By golly, that’s right, there isn’t anything like home cookin’. Ye ought ter be back on the farm where ye can have eggs and bakin’ powder biscuits and honey for breakfast—a nice young fried rooster for dinner with good old white gravy, mashed potatoes, dressin’ and dumplin’s. MR. ASTERBILT Mr. Benson, here is my card. I’m running for commissioner of city improvement. Hope I may have your vote at the election. MR. BENSON If you are a Republican, you can count on it. MR. ASTERBILT _Smiling._ Politically, I am. _Enter butler with wraps._ MRS. BENSON _Taking wraps and dismissing butler. Hands wraps to guests._ Now that you’ve made a start, I hope you will come often. MR. BENSON Sure, drop in often, and don’t wait for to be asked; ye’re welcome any time. MRS. ASTERBILT Thank you very much. (_To husband_) Are you ready? (_Bowing to Mr. and Mrs. Benson._) Good evening. _Exeunt Mrs. Asterbilt and Mrs. Benson._ MR. ASTERBILT _Shaking hands with Mr. Benson._ Good night, Mr. Benson. MR. BENSON Good night. MR. ASTERBILT Good night, Mr. Johnson. I’m glad I met you. HIRAM Same to you. Meetin’ a new friend gives me as much joy as findin’ a dollar bill in my pocket that I didn’t know I had there. If ye ever get out my way drop in and see me. _Exeunt Mr. Asterbilt and Mr. Benson._ _Enter Ethel._ ETHEL Well, if it isn’t Hiram! What possessed you to come to the city? HIRAM Just travelin’ round a little. ETHEL I didn’t suppose you traveled very much. HIRAM We didn’t use to, but now we take a trip most every year back to old Ohio. Back to the old neighborhood where we were born and married. So ye haven’t got married yet, have ye? Most birds finds a mate when they get full feathered. Looks like you’d be catchin’ some of these rich city fellers. They could line yer nest with feathers. ETHEL Oh yes, no doubt they could. How did you leave everybody at home? HIRAM Just like a rose in July. Saw your brother Harry the day before I left. He sent a letter down for you. Said ter be sure and give it ter you and not let the folks see it. ETHEL _Opens letter and reads to self—then to Hiram._ Oh, Hiram, listen to this. _Enter Mr. and Mrs. Benson unobserved—stop and listen as Ethel reads. Ethel reading._