GEORGIANA. [Laughing.] You’re beginning early!  Come along, children, we’ll take Elaine down.  Excuse me, everybody, please.

PHILIP.  If you’ve got any good tips, papa, save some for little brother.

[The children go out Left with GEORGIANA.

STEVEN. [Putting his hat and coat down on the sofa.] He’s on to his father early!  Sam, any news?

COAST. No.

STEVEN.  I’ve heard of a big thing, an absolutely straight tip,—­inside information.

COAST. [Sitting in the rocker.] Well, don’t tell it, or you’ll spoil it.

STEVEN.  The women are so down on my speculating, Georgiana especially.

[Sits on the table.

COAST. What do the women folks know about business?  Why don’t you keep what you do to yourself?

STEVEN.  But you see my money’s all gone, and I need more—­only to recoup with.

COAST. [After a slight pause.] As I remember, you can do what you like with Louise’s money.

STEVEN.  But is it right?

COAST. You’re too blamed afraid, that’s why you always lose.

STEVEN. [Walking up and down.] I know it.  And this is the biggest chance I’ve had yet.  If I dared risk it, I’m sure I could make a fortune!  Not in words!  I know what I’m talking about, Sam.  Louise would have everything she wanted—­and the way she’d live then!  She could drop the social chip off her shoulders, go anywhere, and receive everybody.

[Standing beside the table, he eats a little cake.

COAST. Well?

STEVEN.  Do you advise me to risk it?

COAST. [Pretending indifference.] What?

STEVEN.  Louise’s money?

COAST. I ain’t advising anything.  If it went wrong, you’d blame me to the women.

STEVEN.  Is that the kind of a man I am?

COAST. [Rises and goes to Steven and slaps him on the back.] No, Steve, I take it back.  You take a licking better’n any feller I ever saw.

STEVEN.  Experience!  But this thing can’t go wrong!  The man who told me is the head and—­I told Georgiana—­didn’t she give you a hint?

COAST. [After a slight pause.] No.

[Turns up to the window and stands there with his back to Steven.

STEVEN.  My tip’s a great one—­safe!  Now, shall I take it?

COAST. Of course, when I feel as you do about a thing, I do it.

STEVEN.  And by George, I will too!

COAST. Why not?

[Turning and facing him.

STEVEN.  Yes! what I make’s for Louise, not for myself.

COAST. I wouldn’t say anything to Louise about it.

[Comes down a little.

STEVEN.  No, she’d be sure to talk it over with Georgiana.

[He sits by the table.

COAST. And, say, not a word, you know, about me in all this.

STEVEN.  I give you my word, Sam.