RUTH. It was not my fault if my best friends found you intolerable; _I_ couldn't blame them. Well, now it's over! George is at rest, please God. You are a rich woman to do what you please. Go, and do it! and Heaven forgive you for ruining my brother's life! I'm sorry to have said all this before your children. Blanche, you know how dearly I love you, and I hope you have forgiven me by now for my opposition to your marriage. BLANCHE. Of course I've forgiven you, but you were always unjust to Dick. RUTH. Yes; I didn't like your husband then, and I didn't believe in him, but I like him better now. And I am going to put all my affairs in his hands. I couldn't show--surely--a better proof of confidence and liking than that: to trust him as I did--your father. I hope I shall see much of you and Jessica. As for you, Clara, I must be honest-- CLARA. [_Interrupting her._] Oh, I know you've always hated me! The presents you gave the other girls were always twice as nice as I got! MRS. HUNTER. [_Sympathetically._] Come here, darling. [CLARA _goes and puts her arms about her mother's neck._ RUTH. You are your mother's own child, Clara, and I never could pretend anything I didn't feel. [_She turns to_ BLANCHE _and_ JESSICA, _who stand side by side._] You two are all I have left in the world of my brother. [_She kisses them, and lets the tears come, this time without struggling._] Take pity on your old-maid aunt and come and see me, won't you, _often_--[_Trying to smile away her tears._] And now good-by! JESSICA AND RUTH. [_Taking her hands._] Good-by. [RUTH _looks about the room to say good-by to it; she cries and hurriedly begins pulling down her veil, and starts to go out as_ JORDAN _enters Left and announces "Mr. Mason!"_ [MRS. HUNTER _fluffs her hair a little and hopes she looks becoming._ [MASON _is a typical New Yorker, well built, well preserved, dignified, and good-looking,--a solid man in every sense of the word._ MASON. [_Meeting_ RUTH, _shakes hands with her._] Miss Hunter. RUTH. I am just going, Mr. Mason. MASON. You must stay. I sent word to your house this morning to meet me here. [_Shakes hands with the others._ RUTH. I was here all night. MRS. HUNTER. Will you have some tea? The children were hungry. MASON. No, thank you. [_To_ BLANCHE.] Isn't your husband here? [JORDAN, _at a signal from_ MRS. HUNTER, _removes the tea things._ BLANCHE. No, he left us at the door when we came back. MASON. Didn't he get a letter from me this morning asking him to meet me here? BLANCHE. Oh, yes, he did mention a letter at breakfast, but my thoughts were away. He has been very much worried lately over his affairs; he doesn't confide in me, but I see it. I wish you could advise him, Mr. Mason. MASON. I cannot advise your husband if he won't _ask_ my advice. I don't think we'll wait for Mr. Sterling. [_Gives chair to_ MRS. HUNTER.