(EvelynpullsTarverviolently aroundR.He staggers across stage and falls in chair extremeR.)
Omnes. Hush!!!
(Griceglares atTarver,PhyllisandMadgeofferCeliatea,Faradaythe muffin-stand, andGriceoffers her the plate of cake. All this is done quickly and simultaneously.)
Phyllis. You had better have some tea, Celia.
Grice. (Smiling at her) Cake, with plums in it.
Celia. (Laughing) You are all very kind to me this afternoon.
(They all turn away hurriedly, quickly putting down the things they have been offeringCeliaand laughing nervously.)
Omnes. Not at all, dear. Not unusually so. Not a bit. (Etc., etc.)
Grice. Cake, with plums in it.
Celia. (Exchanges looks withAunt Ida,who has worked downL.afterFaradayhas gone upC.Aunt Idanods her head. Indifferently) Any news in the Times?
Omnes.The Times? The Times? Why, no, I don't imagine so. Have you seen the Times? Now where has Martin put that Times?(Etc., etc.Note:This should come to a crescendo and then die down.)
Evelyn. (In a loud, hoarse whisper toTarver) Oh, say something.
Tarver. (Very nervously) No, I don't think there was anything, was there, Admiral?
Grice. (Mournfully, staring straight ahead of him) Nothing very lively.
Omnes. (In a strained whisper) Admiral!
Faraday. (To relieve situation. Gayly) Now where has the Times got to?
(Tarverrises and looks in fireplace, muttering to himself.)
PhyllisandMadge. Where is the Times? Have you seen the Times? I wonder what could have happened to it? (Etc.)
(Gricerises and turnsR.and starts up stage. The Times falls out from his back. There is general consternation.)
Celia. (Seeing Times on floor) Why, there it is, isn't it?
Faraday. (In mock, great surprise) God bless my soul! So it is.
(Tarversinks down on fender.)
Grice. (Coming down stage and picking up paper) Now, how did that get there?
Celia. May I see it, if everyone has quite finished? (Holds out hand for paper.Gricereluctantly gives paper to her. She opens it and reads. All watch her, strained and anxiously. Cheerfully) Births, marriages, deaths. I always look first at that column, you know. (After a pause. Laughing a little) How very amusing!
Omnes. Amusing? Celia!! Great Scott! God bless my soul!
Celia. (Reading) "On October the 11th----"
Evelyn. (Almost with a sob)Eleventh!
Celia. "Elsie Hardiman to Alfred Bryce." (All give tremendous sigh of relief. Looking up) Why didn't somebody tell me Elsie Hardiman was engaged?
Faraday. (Comes to chairR.ofL.table and lays muff down on book rack) I wouldn't go into that, Celia. I wouldn't pursuethatline of inquiry any further if I wereyou, my dear. (Tries to take paper.)
Celia. (Retaining her hold on paper) I just want to see if anybody is dead, Father. (Puts out a hand surreptitiously and pullsAunt Idanear her. They all watch her with tragic anxiety. She sees notice, reads it, and utters a long, low cry of grief, then lets paper drop on table and with another long moan, rises and buries her face inAunt Ida'sshoulder.)
(Tarvercurls up in chair extremeR.,pulling his moustache.)
Phyllis. (Making sympathetic motion forward) Celia--darling.
Aunt Ida. (Waving her handkerchief up and down) Sh--sh--sh--sh! (They stand in grief-stricken attitudes, contemplating her.)
Faraday. (Brokenly) Celia--my child----
Aunt Ida. (Waving her handkerchief up and down) Sh--sh--sh--sh!
Evelyn.Poor Celia!
Aunt Ida. Sh--sh--sh--sh! (Pause.) I think--she will--say something soon.
Celia. (Raising a flushed, quivering face fromAunt Ida'sshoulder) So you were all--trying to keep this--from me?
Grice. (Coming downR.) God help us, we were. (Takes off his glasses and wipes his eyes.)
Phyllis. Ah--Celia.
Aunt Ida. (In same queer, choked way) Wouldn't it be better if you all left her alone--with me?
Faraday. (Much relieved) Quite so. Quite so. Come, children. (Crosses a few steps up and right. The girls, withPhyllisfirst,Madge,thenEvelyn,form a line and, with bowed heads and folded hands, walk across the morning room door.Tarverrises and walks mournfully up to door.) Come, Admiral.
Grice. (Crossing upR.) No, Faraday. I'll take my leave from this house of grief. (Exits through card room.)
