Part 19 (1/2)

(TARVER _enters through morning room in dinner jacket. He shows surprise at seeing_ SMITH. SMITH _replaces articles in his pockets_.)

TARVER. (_At door_ R.) Oh, I am so sorry. I didn't know you were engaged. I think I left my election speech somewhere.

CELIA. (_Eagerly coming down_ C.) 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 down_ R. _as though to exit_.)

(TARVER _crosses to cabinet_ L. _and gets his speech_.)

SMITH. (_Follows_ CELIA _to_ L.C.) But I haven't delivered a single word of the message I am pledged to deliver.

TARVER. (_Picks up speech and comes down_ L. _of table to_ L. _of_ SMITH) I'm just going.

SMITH. Don't let me drive you away, Mr.--Mr.---- (_Looks to_ CELIA _to introduce him to_ TARVER.)

(CELIA _has 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 waited _very_ long.

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. (_To_ CELIA) There!

SMITH. Yes. I was once on the Committee of a Club.

(TARVER _looks puzzled_.)

CELIA. (_Looking at guide. Firmly_) There's an excellent train leaving at eight-thirty. (_Lays down guide, pushes chair aside and walks down_ R.C. _between chair and table_.)