AUNT IDA. Yes, where is she now, I would like to know? Freezing for an hour on an open wharf in the pouring rain, three miles away, because n.o.body took the trouble to think of her.

MADGE. (_Coming center. Protestingly_) Oh, Aunt Ida, I heard the motor leave not two minutes ago.

AUNT IDA. Yes, just about two hours too late. (MADGE _goes above table and joins girls, who with_ TARVER _are evidently alarmed under_ AUNT IDA'S _attack and express it in a murmur_. TARVER _sits_.) Oh, if only she doesn't get tired of waiting before the motor can get there.

TARVER. (_To girls_) Don't worry. Don't worry. Why should she get tired? It would look like a lack of confidence in you if she stopped waiting.

AUNT IDA. Yes, and Celia is certainly accustomed to waiting for and on every one of you.

GIRLS and TARVER. Now, you know---- Oh, I say.

(MADGE _turns up to piano_.)

AUNT IDA. (_Continuing_) She is a back number. That's your constant suggestion, and because she hasn't found a Jim Raleigh to love her, she is on the shelf--(_Disgustedly_)--a Jim Raleigh.

(TARVER _and_ PHYLLIS _rise and she consoles him_.)

RALEIGH. (_Entering gayly through morning room_) h.e.l.lo, what's that about me? (_Goes directly to_ AUNT IDA. _They turn to table_ L.)

(AUNT IDA _fl.u.s.tered and exclaiming. Immediately following_ RALEIGH _are_ FARADAY, GRICE _and_ STEELE _in the foregoing order. They are chatting and smoking and are all in evening dress_.)

FARADAY. (_Cheerily_) You don't mind, girls, if we bring in our cigars?

MADGE _and_ EVELYN. Not at all, Father.

(FARADAY _crosses immediately to card table and looks it over_.)

GRICE. (_Coming down_ R. _of sofa. Gruffly to_ TARVER) _Tarver_, I want to ask you a question.

TARVER. (_Going reluctantly to him_) Yes, sir.

(PHYLLIS _looks reproachfully at_ GRICE _and sits again in chair_ L.

_of table_ R., _swinging her foot and watching_ TARVER _and_ GRICE.

STEELE _goes to head of sofa and talks with_ LADY TRENCHARD. MADGE _remains by piano, turning over music_. RALEIGH _crosses to left of table, above table, still talking to_ AUNT IDA. _All of this business occurs almost simultaneously and quickly_.)

FARADAY. (_Coming out of card room. Irritably_) Madge, where are those new markers?

MADGE. I don't know, Father. Celia attends to everything.

FARADAY. (_Coming down center. Testily_) Well, G.o.d bless my soul, where is Celia?

(MADGE _gradually comes down_ C., R. _of_ FARADAY.)

AUNT IDA. (_Facing him. Vehemently_) G.o.d bless your soul, William Faraday, down on the wharf in the pouring rain----

FARADAY. What's that?

AUNT IDA. (_Continuing_) Frozen to death by this time.

FARADAY. G.o.d bless my soul!

AUNT IDA. (_Continuing_) For all any one cares.

FARADAY. But I need her. She must be sent for at once.

(_Door opens suddenly_. CELIA, _in dripping oilskins and drenched veil, carrying a soaking wet traveling bag, enters and crosses immediately from_ L.IE. _to_ R.I. _All give start of surprise_.)

OMNES. Celia! Miss Faraday! (_Etc_.)

AUNT IDA. Darling!

MADGE. (_As_ CELIA _gets center. Coming down center_) We did send the motor for you, Celia, only it was too late.

CELIA. (_Pausing at door_) Yes, I know, Madgie, but when I met him, he wouldn't stop. He took me for the fish-monger---- (_Exit quickly_ R.IE.)

FARADAY. Fish-monger! G.o.d bless my soul!

MADGE. (_Idiotically to girls_) She must have walked.

EVELYN _and_ PHYLLIS. Why, yes.

AUNT IDA. Well, she could hardly sleep on the wharf, could she?

GRICE. (_To_ STEELE) What an unfortunate way that poor woman has of doing things that make everyone feel uncomfortable.

STEELE. (_To_ GRICE) Yes, the idea of her walking up here alone in the rain!

EVELYN. (_To girls_) Wherever did she get the clothes?

CELIA. (_Off stage_) Martin, send to the station at once for my hat and coat and return these things to Wilson. He borrowed them from the pilot.

GRICE. Wilson?

EVELYN. (_Patronizingly_) He is the man at the station. _He's_ Celia's slave.