think of giving a dinner without Mr. Miller."

LAWTON: "No?" A ring is heard. "There's Bemis."

MRS. MILLER: "It's Mr. Miller."

MRS. ROBERTS: "Aunt Mary at last!" As she bustles toward the door:
"Edward, there are twelve--Aunt Mary and Willis."

ROBERTS: "Oh, yes. I totally forgot Willis."

LAWTON: "Who's Willis?"

ROBERTS: "Willis? Oh, Willis is my wife's brother. We always have
him."

LAWTON: "Oh, yes, Campbell."

MRS. ROBERTS, without: "Mr. Bemis! So kind of you to come on
Christmas."

MR. BEMIS, without: "So kind of you to ask us houseless strangers."

MRS. ROBERTS, without: "I ran out here, thinking it was my aunt.
She's played us a trick, and hasn't come yet."

BEMIS, entering the drawing-room with Mrs. Roberts: "I hope she
won't fail altogether. I haven't met her for twenty years, and I
counted so much upon the pleasure--Hello, Lawton!"