Yes, yes, I know. Forgive me. And now I must be going. _(They move to rear to street door. He helps her on with moccasins and street wraps.)_ Aren't you coming, too? VANDERLIP _(Opening door jor her.)_ No, not yet. But I'll be on time. _(She glances at Prince's back, lifts mask, and raises face for kiss. He bends and kisses her.)_ LORAINE At the water-hole. VANDERLIP At twelve sharp. _(She kisses him again, clings to him, and goes out.)_ _(At sound of door shutting, Prince turns around, then returns to street door.)_ PRINCE Hello! VANDERLIP Hello. How d'ye like the job? PRINCE I wouldn't undertake it again for all the gold in Klondike. VANDERLIP Losing all your friends, eh? PRINCE Half of them. They, will butt in, and I have to turn them away. Oh, it's hospitality, you bet. I've been with them on trail, I've eaten their food and slept in their blankets, and now I turn them away from the merrymaking of myself and my friends. _(A knock is heard at door.)_ There's one, now. _(Opens door.)_ No, it's only Sitka Charley. _(Enter Sitka Charley, who draws Vanderlip to one side.)_ SITKA CHARLEY You come? VANDERLIP No, I tell you. No. SITKA CHARLEY No come? VANDERLIP _(Explosively.)_ NO! SITKA CHARLEY Then um Freda come. She say, you no come, she come. Sure. VANDERLIP Come here? _(He shakes his head and laughs incredulously.)_ Not on your life. SITKA CHARLEY _(Starting toward street door.)_ No come? VANDERLIP _(Explosively.)_ NO! _(Exit Sitka Charley.)_ _(Vanderlip goes to rear, takes off domino, disclosing himself as a cowboy. Hangs domino on wall. Takes down from wall a sombrero, which he puts on head. Makes exit to left.)_ _(Prince, who is now alone, walks over to stove at left, adjusts damper, and warms his hands.)_ _(The street door is cautiously opened, without knocking, and Sitka Charley puts head inside and peers around. Withdraws head.)_ _(Street door is again cautiously opened, this time the masked face of a woman appearing, and then Freda, in long cloak, enters. She removes street moccasins, revealing dancing slippers on her feet, and puts moccasins under bench close to door. She removes cloak, and reveals herself in a striking evening gown. As she turns her back to hang cloak on wall, Prince happens to see her. She starts toward ballroom, but he steps in her way and stops her.)_ PRINCE I beg your pardon. _(She waits silently.)_ I am the doorkeeper, you know. _(A pause.)_ The instructions are that all masks must be lifted at the door. _(Still silence On part of Freda. The situation is awkward for Prince, and he begins again.)_ I don't know who you are, but the rules are imperative. I must see your face. _(Steps forward and lifts his hand to raise mask.)_ FREDA _(Quickly stepping back and speaking in a slightly muffled voice.)_ You will be sorry if you see my face. PRINCE I have been made sorry by more than one face I've seen to-night and turned away from the door. FREDA