ETHEL. You won't send me back? OCEANA. Never! ETHEL. [Wildly.] But, Oceana, Letitia is coming! OCEANA. Yes? ETHEL. I took a train from Boston. And when I saw her come aboard, imagine how I felt! I hid... she didn't see me. And I got off the train first and dodged out of sight. I ran all the way. I suppose she stopped to get a sleigh. HENRY. It's all right, Ethel... we knew she was coming. ETHEL. You knew it? OCEANA. Yes, Henry sent for her. You see, Letitia and I have to talk things out. ETHEL. Well, of all the... [Stops, dazed.] OCEANA. [Laughs.] That's all right, dear. We know what we're doing. But it was good of you to try to save us! HENRY. Listen! OCEANA. Ah! HENRY. The sleigh-bells! OCEANA. She's here! ETHEL. [Clasping her.] Oceana! OCEANA. What is it, dear? ETHEL. Don't let her take me back home? OCEANA. But how can she take you, dear, if you won't go? ETHEL. She might persuade you. OCEANA. Never fear, Ethel... we'll stand by you, won't we, Hal? HENRY. Yes. ETHEL. She'll threaten to make me go. OCEANA. Her mind will be taken up with other things, Ethel. ETHEL. But mother will come! And she'll command me to return. I'm not of age, you know. OCEANA. But then, if you won't obey? Will she send for the police? ETHEL. No... hardly that. OCEANA. All right, then, dear. I'll save you... trust me. I mean to give you a chance for life. ETHEL. And, oh, Oceana... what do you think? Freddy's run away, too! OCEANA. What? HENRY. Where to? ETHEL. He's gone out West! OCEANA. You don't mean it! HENRY. What for? ETHEL. He says he's going to be a cowboy. He's going to make a man of himself. He left a letter to father. OCEANA. Why, the dear boy! ETHEL. [Mysteriously.] Oceana, do you know what was the matter? OCEANA. No... what? ETHEL. I think I know. He was in love with you! OCEANA. I shouldn't wonder, my dear. [Laughs.] But don't tell Henry. .. he'll be jealous! [Sound of sleigh-bells louder.] ETHEL. Here she is! OCEANA. You go into the next room now. It wouldn't be considered proper for you to hear what we're going to say. ETHEL. Of all the adventures! [Exit.] OCEANA. [Smiles at Henry.] Now then! HENRY. You wanted it, my dear! [They turn, gazing right. The sleigh-bells have come nearer, then stopped. Some one is heard to step upon the piazza and stamp the snow from the feet.] LETITIA. [Enters right, stares at Oceana and screams.] Oceana! OCEANA. Letitia... LETITIA. [Gasps for breath.] Henry! How dared you bring me here to meet that woman? OCEANA. Letitia... LETITIA. Don't speak to me! Don't you dare to speak to me! [She sinks down by table and bursts into tears.] Oh, how horrible! How horrible! As if I had not humiliations enough already! HENRY. [Taking step toward her.] Letitia... OCEANA. [With a swift gesture.] Wait! LETITIA. Oh, who would have thought it possible! To bring me 'way up here... OCEANA. You might as well understand at the outset... the thing cannot be done that way.