The Climbers Part 9

STERLING. Or to her two unmarried daughters!

WARDEN. Nor am I!

STERLING. [_With whispered intensity._] By G.o.d, if you are in love with my wife!

WARDEN. If you thought that out loud, I'd knock you down!

STERLING. Huh! you talk as if you thought I were a coward!

WARDEN. No, not a _physical_ coward--I've seen you do too many plucky things--but a _moral_ coward--yes, you are one!

[_Straight to him, standing close and looking him squarely in the eyes._

STERLING. [_Wavering._] Oh, you're too d.a.m.ned preachy!

[MRS. HUNTER _enters Right with_ CLARA. MRS. HUNTER _shakes hands with_ WARDEN _silently, happy in the feeling that she is in great affliction, and satisfied with the appearance and impression she is making. She carries her handkerchief, with its black border, ready in her hand._ CLARA _has silently shaken hands with_ WARDEN, _after her mother. She afterwards goes to_ STERLING _and hands him several of the letters of condolence. She then goes to the window at Left, pulling aside the curtain, and stands looking out, rather bored, wishing she could go out and take a walk._

MRS. HUNTER. We will never forget your kindness. Will the evening papers have anything in, do you think?

WARDEN. No, not before morning.

MRS. HUNTER. [_Sighs._] Every one was there.

STERLING. Where's Blanche?

MRS. HUNTER. Upstairs. She said she was going after Aunt Ruth.

STERLING. [_Frightened._] After Aunt Ruth? [_Strongly._] What for?

MRS. HUNTER. I don't know. [_Whimpering._] I'm not considered in the family any longer!

STERLING. I shall stop and take her home.

[JORDAN _enters._

JORDAN. Will you see visitors, madam?

STERLING. No.

[_He goes out Right._

MRS. HUNTER. "No"? Yes, we will! I need to see some one, or I shall break down. Go upstairs, Clara!

CLARA. No, _why_ need I?

MRS. HUNTER. You're not out yet.

CLARA. I don't care! At this rate I'll never get "out." Who are they, Jordan?

JORDAN. Miss Sillerton, Miss G.o.desby, and Mr. Trotter, miss.

WARDEN. I must go, Mrs. Hunter.

MRS. HUNTER. [_Relieved._] So sorry. Could you go straight to Mr. Mason?

He wishes to see you?

[_Shaking hands._

WARDEN. Certainly.

MRS. HUNTER. Thank you.

[WARDEN _inclines his head to_ CLARA.

CLARA. [_Lightly._] Good-by!

[WARDEN _goes out Left._

MRS. HUNTER. I don't think we ought to receive Mr. Trotter.

CLARA. Pshaw! why not? If there's really any idea of my mar--

[_She stops short, silenced by a look from her mother and an indication toward_ JORDAN.

MRS. HUNTER. Show them up, Jordan. [JORDAN _bows and goes out._] How do I look, dear?

[_Arranges her handkerchief._

CLARA. [_Looking in the mirror._] How do I?

MRS. HUNTER. [_With her back to_ CLARA.] I asked you first how _I_ looked!

CLARA. [_Not observing._] Oh, you're all right, how am I?

MRS. HUNTER. [_Not looking at_ CLARA.] Charming! We'll go upstairs and come down again; I don't think it nice to be found here as if we were expecting visitors.

[_They go out Right._

[JORDAN _steps into the room to announce the visitors, and seeing no one there, bows as the three pa.s.s him._

JORDAN. The ladies will be down at once.

[_He goes out Right._

[_The three turn, looking about the room with curiosity, as if the funeral might have made some difference in the house._

[MISS SILLERTON _is a handsome, attractive woman, most fashionably dressed and perfectly conventional in character and intelligence._ MISS G.o.dESBY _is a little slow, more a.s.sertive, sharper of tongue, more acutely intelligent, and equally smartly dressed. She has still a remnant of real, sincere feeling buried under a cynical mask which her life in a fast set has developed for her self-preservation._ TROTTER _is a foolish young person, meaning well enough according to his lights, which are not of the biggest and brightest._

TROTTER. Cla.s.sy house altogether!