Celia. (ComesL.C.) Wait, Father. (The girls halt in doorway,Tarverabove sofa) I only want to say that I don't intend to let this news make any difference--outwardly. You see you never knew what I knew--about him, so I can't expect you to realize all that I've lost. I don't see what's to be gained by any parade of grief, so I'll go to this dinner party to-night and try to act as though nothing whatever had happened.
Tarver. (Beaming) That's splendid of you, Celia. It's much the wisest not to give way to sorrow. But you will get those votes you promised me, won't you?
Faraday. Take him away. Take him away.
(EvelynwhirlsTarveraround and hands him unceremoniously off the stage.Faradayexits. There is a pause, thenAunt IdaandCeliaburst into hearty laughter.Aunt Idacrosses to tableR.,sits, andCeliasits on the arm of her chair.)
Celia. Oh, Aunt Ida. Didn't we get through that splendidly?
(Gricere-enters through card room. They quickly turn their laughter into sobs and bury their faces in their handkerchiefs.)
Grice. (Coming downC.) I have been lingering, my dear Miss Faraday, just to grasp your hand and whisper a word of cheer. Keep up your heart, my dear. Keep up your heart. Remember there are other fish in the sea--big fish. (Bows and elaborately exits through card room.)
Celia. Old fool!--Isn't it a mercy I'm going to escape that sort of thing? There'd be a dozen more if I gave them a chance, but instead of that I'm going with you to Chicago to live and die a spinster with an unawakened soul.
Aunt Ida. (In a high tragedy tone) Celia, I have a queer feeling we're not done with this thing yet.
Celia. Why, of course we are, you dear; the steamship tickets are up in my room and I'm going with you to-morrow when you leave on the noon train. What a brick you've been through it all, Aunt Ida, what a brick!
Aunt Ida. (Laughing, then recovering herself and endeavoring to be moral. CrossingL.) You--you--you must never do it again, Celia.
Celia. Well, it's hardly the sort of thing onecandovery often.
Aunt Ida. (Seriously) I never would have helped you send that notice to the Times, Celia, if--if--oh, dear. (Breaks down and laughs. Severely) Oh, but I consider your whole attitudemostimmoral.
Celia. (Meekly) Yes, Aunt Ida. I admit my behavior has been shocking and what a contrast to his. (Laughs.)
Aunt Ida. (Reprovingly) Celia!
Celia. Poor Colonel Smith! What harm has he ever done? Was ever a career more blameless? He lifted me down from the shelf.Dear Colonel Smith!He died just at the right moment.DearColonel Smith. Oh, you know he was a true soldier. He did his work in silence. Well, peace to his ashes. Dear Colonel Smith! Good gracious, dear, it's getting late. It's time to dress for dinner. (She seizesAunt Idaby the arm, gayly whirls her around, crosses and gets her muff from table.)
(EnterPhyllisthrough morning roomR.Runs downR.of sofa, calling, "Celia." They resume attitudes of grief.Aunt Idaexits through morning room, holding her handkerchief to her eyes.)
Phyllis. (ComesC.toCelia) Celia!
Celia. Yes, dear.
Phyllis. I want you to help me. Bobby is frightfully tired. Don't you think that he and I could cut the Admiral's dinner party and dine quietly at home here? You could make it all right with the Admiral, Celia.
(EnterMartin,with salver and card, L.IE.,leaves door open.)
Celia. I'll try, dear. Martin, there will be two for dinner after all.
Phyllis. And may we dine in the little morning room here? (Indicating morning room.)
Celia. In the morning room?
Phyllis. It will be more snug.
Celia. Oh, very well, then, Martin. Dinner in the morning room. (Martinoffers card toCelia.) I haven't time to see anyone now. (CrossesR.to door) Who is it?
Martin. Colonel James Nugent Vavasour. He was sure that you would consent to see him, Miss, when you saw this card.
Celia. Vavasour? Vavasour? It's some election business, of course. Phyllis, it's your affair, after all. Attend to it for me, won't you?
Phyllis. Very well. (CeliaexitsR.Martinbrings the card over toPhyllis.Phyllistakes card, reads it and utters a cry) Colonel Smith! Then, then--then? (Bewildered) Then he is not dead. It's a mistake. (Runs to doorR.as if to recallCelia.)
Martin. It is Colonel Vavasour who has called, Miss. (Goes up to tea-table, gets tray and dishes.)
