Part 27 (2/2)

(_LIGHTS Up_.)

CELIA. (_Off stage_) Army lists don't burn as suddenly as that, I know. (_At door_) I have burned too many of them. (_Reappears, carrying the partly burned army list in tongs. She comes in blowing at the burning book_) Blow, Aunt Ida, blow! (AUNT IDA _joins her. They both blow to put out the sparks_.) Only the A's are burnt, Aunt Ida, only the A's. (_Goes down_ L. _of table, drops book on table, and hands the tongs to_ AUNT IDA.)

AUNT IDA. (_Waving the tongs_) Only the A's! Ha! Ha! Only the A's!

(_Motor horn is heard off_ R.3.)

CELIA. What's that, Aunt Ida, what's that?

AUNT IDA. It's Mr. Raleigh's motor.

CELIA. (_With an outburst of relief_) Well, then, he's gone, isn't he, he's gone.

AUNT IDA. Yes, he's gone, he's gone!

CELIA. (_Picks up book and runs through it_) V-V-V-V-V-- Vallance--Valpey--Vanderfeldt--Varley--not a Vavasour.

AUNT IDA. Celia!

CELIA. (_Throwing down book_) Not one in the whole army list. No? Not the tiniest little bit of a one.

AUNT IDA. (_Flouris.h.i.+ng tongs more wildly_) Then who is he? What did he come here for?

CELIA. I don't know, but he's gone now, isn't he? _He's gone!_

AUNT IDA. I know he's gone, but what did he come here for? (CELIA _looks at her. A light breaks over her_.) Celia Faraday! That man--had your letter--in his pocket. He told Phyllis he had your letter! I thought it strange! Then Colonel Vavasour isn't Colonel Vavasour.

(_Sits_ R. _of_ C. _table_.)

CELIA. No!

AUNT IDA. _He's Colonel Smith_.

CELIA. Yes.

AUNT IDA. He's----

CELIA. (_In the smallest possible voice_) --Mr. Wobbles! (_Enter_ FARADAY R.IE.) Father, dear, has Colonel Vavasour gone?

FARADAY. No, my dear.

CELIA. What!!!!

FARADAY. I was fortunate enough to catch him at the door.

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