_Lawton_: “That is, if Mrs. Miller has it, which we both deny. Let us hope that Mrs. Miller and Mr. Curwen may not get to making eyes at each other.” _Roberts_: “And Mr. Bemis and his son complete the list. Why, Agnes, there are only ten. You said there were twelve.” _Mrs. Roberts_: “Well, never mind. I meant ten. I forgot that the Somerses declined.” A ring is heard. “Ah! _that’s_ Aunt Mary.” She runs into the vestibule, and is heard exclaiming without: “Why, Mrs. Miller, is it you? I thought it was my aunt. Where is Mr. Miller?” _Mrs. Miller_, entering the drawing-room arm in arm with her hostess: “Oh, he’ll be here directly. I had to let him run back for my fan.” _Mrs. Roberts_: “Well, we’re very glad to have you to begin with. Let me introduce Dr. Lawton.” _Mrs. Miller_, in a polite murmur: “Dr. Lawton.” In a louder tone: “O Mr. Roberts!” _Lawton_: “You see, Roberts? The same aggrieved surprise at meeting you here that I felt.” _Mrs. Miller_: “What in the world do you mean?” _Lawton_: “Don’t you think that when a husband is present at his wife’s dinner party he repeats the mortifying superfluity of a bridegroom at a wedding?” _Mrs. Miller_: “I’m _sure_ I don’t know what you mean. I should never think of giving a dinner without Mr. Miller.” _Lawton_: “No?” A ring is heard. “There’s Bemis.” _Mrs. Miller_: “It’s Mr. Miller.” _Mrs. Roberts_: “Aunt Mary at last!” As she bustles toward the door: “Edward, there are twelve—Aunt Mary and Willis.” _Roberts_: “Oh, yes. I totally forgot Willis.” _Lawton_: “Who’s Willis?” _Roberts_: “Willis? Oh, Willis is my wife’s brother. We always have him.” _Lawton_: “Oh, yes, Campbell.” _Mrs. Roberts_, without: “Mr. Bemis! So kind of you to come on Christmas.” _Mr. Bemis_, without: “So kind of you to ask us houseless strangers.” _Mrs. Roberts_, without: “I ran out here, thinking it was my aunt. She’s played us a trick, and hasn’t come yet.” _Bemis_, entering the drawing-room with Mrs. Roberts: “I hope she won’t fail altogether. I haven’t met her for twenty years, and I counted so much upon the pleasure—Hello, Lawton!” _Lawton_: “Hullo, old fellow!” They fly at each other, and shake hands. “Glad to see you again.” _Bemis_, reaching his left hand to _Mr. Roberts_, while _Mr. Lawton_ keeps his right: “Ah! Mr. Roberts.” _Lawton_: “Oh, never mind _him_. He’s merely the husband of the hostess.” _Mrs. Miller_, to _Roberts_: “What _does_ he mean?” _Roberts_: “Oh, nothing. Merely a joke he’s experimenting with.” _Lawton_ to _Bemis_: “Where’s your boy?” _Bemis_: “He’ll be here directly. He preferred to walk. Where’s your girl?” _Lawton_: “Oh, she’ll come by and by. She preferred to drive.” _Mrs. Roberts_, introducing them: “Mr. Bemis, have you met Mrs. Miller?” She drifts away again, manifestly too uneasy to resume even a provisional pose on the sofa, and walks detachedly about the room. _Bemis_: “What a lovely apartment Mrs. Roberts has.”