Phyllis. But it's Colonel Smith's card. (Turns card over suddenly) Oh, it is a message. (Goes toL.of tableR.,sits and turns up the lamp.) Written in a failing hand. (Reads) "Good-bye. Be kind to my friend, James Nugent Vavasour." (ToMartin,who has by now collected the dishes on tray and is below tableR.) Show Colonel Vavasour in and then ask Miss Faraday to come down as quickly as she can. Just say that it really is important.
Martin. Yes, Miss.
(PhylliscomesL.C.quickly and arranges her hair, etc.Martinre-enters, announcingColonel Vavasour.Colonel Smithenters and stands.Martincloses door quietly, goes upL.,crosses it back, turns on lamp on piano and exits through morning room.)
Smith. (Bowing) I am speaking to Miss Celia Faraday?
Phyllis. (Holding card in her hand) Oh, no. I'm her much younger sister, but I have sent for her. Won't you sit down, Colonel Vavasour? (SitsR.ofL.table.SmithsitsL.) The card which you sent me proves that your errand is a sad one. I want to ask you to be very gentle in delivering your message to Celia. The news of Colonel Smith's death was first conveyed to her in to-day's "Times."
Smith. I am not very surprised to hear that.
Phyllis. (Melodramatically) The bolt fell from a clear sky. She received no telegram, no letter to warn her of the impending destruction of her happiness. (Places card on table.)
Smith. (Meaningly) No, indeed. How could she?
Phyllis. She was happy. She loved and was loved. (Smithturns and looks at her.) And then in a second comes Fate with its cruel shears----
Smith. (Interrupting her) Excuse me, but do you write for the Sunday papers?
Phyllis. No, but I have been listening lately to a great number of election speeches.
Smith. I quite understand. From them those flowers of eloquence were culled. Please go on.
Phyllis. Celia bore the blow with remarkable courage. But now comes yourvisit, which will upset her even more than the news of Colonel Smith's death itself.
Smith. Yes, Miss Faraday, I am quite sure that it will do that. You have made an appeal to me to deliver my harrowing message as delicately as I can. You can help me not to make mistakes.
Phyllis. How?
Smith. By telling me where the lovers met, when they became engaged--and how it all happened.
Phyllis. But you came with Colonel Smith's card and words of recommendation written upon it by his failing hand. Didn't he tell you?
Smith. Well, you see, he was one of those great-hearted men who never speak about themselves. And towards the end, when he might have spoken, he was singularly comatose.
Phyllis. (Sympathetically) Poor fellow!
Smith. Oh, it's dreadful--dreadful! I suppose your sister was very devoted to him?
Phyllis. Sheadoredhim!!
Smith. Yes. That's the part I understand best.
Phyllis. But Celia's engagement meant more to her than it would to most women.
Smith. (Recoils slightly) Why?
Phyllis. It had somehow got into everybody's head that Celia didn't--(Looks around room)--attract people. Poor old Celia. (Smithturns uneasily in chair.) Of course, her engagement altered the whole position.
Smith. Oh, I begin to see.
Phyllis. It was the night thatIhad just announced my engagement to Mr. Tarver.--Bobby was so witty about poor old Celia having to wearanotherpair of Green Stockings atmywedding----
Smith. Ah--h-- Then there are other sisters?
Phyllis. Yes, there's Madge. She is between Celia and myself.
Smith. Engaged?
Phyllis.Morethan engaged--married. And then comes Evelyn.
Smith. Married?
Phyllis. Muchmorethan married. (Smithstares.) A widow.
Smith. And Miss Celia is the eldest of you all?
Phyllis. Oh, yes. Well, the moment after Celia was told ofmyengagement, she announcedhers.
Smith. To Colonel Smith. (Turns away from her with sudden understanding.) I see.
Phyllis. (More melodramatically) You know she had met him at Southampton. (Smithlooks at her.) For a week they had been together. (Smithturns in his chair.) Only that morning he had told her of his love. An hour later he was steaming down Southampton Water to leave his neglected bones on the arid wastes of a----
Smith. (Interrupting her) Ahem! You'll excuse me----
Phyllis. I beg pardon. He was on his way to Somaliland. She wrote to him that night.
Smith. (Slowly) Yes, the letter reached him. (Tapping his pocket) I have it here.
Phyllis. (Sentimentally) He kept it?
Smith. Yes, he kept it. He used to sit and study it by the hour.
