GRICE. (_To_ STEELE) What an unfortunate way that poor woman has of doing things that make everyone feel uncomfortable. STEELE. (_To_ GRICE) Yes, the idea of her walking up here alone in the rain! EVELYN. (_To girls_) Wherever did she get the clothes? CELIA. (_Off stage_) Martin, send to the station at once for my hat and coat and return these things to Wilson. He borrowed them from the pilot. GRICE. Wilson? EVELYN. (_Patronizingly_) He is the man at the station. _He's_ Celia's slave. (CELIA _re-enters without oilskins and stands at door_ R. _She is in a simple traveling dress_.) FARADAY. (_From center of stage_) God bless my soul, Celia, where have you been? CELIA. Why; I've been away, Father, for a week. Perhaps you haven't noticed it. FARADAY. Not noticed it? I have missed you very much. I never get all the right things for breakfast when you're away! CELIA. Sorry, Father. (CELIA _crosses quickly to_ AUNT IDA, _who is in the center of the stage_, FARADAY _having turned and gone up into the card room_. CELIA _nodding as she crosses, to the_ ADMIRAL _and the girls_) Good evening, Admiral. Well, girls. (ADMIRAL _acknowledges her greeting with a grunt_, STEELE _with a stiff bow, and the girls say_, "_Good evening_, CELIA.") CELIA. Well, Aunt Ida. AUNT IDA. (_Kissing her on both cheeks_) Dear child! (CELIA _passing_ L. _over to_ MR. RALEIGH, _who is left of table_ L. CELIA _offers her hand, which he takes with a very bored air. Meanwhile, the groups break up after_ CELIA _has passed_. LADY TRENCHARD _joins the_ ADMIRAL _and_ STEELE _at upper end of sofa_. PHYLLIS _joins_ TARVER; _they sit at lower end of fender_, PHYLLIS _sitting in chair below fender_. AUNT IDA _joins_ MADGE _and they all talk in dumb show during_ CELIA'S _scene with_ RALEIGH.) [Illustration: "Green Stockings" _Page 11_] CELIA. Mr. Raleigh, how are you? RALEIGH. I am very well, thank you. (_Pause_.) Yes. CELIA. Yes? RALEIGH. (_In a bored monotone, looking straight in front of him_) Yes. I hope you enjoyed yourself, Miss Faraday. You were in London? CELIA. No, at Southampton. RALEIGH. Oh, yes--er--all amongst the ships and things, CELIA. Yes. RALEIGH. Yes. CELIA. Won't you sit down, Mr. Raleigh? RALEIGH. No, thanks. I never sit down. CELIA. Eh? RALEIGH. After dinner. CELIA. Oh. RALEIGH. You have been away quite a long time, Miss Faraday? CELIA. Yes, for me. RALEIGH. Yes, I mean for you. Well--nothing much has happened. CELIA. Well, one hardly expects much, does one? RALEIGH. No. Oh, Manners has got himself engaged. CELIA. Really? To Jennie Woodcote, I suppose? RALEIGH. Yes; they were all saying it was her last chance. CELIA. Yes, they would. RALEIGH. Of course, that's all nonsense. Nowadays, there's no--a---- CELIA. Age limit? RALEIGH. Exactly! (_Then catching himself up in great confusion_) No, no! Good Lord, no! I didn't mean----