[_Patiently_]. You’re taking him seriously enough to prefer him to my money, aren’t you? LEE [_Pause_]. Yes, I am. DILLINGS And Mary is taking him seriously enough to risk the gossip of her friends, isn’t she? LEE Yes, but— DILLINGS I haven’t a thing against the boy. I wouldn’t know him if I saw him. But it’s clear he’s not Mary’s sort. And if she’s traveling in that direction, she’s going to travel without me. LEE [_He has made a decision; calls suddenly_]. Gene! GENE [_Enters_]. Yes, sir? LEE Get Miss Dale. [GENE _goes._] DILLINGS Here! I won’t have any of that. No scenes, please. LEE [_With grim, vulgar efficiency_]. We’re going to have it out right now. I’m going to prove to you that Jack Robin doesn’t mean anything in Mary Dale’s life. DILLINGS I won’t have Mary Dale brought into this discussion. LEE If I can prove to you that this boy doesn’t mean anything to Mary, will you leave things as they are? MARY [_Enters_]. Hello, Randolph. DILLINGS [_Nervously_]. Hello, Mary. Just dropped in for a moment. I must be running along. LEE [_A direct man if not a subtle one_]. Just a moment, Mary. Randy here thinks you are seriously in love with Jack Robin, and because of that he’s taking his money out of this show. MARY You gentlemen take my breath away with your—shall I say, delicacy? It’s very sweet of you to discuss me so intimately. DILLINGS [_Furious_]. See here, Harry, this isn’t the sort of thing— LEE The point is this—I told Randy that Jack doesn’t mean anything to you—except, of course— MARY Except what? DILLINGS Really, this is becoming intolerable. I’m going. MARY [_Half amused, half indignant_]. Just a minute, Randy. I know you too well not to understand that you’re acting, as usual, on principle. And I know Harry too well to mind his blunt ways. Apparently what you both want me to say is that Jack Robin doesn’t mean anything at all to me and that I shan’t see him after this except as one sees a fellow performer. LEE [_With a hearty sigh of relief_]. Exactly! MARY Well, I can’t say it. I like Jack tremendously and expect to see more of him than ever. DILLINGS I’m sorry this has happened. MARY