_(Spontaneously, positively.)_ She'll never get fat, Freda. FREDA Oh, she won't, eh? How do you know? You'd never have guessed it all of yourself. She must have told you. _(Vanderlip shows confusion.)_ Why, she's started already. She's carrying twenty pounds more than she ought. It spoils her figure. And--my!--now that she's started, won't she just put it on! VANDERLIP _(Anxiously.)_ But how do you know? FREDA I've my eyes. So have you. Surely you've noticed it? VANDERLIP _(Slowly.)_ Honest, now, I've had my suspicions that way. _(He remains silent for a moment or so. Freda rumples his hair.)_ I like that. FREDA What? VANDERLIP That what you are doing. FREDA Oh! _(Slaps his arm playfully, and sits down in her chair. Listens intently for sounds from without, while Vanderlip sips from glass.)_ VANDERLIP _(After a pause, setting down glass and looking amorously at Freda.)_ Say, Freda, do you know... _(A pause. Freda glances at clock.)_ Do you know what I'd like? FREDA Not in the slightest. VANDERLIP Well, I'll tell you. I'd like to see you with your hair down. FREDA _(Change in whole manner beginning here, but beginning slightly.)_ Think so? VANDERLIP You just bet I would. FREDA _(Rising.)_ Wait a moment. _(Passes behind him to door at right.)_ _(Vanderlip rests under the idea that she has gone to take down hair, fills glass, and leans complacently back in chair and sips from glass.)_ _(Freda opens door to right and beckons. Closes door, listens for a moment on way back to chair, and sits down.)_ VANDERLIP _(Looking at her hair, still up, surprised and grieved.)_ Why, I thought all the time you were taking it down. _(Freda laughs her silvery, scornful laughter. Vanderlip is puzzled, thinks she is teasing him.)_ _(Maid enters, unobserved by Vanderlip. Freda issues her order with her eyes, glancing at Vanderlip's bearskin overcoat hanging on wall to rear. Maid goes and gets coat and returns, still unobserved by Vanderlip, at the rear of whom she stands waiting.)_ VANDERLIP _(Expostulating.)_ Now I say, Freda. _(Freda still laughs.)_ What's the matter anyway? FREDA I have just recollected. VANDERLIP _(Puzzled.)_ What? FREDA That you had an engagement at twelve sharp. VANDERLIP I did. But it will keep. FREDA It is now half-past twelve. VANDERLIP Well, and what of it? FREDA Nothing, only... _(Pauses and considers.)_ VANDERLIP Only what? FREDA Only, isn't it rather cold down at the water-hole? _(Vanderlip is stunned jor a moment, and can only stare at her in a bewildered way.)_ _(Her laughter, at his bewilderment, becomes wholly mirthful.)_ Minnie, help Mr. Vanderlip on with his overcoat.