Part 24 (2/2)

CELIA. (_Turning on him quickly_) I beg your pardon.

SMITH. I mean _did meant_--I mean _did mean_--to good old Smith.

(_Leaning forward with a smile. Moves his chair below table a little closer to hers_.) I say, I've an idea. Let's forget Smith for five minutes and talk of something else.

CELIA. (_Forgetting herself_) Oh, yes! Do let's.

SMITH. What shall we talk about?

CELIA. (_Very engagingly_) You. You have hardly said a word yet about yourself--and--naturally I am interested. (_Speaks with a smile. Face on_ L. _hand_.)

(SMITH _edges toward her, delighted_ R. _elbow on table, face on hand_.)

SMITH. I was born--guess when?

CELIA. Thirty years ago.

SMITH. (_Holding out box_) Have a cigarette?

CELIA. No, thank you. I'd rather not. Do you think Smith would have liked me to smoke?

SMITH. Ah, you see, we can't get away from him. He dominates us.

Living or dead, his imperious nature will not be neglected. He sits at the table here between you and me. (_Designates a spot between them on table_.) To satisfy him, we've got to talk about him.

CELIA. What is there to say?

SMITH. What is there to say! And you've told me nothing about the Smith you knew.

CELIA. (_Surprised_) The Smith I knew? (_Recovering herself_) Oh, yes, of course.

SMITH. Yes--you see I know him only as the soldier--the man of action--the fighting man--but you----

CELIA. But there is nothing to tell.

SMITH. (_Strongly_) You mean there is nothing you wish to tell.

CELIA. (_Defiantly_) Certainly not. What is it you wish to know?

SMITH. Let us compare our pictures--mental, of course--of the man.

(_With solicitude_.)

CELIA. Oh, no--not at all. Not at all.

SMITH. Then you describe Smith as you saw him, and I'll tell you if I agree with you.

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