LILY--She said you could all go to the devil! [They all look shocked and insulted. LILY enjoys this, then adds quietly.] Oh, not in those words. Martha is a perfect lady. But she made it plain she will thank you to mind your own business. ESTHER--[Volubly.] And just imagine, she'd even forgotten she'd asked us here this afternoon and was going motoring with Bigelow. LILY--With his three children, too, don't forget. EMILY--[Softly.] They have become such well-behaved and intelligent children, they say. [Again all the others hesitate, staring at her suspiciously.] LILY--[Sharply.] You'd better let Martha train yours for a while, Emily. I'm sure she'd improve their manners--though, of course, she couldn't give them any intelligence. EMILY--[With the pathos of outraged innocence.] Oh! DICK--[Interrupting.] So it's Bigelow you're up in the air about? [He gives a low whistle--then frowns angrily.] The deuce you say! LILY--[Mockingly.] Look at our soldier boy home from the wars getting serious about the family honor! It's too bad this is a rough, untutored country where they don't permit dueling, isn't it, Dick? DICK--[His pose crumbling--angrily.] Go to the devil! SHEFFIELD--[With a calm, judicious air.] This wrangling is getting us nowhere. You say she was resentful about our well-meant word to the wise? JAYSON--[Testily.] Surely she must realize that some consideration is due the position she occupies in Bridgetown as Curt's wife. LILY--Martha is properly unimpressed by big frogs in tiny puddles. And there you are. MRS. DAVIDSON--[Outraged.] The idea! She takes a lot upon herself--the daughter of a Wild Western coal-miner. LILY--[Mockingly.] Gold miner, Aunt. MRS. DAVIDSON--It makes no difference--a common miner! SHEFFIELD-- [Keenly inquisitive.] Just before the others came, Lily, you gave out some hints--very definite hints, I should say-- ESTHER--[Excitedly.] Yes, you did, Lily. What did you mean? LILY--[Uncertainly.] Perhaps I shouldn't have. It's not my secret. [Enjoying herself immensely now that she holds the spotlight--after a pause, in a stage whisper.] Shall I tell you? Yes, I can't help telling. Well, Martha is going to have a son. [They are all stunned and flabbergasted and stare at her speechlessly.] MRS. DAVIDSON--[Her face lighting up--joyously.] A son! Curt's son! JAYSON--[Pleased by the idea but bewildered.] A son? DICK--[Smartly.] Lily's kidding you. How can she know it's a son--unless she's a clairvoyant. ESTHER--[With glad relief.] Yes, how stupid! LILY--I am clairvoyant in this case. Allah is great and it will be a son--if only to make you and Emily burst with envy among your daughters. ESTHER--Lily! EMILY--Oh! JAYSON--[Testily.] Keep still for a moment, Lily, for God's sake. This is no subject to joke about, remember. LILY--Martha told me. I know that. JAYSON--And does Curt know this? LILY--No, not yet. Martha has been afraid to tell him.