[_He exits at door right. Jane laughs softly to herself, and runs to closet and takes out a large cardboard box and putting it on the table, she cuts the string and removes the wrapping paper, then lifts the cover of the box and draws out a dainty light-blue gown with soft lace on the neck and sleeves. She holds it up joyfully, then covering her own dress with it, she looks at herself in a mirror on wall. As she stands smiling at her reflection, there is a sharp knock on the outside door. Jane hastily returns dress to box and as the knock is repeated, she puts the box under the sofa at left and crosses and opens the outside door._ _Judge Bradford enters._ JANE Oh, it’s you, Judge! Come in. JUDGE I thought I’d stop on my way home and see how you were getting on, Jane. JANE I’ll take your coat. JUDGE I’ll just put it here. (_He puts coat on chair_) Have you time to sit down a minute? JANE Of course. [_They sit._ JUDGE (_looks at her_) That isn’t a smile on your lips, is it, Jane? JANE Maybe---- JUDGE (_laughingly_) I’m glad I came! JANE It’s my birthday. JUDGE Why, Jane! (_He crosses to her and holds out his hand. She takes it_) Many happy returns! JANE (_thoughtfully_) Many--happy returns--that’s a lot to ask for. JUDGE You’re about twenty-two, or twenty-three, aren’t you? JANE Twenty-three. JUDGE Time enough ahead of you. (_His eye falls on the box, imperfectly hidden under the sofa; out of it a bit of the blue dress is sticking_) Hello! What’s all that? JANE My birthday present. JUDGE Who gave it to you? JANE I did. JUDGE Good! It’s about time you started to blossom out. JANE I ordered a lot of things from Boston; they’ll be here to-morrow. JUDGE I suppose that one’s a dress? JANE Yes. JUDGE (_bends over to look_) Light blue, isn’t it? JANE (_smiles_) Just sort of blue--with lace on it. JUDGE Oh, you’re going to wear it, I suppose, in honor of your birthday? JANE (_startled_) To-night--oh, no--soon maybe, but not to-night. JUDGE (_smiles_) How soon? JANE Soon as I dare to; not just yet. JUDGE You have plenty of money; you ought to have every comfort in the world, and some of the luxuries. JANE (_gravely_) Judge! I want you to do something for me. JUDGE And of course I’ll do it. JANE I want you to get Ben off. I want you to fix it so he won’t go to State’s Prison. JUDGE But if he’s guilty, Jane? JANE I want you to go to old Mr. Kimbal for me and offer to pay him for that barn of his that Ben burned down. Then I want you to fix it so he won’t push the case, so’s Ben gets off. JUDGE Do you know what you are asking of me? JANE To get Ben off. JUDGE To compound a felony. JANE