[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.
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