SMITH. (_Enthusiastically_) Of course I could, my dear fellow. Why didn't you mention it before? TARVER. Well, I haven't waited _very_ long. CELIA. (_Looking at railway guide_) Bobby, we couldn't think of making such a demand upon Colonel Vavasour's time. TARVER. Well, it's touch and go with me, you know. SMITH. And I know a great deal about elections. TARVER. (_To_ CELIA) There! SMITH. Yes. I was once on the Committee of a Club. (TARVER _looks puzzled_.) CELIA. (_Looking at guide. Firmly_) There's an excellent train leaving at eight-thirty. (_Lays down guide, pushes chair aside and walks down_ R.C. _between chair and table_.) SMITH. I shall be most happy if I can catch it, but I should be false to my friend if I went without delivering his last dying message. TARVER. You can't deliver it to-night, for Celia is going out to a dinner party. (CELIA _gives_ BOBBY _a swift, furious glance behind_ SMITH'S _back_.) SMITH. (_Shocked_) To a dinner party? TARVER. Why, yes, and on to a concert afterwards. CELIA. (_With great dignity_) It's a classical concert. (_Pause_.) By the local Philharmonic Society, and Admiral Grice, with whom we are all dining, is the most important person in the constituency. SMITH. (_Sternly_) So you are all going out to enjoy yourselves. TARVER. (_Crossing_ R. _and up stage_) Oh, _they_ are. Phyllis and I for once are going to stay at home and dine quietly. SMITH. (_Turns toward_ TARVER _and stops him at door_) But is it wise for you, Mr. Tarver, to stay at home at this very critical time? I should have thought, knowing as much as I do about elections, that it was bad policy to offend so important a person as Admiral Grice. TARVER. (_In doorway_) Oh, that's all right. Celia can twist him around her little finger. He simply worships---- (CELIA, _who has made a ball of the tissue paper on the table, throws it at_ BOBBY, _who exits hurriedly without_ SMITH'S _seeing this_.) SMITH. (_Sternly. Going to her_) You never loved him. CELIA. (_Indignantly. Moving_ R.) Oh! SMITH. On the evening of the very day which brings you news of his decease, you are dressed to conquer and allure. CELIA. (_More indignant_) Colonel Vavasour! SMITH. You know as well as I do how at all times Smith disapproved of a decollete gown. Born and brought up in a rigid and unbending family, he never quite emancipated himself from the principles of Calvinism. You know that? (_He waits for her to answer_.) CELIA. (_Weakly. Sinks on stool at bottom of sofa_) Yes. SMITH. (_Looks at her_) And it's not even black--! A dinner party with an amorous Admiral. After the dinner party, the wildest gaieties! (_Goes_ L.) CELIA. Do you call a classical concert by the local Philharmonic Society "the wildest gaiety"? You never heard one.