MRS. VAN DYKE _is a harmless middle-aged woman who throughout life has comfortably relied on her blood instead of her brains. She hides the absence of the latter by a calm and superior imperturbability._ _Her companion_, MRS. JAMES MORROW, _is younger; obviously nouveau riche, she has achieved a successful manner, most of which is dexterously expressed in her lorgnette_. _Both women are handsomely gowned and proclaim to the observer flaunting wealth._) MRS. VAN DYKE I’m sure we’ve lost our way. MRS. MORROW The attendant said keep turning to the right. MRS. VAN DYKE I can’t say it’s my idea of ancient jewelry. MRS. MORROW No. But if we dressed up at Mrs. Bilton’s ball like some of these animals, we’d certainly make a hit. MRS. VAN DYKE It might suit you, dear; but I think I’ll wear at least some jewelry. I’m sure there must be wonderful old pieces in the museum I can get Tiffany to copy in time. I must find something original. MRS. MORROW (_Looking absently at_ HOOD _through her lorgnette_) Dear me, this is a terrible place--full of monsters. MRS. VAN DYKE I can’t say they’re very showy. (_Glancing at the_ BRONTOSAURUS.) What an ugly animal! What is it? MRS. MORROW (_Reading sign_) It’s a Bron--(_Not able to pronounce it and turning away_) I left my reading-glasses at home. You try. MRS. VAN DYKE (_After studying it a moment_) Oh, yes: I’ve heard of them. (_More closely._) Why, that looks like your husband.... MRS. MORROW (_Interrupting, as she turns quickly to the fossil_) My husband? That? MRS. VAN DYKE (_Looking more closely_) Yes. It _is_ your husband’s name. (_Reading_) “Donated by James Morrow.” MRS. MORROW Why this must be Jim’s beast! MRS. VAN DYKE Jim’s beast? (HOOD _covertly shows a bit of interest in spite of his more pressing impatience over their presence_.) MRS. MORROW I knew there was something here Jim wanted me to see. He donated $250,000 to the museum last year. He said they’d bought some old animal with it. MRS. VAN DYKE I can’t say I admire his taste. I thought he went in for horses. MRS. MORROW Of course, it’s Jim’s own money; but it does seem a bit extravagant to turn all that money into old bones. MRS. VAN DYKE Yes; when he might buy so many nicer things you could wear. MRS. MORROW Jim’s been awfully generous to me; though, of course, now that the war’s over we’ve got to hold in a bit. He hasn’t any more army contracts, you know. (_Sighing_) It certainly was wonderful while it lasted. MRS. VAN DYKE I shouldn’t worry about it if I were you. Why, even this beast would look like a piece of bric-a-brac in that new house he gave you. MRS. MORROW (_The hand of_ SARAH _mopping in the aisle is seen_. MRS. MORROW _is startled_.) What’s that? MRS. VAN DYKE Oh, it’s only an old scrubwoman. MRS. MORROW They might wait till the museum closed before they splash about spoiling our gowns. MRS. VAN DYKE