(Phyllisswitches off light and thenEvelynputs out lamp in the morning room as they exit chatting. The room is lighted now only by the firelight and light in card room. As soon as the stage is clear,Celiaenters cautiously. She goes to tableR.,looks for large envelope, finds it and throws it quickly into the fire, not looking at its contents. She stands thinking a moment, then goes to tableL.,looks at book rack, snatches out army list, crosses and, after making sure that it is the army list by looking at it in the firelight, throws it into the fire.Note:The electrician should at this point flash on and off a thirty-two amber lamp in the fireplace to give the impression of the burning of the envelope and army list thatCeliahas thrown into the fire.Aunt Ida,who has remained out of sight in the card room, enters asCeliacrosses to fire with book.)
Aunt Ida. Why, Celia.
Celia. (Turns around, startled. Goes to light switch upR.and turns on lights) Oh, it's you, Aunt Ida.
Aunt Ida. (Comes down and crosses to center and sees book in flames) Celia, what was that?
Celia. (Sitting on fender and swinging her foot) That? The army list.
Aunt Ida. The army list? And you burned it? Celia!
Celia. Well, Aunt Ida.
Aunt Ida. (Beside chairL.of tableR.In low voice, almost tearfully) Celia, darling, have you been doing something--foolish? (Celialaughs.) Is there--is there--anything peculiar about--Colonel Smith?
Celia. (Smiling) What would you call--peculiar, Aunt Ida?
Aunt Ida. (With great gentleness, but evidently distressed) Forgive me, dearest. It is--is there anything about Colonel Smith you don't want the family to know?
Celia. Yes. (Going toAunt Idaabove chairR.Laughs) There is--something--about Colonel Smith--I don't want the family to know. (Laughs.)
Aunt Ida. Why, isn't he--what you said?
Celia. (Looking atAunt Idaand laughing) He is not.
Aunt Ida. (Timidly) No--?
Celia. He is--not!! (Celia,above chairR.,swingsAunt Idainto it.)
Aunt Ida. Mercy, child! Don't drive me crazy! He is not--not what?
Celia. Not at all. (Looks atAunt Idaand begins to laugh irrepressibly.)
Aunt Ida. Celia!
Celia. (Bends aboveAunt Ida,putting her arms about her from back and kissing her neck) Hush--listen, dear---- Will you swear you won't betray me?
Aunt Ida. But--Celia!
Celia. Will you promise, Aunt Ida? I know I can trust you if you will only really promise never to breathe a word of what I am going to tell you to any living being?
Aunt Ida. Well--but--I am not sure.
Celia. Oh, very well, then--if you don't want to (Crosses to chairR.of tableL.and sits.)
Aunt Ida. No, no, Celia, I promise. There now, I have promised.
Celia. Very well, then. (Slowly and emphatically) There--isn't--any--Colonel Smith.
Aunt Ida. (Helplessly) There--isn't--any--Colonel?
Celia. None.
Aunt Ida. Then who is he?
Celia. Heisn't. I invented him.
Aunt Ida. (Rising) But, Celia--your engagement?
Celia. Well, naturally I invented that too.
Aunt Ida. Celia Faraday, you are not telling the truth.
Celia. (Shaking her head) No.
Aunt Ida. (Going towardsCelia) You are deceiving everybody.
Celia. Yes.
Aunt Ida. You are being frightfully immoral.
Celia. Yes.
Aunt Ida. (Startled) And how on earth are you going to keep them from finding out?
Celia. (TakingAunt Ida'shand) Well, first of all, dear, a regiment did sail for Somaliland this morning.
Aunt Ida. Yes, but regiments sail back.
Celia. Wobbles won't.
Aunt Ida. Wobbles?
Celia. (Laughing to herself) Isn't that a heavenly name, Aunt Ida,--Wobbles?
Aunt Ida. (Turning away fromCeliareprovingly) Celia!
Celia. (Still seated, throwing out her arms with a big gesture) Oh, the difference that dear, dear man is going to make in my life. Oh, the difference.
Aunt Ida. (Going back toCeliaand putting her hand on her shoulder) Oh, my dearest child. Do give up this mad scheme and come back with me and be happy in Chicago.
