Part 6 (2/2)

MADGE. Well, but--Celia-- (_Rises, comes to_ CELIA _and offers hand and pa.s.ses_ CELIA _in front of her to chair_ L. _of table_ R.)

PHYLLIS. Oh, yes, do tell us.

CELIA. (_Sitting_ L. _of table_ R. _Eagerly, to get rid of the questions_) But there is very little to tell.

(RALEIGH _and_ STEELE _drop down_ R.C. EVELYN _joins them_. AUNT IDA _is back of_ CELIA. GRICE _is_ C. MADGE L. _of_ CELIA. FARADAY _drops down behind_ CELIA'S _chair to_ R. _of_ AUNT IDA. _They are new all grouped about_ CELIA'S _chair, except_ TARVER, _who is in chair below fender. They all show smiling interest_.)

CELIA. Well, you see, we had been together in the house all the week--and--er--this morning I was in the garden--alone--and--and he joined me. (_Pause_.) And--er--it was then. (_Covers her--face in mock confusion_.)

(_All laugh sympathetically_.)

PHYLLIS. (_From sofa_) What did he say?

CELIA. (_Looks at_ TARVER _and_ PHYLLIS _and waving toward_ TARVER) Oh, you know.

(_All laugh_.)

PHYLLIS. And--are you _happy?_

CELIA. (_Looking at group bending over her_) Well, I really believe that this change will make a very great difference in my life.

FARADAY. (_Patting_ CELIA _on shoulder_) Well, I hope so, my dear child, I hope so. Now, let's go back and finish our rubber.

(_There is a general bright buzz of conversation, such as ”By jove!”

”I'll bet it does,” ”Why, yes, Celia,” ”Well, I should think it would,” ”Indeed it will,” etc_. FARADAY _goes up to card room with_ EVELYN, GRICE _and_ AUNT IDA. _They resume their bridge game in former positions_. MADGE _catches_ TARVER'S _eye and they join each other up_ R., _evidently talking about_ CELIA'S _engagement_. PHYLLIS _stops on sofa, talking across to_ CELIA, _as_ CELIA _glances over the remaining envelopes and slips them into the large blue envelope, in view of audience_.)

RALEIGH. (_To_ STEELE, L.C.) It's obvious that Smith didn't find it difficult.

STEELE. (_Who is_ R. _of_ RALEIGH. _Looking thoughtfully at_ CELIA) No, he didn't. Perhaps, we have all been mistaken. You know she isn't so bad looking--if you look long enough. (STEELE _starts to cross to_ CELIA. RALEIGH _stops him and goes over himself_. STEELE _comes back of chair_ L.)

RALEIGH. Miss Faraday, _I_ haven't congratulated you yet. I hope you won't go off to Southampton soon again. We all missed you _dreadfully_ when you were away.

(STEELE _shows impatience at_ RALEIGH'S _talking to_ CELIA.)

CELIA. I'm sure you did. My coming back as I've done seems to have made a _very great difference_.

RALEIGH. Oh, _great_. Believe me, _great_. Well, you've every good wish of mine. (_Gus.h.i.+ngly extending his hand, which_ CELIA _takes amusedly_.)

CELIA. (_Warmly_) I am sure I have, Mr. Raleigh.

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