LIZZIE. [_Entering Left._] Excuse me, please. Mrs. Jackson's maid is here for Miss Elaine. PHILIP. Oh, pshaw! CHRISTOPHER. Don't you go! ELAINE. Oh, yes, I must! I'm sorry! [_She goes up stage with great diffidence to_ STEVEN _and shakes his hand as she curtseys.]_ Good-by, sir. [_To_ COAST _also._] Good-by, sir. [_To_ GEORGIANA.] Good-by, ma'am, I've had a perfectly lovely time. [_Aside to_ GEORGIANA.] Phil is my beau, but I like Mr. Coast awfully much too! GEORGIANA. [_Laughing._] You're beginning early! Come along, children, we'll take Elaine down. Excuse me, everybody, please. PHILIP. If you've got any good tips, papa, save some for little brother. [_The children go out Left with_ GEORGIANA. STEVEN. [_Putting his hat and coat down on the sofa._] He's on to his father early! Sam, any news? COAST. No. STEVEN. I've heard of a big thing, an absolutely straight tip,--inside information. COAST. [_Sitting in the rocker._] Well, don't tell it, or you'll spoil it. STEVEN. The women are so down on my speculating, Georgiana especially. [_Sits on the table._ COAST. What do the women folks know about business? Why don't you keep what you do to yourself? STEVEN. But you see my money's all gone, and I need more--only to recoup with. COAST. [_After a slight pause._] As I remember, you can do what you like with Louise's money. STEVEN. But is it right? COAST. You're too blamed afraid, that's why you always lose. STEVEN. [_Walking up and down._] I know it. And this is the biggest chance I've had yet. If I dared risk it, I'm sure I could make a fortune! Not in words! I know what I'm talking about, Sam. Louise would have everything she wanted--and the way she'd live then! She could drop the social chip off her shoulders, go anywhere, and receive everybody. [_Standing beside the table, he eats a little cake._ COAST. Well? STEVEN. Do you advise me to risk it? COAST. [_Pretending indifference._] What? STEVEN. Louise's money? COAST. I ain't advising anything. If it went wrong, you'd blame me to the women. STEVEN. Is that the kind of a man I am? COAST. [_Rises and goes to Steven and slaps him on the back._] No, Steve, I take it back. You take a licking better'n any feller I ever saw. STEVEN. Experience! But this thing can't go wrong! The man who told me is the head and--I told Georgiana--didn't she give you a hint? COAST. [_After a slight pause._] No. [_Turns up to the window and stands there with his back to Steven._ STEVEN. My tip's a great one--safe! Now, shall I take it? COAST. Of course, when I feel as you do about a thing, I do it. STEVEN. And by George, I will too! COAST. Why not? [_Turning and facing him._ STEVEN. Yes! what I make's for Louise, not for myself. COAST. I wouldn't say anything to Louise about it. [_Comes down a little._ STEVEN. No, she'd be sure to talk it over with Georgiana. [_He sits by the table._ COAST. And, say, not a word, you know, about me in all this. STEVEN. I give you my word, Sam.