(CELIA _re-enters without oilskins and stands at door_ R. _She is in a simple traveling dress_.)

FARADAY. (_From center of stage_) G.o.d 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 _pa.s.sing_ 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 pa.s.sed_. 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.)

[Ill.u.s.tration: "Green Stockings" _Page 11_]

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. (_To_ FARADAY, _enthusiastically_) Admiral Grice plays a ripping game.

FARADAY. (_Gayly_) Come along, Admiral. Come along.

GRICE. (_Crossing left_. FARADAY _takes him by the arm. They go up to card room together, chatting gayly_) Not bad. Not bad.

(_These last few lines are played very quickly_. CELIA _has remained in chair_ R. _of_ L. _table after_ RALEIGH _has gone to card room_.

AUNT IDA _and_ MADGE _are standing up stage and those who have gone into the card room seat themselves in the following fashion, after the settling of partners in dumb show_: RALEIGH _is seated down stage, his back to the audience_; LADY TRENCHARD _to his right_, FARADAY _to his left, and_ ADMIRAL GRICE _opposite him. They begin their game of bridge_. TARVER _has gone up_ R. _of sofa, getting a cigarette at head of table_. PHYLLIS _throws herself lightly on the sofa on her knees, gathering up_ CELIA'S _letters and flourishing them at her_.)

PHYLLIS. Celia, here are some letters for you.