RUTH. [_To the other guests._] Come to the drawing-room. MRS. HUNTER. I was crazy to see what was in my stocking. [_All pass out talking, expressing conventional sympathy on account of_ RICHARD, _but evidently resenting the breaking up of the party._ STERLING _and_ WARDEN _are left alone in the room._ STERLING _moves to go up to back;_ WARDEN _interrupts him._ WARDEN. [_To_ STERLING.] Where are you going? STERLING. To my boy and my wife. WARDEN. Wait a minute; I want to speak to you. STERLING. Speak to me later; I can't wait now. BLANCHE. [_Off stage, at back, excitedly._] Jordan! [_She enters, excited, half hysterical._] Jordan! Where is Jordan? It was a lie! What did he mean? Richard is sleeping sweetly. The maid knows nothing of being alarmed! Where is Jordan? [_She starts to go toward the door Right._ WARDEN. [_Stops her._] Mrs. Sterling, he had nothing to do with it! _I_ told Jordan to say what he said. [BLANCHE _turns and looks at_ WARDEN _in astonishment._ STERLING. [_Stunned and at once suspicious._] What? BLANCHE. But-- WARDEN. Forgive me for so cruelly alarming you; it was the only way I could think of for getting rid at once of your guests! STERLING. [_Angry._] You'll interfere once too often in the affairs of this house. BLANCHE. [_Indignant._] But what excuse can you make, Mr. Warden? WARDEN. Will you be so good as to ask Miss Hunter and Mr. Mason to come here? They will explain what I have done, partly, and your husband will tell you the rest when you come back. [STERLING _sneers aloud._ BLANCHE. I don't understand, I don't understand. [_She goes out at back._ STERLING. Well, I _do_ understand, at least enough. WARDEN. Good! That spares me a very disagreeable speech. STERLING. No, it doesn't! Come out with it! What is it you want? What is it you've found out? WARDEN. From betraying a trust, you've come, in less than two years, to an outright embezzlement. STERLING. Speak out--give us facts! WARDEN. You've stolen your aunt's fortune. STERLING. _Prove that!_ WARDEN. It's _her money_ that's lost in the Hudson Electric Company! STERLING. PROVE IT! WARDEN. Easy enough, to-morrow. STERLING. You've got to excuse your action _to-night_ or _be kicked_ out of my house! WARDEN. [_Strong._] Isn't what I say the truth? STERLING. [_Equally strong._] No! And now get out! WARDEN. [_Looks at his watch._] I'll not leave this house till it's too late for you to take that eleven-twenty. STERLING. [_More ugly._] Yes, you will and mighty-- WARDEN. _No, I'll not!_ [_He is interrupted by the entrance of_ BLANCHE, RUTH, _and_ MASON. WARDEN. [_To_ BLANCHE.] I _hope_ you forgive me now-- BLANCHE. [_Pathetically._] You did right; I thank you. STERLING. [_Heartbroken._] Blanche--without hearing a word from me! BLANCHE. No, I've come now to hear what _you_ have to say. [_A deep-toned clock strikes eleven._ STERLING, _at the second stroke, takes out his watch with a hurried movement._