_(Maid rises to her feet, like a soldier coming to attention, hastily puts magazine on table, and brushes down front of skirt. Indian puts another stick of wood into stove and busies himself with raking ashes level in ash-box of stove.)_ _(Street door opens. Freda enters, leading Vanderlip by the hand. Both are mittened and in same wraps, coats, etc., with which they left anteroom of Pioneer Hall.)_ _(Indian finishes with stove and goes out slowly to right. Maid goes to rear and helps Freda off with wraps, moccasins, etc.)_ _(Vanderlip, who has come in reluctantly, does not remove mittens or cap, and stands sullenly inside the door, though he cannot forbear glancing curiously around.)_ FREDA _(Seeming in high spirits, while Maid is taking off her street moccasins.)_ And now for a toddy! You've never tasted Minnie's. She makes them-- _(Holding up hands.)_ oh, to the king's taste, and to a Klondike king's at that. VANDERLIP _(Brusquely.)_ Sorry. Won't have time. What did you want me for? FREDA My! There's the man of it! _(Imitating his voice and manner.)_ What did you want me for? _(Natural voiced)_ Can't let the poor woman catch her breath. Won't sit down for a moment in the warm. _(Motions to Maid to help him off with his bearskin overcoat.)_ Must know what he's wanted for. Must know right away. Must go right away. Oh, my! Oh, my! _(Maid starts to help him off with overcoat. He jerks away from her.)_ VANDERLIP _(Sullenly.)_ What do you want to say to me? Fire away. FREDA _(Laying hand on his arm.)_ Floyd-- _(Hesitating.)_ --dear Floyd.... You are big and strong. I know, too, that you are kind. Be kind now, just a little kind, a very little. I can't talk with you here, this way. It would be ridiculous. _(Beginning to help him take off coat, in which operation his assistance is restricted to non-resistance.)_ Come and sit by the fire a moment. _(Hands overcoat to Maid, who hangs it up on wall.)_ Just for a moment. _(Untying ear-flaps, and removing his cap, which Maid hangs up. She pushes him on to chair and lifts one foot to remove street moccasins.)_ VANDERLIP _(Helplessly expostulating.)_ Now here, I say-- _(She persists.)_ I won't have a woman doing that for me. _(Pushes her away and removes moccasins himself. He stands up.)_ I said I wasn't coming to your cabin, Freda; and I can't stay anyway--only for that one moment, that's all. FREDA _(Taking his hand and starting to lead him forward.)_ That is all I wanted, just the moment. And it is sweet of you to give it to me. _(Vanderlip pauses and looks around room with interest. Freda pauses with him. Maid remains in rear, putting moccasins away, etc.)_ VANDERLIP _(More genially, forgetting to be sullen.)_ I say, Freda, you're fixed comfortably. FREDA Think so? VANDERLIP It's grand style, I must say. Nothing like it in the land. You're the only person that has three rooms. FREDA Four--counting the kitchen. VANDERLIP And my cabin is one room.