PHYLLIS. (_Dances across to center_) I can be married now. _I_ can be married now. (_Runs across to_ MADGE _and sits on piano stool_.) AUNT IDA. I knew that this would happen. CELIA. Did you, Aunt Ida? (_These last two lines spoken hurriedly and together_.) PHYLLIS. Madge, what do you think? Celia is engaged. MADGE. (_Rises, drops her pen in blank surprise_) _Not really!_ (PHYLLIS _runs to_ BOBBY, _who is on fender, and they sit together, talking excitedly, and looking at_ CELIA.) FARADAY. (_Entering from card room. Testily_) Now then, now then, can't you girls make a little less noise? MADGE. Oh, Father! (_Rushes to him, brings him_ C. _She is_ R. _of him_.) What do you think has happened? Celia is engaged to be married. (_Pauses a moment to listen to ensuing dialogue and then runs up to card room and in dumb show tells others of_ CELIA'S _engagement. They also in pantomime express surprise and incredulity. They come slowly out of card room_.) FARADAY. God--bless--my--soul! (_A broad grin breaks slowly on his face_) Celia--engaged? CELIA. Why, yes, Father, if you have no objection to the prospect of my leaving you. FARADAY. Objection? (_Joyfully_) Why, I'm delighted, my dear girl, delighted. (AUNT IDA _and_ CELIA _exchange glances and_ AUNT IDA, _disgusted at_ FARADAY, _goes up to card room and talks to_ EVELYN.) CELIA. Yes, Father, I thought you would be pleased. FARADAY. Pleased? (_With mock sentiment_) I hope I show a father's feelings when his eldest daughter proposes to--er--desert the home-nest. (_Murmurs up in card room. Reverting to his former attitude of enthusiasm_) And who is he? What's the d-e-a-r fellow's name? Eh, Celia? (EVELYN _comes down extreme left_. RALEIGH, GRICE _and_ STEELE _up_ L.C. AUNT IDA _comes back of chair_, R. _of table_ L. PHYLLIS _kneels on sofa, facing_ CELIA. TARVER _comes and sits in chair below fender_.) MADGE. (_Coming down_ R.C.) Yes, Celia, tell us all about him. Who is he? (_Sits_ L. _of table_ R.) CELIA. (_Standing by chair_ R. _of table_ L. _Slowly_) Well--he is in the army. RALEIGH. (_Quickly to_ STEELE) A soldier, eh? EVELYN. What's his rank? CELIA. He's a cap--a colonel--dear--a colonel. (FARADAY _center_, GRICE _up_ L.C., RALEIGH _and_ STEELE _up_ L.C. EVELYN L. _of table_ L.) FARADAY. Colonel? What's his name? CELIA. (_Pause_) Smith. (_They all show pained surprise_.) FARADAY. Smith? CELIA. Yes, _John_ Smith. FARADAY. Smith--huh-- (_Genially_) Well, of course the dear fellow isn't to be held responsible for that. Eh, Admiral? (_Joins_ AUNT IDA _and_ GRICE _up_ C.) GRICE. (_To_ FARADAY. _Coming down_ R.C.) Miss Faraday _engaged?_ You might knock me down with a feather. My dear, I congratulate yo--_him_, my dear, _him_. CELIA. (_Smiling and shaking hands with_ GRICE) Thank you, Admiral, thank you. RALEIGH. (_Up_ L.C. _to_ STEELE) Engaged! STEELE. By George! (_They contemplate_ CELIA _from a new point of view_.)