COAST. [_Turning quickly._] Has he asked you?

GEORGIANA. Yes! To-day!

[_Showing her letter._ MRS. CARLEY _sits on the sofa._

COAST. [_Angry, to_ LOUISE.] Then you bring suit against Steve and I'll back you up,--I'll bet you I'll get your case!

LOUISE. But Steve hasn't any money.

COAST. No, but you can show him up! You can blackguard his name for him!

You can disgrace him in the papers!

LOUISE. But I don't want to do that! It would only make things worse.

GEORGIANA. Good, Louise!

COAST. I'll bet the bank and Steve's brokers won't be so soft-hearted.

GEORGIANA. There's this house for the bank.

MRS. CARLEY. [_Crying._] _This house!_ I shall die!

[GEORGIANA _goes to her._

GEORGIANA. Oh, no, you won't; you'll live very happily in a nice little flat, with two servants and a polite elevator boy in b.u.t.tons.

MRS. CARLEY. [_Pitifully._] Louise!

GEORGIANA. And Mr. Caldwell I am going to see at the ball to-night. I believe he will help us if he can.

LOUISE. You're going to the ball? In spite of everything?

GEORGIANA. Yes, we must. Let's have as little talk about the whole thing as possible. Steve's had bad luck! The people mustn't think there's anything we're ashamed of. There isn't anything.

COAST. Oh, isn't there?

GEORGIANA. No.

[LOUISE _gets the smelling salts from the table for_ MRS. CARLEY.

MRS. CARLEY. It's true; so long as we've lost everything else, I don't see why she should lose the ball too!

[_Using the smelling salts._

LOUISE. And I suppose we really ought to be seen there, or lots of people will _never_ believe we were asked.

COAST. Well, I guess this is where I get out. I'll strike one of those musical comedies! I think ragtime will be good enough for me to-night, instead of a neck and arm circus. You won't want me for escort after all this?

LOUISE. You can please yourself, Sam.

COAST. Not exactly; I guess this is the day I try sour grapes. [_Goes to door Left,--he turns._] When's Coleman coming back, Georgiana?

GEORGIANA. I don't know.

COAST. Oh! [_Goes to_ STEVEN _at mantel._] Steve--listen--how long are they holding that rotten stock of yours for you?

STEVEN. [_Laughs._] Ha! till to-morrow noon.

COAST. Well, cheer up, I'll send her up ten points for you by eleven.

[_Slaps him on the back._] See you all later, maybe, if my show's dull.

[_And with a side glance at_ GEORGIANA _he goes out Left._

MRS. CARLEY. [_Rises._] I only wish to heaven Sam Coast wanted to marry _me_!

LOUISE. Mother! Come, let's finish dressing.

MRS. CARLEY. I don't know whether to go to the ball or stay home and have a good cry.

GEORGIANA. Do whichever gives you the most pleasure, mother.

[LIZZIE _enters Right and stands behind the dressing table._

MRS. CARLEY. What? [_Looking at herself in the gla.s.s._] It's all very well for them to give us women a new front, I wish they'd give us new backs too.

[_She goes out Right._

LIZZIE. You must start dressing, miss--Miss Shindle will be back.

GEORGIANA. [_Absent-mindedly._] Yes, yes, Lizzie.

[LIZZIE _goes out._]

Louise, I'm so glad you will stand by Steve; and try and be glad a little for me.

[_Placing her arm about_ LOUISE.

LOUISE. Yes, I don't blame you, Georgy, so long as d.i.c.k's proposed. I'd do just as you've done, and I will be glad for you by to-morrow,--I am _glad now_.

[_Kisses her impulsively._

GEORGIANA. Thank you, Louise, dear.

[_She goes out Right._

STEVEN. Louise!

LOUISE. [_Comes to_ STEVE.] Steve. [LOUISE _touches_ STEVE _on the arm._] I don't want to be horrid, but do you think you will be able to get anything decent to do?