I told Uncle George you were eager to bring him and Jhansi together. Jhansi, this is Mr. Peyton, who looks after the affairs of the university for you students. Of course you’ve heard about Miss Mason, Uncle George, one of our--cleverest students. UNCLE GEORGE Yes, we were speaking of Miss Mason’s cleverness just the other day--in board meeting. JHANSI And just the other day--at the student assembly--we were speaking of how you look after the affairs of the university for us. GRANDMOTHER I hope you both spoke affectionately. UNCLE GEORGE Well, Peyton, very busy I take it. You’re adding to your duties, aren’t you? PEYTON Not that I know of. UNCLE GEORGE Your grandmother said something about a high falutin paper on free speech. PEYTON I suppose that’s an inherited tendency. You know one of my ancestors signed a paper on free speech. It had a high falutin name: “The Declaration of Independence”! MRS. ROOT I wish Bessie would come! UNCLE GEORGE Do you think much about your ancestors, Peyton? PEYTON Not a great deal. UNCLE GEORGE Peyton has some rather interesting ancestors, Miss Mason. There’s Captain John Peyton. That’s his picture. He helped win one of the battles which made this country possible--the country in which you are living. And a descendant of John Peyton--Richard Peyton [_Points out the picture_] gave the money which founded this university--the university in which you are now acquiring your education. JHANSI [_Lightly._] Perhaps it would be quite as well if this university--and this country--never had existed. MRS. ROOT I don’t see why Bessie _doesn’t_ come! JHANSI Of course I look at it as an outsider. I am not a part of your society. UNCLE GEORGE Peyton is. MRS. ROOT There’s Bessie! [_Bessie rushes in._ BESSIE Grandmother! [_Swiftly kissing her._] How wonderful to have you with us again! Dear Uncle George! UNCLE GEORGE Glad you got here, Bessie. Your mother has been looking for you. BESSIE [_A movement of greeting to JHANSI._] Isn’t it beautiful to all be together? A real family party! And now--we have a moment or two before dinner, mother? MRS. ROOT The man who brought the turkey in from the country had a runaway, so it was a little late in arriving. BESSIE How fortunate! Oh, it does seem that all things work together for the best. Mother, I have had a completely successful day! GRANDMOTHER Where’ve you been, Bessie? BESSIE I’ve been fifty miles to the north--in Baxter County. Does that mean anything to you, Jhansi? JHANSI Not a thing. BESSIE [_Still breathlessly._] Dear uncle, I hope you will understand what I am about to do. It might seem unrestrained--not in the best of taste, but it’s just because you stand for so much in Peyton’s life that I want you to hear our good news as soon as we hear it ourselves. You knew that these two children were in love and going to be married. [_A bow from UNCLE GEORGE._] You know--Jhansi dear, I may speak very freely, may I not? JHANSI