RUTH. Sh! please don't tell any one, not even Jinny, what I've said! I may be betraying something I've no right to do, and don't tell _him_ I've spoken to you. AUSTIN. All right! [_JINNY turns around in the doorway._ RUTH. Thank you--and good-by. [_Shaking his hand again._ [_JINNY notices that they shake hands twice. A queer little look comes into her face._ AUSTIN. Good-by. RUTH. Have they gone?--Oh! [_Hurrying past_ JINNY.] Good-by, dear. [_She goes out through the double doors._ JINNY. [_In a curious little voice._] Good-by.... [_She comes slowly down the room toward AUSTIN, and smiles at him quizzically._] What were you two saying? AUSTIN. Good-by! JINNY. But you'd said it once to her already! Why did you have to say good-by _twice_ to _Ruth_? Once was enough for all the other girls! AUSTIN. [_Banteringly._] The first time _I_ said good-by to _her_, and the second time _she_ said good-by to _me_! JINNY. Do you know what I believe--_Ruth Chester's in love with you_! AUSTIN. Oh, darling! [_Laughs._ JINNY. Yes, that explains the whole thing. No wonder she was _triste_ to-day. AUSTIN. [_Laughing._] Jinny, sweetheart, don't get such an absurd notion into your head. JINNY. [_Looks straight at him a moment, then speaks tenderly._] No--no--I know it's not your fault. There was no other woman in this house for you to-day but _me_, _was_ there? AUSTIN. There was no other woman in the world for me since the first week I knew you. [_Taking her into his arms._ JINNY. This is good-by to _Jinny Tillman_! [_He kisses her._ Jack, darling, do you think I could sit on your knee like a little child and put my arm around your neck and rest my head on your shoulder for just five seconds--I'm _so tired_! [_MRS. CULLINGHAM opens the door._ MRS. CULLINGHAM. Oh! [_Shuts the door very quickly and knocks._ [_JINNY and AUSTIN laugh._ JINNY. Yes, yes--come in! [_MRS. CULLINGHAM enters. She is a handsome, whole-souled, florid woman; one of those creatures of inexhaustible vitality who make people of a nervous temperament tired almost on contact by sheer contrast. She is the kindest, best meaning creature in the world._ MRS. CULLINGHAM. Oh, do excuse me! I haven't any more tact!--and I hate to interrupt you, but I must say good-by. [_Calls._] Peter! PETER. Yes'm. [_Entering with a glass of water and a powder. He sits in the arm-chair at right, and constantly looks at his watch._ AUSTIN. I'm much obliged to you, Mrs. Cullingham, for the interruption, as I was sent long ago to make myself ready for the train, if you'll excuse me! MRS. CULLINGHAM. Certainly! JINNY. Good-by! [_Taking his hand as he passes her._ AUSTIN. Good-by! [_He goes out Right._ MRS. CULLINGHAM. If it's time for _him_, it's certainly time for _you_. I won't keep you a minute! JINNY. No, really we've plenty of time,-- [_both sit on sofa._] Wasn't it a lovely wedding!