Part 30 (1/2)

(_Enter_ CELIA _with box supposed to contain love letters and small box supposed to contain watch and pin. She closes the door and deliberately disregards open doors at back_.)

CELIA. (_Keeping her eyes fixed on her box of letters, crosses_ C.

_below table_) I'm back, Aunty dear. I wasn't very long, was I? I've got my box of love letters. (_Holds out box and looks at it ruefully_) Well, they will go into the furnace with my own hands. (_Places box right of her on table_.) And his watch and his pin, infamous things, he'll have those back and a letter with them, that I hope will burn without going into the furnace. (CELIA _goes to desk and takes up a piece of paper as if to write_) Tell me, dear. Did Wilson telephone?

SMITH. (_Who has appeared at back from_ R.) Yes, Miss Faraday, he did.

(CELIA _drops the paper from her hand, turns slowly around, sees open doors, walks deliberately to screen and looks over it, her back to the audience. She turns around, her face expressing chagrin and annoyance at_ AUNT IDA'S _failing her_.) Mayn't I come into the room and speak to you?

CELIA. Certainly not. (_Goes and viciously seizes her coat from chair and begins to put it on_.)

SMITH. (_Coming into the room just the same and coming down above her on the_ R.) You told me, I know, there was nothing more to say but good-bye and I'll say that too, if I must. But first, there is something else to say and I'd much rather _say_ it than write it.

CELIA. Mo, whatever you do, don't write--don't write me anything. I dislike letters intensely and just at present they seem to be a drug on the market. (_Picks up her bag and veil_.)

SMITH. But there is something I _must_ say to you before you go.

CELIA. How do you know I'm going anywhere?

SMITH. (_Looks down at her bag and smiles_) Well? (CELIA _swings bag to other side of her_.) Besides, I overheard Wilson's message.

CELIA. Oh, you did. Well, then perhaps you will be good enough to realize that I'm in something of a hurry. You will find your jewelry there on the desk.

SMITH. Won't you sit down for five minutes?

(_READY Horn_.)

CELIA. Certainly not.

SMITH. Just five!

CELIA. No.

SMITH. If you don't, upon my word, I shall begin to believe that you are afraid of me.

CELIA. (_Sits quickly with her back to the audience_ L. _of table_) Indeed! That wouldn't be your _first_ mistake, you know.

SMITH. I know it was a foolish trick. I had no right to come here as I did.

CELIA. It was a cruel joke.

SMITH. (_Simply and feelingly_) Yes, but a joke that is more on me now than it ever was on you. (_Motor horn toots three times_. CELIA _turns her head in the direction of the conservatory_.) I want you to know that my name really is Vavasour.

CELIA. You astonish me. Isn't it anything else too?

SMITH. Yes, it's really J. N. Smith, too.

CELIA. Oh! Is that all?

SMITH. No, more. Now that I have come in to my Uncle Vavasour's old Abbey, I have to take his name legally, Smith-Vavasour, don't you see?