MRS. CURWEN, dropping her husband's arm, and taking MRS. MILLER'S:
"Let us split the difference."

MRS. MILLER: "Delightful! I shall never forget the honor."

MRS. CURWEN: "Oh, don't speak of honors! Mr. Miller was SO kind
through all those terrible scenes in the elevator."

MRS. MILLER: "I've no doubt you showed yourself duly grateful."
They pass in, followed by their husbands.

YOUNG MR. BEMIS, timidly: "Miss Lawton, in the elevator you asked me
not to leave you. Did you--ah--mean--I MUST ask you; it may be my
only chance; if you meant--never?"

MISS LAWTON, dropping her head: "I--I--don't--know."

YOUNG MR. BEMIS: "But if I WISHED never to leave you, should you
send me away?"

MISS LAWTON, with a shy, sly upward glance at him: "Not in the
elevator!"

YOUNG MR. BEMIS: "Oh!"

MRS. ROBERTS, re-appearing at the door: "Why, you good-for-nothing
young things, why don't you come to--Oh! excuse me!" She re-enters
precipitately, followed by her tardy guests, on whom she casts a
backward glance of sympathy. "Oh, you NEEDN'T hurry!"