ETHEL. Yes, but it's the first time, mother. LETITIA. Some one is coming. [Turns to door.] Oh! Henry! HENRY. [Enters; a handsome, powerfully-built man; smooth shaven, immaculate, reserved in manner.] Well, has the sea-witch arrived? MRS. MASTERSON. Not yet. DR. MASTERSON. Freddy's gone to meet her with the limousine. HENRY. I see. And the steamer? MRS. MASTERSON. It was to have docked two hours ago. HENRY. Well, that means that I won't see her till tomorrow evening. I've got to run down to Providence to-night. LETITIA. What's the matter? HENRY. Nothing important... just a business matter that requires my presence. Make my apologies; and goodbye, my dear. [Kisses LETITIA.] LETITIA. Henry, I wish you'd wait a moment. HENRY. What for, my dear? LETITIA. Mother has something to say... MRS. MASTERSON. I want to talk to you about this idea of going to the country in the winter-time. HENRY. Oh! There's no use talking about that, Mrs. Masterson. I see I can't have my way, so there's no more to be said. I'm not the sort of man to sulk. MRS. MASTERSON. But such an idea, Henry! For a delicate woman like Letitia... HENRY. I know... I know. I'd have taken care of her... but that doesn't interest her. And, of course, I can't take the children away from her, and there's not much fun in the country alone. So what's the use? I give up... as I give up everything. Good-bye, all. [Exit.] LETITIA. I declare--such a trial! A husband who's lost his interest in life! MRS. MASTERSON. It's that new cook of yours, Letitia. LETITIA. Every cook is worse. MRS. MASTERSON. What he needs is some liver-pills. Quincy, you should attend to it! [Rises.] Well, I'm going upstairs. You'll stay to dinner, Letitia? LETITIA. Yes, I want to lie down for a while. DR. MASTERSON. And I'll beat myself a game of billiards. [Exit With LETITIA and MRS. MASTERSON.] ETHEL. [Drops her book to floor, springs up and paces the room.] Oh! If only I might change places with Oceana! If I could get away to some South Sea island, and be my own mistress and live my own life. [Takes photograph.] Oceana! I'm wild to see you! I want to see you dancing. Your Sunrise Dance... and to your own music! [Begins to hum the Sunrise Dance.] Oceana! Oceana! [A step in the hall, she turns.] FREDDY. [Enters briskly; a college boy, about twenty-one, overgrown, narrow-chested, good-natured and slangy.] Ethel! ETHEL. [Starts.] Freddy! Where's Oceana? FREDDY. She won't get here till morning. ETHEL. Oh, Freddy! FREDDY. They can't dock the steamer to-night... there's some tangle at the pier. ETHEL. Did you go and see? FREDDY. I telephoned about it. I didn't want to wait in this blizzard. ETHEL. I'm so sorry! FREDDY. Me, too. But there's no help for it.