[_They take the big trunk out Left. BUTLER follows with the dressing-bag._ MRS. CULLINGHAM. [_Calls from the room at back._] Peter darling, are you there? SUSIE. Phew! Just in time! [_Sliding down into a more correct position in the chair._ PETER. Yes, mother! [_Going to back._ MRS. CULLINGHAM. [_In the doorway, at back._] Come, take these beautiful roses from Mrs. Tillman! [_MRS. CULLINGHAM and MRS. TILLMAN enter._ MRS. TILLMAN. [_With her arms full of roses._] Thomas will take them down. PETER. No, I'd like to. Aren't they bully? [_He takes them._ MRS. CULLINGHAM. [_To MRS. TILLMAN._] Good-by, and thank you again. I know you must want to go up to Jinny. MRS. TILLMAN. Yes, she may need me to help her a little. Good-by. Good-by, Peter. PETER. Good-by, ma'm. [_MRS. TILLMAN goes out Right._ MRS. CULLINGHAM. Why, Susie, how do you do? SUSIE. [_Glides out of the chair and stands before it._] How do you do? [_Embarrassed._ MRS. CULLINGHAM. You're a good little girl, I hope? SUSIE. I don't! I hate good little girls! MRS. CULLINGHAM. O my! [_She goes out, laughing, Left._ [_PETER, coming to SUSIE, catches her in his arms and kisses her, much against her will._ SUSIE. [_Furious._] Oh, you horrid, nasty thing, you! [_She strikes at him; he runs; she chases him from one side of the room to the other, around a sofa and table, and out Left, screaming as she chases him._] I hate you! I hate you! [_MAGGIE enters Right._ MAGGIE. Miss Susie, Mrs. Tillman wants to see you upstairs. SUSIE. What for? MAGGIE. I don't know, Miss. SUSIE. Pshaw! have I got to go? All right! [_Going toward the door at Right._ [_AUSTIN enters, meeting SUSIE._ AUSTIN. Hello! Where are _you_ going? SUSIE. Oh, up to Auntie Tillman's room. Goodness knows what for; it's an awful bore! Want to come along? AUSTIN. No, thank you; but if you see your Cousin Jinny, you might tell her I am down. SUSIE. [_Hanging on to him._] I say! Where are you and Cousin Jinny going to, anyway? AUSTIN. [_Smiling._] I don't know. SUSIE. O my, what a fib! And that's a nice example to set a little girl! [_She goes out Right._ MAGGIE. [_Coming forward._] I beg pardon, sir, but may I speak to you a minute? AUSTIN. Certainly, Maggie, what is it? MAGGIE. I've been trying for a chance to see you alone. I wouldn't bother you, sir--but it's only because I'm fond of Miss Jinny, and of Mr. and Mrs. Tillman, and they've all been so good to me; I know it would nearly kill 'em if they knew. AUSTIN. Come, Maggie, knew what? MAGGIE. Well, _one member_ of this family ain't been good to me, sir. [_From this point her feelings begin to get the better of her and she speaks rapidly and hysterically._] He's been bad, bad as he could, and somebody's got to talk to him, and I don't see who's a-goin' to do it but you. If he don't change, I'll not hold my tongue any longer. It's all I can do for their sakes to hold it now!