(_There is a general bright buzz of conversation, such as "By jove!" "I'll bet it does," "Why, yes, Celia," "Well, I should think it would," "Indeed it will," etc_. FARADAY _goes up to card room with_ EVELYN, GRICE _and_ AUNT IDA. _They resume their bridge game in former positions_. MADGE _catches_ TARVER'S _eye and they join each other up_ R., _evidently talking about_ CELIA'S _engagement_. PHYLLIS _stops on sofa, talking across to_ CELIA, _as_ CELIA _glances over the remaining envelopes and slips them into the large blue envelope, in view of audience_.) RALEIGH. (_To_ STEELE, L.C.) It's obvious that Smith didn't find it difficult. STEELE. (_Who is_ R. _of_ RALEIGH. _Looking thoughtfully at_ CELIA) No, he didn't. Perhaps, we have all been mistaken. You know she isn't so bad looking--if you look long enough. (STEELE _starts to cross to_ CELIA. RALEIGH _stops him and goes over himself_. STEELE _comes back of chair_ L.) RALEIGH. Miss Faraday, _I_ haven't congratulated you yet. I hope you won't go off to Southampton soon again. We all missed you _dreadfully_ when you were away. (STEELE _shows impatience at_ RALEIGH'S _talking to_ CELIA.) CELIA. I'm sure you did. My coming back as I've done seems to have made a _very great difference_. RALEIGH. Oh, _great_. Believe me, _great_. Well, you've every good wish of mine. (_Gushingly extending his hand, which_ CELIA _takes amusedly_.) CELIA. (_Warmly_) I am sure I have, Mr. Raleigh. FARADAY. (_From card room_) Come, Raleigh. RALEIGH. (_Over his shoulder_) But you threw down your cards. FARADAY. Well, I'm going to take them up again. GRICE. (_Impatiently_) Come along, Raleigh! STEELE. (_Triumphantly motions_ RALEIGH _back to card room and eagerly takes his place beside_ CELIA'S _chair_) What Raleigh has just said, I most warmly echo, my dear Miss Faraday. (RALEIGH _returns and takes_ STEELE _by the arm_.) RALEIGH. You are wanted over here, Steele. (CELIA _watches them with amusement_.) STEELE. But I am cut out. RALEIGH. (_Taking_ STEELE _back to card room_) Well, you can cut in again. (STEELE _goes reluctantly back to card room, protesting to_ RALEIGH _and looking back over his shoulder at_ CELIA _as he goes. Those in card room resume former positions and go on with bridge game_.) MADGE. (_Coming down to_ CELIA _and putting her arms around her_) Celia! (TARVER _strolls up to morning room and sits right of table and begins reading again_.) CELIA. Yes. MADGE. The _Indian Mail_ goes out to-night-via Brindisi and Port Said. CELIA. Well? MADGE. _Port Said_. That's where letters to Somaliland will be transferred. (CELIA _is startled_.) PHYLLIS. Oh, of course you must write to him. (_Jumps up, runs up to writing table_ R.C., _brings blotter from table, containing sheets of paper, envelopes, pens and ink, and puts them on magazine table; stands above and to the_ R. _of_ CELIA.)