[_With their hands on each other's shoulders, the couples, swaying from side to side, half sing, half murmur, the refrain of the song._ If you would only, only love me; If you would merely, merely say, Wait but a little, little for me, I will be yours, be yours some day! [_The refrain is repeated, the dancers droning to it with a, buzzing sound, and then BLAND returns to the melody._ LILY. [_As she dances, recollecting the note she is holding and opening it._] What's this? [_Reading the note, her arm resting upon FARNCOMBE'S shoulder._] "Dear Miss Parradell.... [_glancing at the signature_] Farncombe"! [_To FARNCOMBE._] From you! FARNCOMBE. Yes. LILY. [_Reading._] "Will you allow me to----?" [_She reads to the end silently, and then she stops dancing and they stand for a moment looking confusedly at each other. Then, with an expressionless face, she slips the note into her dress and they dance again, singing the refrain as before._ BLAND. [_At the finish, shutting down the lid of the piano and rising._] Ladies and gentlemen, the festivities connected with Miss Parradell's birthday are over. [_Leaving the piano._] Our lives will now resume their normal, serious course. VON RETTENMAYER. [_Regretfully._] Ah-h-h-h! [_The ladies put on their wraps, the men their overcoats, and there is a great deal of stir and chatter. DE CASTRO assists GABRIELLE; VON RETTENMAYER, ENID; FULKERSON, DAPHNE; and FARNCOMBE, JIMMIE. LILY joins in the talk and bustle with forced animation. JIMMIE and FARNCOMBE glance at her, and then, inquiringly, at one another._ ROPER. [_Putting on his overcoat with BLAND'S help._] Well, nobody can say the affair hasn't been a brilliant success; that's one comfort. GABRIELLE. Wouldn't be true if they did. [_To DE CASTRO, irritably._] You've got it inside-out. LILY. [_To ENID and GABRIELLE, kneeling upon the settee._] Ah, yes, haven't we had a splendid, splendid time! ENID. Splendid! VON RETTENMAYER. A gharming pardy! DE CASTRO. Abtholutely A 1! VON RETTENMAYER. [_Singing._] "Venus, seinen Nacken beut Dir Dein Sklave, dienstbereit!" LILY. [_Running to ROPER and seizing his hands._] A vote of thanks to Lal for his share in getting it up! BLAND. [_Slapping ROPER on the back._] Bravo, Lal! SOME OF THE OTHERS. Bravo, Lal! LILY. [_Walking about._] And to Carlton! Bravo, Carlton! SOME OF THE OTHERS. Bravo, Carlton! Bravo, Smythe! DE CASTRO. [_Putting on his overcoat._] Don't forget Morrie Coolin'! LILY. No, don't forget Morrie. Dear old Morrie! SOME OF THE OTHERS. Bravo, Morrie! DE CASTRO. There hathn't been a hitch from thtart to finish, in fact. LILY. [_At the nearer side of the table again._] Not a hitch. FULKERSON. [_Remembering his grievance._] I beg yo' par'n-- no' a 'itch! [_In difficulties with his overcoat._] When a gen'leman'sh invited b' th' lady 'f th' house t' partake 'f some refreshmen'---- SOME OF THE OTHERS. Ha, ha, ha, ha! GABRIELLE.