_There is a slight rearrangement of furniture and addition of properties. Table and chairs_ L.C., _moved twelve inches nearer center. Armchair put left of table and plain chair right of table. The lamp has been moved from table to top of cabinet_ L., _making room for teatray laid for five people. Also on the tray is a plate containing plum cake, a three-shelf muffin-stand or curate, containing cakes and sandwiches, is placed below cabinet. Sewing bag, purse and army list have been removed. Throat spray for_ PHYLLIS _behind vase on table_ R. _A medicine bottle in room off_ R. _Embroidery on table_ R. _for_ PHYLLIS. _Election speech (a roll of foolscap paper) on cabinet_ L. _for_ TARVER. _Waste-paper basket removed. The curtains are drawn closer than in Act I and card table has been folded and placed against backing and chairs distributed against backing of card room. The ladies are in afternoon house dress and_ FARADAY _in frock or morning coat. All the flowers are changed and autumn varieties replace those of spring. It is eight months later in the late afternoon. Halfway through the act, it grows darker and lights are required, though lights are full up to commence_. _As the curtain rises_, PHYLLIS _is seated on sofa_ R., _doing some embroidery_. EVELYN _is toying with a book, seated_ L. _of table_ R. MADGE _is at the head of the tea table, pouring tea_. FARADAY _stands to left of table_. FARADAY. (_Running over the books in book slide_) Where is that army list? It's a great nuisance, not a sign of the army list. The army list has disappeared again. I wanted to write to General Partington this morning and I couldn't find out whether he was a K. C. B. or a K. C. S. I. (AUNT IDA _enters through card room in outdoor dress and comes directly down_ L.C. _She should show signs of nervous apprehension all through the opening of the Act_.) MADGE. Tea, Aunt Ida? AUNT IDA. Please. (_Nervously_) What's the matter, William? FARADAY. The army list has disappeared again. I haven't seen one for months. Phyllis, will you ask Celia to order another new one? (_Sits left_.) PHYLLIS I do, Father, every time, but Celia always forgets it. AUNT IDA. (_Sits on edge of chair_ R. _of table_ L. _On tenter hooks_) Has the Times come yet? FARADAY. No. AUNT IDA. It's very late. FARADAY. (_Getting up and getting muffin-stand from below cabinet, setting it between his knees_) It is always very late. I eat much too much tea every day, waiting for that Times. It's not good for me. (_Selects a big muffin from stand_.) EVELYN. But, Father, couldn't you make up your mind to restrain yourself? (_Enter_ MARTIN _through card room_.) FARADAY. I can make up my mind all right, but I can't restrain myself. (_Bites into the muffin_.) MARTIN. (_Announcing_) Admiral Grice. (_Enter_ GRICE _through card room_. MARTIN _comes down_ L. _of table to door_. GRICE _comes down to table_.) FARADAY. How do you do, Grice? Have some tea.