chair like a leaf before the wind, as Dolly dances in, waltzing with the
waiter, followed by Mrs. Clandon and Finch, also waltzing, and Phil
pirouetting by himself.)

DOLLY (sinking on the chair at the writing-table). Oh, I'm out of
breath. How beautifully you waltz, William!

MRS. CLANDON (sinking on the saddlebag seat on the hearth). Oh, how
could you make me do such a silly thing, Finch! I haven't danced since
the soiree at South Place twenty years ago.

GLORIA (peremptorily at Valentine). Get up. (Valentine gets up
abjectly.) Now let us have no false delicacy. Tell my mother that we
have agreed to marry one another. (A silence of stupefaction ensues.
Valentine, dumb with panic, looks at them with an obvious impulse to run
away.)

DOLLY (breaking the silence). Number Six!

PHILIP. Sh!

DOLLY (tumultuously). Oh, my feelings! I want to kiss somebody; and
we bar it in the family. Where's Finch?

McCOMAS (starting violently). No, positively--- (Crampton appears in
the window.)

DOLLY (running to Crampton). Oh, you're just in time. (She kisses
him.) Now (leading him forward) bless them.