AUNT ISABEL: (_with a laugh_) I knew I wouldn't be a success at world affairs--better leave that to Professor Holden. (_a quick keen look from_ MADELINE) They've driven on to the river--they'll be back for me, and then he wants to stop in for a visit with you while I take Mrs Holden for a further ride. I'm worried about her. She doesn't gain strength at all since her operation. I'm going to try keeping her out in the air all I can. MADELINE: It's dreadful about families! AUNT ISABEL: Dreadful? Professor Holden's devotion to his wife is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. MADELINE: And is that all you see it in? AUNT ISABEL: You mean the--responsibility it brings? Oh, well--that's what life is. Doing for one another. Sacrificing for one another. MADELINE: I hope I never have a family. AUNT ISABEL: Well, I hope you do. You'll miss the best of life if you don't. Anyway, you have a family. Where is your father? MADELINE: I don't know. AUNT ISABEL: I'd like to see him. MADELINE: There's no use seeing him today. AUNT ISABEL: He's--? MADELINE: Strange--shut in--afraid something's going to be taken from him. AUNT ISABEL: Poor Ira. So much has been taken from him. And now you. Don't hurt him again, Madeline. He can't bear it. You see what it does to him. MADELINE: He has--the wrong idea about things. AUNT ISABEL: 'The wrong idea!' Oh, my child--that's awfully young and hard. It's so much deeper than that. Life has made him into something--something he can't escape. MADELINE: (_with what seems sullenness_) Well, I don't want to be made into that thing. AUNT ISABEL: Of course not. But you want to help him, don't you? Now, dear--about your birthday party-- MADELINE: The United States Commissioner is giving me my birthday party. AUNT ISABEL: Well, he'll have to put his party off. Your uncle has been thinking it all out. We're to go to his office and you'll have a talk with him and with Judge Watkins. He's off the state supreme bench now--practising again, and as a favour to your uncle he will be your lawyer. You don't know how relieved we are at this, for Judge Watkins can do--anything he wants to do, practically. Then you and I will go on home and call up some of the crowd to come in and dance to-night. We have some beautiful new records. There's a Hungarian waltz-- MADELINE: And what's the price of all this, auntie? AUNT ISABEL: The--Oh, you mean--Why, simply say you felt sorry for the Hindu students because they seemed rather alone; that you hadn't realized--what they were, hadn't thought out what you were saying-- MADELINE: And that I'm sorry and will never do it again. AUNT ISABEL: I don't know that you need say that. It would be gracious, I think, to indicate it. MADELINE: I'm sorry you--had the cake made. I suppose you can eat it, anyway. I (_turning away_)--can't eat it. AUNT ISABEL: Why--Madeline. (_Seeing how she has hurt her_, MADELINE _goes out to her aunt_.)