Celia. Oh, I couldn't give it up now. It's going to be too much fun. Now be a dear and stand by me through this and then I'll go to Chicago and stay there forever, but first let me have this one mad experience, do let me enjoy my blushing triumph as a brave and absent soldier's adored fiancée. (Crosses to tableR.and straightens writing things.) Do you know, Aunt Ida, I just loved writing that first love letter to him just now.
Aunt Ida. But Celia, your letter!!!
Celia. That is all right, dear. I burned that. Do you know what I am going to do, Aunt Ida? (Suddenly throwing herself in chairL.of tableR.)
Aunt Ida. What?
Celia. I am going to make it a point now to shut myself alone in my room every afternoon for hours--let someone else look after the house and the servants while I correspond with Wobbles. (Aunt Idalaughs.) I am going to give myself a chance at last. I'm going to do all sorts of wonderful things.
Aunt Ida. (DownC.) What?
Celia. (Rising and coming to her) I don't know what, but I'm going to do them. One day I'll wear a haunted look in my eye as I gaze sadly toward Somaliland. I wonder where it is. (Looks around.) The next, I'll have a merry laugh or else a mocking smile. By day, I'll wander through the woods and think of him. By night, I'll sit before the fire and dream of him.
Aunt Ida. Celia! Celia!
Celia. Oh, I know I'll be a perfect fool, but I'll be the only one who will know it, and if one little fib can turn this household upside down, I am going to keep it there now just as long as it pleases me. (Saunters right.)
Aunt Ida. (Frightened) Celia, suppose you are found out!
Celia. (Coming backC.) Now, what should I do? My heroic Wobbles--my beloved Colonel Smith will die--in Somaliland. (Going to magazine table, gets calendar, comes downC.toAunt Idaand runs over leaves.) Now, let me see when--when will he die? (Stop's at a leaf.) On October 11th. There, now, it is all arranged. (She replaces calendar on table.) After eight brief months of the most perfect understanding, I shall lose--Wobbles. After eight months, I'll write out a notice of his death andyouwill send it to the Times.
Aunt Ida. (Slowly) ToThe Times?I?
Celia. Yes.
Aunt Ida. Never. (SitsR.of tableL.)
Celia. What? Not if I promise to go with you to Chicago? (Aunt Idashakes her head.) And you know how much you always wanted me to do that. Oh, yes, you will, Aunt Ida. (Goes to her.) I'll buy the tickets to-morrow. You shall have the very nicest cabin on the whole ship. On October 11th we will kill off the Colonel and the very next day we will sail away, we'll sail away. (CrossesR.gayly.)
Aunt Ida. I tell you, I will not help you. It's too immoral.
Celia. Oh, very well, then. Have I, or have I not, proved now that I can help myself?
Aunt Ida. (Rising and comingC.Half angry, half laughing) Are you, or are you not, ashamed of yourself, Celia Faraday?
Celia. Ashamed? I? Why, no, not the least little bit in the world. I don't believe I was ever so happy in all my life.
Aunt Ida. Oh, oh!
Celia. It's all very well, dear, for you to "Oh, oh!" at me, but I ask you, Aunt Ida, have you ever been pitied and patronized as I was here to-night, as I have been all these years, and looked upon as old and ugly and dowdy and dull?
Aunt Ida. (Sympathetically) Not that, Celia, not that.
Celia. Oh, don't think I don't know those things about myself. I do, but I don't like to hear them all the time, just the same. Have you ever been a wall-flower at every ball you have gone to, while all the other girls danced and had a perfectly lovely time? Haveyouever been seated next to theoldest,deafestmembers of the community at every dinner party you have gone to? Positively, Aunt Ida, I've grown so now that I can't talk at a dinner party except through an ear trumpet. (GoesR.and then returns.) And, if that Tarver creature or a Jim Raleigh or that old fossil of an Admiral or any other mortal trouser-wearing remnant of humanity had ever condescended to propose to me, there isn't a man or woman in this entire household, beginning with Martin and the boot boy, who wouldn't respect me and treat me quite differently in consequence.
Aunt Ida. Yes, I know it.
Celia. Oh, don'tIknow it?
Aunt Ida. Yes, it has been pretty well rubbed in.