Phyllis. How truly beautiful. Oh, you must tell Celia that. You mustn't rob her of any of her grief.
Smith. No, that would be too bad. So there was no opportunity for Smith to come and make your acquaintance?
Phyllis. No, but I have heard so much of him from Celia that I could almost believe I see him. (Stares dreamily atSmith.Smithrises slowly, a little disconcerted.Phyllisrising and movingR.) I'll go and send Celia to you.
(Martinenters through morning room.)
Smith. Thanks. Now I know where I am.
Martin. (Stands upR.) Miss Faraday is coming down, Miss. (Crosses and exitsL.,lighting chandelier in card room.)
Phyllis. Very well, Martin. Then I'll leave you to deliver your message alone. (Crosses to doorR.and opens it, then turns) You have brought, I hope, one or two mementoes from him----
Smith. (Puzzled for a moment) I beg your pardon?
Phyllis. Little things that Celia can treasure.
Smith. Oh, yes, yes. A few small things--trifles which Smith habitually wore.
Phyllis. (Sentimentally) Just what she will value most. (ExitsR.IE.)
(Smithchuckles. He looks at his ring, but can't get it off, then at his knife. That won't do. Then at his cigarette case. That will not do. Also at his bunch of keys. That won't do. He reluctantly takes watch and chain from his waistcoat and looks about for something to wrap it up in. He sees the tissue paper which Celia has left on book slide, gets it and wraps watch and chain up in it, putting it in his pocket. He takes out his scarf pin, looks at it, starts to replace it in tie. He reconsiders and wraps that up too, putting it in his pocket. He hums a snatch of song forCelia'sentrance.Celiaenters in evening dressR.ComesR.C.Smithdoes not look up.)
Page 81
Celia. Colonel Vavasour. (She speaks briskly, having no suspicion of his business.Smithbows almost reverentially, sighs deeply. Looks as if about to speak, is silent. His head is bowed. Impatiently) I am told that you wish to see me on important business.
(Smithnods head sadly. He looks up and, on seeingCelia,starts with pleasurable surprise for a moment.)
Smith. Upon important and lugubrious business.
Celia. Oh--? Don't tell me there's some new difficulty about Mr. Tarver's election?
Smith. I have come to speak to you about one who is dearer to you than all the world. (Celiais perplexed.) As soon as I read the announcement in the "Times" this morning--I felt that I must come to you at once.
Celia. (Pause) The announcement!--in the "Times"! (She is startled. Stares atSmith.)
Smith. Of the death of Colonel Smith.
(Celiais amazed; turns away quickly.)
Celia. You will forgive me, I am sure, Colonel Vavasour, but the news of my loss is so recent that you will understand my reluctance to discuss it with a stranger. (She moves up toward morning room as though to exit.)
Smith. Don't go, please. (Celiaturns back.) It was your sister who took the card which introduces me. (He takes up card from tableL.) See!
(CeliaadvancesL.of tableR.and takes card.)
Celia. "Colonel Smith." But there wasn't any--Imean(Sits in chair.) Colonel Vavasour, I am a little overwhelmed.
Smith. (Sympathetically) I was afraid you would be.
Celia. (Staring at card) Colonel Smith!
Smith. I bring to you his last dying message.
Celia. You--knew--him!
Smith. (Comes to her) Turn that card over and read the last words written by his failing hand.
(Celiaturns card over.)
Celia. "Good-bye."
Smith. Yes. (Sniffs. Very sadly) "Good-bye."
Celia. "Be kind to--my friend----"
Smith. "James Nugent----"
Celia. "Vavasour----"
Smith. Col. Smith was my dearest friend. And knowing myself as I do, I can safely say that no one else will ever take his place in my affections.
Celia. How extraordinary---- (Smithlooks at her.) I mean--how very unselfish of you.
Smith. Ah, yes. He compelled one's love.Ican appreciate possibly better than any one else how great must be your grief. (Celiaagrees mournfully and regards him with ludicrous suspicion. Goes to tableL.and sitsL.of it) Before coming here, I went to see his dear old people. He had never told them of his engagement, but he was always secretive.
Celia. Yes, very secretive.
Smith. His dear little Aunt Mary was very fond of him.
Celia. Oh! Little Aunt Mary!
Smith. And when I told her of your engagement, she was most anxious to meet you.
Celia. Yes, that would be very delightful--but not just yet, please--not just yet.
