But, Ethel, what are you doing here?
ETHEL. [Off, breathless.] Wait!
OCEANA. Why, you poor child, you're exhausted. What in the world . . .
ETHEL. Wait.
[Enters, breathless, half carried by Henry.]
OCEANA. [Pounces upon her.] Ethel! Of all the surprises! You dear
thing! [Embraces her, shakes snow from her.] What in the world has
happened?
ETHEL. Oceana, I ran away!
OCEANA. You ran away?
ETHEL. To you! I couldn't stand it! I must be with you, Oceana--no
matter how wicked it is, I must be with you!
OCEANA. [Breathlessly.] Ethel!
ETHEL. Yes, I'm desperate . . . I'll die if I have to stay at home.
OCEANA. My dear, dear girl! [Clasps her.]
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.
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