Celia. Yes, I should say it has. Well, it has just been rubbed in so hard to-night that, as Phyllis would say, the straw has broken the worm's back and the worm has turned at last. Never, never, never again will I be content to be what I have been all these years. "Good old Celia." (WalkingR.) Yes, "Nice old thing." (Walking toC.) Celia who doesn't want things and Celia who looks after things and Celia who doesn't mind things and Celia who attends to things. Well, Celia who attends to things is dead. Now everything attends to Celia. (Warn curtain. From now on, gay and laughing and walking to and fro across stage withAunt Idaslowly, her arm aroundAunt Ida'swaist.) When the day begins and Father shouts, "God bless my soul, what's the matter with this coffee?" (Turns right) I'll be upstairs in bed, drinking chocolate. And then, when the evening comes and Martin says, "Beg pardon, Miss, but the whiskey is out," I'll say, "I don't care. Colonel Smith doesn't drink." (TurnsL.) Instead of keeping house accounts, I'm going to write my love letters, and instead of ordering groceries, I'm going to order frocks, and wait until you see the frocks I'm going to order. (They stop walking.) I'm going to be a blazing dream. I'll be younger than the youngest of them, gayer than the gayest, and what do I care now what any of them say or do or think about me? I'll wear just as many green stockings as they wish at as many weddings as they please, and I'll laugh and I'll sing and I'll dance them into holes, because why? Well, I'll have a sweetheart ofmy own, don't you see? I'll be the lady love of--Wobbles. (Waves her handkerchief in the air and she andAunt Idaembrace, laughing heartily.)
(Running time, thirty to thirty-five minutes, depending on laughs.)
Scene:Same as Act I.There is a slight rearrangement of furniture and addition of properties. Table and chairsL.C.,moved twelve inches nearer center. Armchair put left of table and plain chair right of table. The lamp has been moved from table to top of cabinetL.,making room for teatray laid for five people. Also on the tray is a plate containing plum cake, a three-shelf muffin-stand or curate, containing cakes and sandwiches, is placed below cabinet. Sewing bag, purse and army list have been removed. Throat spray forPhyllisbehind vase on tableR.A medicine bottle in room offR.Embroidery on tableR.forPhyllis.Election speech (a roll of foolscap paper) on cabinetL.forTarver.Waste-paper basket removed. The curtains are drawn closer than in Act I and card table has been folded and placed against backing and chairs distributed against backing of card room. The ladies are in afternoon house dress andFaradayin frock or morning coat. All the flowers are changed and autumn varieties replace those of spring. It is eight months later in the late afternoon. Halfway through the act, it grows darker and lights are required, though lights are full up to commence.
As the curtain rises,Phyllisis seated on sofaR.,doing some embroidery.Evelynis toying with a book, seatedL.of tableR.Madgeis at the head of the tea table, pouring tea.Faradaystands to left of table.
Faraday. (Running over the books in book slide) Where is that army list? It's a great nuisance, not a sign of the army list. The army list has disappeared again. I wanted to write to General Partington this morning and I couldn't find out whether he was a K. C. B. or a K. C. S. I.
(Aunt Idaenters through card room in outdoor dress and comes directly downL.C.She should show signs of nervous apprehension all through the opening of the Act.)
Madge. Tea, Aunt Ida?
Aunt Ida. Please. (Nervously) What's the matter, William?
Faraday. The army list has disappeared again. I haven't seen one for months. Phyllis, will you ask Celia to order another new one? (Sits left.)PhyllisI do, Father, every time, but Celia always forgets it.
Aunt Ida. (Sits on edge of chairR.of tableL.On tenter hooks) Has the Times come yet?
Faraday. No.
Aunt Ida. It's very late.
Faraday. (Getting up and getting muffin-stand from below cabinet, setting it between his knees) It is always very late. I eat much too much tea every day, waiting for that Times. It's not good for me. (Selects a big muffin from stand.)
Evelyn. But, Father, couldn't you make up your mind to restrain yourself?
(EnterMartinthrough card room.)
Faraday. I can make up my mind all right, but I can't restrain myself. (Bites into the muffin.)
Martin. (Announcing) Admiral Grice.
(EnterGricethrough card room.Martincomes downL.of table to door.Gricecomes down to table.)
Faraday. How do you do, Grice? Have some tea.
(All greetAdmiralin casual tones.)
Grice. Thanks.
(Madgepours him a cup of tea. He takes it and crosses and shakes hands withLady TrenchardandPhyllis,then goes and stands below fender.)
Faraday. (StoppingMartinat doorL.) And Martin, see that another army list is bought. Send in to Lumley at once.
Martin.Anotherarmy list, sir? Yes, sir. (ExitL.IE.)