Smith. Not just yet, of course not just yet. But possibly when time has reconciled you to your loss. She expressed the hope that some day--but not just yet, of course, you and she might journey together to Somaliland with a wreath.
Celia. Yes. (Choking and turning away her head.) That's a very sweet idea. We might go out for the Xmas holidays.
Smith. Oh, I know. I can gauge, Miss Faraday, the measure of your grief by my own. But there is just one alleviation which I am very glad to bring to you.
Celia. What is that, please?
Smith. When Colonel Smith died--of wounds--at Berbera, he died without any pain.
Celia. (Rising, alarmed) It is very good of you, Colonel Vavasour, to have come all the way from London to tell me this. (Starts as if to exit, holding out her hand toSmith.)
(Smithalso rises, takes her hand and detains herC.)
Smith. This--and more. I was with him at the last. How well I remember the scene. He used to lie on his sick bed-gazing across the thatched roofs of Berbera to the Arab dhows riding at their anchors in the sea. (She turns awayR.) And he gave into my hands a few small things to bring you. (Celiaturns away, horrified.) Trifles which he habitually wore. Here are a few of them. (Brings out packages containing watch and pin from pockets.)
Celia. Heavens!! No!--I couldn't think of taking them.
Smith. (In surprise, holding them towardsCelia) They were Smith's, and you couldn'ttakethem! Ah, I understand. You had quarreled. (Puts things into pockets.)
Celia. No, weneverquarreled. There was never one harsh word spoken by me to him or by him to me.
Smith. (L.C.Standing) Then why refuse his gifts?
Celia. (Goes to tableR.At a loss) Well--you see--he had never given me anything.
Smith. (Suddenly smiles and brings out parcels again) How like Smith! How very like him! Even he had his failings. But we, who knew him so well, can afford to speak of them frankly.
Celia. I don't think you understand, Colonel Vavasour. Gifts would have been impossible in such an engagement as that which existed between him and me.
Smith. (Severely) Let Smith be the judge of that. (Goes a step toward her) Perhaps he is in this room now watching you refuse his gifts. (CeliamovesR.,uneasily looking back over her shoulder. Sternly) Watching you with the pain he didn't feel when he died of wounds at Berbera. (He follows her and forces her to take the watch. She gingerly takes it and unwraps it, letting the watch fall out and hang by the chain, which she holds. It is a large, heavy gold watch of the "turnip" variety.) His watch and chain. (She lifts it up and down to show its weight.) He bids you wear it always on your bosom. (She recoils. Pleadingly) To please Smith, whom we both loved. (She looks helplessly about for a moment and then, in essaying to hang the watch about her neck, it slips and falls down inside her dress. They turn away from each other with varying emotions. Turning back) By Jove! I say that's ripping of you.
Celia. I beg your pardon, sir!
Smith. (Solemnly) I am thanking you in my dead comrade's name, my dearest friend. (Bows his head.)
Celia. (Crossing him toL.) Oh, I didn't understand.
Smith. (Unwraps second parcel and follows her across the stage) With this, Smith pinned his tie--a curious jewel. He was very fond of it. I trust you will treasure it. (Celiatries to refuse pin, butSmithforces it upon her. Goes through and empties all his pockets, offering cigarette case, knife, keys, etc.) And here I have a few more things.
Celia. (With a gesture of horror, retreats up stage to card room) No, no, no, no, please! I don't want them. I----
(Tarverenters through morning room in dinner jacket. He shows surprise at seeingSmith.Smithreplaces articles in his pockets.)
Tarver. (At doorR.) Oh, I am so sorry. I didn't know you were engaged. I think I left my election speech somewhere.
Celia. (Eagerly coming downC.) That's quite all right, Bobby. We have finished our business. Good-bye, Colonel Vavasour. It is extremely kind of you to have taken all this trouble for a stranger. (Crosses downR.as though to exit.)
(Tarvercrosses to cabinetL.and gets his speech.)
Smith. (FollowsCeliatoL.C.) But I haven't delivered a single word of the message I am pledged to deliver.
Tarver. (Picks up speech and comes downL.of table toL.ofSmith) I'm just going.
Smith. Don't let me drive you away, Mr.--Mr.---- (Looks toCeliato introduce him toTarver.)
(Celiahas turned and walked up stage.)
Tarver. Oh, my name is Tarver.
Smith. And mine is Nugent Vavasour. How do you do? I am delighted to make your acquaintance. (Shakes hands with him warmly.) I have just met Miss Phyllis Faraday.
