Part 21 (1/2)

(CELIA _comes down_ R. _of sofa_.)

STEELE. I am sure that must be very affecting, but it will be extremely bad for the cause if Miss Faraday stays at home to-night, and this is a time when it doesn't do for any of us to be selfish.

You'll come, won't you, Miss Faraday?

FARADAY, (C.) Certainly not.

SMITH. (R.C.) It would really be almost indecent to press Miss Faraday to go. (SMITH _and_ FARADAY _turn up stage_.)

STEELE. (_Slightly piqued_) Oh, very well. Then as I can't do anything for anyone, I suppose I had better be getting along. (_Exits_ L.IE.

_and leaves door open_.)

RALEIGH. How that fellow Steele does give himself away. Silly a.s.s!

(_Goes_ R. _to_ CELIA.) I must say, Miss Faraday, that I think you are absolutely right to stay away from the Admiral's. The way that old man dogs your footsteps is positively revolting, but--(_With insinuating smile, kneeling on stool below sofa. Fatuously_)--but you might come on to the Philharmonic Concert afterwards. Don't you think so?

(_Laughs idiotically_.) Don't you think so?

CELIA. (_Shaking her head sadly_) Not to-night, Mr. Raleigh. Not to-night. (_Exits_ R.IE.)

RALEIGH. Oh, very well. It's about time for me to be getting along.

(_Crosses quickly to door_ L.) I shall see you all at the Admiral's, (_Exits quickly, closing door_.)

FARADAY. G.o.d bless my soul! I thought he came to give some of us a lift.

MADGE _and_ EVELYN. Why, yes.

(AUNT IDA _enters quickly through morning room and comes down_ R.C., _looking about her_.)

AUNT IDA. (_Gayly_) Hope I am not last.

FARADAY. Well, you are.

(PHYLLIS _and_ TARVER _enter_, TARVER _in evening dress with his hat and overcoat and atlas_. PHYLLIS _with her wraps_. TARVER _goes to head of table_ R. _and studies his atlas_. PHYLLIS _sits on fender_.)

AUNT IDA. (_Looking about and fastening her gloves_) Well, Celia is not down yet.

MADGE. Celia isn't coming.

AUNT IDA. What!

(SMITH _comes down stage to_ L. _of_ AUNT IDA.)

FARADAY. (_Coming down_ L.C. _with_ SMITH) Ida, this is Colonel Vavasour. My sister-in-law, Mrs. Chisholm Faraday. (_To_ SMITH) Who has been, I may say, more than a mother to our poor Celia through all this, more than a mother.