Grice. (In an injured tone) Celia is not here!
Phyllis. She has gone to see old Wilson, young Wilson's father. There is a rumor that he's wavering.
Faraday.Wavering!Wilson?He has some influence, too. I do hate a station master who can't stick to his political principles.
Grice. What's Wilson's trouble?
Evelyn. Compulsory vaccination. He can't spell it, so he's against it.
Grice. Silly ass! Well, if anyone can settle him, it will beCelia.
Phyllis. Yes, isn't she splendid? I believe Celia could makeanybodydoanything.
Aunt Ida. Have you just discovered that?
Grice. I don't think that's much of a discovery.
Aunt Ida. Nor I.
Madge. Yes, but Aunt Ida, you never really knew Celia before.
Aunt Ida. Before what?
Madge. (Enthusiastically) Before she was engaged. Before she let herself go, before she showed us all theCeliaishnessofCelia.
Grice. There isn't a finer girl in England. (Puts teacup on mantel.) No, nor a finer dinner than the one I'm giving her to-night.
(EnterTarverL.I,elaborately dressed and spattered with mud. He leans against jamb of door weakly. Everyone butAunt Idastarts in surprise at sight ofTarver.Note:Aunt Idadoes not participate in this scene, being wholly engrossed in the matter of the Times.)
Phyllis. (Starting up, goes towardTarvera few steps) Bobby!!!!
Tarver. (Leaning weakly against door) I'm dead to the world.
Evelyn. What has happened?
Tarver. The most awful thing.
Phyllis. It was that dreadful ordeal of laying the corner stone, I suppose.
Grice. (Contemptuously) They asked you to lay a corner stone?
Tarver. They had to have apersonage.
Omnes. A personage!
Tarver. You see, the beastly ground was full of puddles and, just as I stepped forward with a trowel in my hand, I slipped, and----
Grice. And sat down in one of them, I suppose.
Tarver. That's exactly what I did do. Oh! How they all yelled. (All laugh,Admiralloudest. ComingC.and limping) It's all very well for you to laugh, Admiral, but that puddle may cost us the seat.
Faraday. Tarver!
Grice. Tarver! Bring a trowel and a pail of mortar to my garden to-morrow morning at eleven o'clock sharp. I'll teach youhowto lay a corner stone. (Gets his cup, goes up and crosses above sofa to teatable, and puts his cup down.)
(PhylliscomesC.toTarver.)
Tarver. Oh, Phyllis, where are my voice lozenges?
Phyllis. (Taking his arm sympathetically) They're all gone, Bobby, but Celia said she would fetch you some.
Tarver. That's kind of her. My throat's awful. Where's the spray?
(Phyllisruns up and around toR.of sofa, getting spray.Tarversits on stool below sofa andPhylliscomes down toR.of him.)
Phyllis. (Spraying his throat) Never mind, Bobby, there are only ten days more.
Tarver. (Chokes) I don't think I can last out the ten days. When that bench broke last night in the middle of my speech, I really thought it was my nervous system gone at last.
Grice. (Thunderously. ComingC.) Tarver!
Tarver. (Jumps) Oh, Admiral, don't speak to me like that or I shall cry.
(Phyllissits on foot of sofa, her arm onTarver'sshoulder.)
Grice, You made a mistake last night. Canada is not to the north of Alaska.
Tarver. Did I say it was? (Phyllisshakes her head. Looks towardPhyllis) Oh, how awful!
Grice. Tarver, you are dining with me to-night.
Tarver. Yes, sir.
Grice. Bring your Atlas. We will go slowly through the countries of the world in my study afterwards.
Phyllis. (Rises quickly) Oh, but you can't, Admiral. There's the Philharmonic concert after your dinner party, and we all have to go to it.
Tarver. Yes, and myopponentis going to be there.
Phyllis. If Bobby were late, it would produce a bad impression.
Grice. Then come before dinner.
Tarver. (Rising) But, Admiral, I haven't written a word of my election speech yet except "Gentlemen" and that's alie.
Grice. (Threateningly) Tarver! Wilson is not the only elector in the Lumley division who is wavering.
Phyllis. (Starts) Oh, Admiral!
Faraday. (SeatedL.) You, Grice, you?
Phyllis. Oh, you couldn't voteagainst Bobby!
Grice. Perhaps not, but I might try.
