CELIA. (_Throwing down book_) Not one in the whole army list. No? Not the tiniest little bit of a one. AUNT IDA. (_Flourishing tongs more wildly_) Then who is he? What did he come here for? CELIA. I don't know, but he's gone now, isn't he? _He's gone!_ AUNT IDA. I know he's gone, but what did he come here for? (CELIA _looks at her. A light breaks over her_.) Celia Faraday! That man--had your letter--in his pocket. He told Phyllis he had your letter! I thought it strange! Then Colonel Vavasour isn't Colonel Vavasour. (_Sits_ R. _of_ C. _table_.) CELIA. No! AUNT IDA. _He's Colonel Smith_. CELIA. Yes. AUNT IDA. He's---- CELIA. (_In the smallest possible voice_) --Mr. Wobbles! (_Enter_ FARADAY R.IE.) Father, dear, has Colonel Vavasour gone? FARADAY. No, my dear. CELIA. What!!!! FARADAY. I was fortunate enough to catch him at the door. (AUNT IDA _drops tongs on floor beside her_ R.) CELIA. But, Father, what ever possessed you to ask him to stay? (_Crosses_ L. _Sits_.) FARADAY. You know he offered to help us. Things are looking pretty black for Tarver. We need all the help we can get at this mass meeting in the morning. So I have persuaded Colonel Vavasour to stop over and take the noon train. (FARADAY _turns toward door_ R.I _and proudly ushers in_ SMITH. CELIA _and_ AUNT IDA _turn their heads away, much discomfited_.) FARADAY. (_Taking_ SMITH _by the arm and passing him across him_) A room must be prepared at once. Has Mrs. Brown gone to bed yet? CELIA. (_Still seated_ L. _of table. Haughtily_) I don't know, Father. She frequently goes to bed. FARADAY. Eh? CELIA. (_Confused_) I mean, _early_. FARADAY. (_As_ SMITH _goes_ C.) Good-for-nothing old person, that housekeeper. Come with me. I'll look out for you myself. (_They walk toward door_ C.) We'll be back presently, Celia, to say goodnight to you and your aunt. (_They exit_ C. _door to_ L. _Off stage_) Tell Martin to bring in whiskey and soda. CELIA. (_After a pause_) Did you hear that, Aunt Ida? AUNT IDA. (_Wearily_) Uh-huh. CELIA. "Stay here for the night and then take the noon train." That's _our_ train, Aunt Ida--the noon train. Isn't this an awful situation? Now, what are we going to do? AUNT IDA. (_Still more wearily_) I don't know. CELIA. I can't face that man again, after--I can't. I have got to get out of this house myself, _to-night_, some way, somehow. (_Rushes up to_ C. _doors, closing and locking them_.) How can I manage it? Think, Aunt Ida. Think--think--think--think--think. AUNT IDA. (_Disgustedly_) Think--think--think--think--think. I can't think. My poor old head won't stand much more of this. CELIA. (_Coming down back of_ AUNT IDA _and putting her arms about her_) I've got it. Since he's going to take _our_ train, there's nothing left for us to do but take _his_. AUNT IDA. (_Startled_) What?