Tarver. Oh, have you?
Smith. Yes. I am just back from Somaliland.
Tarver. Are you? I say! I don't suppose you could stay a little longer and help me with my election, could you?
(Celia,in alarm, rushes to head of table and seizes railway guide.)
Smith. (Enthusiastically) Of course I could, my dear fellow. Why didn't you mention it before?
Tarver. Well, I haven't waitedverylong.
Celia. (Looking at railway guide) Bobby, we couldn't think of making such a demand upon Colonel Vavasour's time.
Tarver. Well, it's touch and go with me, you know.
Smith. And I know a great deal about elections.
Tarver. (ToCelia) There!
Smith. Yes. I was once on the Committee of a Club.
(Tarverlooks puzzled.)
Celia. (Looking at guide. Firmly) There's an excellent train leaving at eight-thirty. (Lays down guide, pushes chair aside and walks downR.C.between chair and table.)
Smith. I shall be most happy if I can catch it, but I should be false to my friend if I went without delivering his last dying message.
Tarver. You can't deliver it to-night, for Celia is going out to a dinner party.
(CeliagivesBobbya swift, furious glance behindSmith'sback.)
Smith. (Shocked) To a dinner party?
Tarver. Why, yes, and on to a concert afterwards.
Celia. (With great dignity) It's a classical concert. (Pause.) By the local Philharmonic Society, and Admiral Grice, with whom we are all dining, is the most important person in the constituency.
Smith. (Sternly) So you are all going out to enjoy yourselves.
Tarver. (CrossingR.and up stage) Oh,theyare. Phyllis and I for once are going to stay at home and dine quietly.
Smith. (Turns towardTarverand stops him at door) But is it wise for you, Mr. Tarver, to stay at home at this very critical time? I should have thought, knowing as much as I do about elections, that it was bad policy to offend so important a person as Admiral Grice.
Tarver. (In doorway) Oh, that's all right. Celia can twist him around her little finger. He simply worships----
(Celia,who has made a ball of the tissue paper on the table, throws it atBobby,who exits hurriedly withoutSmith'sseeing this.)
Smith. (Sternly. Going to her) You never loved him.
Celia. (Indignantly. MovingR.) Oh!
Smith. On the evening of the very day which brings you news of his decease, you are dressed to conquer and allure.
Celia. (More indignant) Colonel Vavasour!
Smith. You know as well as I do how at all times Smith disapproved of a decollete gown. Born and brought up in a rigid and unbending family, he never quite emancipated himself from the principles of Calvinism. You know that? (He waits for her to answer.)
Celia. (Weakly. Sinks on stool at bottom of sofa) Yes.
Smith. (Looks at her) And it's not even black--! A dinner party with an amorous Admiral. After the dinner party, the wildest gaieties! (GoesL.)
Celia. Do you call a classical concert by the local Philharmonic Society "the wildest gaiety"? You never heard one.
Smith. (Reproachfully. Coming back toCelia) You know what a low opinion Smith had of all forms of music. Dangerously sensuous. How often have I heard him breathe those words when the regimental band struck up the tune of "Auld Lang Syne." (She rises; goesR.) You never loved him. Give me back the watch and chain.
Celia. (Confused) I can't---- You utterly fail to understand the situation, Colonel Vavasour. All the help that any of us can give is needed at this election. To-night is particularly important. The two candidates are to meet on neutral ground.
Smith. Then certainly Mr. Tarver ought to go--not you.
Celia. But I ask you, would Colonel Smith have wished me at a time like this to shut myself alone In my room with nothing but his memory for my companion?
Smith. He'd have loved it.
Faraday. (Entering through morning room in evening dress, carrying coat and hat) Ready, Celia, ready! (CeliaandSmithseparate,Smithgoing wellL.Faradayputs coat and hat on piano stool and comes downC.) Aren't the others down yet?
Celia. Father, this is Colonel Vavasour.
Faraday. How do you do? (They shake hands.)
Smith. How do you do? I have just returned from Somaliland.
Faraday. Oh! Then you knew----
(Smithnods; drops his head.)
Smith. My dearest friend.
Faraday. Poor fellow! Poor fellow! (Smithlooks up.) Oh, not for that reason--not for that reason, of course. (Lady Trenchard,MadgeandPhyllisenter, in evening dress, followed byTarver.) My daughters, Colonel Vavasour. We are only waiting for your aunt now.