_In_ R.I _is a door balancing that in_ L.I. _It leads to hall. Above door_ R. _is a large mantel. Above this is hung a large picture, balancing that on left wall. On the mantel, a formal garniture of vases; against mantel, a club fender with upholstered top, fireirons inside fender, grate with lighted coal fire; below fender, facing sofa, an armchair. Opposite and facing the fender and about three feet from it is a large comfortable sofa, with a number of cushions; against the back of this, a long magazine table. On this are, beginning at upper end, an English timetable, a large shaded lamp, large cigarette box containing cigarettes, ashtray, match-holder, vase of tulips, photo frame, and at extreme lower end of table seven or eight English periodicals. On these, a large blue linen envelope, unsealed, flap being turned in. This contains a few spring fashion plates. With this are four ordinary letters, containing circulars (all of these letters are important). Below table, a square tapestry stool, left of table an armchair, under table a waste-paper basket. Between piano and entrance to morning room is a small light writing table. On this, a small lamp or a pair of shaded candles, a blotting pad with paper, envelopes, ink and pens. Above this a chair. Off_ L. _a door bell and set of chimes. Electric light switch on_ R. _wall to_ R. _of morning room opening. Bell push on_ L. _of back flat. The entire room should convey the impression of quiet, dignified, tasteful elegance. Complete darkness at windows, suggesting a rainy night. On rise of curtain, all lamps are lighted and fire aglow_. _Before the curtain rises_, PHYLLIS _plays for a moment or two_. AT RISE: _Discovered_: PHYLLIS _at piano, playing_. LADY TRENCHARD _seated at upper end of sofa, smoking a cigarette and reading a periodical_. MADGE _writing a letter at writing table up stage_. AUNT IDA _seated in armchair at_ R. _of table_ L,. _knitting. The girls and_ AUNT IDA _are in evening dress_. PHYLLIS _continues to play softly under conversation, something cheerful but not too fast. The opening scene should be played brightly and quickly_. MADGE. (_Rises. Brightly_) Oh, Evelyn---- EVELYN. Yes, Madge. MADGE. (_Coming down to chair_ L. _of table_ R. _with letter in hand_) I _do_ want this letter to my husband to catch the Indian mail. Do _you_ know anything about the postal service in this benighted village? EVELYN. (_Continuing to read and speaking over her magazine_) No, Madgie, I don't. _Celia_ always attends to those things. _She's_ away. Ring for _Martin_. (MADGE _goes to bell in upper flat_ L., _rings it, and then comes_ L.C.) AUNT IDA. (_Without looking up from her knitting_) Has anyone gone to the wharf to _meet_ Celia? EVELYN. (_Indifferently_) Why, no. She's coming home to-night, isn't she? AUNT IDA. (_Vehemently_) You _got_ her _telegram_. MADGE. (_Unconcerned_) What time is her boat due? AUNT IDA. At _eight_, and now it's nearly _nine_.