[_As they pass out,_ JORDAN _stands by the doorway holding the curtains back. The other three men stand stiffly at the Right. As_ MASON _and_ RUTH _go out, the_ SERVANTS _relax and exchange glances, each giving a little laugh out loud, except_ JORDAN. _During the following dialogue they empty the table preparatory to arranging the room for the Christmas tree._ JORDAN. Sh! A very dull dinner, not an interesting word spoke. FIRST FOOTMAN. The widder seemed chipper like! LEONARD. And did you get on to the old lady's rig-out; mourning don't hang very heavy on her shoulders. [_One chair is moved back._ JORDAN. [_To_ FIRST FOOTMAN.] Get the coffee. [_He goes out Right. To_ LEONARD.] Get the smoking lay-out! [LEONARD _goes out Right and brings back a silver tray laden with cigarettes, cigar boxes, and a burning alcohol lamp._ LEONARD. If you ask me, I think she's going to put a bit more on the matrimonial mare if she gets the chance. JORDAN. It's none of your business. You're _Mrs. Sterling's_ servant now. LEONARD. Good thing, too; it was a happy day for us when _they_ moved in. FIRST FOOTMAN. [_Reenters with the coffee._] Say, did you see how that young feller over there [_Motioning to the lower right-hand corner of the table._] shovelled the food in? LEONARD. And the way he poured down the liquid--regular hog! My arm's tired a-filling of his glass. [_And he drinks a glass of champagne which has been left untouched by a guest._ JORDAN. He ain't nobody; he hasn't any money; he was just asked to fill up. He's one of these yere singing chaps what's asked to pass the time after dinner with a song or two _gratis_. This dinner'll last him for food for a week! _Their manners suddenly change as the men reenter and take seats about the two ends of the table._ STERLING, MASON, _and_ DOCTOR _down Left form one group. The other men are in a group between the window and the other end. On entering_ STERLING _speaks._ STERLING. Jordan, for heaven's sake, give us something to see by! You can't tell which end of your cigar to light in this confounded woman's candle-light. If I had my way, I'd have candelabras made of Welsbachs! TROTTER. Bright idea, Sterling. [STERLING, _laughing, joins his group, who laugh gently with him._ JORDAN _turns on the electric light. The servants pass the coffee, liqueurs, and the cigars and cigarettes. Meanwhile the following dialogue takes place, the men beginning to talk at once on their entrance._ STERLING. Mr. Mason, I'd like to ask your honest opinion on something if you'll give it me. MASON. Certainly. STERLING. This Hudson Electric Company. DR. STEINHART. Oh! Dropped fearfully to-day. STERLING. But that can happen easily with the best thing. To-morrow-- MASON. [_Interrupting._] To-morrow it will drop to its _very bottom_! STERLING. I don't believe it. DR. STEINHART. Surely, Mr. Mason, the men who floated that are too clever to ruin _themselves_? MASON. They're out of it. STERLING. Out of it!