Part 3 (2/2)

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 fas.h.i.+on, 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 flouris.h.i.+ng them at her_.)

PHYLLIS. Celia, here are some letters for you.

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