Tarver. Oh! I'll bring my Atlas! (Speaks despairingly. Turns upR.,looking for tonic.)
Phyllis. (Running toAdmiral) Oh, yes, Bobby will be delighted to bring his Atlas.
Grice. Bobby will be delighted totake awayhis Atlas. (MartinentersL.Iwith copy of the "London Times" and a small folded periodical on salver.) Tarver, geography, eight o'clock sharp. Dinner, eight fifteen. (Turns to table.)
Martin. The Times, sir.
Faraday. At last.
Grice. Ah, the Times!
Aunt Ida. (Rising in alarm and backing up stage from chair.Gricetakes her place in chair.) Oh, the Times, the Times!
Tarver. Oh, Phyllis, where is that bottle of Guy's tonic?
Phyllis. It is out here, Bobby. (Exit in the morning room.)
Tarver. (Following her) Thanks awfully. I needed it badly.
(Madgetakes periodical and begins to read.Faradaytakes the outer sheet of the Times, pulls it off, and throws it across table. It falls to floorR.of table.Gricestoops to pick it up.Evelyntakes it from his hand as he rises, saying, "Thank you, Admiral."Gricelooks at her disgustedly and sits twiddling his thumbs.Note:The outer sheets of the Times must be stuck together in order to have them fall properly.Note: The birth, marriage and death column of the Times is in the upper left hand corner of the first page.Evelyn,MadgeandFaradayhave become absorbed in their papers.Gricelooks about him and then, exasperated, seizes a book and sitsR.of tableL.,reading it.)
Faraday. (After a pause) I never saw a paper like this. (Strikes paper with back of his hand.) There is absolutely nothing in this paper.
(TarverandPhyllisre-enter, go to fender and sit.Tarverhas had his clothes brushed.)
Grice. I never saw a paper with anything in it. (Pause.) How about the bye-elections?
Faraday. (Grunting, absorbed in his paper) Huh! (Long pause.)
Evelyn. (Reading front page) Oh, Madge, Elsie Hardiman is engaged.
Madge. Not really?
Aunt Ida. (From up stage, comes slightlyR.C.Uneasily and anxiously watchingEvelyn) Isn't there--isn't there any other news, Evelyn?
Evelyn. No, dear.
Aunt Ida. Anybody married?
Evelyn. No one we know.
Aunt Ida. (With a forced attempt at cheerfulness) Or dead?
Evelyn. (Absently. Looking over paper) No, dear. Ab--so--lutely noth---- (Her eye suddenly lights onSmith'sdeath notice. She reads it in pantomime. A look of horror comes over her face and she utters a shrill scream.)
(All rise hastily with exclamations.)
Faraday. (Jumping to his feet) God bless my soul! What's the matter, what's the matter?
Tarver. Great Scott! What's the matter?
Madge. Whatisthe matter, Evelyn?
Grice. (Coming center) Really, Lady Trenchard, you ought not to startle people like that. It's selfish. (Goes to her, takes paper from her limp hand and comes down stage.) What's the news, eh?
Faraday. (Taking paper fromGricewith importance, and crossingL.)I'lltell you.
Evelyn. (In hushed whisper) Father, the deaths, the deaths!
(During the following scene,Griceis fairly dancing with impatience.)
Faraday. (Reads death notice and sits heavily extremeL.with a sigh) Poor girl!
Madge. (From above table) Father.
(Faradayhands paper toMadge,saying, "Read, read.")
Phyllis. (After a slight pause runs across stage toMadge) What is it, Madge?
Madge. Oh, Phyllis.
Phyllis. (Stands byMadge,takes paper and reads) That does seem cruel, doesn't it?
Grice. Why do people want to keep the news to themselves? (Takes paper away fromPhyllisand comes downC.He reads) Whew! (Stands ruminating) Well, well, well, well! (Holds paper to him.)
Tarver. (Seated in chair below fender. Plaintively) Will somebody kindly tellmewhat's happened?
Grice. Always thinking of yourself, Tarver. (Reads slowly and impressively) "On October the 11th--of wounds--at Berbera, Somaliland--Colonel Smith."
Tarver. (Feeling that he must say something) On October the 11th--that is tough, isn't it?
Faraday. Yes, it's hard. I've been inquiring about rooms at the Club. I didn't expect this.
Phyllis. (At head of table) It's more terribly and cruelly hard on Celia than it would be uponany other woman.
Grice. (Putting paper on table) Why?
