perfectly satisfied with himself. His most engaging point is a perpetual smile.]

Mrs. Tice

Hello, everybody! ["Everybody" returns the greeting] Who are those people on the church steps? A lot of dirty foreigners blocking the sidewalk!

Mr. Barnaby

It's the grating, Mrs. Tice. The furnace room's underneath, and they're trying to keep warm.

Mrs. Tice

Well, let 'em try somewhere else! [Recollection of unpleasant contact causes her to brush her coat] I don't mean to be unkind, but there must be missions or something!

Mrs. Thornbury

We didn't hope to see you here, Mr. Goodkind.

Mrs. Tice

I met him in front of Tiffany's!

Jerry

The most dangerous corner in New York!

Mrs. Tice

And lured him here by mentioning that Clare Jewett was helping us.

Dilly

Somebody page Mr. Gilchrist!

Mrs. Gilliam

Dilly! What a way of saying that Clare is engaged to the assistant rector!... Dilly's looking well today, isn't she, Mr. Goodkind? So young, and——

Jerry

And fresh.

Dilly

Oh, boy!

Mrs. Tice

Do come and see what I've got for the girls of the Bible Class!

Mrs. Thornbury

Testaments?

Mrs. Tice

That's just it; I haven't! Bibles are so bromidic! I want to give them something they can really use! And it's so hard to think of presents for those girls; they've got everything! [Opening a small parcel she has withheld from Mr. Barnaby] Guess how I've solved the problem!

Mrs. Thornbury

I can't!

Mrs. Gilliam

I haven't an idea!

Dilly

I'm dying to know!

Mrs. Tice

[Impressively. Displaying the gift]: Sterling silver vanity cases!

Dilly

[Taking it]: How ducky!

Mrs. Thornbury

Charming!

Mrs. Gilliam

An inspiration!

Dilly

[Showing it to Jerry]: All complete—lip-stick, powder and some nice, red rouge.

Jerry

[Cynically]: To put on before you pray?

Dilly

Precisely. To put on—before we—prey!

Mrs. Thornbury

[Gathering up her coat]: Well, good people, this is where I leave you!

Mrs. Gilliam

[With the air of one bereft]: Oh, Mrs. Thornbury!

Mrs. Thornbury

I've done my "one kind deed" today, and I've an engagement for dinner.