AUNT. Really, Bella, I don’t understand you! We have been fully ten minutes battering at that door, and getting our deaths. I declare my teeth are chattering. MINNIE. So is your tongue, Auntie. AUNT. Don’t be disrespectful to your elders. MINNIE. Sorry, Auntie. Only a joke. AUNT. And quite without a point. MINNIE. (_Aside_) It seemed to prick, though. BELLA. If you please, Madam, Mr. Parker told me to go to bed. AUNT. Very considerate of him as regards you. MINNIE. Perhaps he meant to lock us out for our sins. It does look like it. AUNT. Mr. Dicey, you must wait awhile till you get warmed up. DICEY. It is very late, and I must not intrude. You are safe home now. AUNT. I am sure we poor deserted females have much to be grateful for to you. You see how the master of the house treats us. Have you any idea where Mr. Parker is? BELLA. No, Madam. He said he was going to sit up for you, and that is why I went to bed. I dressed as quick as I could, Madam. MINNIE. Oh, it is not your fault, Bella. AUNT. I’ll warrant he has gone to bed. Just like his utter want of thought for anybody. I hope he is sound asleep. He shall explain and apologize. This is going a little too far. Locking us out. Excuse me a moment. (_BELLA and AUNT exeunt R._) MINNIE. Have a little something till Auntie comes back. Horace ought to be here to thank you for doing his duty. DICEY. I’m afraid I’m keeping you up. MINNIE. I am too much awake now. I shan’t sleep till daylight. Oh, here are some cigars. Have some? DICEY. Some? If you are sure I am not trespassing upon your good nature, I’ll start one here and finish it on my way home. (_MINNIE strikes a light._) Oh, you are too good. MINNIE. We must do something by way of return. DICEY. Just order the car as if it were your own. I wish it was. It couldn’t have a fairer owner. MINNIE. I was going to pour you out a glass—but I’m a little afraid—— DICEY. All the wines of Bacchus would be less intoxicating than my last waltz with you. MINNIE. Then we must certainly swear off dancing! DICEY. I’d as soon swear off living. MINNIE. Do you only live to dance? DICEY. I think I only live to dance with you. MINNIE. Mr. Dicey! DICEY. Minnie! MINNIE. I wonder what has become of Horace? DICEY. (_As she turns away on pretence of turning the lamp up, aside_) Always Horace. Heigho! I must really be going, and thank you so much for all the pleasure—and pain you have given me. (_Re-enter AUNT R._) AUNT. He is not in his room. I hammered on his door till my arm ached, and then thinking he was keeping up his joke, I lit a match and marched in. His bed wasn’t crumpled, even. Must you go? DICEY. I must, indeed; the richer by a cigar, however—(_Shakes hands with AUNT and turns to MINNIE_)—the poorer by a heart! Good night. AUNT. I’ll see you out myself. (_Exit with DICEY R._)