Phyllis. Because---- (Breaks off.) Don't you remember the night when she told us of her engagement eight months ago. She said then that her betrothal would make an extraordinary difference in her life.
(READY Doorbell.)
Evelyn. Then she wasn't happy. Now she is.
Madge. And when she is, this blow falls without even a telegram to break the force of it.
Phyllis. It is too horrible. Nothing but an announcement in the Times sent by post.
(Note:The voices in each succeeding line should descend in scale.)
Madge. On October the 11th----
Tarver. Of wounds----
Faraday. At Berbera----
Evelyn. Somaliland----
Grice. Colonel Smith----
Tarver. (Rising and comingL.to stool below table) By Jove! If Celia withdraws from thecontest, I'm done.
(Doorbell rings offL.Tarversits on stool.)
Grice. (Alarmed) Wasn't that the front doorbell?
Madge. (Coming down stage) Who is to break the news to her?
Grice. (Pauses, looks around and suddenly points toTarver)Tarver.
Tarver. (Springs to his feet in horror) Me? No, no. I think it needs a woman's voice. (Waving his hands feebly up and down in front of him) A woman's gentle fingers.
Faraday. God bless my soul! It isn't going to be broken to her in the deaf and dumb alphabet.
Evelyn. Let's leave Father to break the sad news to her.
Faraday. Me! No, no. I might break down. Someone outside the family would have more command over their emotions. Some old, warm-hearted friend. (Pause, whileGriceshows alarm.) Grice, for instance.
Grice.Me!No, no. Ah! I have an idea. (Comes down stage, andFaraday,Madge,EvelynandTarvergather about him,FaradayL.,MadgeL.C.,GriceC.,EvelynR.C.,TarverR.Slowly, seriously and impressively) Let us all break it to her--gently--when she comes into the room. I'll give the signal--one, two, three and then we'll all say together and very gently, "Colonel Smith is dead." (Looks for approval and they all turn away in disgust.)
(Faradaygoes extremeL.,Madgeback to head of tableL.,TarverextremeR.andEvelynto chairR.C.)
Aunt Ida. (Coming down stage) Hadn't you better leave it to me?
(All show tremendous relief.)
Madge. Of course.
Faraday. You are the very person.
Grice. Hush! Now everybody try to be quite calm and natural and act as though nothing whatever had happened. Oh!!! The Times!
(All rush for the Times.Griceseizes outer sheet of Times and looks wildly about for some place to hide it. In desperation, he thrusts it up his coat at the back.Phyllisseizes a sheet, runs up and hides it under piano cover.Madgealso seizes a sheet and hides it behind curtain of card room.GricesitsR.ofL.table. Everyone assumes strained positions with set grins on their faces. EnterCelia, L.Ientrance. She brings with her two small packages wrapped in tissue paper. She is dressed elaborately in outdoor costume and carries a light muff.)
Celia. (Brightly) Good afternoon, everybody.
(All give a short, nervous giggle, pause and then say together, "Good afternoon, Celia"Celiacrosses to chairL.of table.)
Faraday. (Coming downL.ofCelia,offering to take her muff) Allow me, dear.
Celia. (Giving it to him) Oh! Thank you, Father.
(Faradayholds both his hands in muff.Phyllissolicitously takesCelia'sgloves.)
Madge. (In a bereaved tone, offering her a cup of tea) Celia, dear, have some tea?
(Faradaygoes up and around to back, R.C.)
Celia. No, thanks, Madge. I've been having tea with the Duchess. Oh, how do you do, Admiral. (Shaking hands across table withGrice) You don't know how I'm looking forward to your dinner party to-night. (SitsL.of tableL.,unwrapping two small parcels and placing tissue paper on book slide.)
Grice. (Very gloomily) It was a good dinner. I suppose that now----
(Faradaycoughs and all in a strained whisper say, "Admiral!")
Tarver. (Rising and comingC.) Did you manage to catch Wilson? (Tarver'squestion shocks all.)
Phyllis. (Trying to hush him) Bobby!
Evelyn. (In a hoarse whisper) Just at this time, too.
Celia. No, Bobby, he was out; but see what I brought you--some throat lozenges and a box to keep them in.
Tarver. (Comes to her at foot of table and takes boxes from her. Lugubriously) It's awfully good of you to think of me, Celia. (Crosses back toL.C.) Just at this time, too.