_(Freda lets his arm linger for a moment, then, warning him, by a look, of presence of Maid, gently disengages arm. Takes her time about disengaging it. Vanderlip sinks back comfortably on cushion.)_ FREDA _(Turning to Maid.)_ Minnie. _(Maid, who has finished lighting candles, approaches.)_ Send Joe here. Tell him to put on his mittens and parka. _(Maid goes out to right.)_ _(Freda resumes seat, and lays one hand on Vanderlip's hand. Neither speaks.)_ _(Maid enters, followed by Indian, who, as he comes, is putting on parka and mittens.)_ FREDA You know Mr. Vanderlip's cabin? INDIAN _(Nodding.)_ Um. FREDA Give him the key, Floyd. _(Vanderlip reaches in pocket and gives key to Indian.)_ You go Mr. Vanderlip's cabin and get parka-- VANDERLIP _(Interrupting.)_ Dog-whip, fur cap, all together with parka. FREDA Dog-whip, fur cap, all together with parka. _(Indian nods.)_ VANDERLIP And flask of whiskey on table. FREDA And flask of whiskey on table. _(Indian nods.)_ VANDERLIP And go quick. FREDA And go quick. _(Indian nods and starts toward door to rear. Makes exit. Freda rises, as though recollecting something.)_ Excuse me, Floyd. _(Passes behind Vanderlip's back toward door to right, and unobserved beckons Maid. They pause at door to right.)_ Run quick, out the kitchen door, and catch Joe. Tell him not to come back. Tell him I said so--to go get drunk, anything, but not to come back. _(Vanderlip lifts heady turns head around, and is watching and listening. Freda continues in slightly louder voice.)_ And then, Cupid's stew. _(Maid makes exit to right.)_ _(Freda returns to chair, passing hand caressingly through Vanderlip's hair before she sits down.)_ VANDERLIP _(Gruffly, suspiciously.)_ What were you gassing about? FREDA _(Mysteriously.)_ Cupid's stew. VANDERLIP I heard it, but what is it? FREDA _(Pausing and considering.)_ Well, first you take the chafing-dish-- VANDERLIP _(Interrupting.)_ What's the chafing-dish? Use them in churches, don't they? Burn incense in them, or something or other. FREDA _(Laughing.)_ A chafing-dish, silly, is a very pretty something you cook things in. VANDERLIP Oh, I see. A highfalutin' frying-pan. FREDA _(Nodding.)_ First you put some butter in it; and then, when the butter is melted, you stir in--oh, say a tablespoon of flour. _(Vanderlip is listening closely.)_ When it is stirred smooth-- VANDERLIP _(Interrupting.)_ Do you brown the flour? FREDA No, of course not. VANDERLIP _(With comprehension.)_ Oh. FREDA Then you stir in a cup of milk--Minnie's fixing it now, out in the kitchen--and in her case it will have to be condensed milk-- VANDERLIP _(Interrupting.)_ St. Anthony's Cream's the best brand I know of. _(Regretfully.)_ But you can't get it in this country. FREDA I've got some. VANDERLIP _(In joyful amazement.)_ No! FREDA _(Nodding head.)_ I have. Then you put in some boneless chicken--tinned-- VANDERLIP _(Interrupting.)_