SMITH. (_Reproachfully. Coming back to_ CELIA) You know what a low opinion Smith had of all forms of music. Dangerously sensuous. How often have I heard him breathe those words when the regimental band struck up the tune of "Auld Lang Syne." (_She rises; goes_ R.) You never loved him. Give me back the watch and chain. CELIA. (_Confused_) I can't---- You utterly fail to understand the situation, Colonel Vavasour. All the help that any of us can give is needed at this election. To-night is particularly important. The two candidates are to meet on neutral ground. SMITH. Then certainly Mr. Tarver ought to go--not you. CELIA. But I ask you, would Colonel Smith have wished me at a time like this to shut myself alone In my room with nothing but his memory for my companion? SMITH. He'd have loved it. FARADAY. (_Entering through morning room in evening dress, carrying coat and hat_) Ready, Celia, ready! (CELIA _and_ SMITH _separate_, SMITH _going well_ L. FARADAY _puts coat and hat on piano stool and comes down_ C.) Aren't the others down yet? CELIA. Father, this is Colonel Vavasour. FARADAY. How do you do? (_They shake hands_.) SMITH. How do you do? I have just returned from Somaliland. FARADAY. Oh! Then you knew---- (SMITH _nods; drops his head_.) SMITH. My dearest friend. FARADAY. Poor fellow! Poor fellow! (SMITH _looks up_.) Oh, not for that reason--not for that reason, of course. (LADY TRENCHARD, MADGE _and_ PHYLLIS _enter, in evening dress, followed by_ TARVER.) My daughters, Colonel Vavasour. We are only waiting for your aunt now. (LADY TRENCHARD _shakes hands gushingly, crosses to_ SMITH _and sits_ R. _of table_ L., _drawing on her gloves_. MADGE _merely bows as she crosses and joins_ EVELYN. PHYLLIS _crosses, and joins them_. SMITH _goes_ R.C. FARADAY _has gone_ L. _at back and comes down stage_ L. _of table_ L. TARVER _goes directly and sits on fender_.) FARADAY. (_Continuing_) Sorry we can't keep you to dinner. CELIA. (_Sits on lower end of sofa_) That's quite all right, Father. Colonel Vavasour is obliged to return to London to-night. There is an excellent train at eight-thirty. SMITH. (_Takes up railway guide which_ CELIA _has left open on table and reads_) "Stops at every station, has a two hours' wait at Bletchley, and arrives in London at three-thirty in the morning." (_Looks at_ CELIA) An excellent train. The express goes at ten. FARADAY. Then of course you'll stay and dine here first. Martin shall look after you. SMITH. I shall be most happy. (_At_ CELIA) I have brought a message for Miss Faraday and I shall be unable to deliver it if she goes out to dinner. CELIA. (_Speaking over her shoulder_) Father, you know I promised you this afternoon that I should not let this news interfere---- FARADAY. But, my dear child, thinking it over, we can't expect such a sacrifice. PHYLLIS. (_In a whisper to_ MADGE) But she must go. There's only dinner for two. FARADAY. Dinner for two! What two?