CULVER (looking at Mrs. Culver).  So it might.

STRAIGHT.  Do you wish to detain me?

TRANTO.  I simply haven’t the heart to do it.

STRAIGHT.  Then, ladies and gentlemen, I’ll say good morning.

HILDEGARDE (stopping Straight near the door as he departs with more bows).  Good-bye! (She holds out her hand with a smile!) And good luck!

STRAIGHT (taking her hand).  Madam, I thank you.  You evidently appreciate the fact that when one lives solely on one’s wits, little mishaps are bound to occur from time to time, and that too much importance ought not to be attached to them.  This is only my third slip, and I am fifty-five.

(Exit, back.)

MRS. CULVER (to Hildegarde, gently surprised).  Darling, surely you need not have been quite so effusive!

HILDEGARDE.  You see, I thought I owed him something, (with meaning and effect) as it was I who stole his name.

MRS. CULVER (utterly puzzled for a moment; then, when she understands, rushing to Hildegarde and embracing her).  Oh!  My wonderful girl!

JOHN (feebly and still humiliated).  Stay me with flagons!

HILDEGARDE (to her mother).  How nice you are about it, mamma!

MRS. CULVER.  But I’m very proud, my pet.  Of course I think you might have let me into the secret—­

CULVER.  None of us were let into the secret, Hermione—­I mean until comparatively recent times.  It was a matter between Hilda’s conscience and her editor.

MRS. CULVER.  Oh!  I’m not complaining.  I’m so relieved she didn’t write those dreadful cookery articles.

HILDEGARDE.  But do you mean to say you aren’t frightfully shocked by my advanced politics, mamma?

MRS. CULVER.  My child, how naive you are, after all!  A woman is never shocked, though of course at times it may suit her to pretend to be.  Only men are capable of being shocked.  As for your advanced politics, as you call them, can’t you see that it doesn’t matter what you write so long as you are admired by the best people.  It isn’t views that are disreputable, it’s the persons that hold them.

CULVER.  I hope that’s why you so gracefully gave way over the baronetcy, my dear.

MRS. CULVER (continuing to Hildegarde).  There’s just one thing I should venture to suggest, and that is, that you cease at once to be a typist and employ one yourself instead.  It’s most essential that you should live up to your position.  Oh!  I’m very proud of you.

HILDEGARDE.  I don’t quite know what my position is.  According to the latest news I’m dead. (Challengingly to Tranto.) Mr. Tranto, you’re keeping rather quiet, nearly as quiet as John (John changes his seat), but don’t you think you owe me some explanation?  Not more than a quarter of an hour ago in this very room it was distinctly agreed between us that you would not kill Sampson Straight, and now you rush back in a sort of homicidal mania.