JOHN

How soon could you start?

ERNEST

[_absently_]

How soon? Why, just as soon as I get some one to run my department.

JOHN

Could my sister run it?

ERNEST

[_smiles_]

Could she run it? It can't run without her! She's as systematic as [_to LUCY_]--as a good housekeeper.

JOHN

[_with a satisfied look at the others_]

Then _that's_ all fixed! She'll stay when I tell her that you want her to. Could you arrange to start at once?

ERNEST

[_hesitates_]

By leaving here to-night, I could.

JOHN

[_with a triumphant look at the family_]

Then I'll telephone for your pa.s.sage--I have a pull with all the steamship lines. [_Going._] Of course I hate to cut short your week-end, but I don't want to spoil any scientific careers.

[_JOHN hurries in to telephone. ERNEST starts too, as if to stop him but restrains the impulse. He stands alone by the door gazing out over the landscape while LUCY, THEODORE, and the JUDGE discuss him in low tones by the tea-table._

LUCY

Can't you see, you stupid men! He's crazy about her--but thinks there's no hope.

THEODORE

When she finds he's leaving for a year ... she'll change her mind about marriage!

[_ERNEST comes back to earth and to the house-party._

JUDGE

[_to ERNEST, joining them_]

Ahem! We were just discussing the marriage danger--I mean the marriage problem.

ERNEST

[_with a smile_]

Go right on--don't mind me.

THEODORE

[_old-friend manner_]

See here! When are _you_ ever going to marry?

ERNEST

[_modern bachelor's laugh_]

When am I ever going to get more than two thousand a year?

THEODORE

Bah! what has money got to do with it! Just you wait till the right one comes along.

[_HELEN comes along, stealing up the steps from the garden on tiptoe with the grave, absorbed look of a hunter stalking game.

She catches sight of the man she wants and stops short, as motionless as if frozen. But not so! Her lovely hands were poised; one of them now goes to her bosom and presses there.

There is nothing icy about this New Woman now._

ERNEST

[_as unconscious of danger as a mountain-lion on an inaccessible height, smiles easily at his sentimental old friend THEODORE_]