I call that cruel. I've exhausted my guesses. _(Freda lifts mask and gazes at him for several seconds, her face serious, her eyes flashing.)_ CAPT. EPPINGWELL _(Giving a long whistle of comprehension.)_ Freda! FREDA Even so, Freda. And I thank you. And I shall have yet more to thank you for. That waltz--you must let me off. Capt. Eppingwell There is no reason. Let me have it. FREDA Impossible. I shall be gone. _(Looks at watch.)_ Why, it is half-past eleven! I am going now, in a minute. Capt. Eppingwell With Vanderlip? FREDA With Vanderlip. Capt. Eppingwell _(Earnestly.)_ Freda, do you know all the circumstances of this--er--affair? Do you know what you are doing? FREDA _(Lightly.)_.... You are asking questions, sir. It is not in the bond. Capt. Eppingwell _(Giving in.)_ Right. I beg your pardon. _(A knock is heard at street door. Doorkeeper opens. Enter messenger, an Indian, in parka and trail costume. He appears tired. He looks about hesitatingly, dazzled by the lights.)_ CAPT. EPPINGWELL _(Recognizing messenger, to Freda.)_ Pardon me, please, a moment. I must speak to that man. _(Walks over to Indian.)_. How soon she come? INDIAN Come soon. Much dogs. Come fast. One hour maybe. Maybe half-hour. CAPT. EPPINGWELL All right. Come along. _(Walks to Mrs. Eppingwell and Vanderlip at stove at right front, Indian at his heels.)_ Here's that man I told you of, Maud. You had better speak with him--I beg your pardon, Vanderlip. VANDERLIP _(Jovially.)_ That's all right. Business is business. MRS. EPPINGWELL _(Sweetly.)_ Oh, Mr. Vanderlip, I left my programme on the piano, and I really don't know with whom I have the next dance. Please. _(She steps aside with Indian to talk.)_ _(Vanderlip starts toward exit to left.)_ _(Capt. Eppingwell starts to rejoin Freda.)_ _(Freda starts to cut off Vanderlip, crossing Capt. Eppingwell.)_ CAPT. EPPINGWELL _(Softly.)_ Oh, Freda! That waltz. FREDA One moment, please. _(Passes on to Vanderlip.)_ _(Capt. Eppingwell stands gazing.)_ _(A dance has finished, and couples begin to stray in.)_ _(Clown and a lady accost Capt. Eppingwell, and the three move along together.)_ _(Mrs. McFee enters. As she passes by, she looks hard and suspiciously at Freda.)_ FREDA Come with me, Floyd. I want you now. VANDERLIP _(With mock politeness.)_ And who are you, may I ask? FREDA Freda. VANDERLIP _(Beginning explosively.)_ What the-- _(Then breaking down.)_ My God, Freda, what have you come here for? FREDA For you. VANDERLIP _(Hesitatingly.)_ I don't understand. You are nothing to me. FREDA And never have been anything, remember that, Floyd. _(Conveying the impression that she may be something to him in the immediate future.)_ But I want you now. VANDERLIP And never will be anything, I assure you. _(Getting back his courage.)_ Faugh! What have you come here for, anyway? FREDA