LITMIR.BIZ

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if only she doesn't get tired of waiting before the motor can get there.

      Tarver. (To girls) Don't worry. Don't worry. Why should she get tired? It would look like a lack of confidence in you if she stopped waiting.

      Aunt Ida. Yes, and Celia is certainly accustomed to waiting for and on every one of you.

      GIRLS and Tarver. Now, you know- Oh, I say.

      (Madge turns up to piano.)

      Aunt Ida. (Continuing) She is a back number. That's your constant suggestion, and because she hasn't found a Jim Raleigh to love her, she is on the shelf-(Disgustedly) – a Jim Raleigh.

      (Tarver and Phyllis rise and she consoles him.)

      Raleigh. (Entering gayly through morning room) Hello, what's that about me? (Goes directly to Aunt Ida. They turn to table L.)

      (Aunt Ida flustered and exclaiming. Immediately following Raleigh are Faraday, Grice and Steele in the foregoing order. They are chatting and smoking and are all in evening dress.)

      Faraday. (Cheerily) You don't mind, girls, if we bring in our cigars?

      Madge and Evelyn. Not at all, Father.

      (Faraday crosses immediately to card table and looks it over.)

      Grice. (Coming down R. of sofa. Gruffly to Tarver) Tarver, I want to ask you a question.

      Tarver. (Going reluctantly to him) Yes, sir.

      (Phyllis looks reproachfully at Grice and sits again in chair L. of table R., swinging her foot and watching Tarver and Grice. Steele goes to head of sofa and talks with Lady Trenchard. Madge remains by piano, turning over music. Raleigh crosses to left of table, above table, still talking to Aunt Ida. All of this business occurs almost simultaneously and quickly.)

      Faraday. (Coming out of card room. Irritably) Madge, where are those new markers?

      Madge. I don't know, Father. Celia attends to everything.

      Faraday. (Coming down center. Testily) Well, God bless my soul, where is Celia?

      (Madge gradually comes down C., R. of Faraday.)

      Aunt Ida. (Facing him. Vehemently) God bless your soul, William Faraday, down on the wharf in the pouring rain-

      Faraday. What's that?

      Aunt Ida. (Continuing) Frozen to death by this time.

      Faraday. God bless my soul!

      Aunt Ida. (Continuing) For all any one cares.

      Faraday. But I need her. She must be sent for at once.

      (Door opens suddenly. Celia, in dripping oilskins and drenched veil, carrying a soaking wet traveling bag, enters and crosses immediately from L.IE. to R.I. All give start of surprise.)

      Omnes. Celia! Miss Faraday! (Etc.)

      Aunt Ida. Darling!

      Madge. (As Celia gets center. Coming down center) We did send the motor for you, Celia, only it was too late.

      Celia. (Pausing at door) Yes, I know, Madgie, but when I met him, he wouldn't stop. He took me for the fish-monger- (Exit quickly R.IE.)

      Faraday. Fish-monger! God bless my soul!

      Madge. (Idiotically to girls) She must have walked. Evelyn and Phyllis. Why, yes.

      Aunt Ida. Well, she could hardly sleep on the wharf, could she?

      Grice. (To Steele) What an unfortunate way that poor woman has of doing things that make everyone feel uncomfortable.

      Steele. (To Grice) Yes, the idea of her walking up here alone in the rain!

      Evelyn. (To girls) Wherever did she get the clothes?

      Celia. (Off stage) Martin, send to the station at once for my hat and coat and return these things to Wilson. He borrowed them from the pilot.

      Grice. Wilson?

      Evelyn. (Patronizingly) He is the man at the station. He's Celia's slave.

      (Celia re-enters without oilskins and stands at door R. She is in a simple traveling dress.)

      Faraday. (From center of stage) God bless my soul, Celia, where have you been?

      Celia. Why; I've been away, Father, for a week. Perhaps you haven't noticed it.

      Faraday. Not noticed it? I have missed you very much. I never get all the right things for breakfast when you're away!

      Celia. Sorry, Father. (Celia crosses quickly to Aunt Ida, who is in the center of the stage, Faraday having turned and gone up into the card room. Celia nodding as she crosses, to the Admiral and the girls) Good evening, Admiral. Well, girls.

      (Admiral acknowledges her greeting with a grunt, Steele with a stiff bow, and the girls say, "Good evening, Celia.")

      Celia. Well, Aunt Ida.

      Aunt Ida. (Kissing her on both cheeks) Dear child!

      (Celia passing L. over to Mr. Raleigh, who is left of table L.

      Celia offers her hand, which he takes with a very bored air. Meanwhile, the groups break up after Celia has passed. Lady Trenchard joins the Admiral and Steele at upper end of sofa. Phyllis joins Tarver; they sit at lower end of fender, Phyllis sitting in chair below fender. Aunt Ida joins Madge and they all talk in dumb show during Celia's scene with Raleigh.)

      Celia. Mr. Raleigh, how are you?

      Raleigh. I am very well, thank you. (Pause.) Yes.

      Celia. Yes?

      Raleigh. (In a bored monotone, looking straight in front of him) Yes. I hope you enjoyed yourself, Miss Faraday. You were in London?

      Celia. No, at Southampton.

      Raleigh. Oh, yes-er-all amongst the ships and things,

      Celia. Yes.

      Raleigh. Yes.

      Celia. Won't you sit down, Mr. Raleigh?

      Raleigh. No, thanks. I never sit down.

      Celia. Eh?

      Raleigh. After dinner.

      Celia. Oh.

      Raleigh. You have been away quite a long time, Miss Faraday?

      Celia. Yes, for me.

      Raleigh. Yes, I mean for you. Well-nothing much has happened.

      Celia. Well, one hardly expects much, does one?

      Raleigh. No. Oh, Manners has got himself engaged.

      Celia. Really? To Jennie Woodcote, I suppose?

      Raleigh. Yes; they were all saying it was her last chance.

      Celia. Yes, they would.

      Raleigh. Of course, that's all nonsense. Nowadays, there's no-a-

      Celia. Age limit?

      Raleigh. Exactly! (Then catching himself up in great confusion) No, no! Good Lord, no! I didn't mean-

      Faraday. (Coming forward L.C.) Well, we might as well have some bridge. (Murmurs of "Oh, splendid!")

      Raleigh. (With a shout of relief backs away from Celia toward card room) Bridge! Oh, splendid!

      (Evelyn and Steele go slowly to card room. Tarver starts L.)

      Grice. (Quickly) Tarver, I have another question to ask you.

      Tarver.

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