing. I forgot to send them up to her, that's all.

BLANCHE. But she says she sent three times.

STERLING. One time too late to get into the vault; and the other, her letter was mislaid--I mean not given to me.

BLANCHE. You haven't broken your word to me?

STERLING. What if I had?

BLANCHE. I would let the law take its course.

STERLING. You must love me very little.

BLANCHE. I _live_ with you. First you robbed me of my respect for you; then you dried up my heart with neglect.

STERLING. And our boy?

BLANCHE. Your blood runs in his veins; your shame and disgrace would be a fearful warning to him. It might kill _me_; but never mind, if it _saved him_.

STERLING. Oh, well, I haven't broken my word! So you needn't worry. I've been honest enough.

BLANCHE. [_With a long sigh of relief._] Oh! I hope so!

MRS. HUNTER. [_Appearing in doorway at back._] The men are in the drawing-room--shall we come _here_?

BLANCHE. Yes, we'll bring the others, mother. Come, d.i.c.k.

[_She goes out with_ MRS. HUNTER _at back._

STERLING. [_Goes to door Right, opens it, and calls._] Leonard!

[LEONARD _enters Right_

LEONARD. Yes, sir?

STERLING. Go up to my library at the top of the house, get a railroad guide you will find there, and bring it down and put it on the table in the hall just outside the drawing-room door.

LEONARD. Yes, sir.

STERLING. Then go to my room and pack my bag and dressing case. Do you understand?

LEONARD. Yes, sir.

[_The women are heard singing "Follow the Man from Cook's," and gradually coming nearer._

STERLING. Be quick, and say nothing to any one.

LEONARD. Yes, sir.

[_He goes out quickly Right._ STERLING _goes up stage and stands beside the door at back as the women dance in, singing "Follow the Man from Cook's." They are led by_ CLARA, _with_ MRS. HUNTER _on the end._ BLANCHE _and_ RUTH _follow alone, not dancing. The others dance around the chairs and_ CLARA _jumps on and off one of them; this stops the rest, who balk at it._ STERLING _goes out at back. The_ SERVANTS _enter Right._

CLARA. I don't care for this dinner party at all. The women are all the time being chased away from the men! I prefer being with Mr. Trotter.

Don't you, mama?

MISS SILLERTON. He doesn't seem able to give a dinner party any more without you to chaperone, Mrs. Hunter.

BLANCHE. Mother, how can you?

MRS. HUNTER. Oh, I don't know as it's _chaperoning_! I like Mr. Trotter very much.

MISS SILLERTON. But he's such a little cad. I tried to give him a lift, but he was too heavy for me.

CLARA. Oh, well, you ought just to pretend it's the money in his pocket makes him so heavy; then you'd find him dead easy.

[_Meanwhile the_ SERVANTS _have arranged the table, taken out the extra leaves and made it square, and left the room. They now reenter, bringing in a gorgeously decorated and lighted Christmas tree. There is at once a loud chorus of delighted approval from the women. The_ SERVANTS _place the tree in the centre of the table. The women who are sitting rise and come near to examine the tree._

RUTH. What a beautiful tree, Blanche!

BLANCHE. The boy is to have it to-morrow morning--it's really _his_ tree! [TOMPSON _brings in a large basket containing seven small stockings and six small boys' socks--very small stockings and very small socks. They are made of bright and different colors and are stuffed into absurd, bulgy shapes._] There's a name on each one. Come along now!

[_Taking out a little sock. The women crowd around the basket and each hangs a sock on the tree,_ MISS G.o.dESBY _and_ CLARA _standing on chairs._

CLARA. [_Reading the name on her sock._] Oh! mine's for Mr. Mason.

What's in it, Blanche?

BLANCHE. I really can't tell you. I asked the clerk where I bought it what it was for, and he said he didn't know; it was a "Christmas present."