SOREL: It was nothing, really. For Heaven’s sake—— JUDITH: Nothing! I open the library door casually, and what do I see? I ask you, what do I see? SANDY: I’m most awfully sorry.... JUDITH: Ssshh! It has gone beyond superficial apologies. SOREL: Mother, be natural for a minute. JUDITH: I don’t know what you mean, Sorel. I’m trying to realise a very bitter truth as calmly as I can. SOREL: There’s nothing so very bitter about it. JUDITH: My poor child! SOREL (_suddenly_): Very well, then! I love Sandy, and he loves me! JUDITH: That would be the only possible excuse for your behaviour. SOREL: Why shouldn’t we love each other if we want to? JUDITH: Sandy was in love with me this afternoon. SOREL: Not real love—you know it wasn’t. JUDITH (_bitterly_): I know now. SANDY: I say—look here—I’m most awfully sorry. JUDITH: There’s nothing to be sorry for, really; it’s my fault for having been so—so ridiculous. SOREL: Mother! JUDITH (_sadly_): Yes, ridiculous. I’m getting old, old, and the sooner I face it the better. SOREL (_hopelessly_): But, darling.... JUDITH (_splendidly_): Youth will be served. You’re so pretty, Sorel, far prettier than I ever was—I’m very glad you’re pretty. SANDY: I feel a fearful cad. JUDITH: Why should you? You’ve answered the only call that really counts—the call of Love, and Romance, and Spring. I forgive you, Sandy, completely. There. SOREL: Well, that’s all right, then. JUDITH: I resent your tone, Sorel; you seem to be taking things too much for granted. Perhaps you don’t realise that I am making a great sacrifice! SOREL: Sorry, darling. JUDITH: It’s far from easy, at my time of life, to—— SOREL (_playing up_): Mother—Mother, say you understand and forgive! JUDITH: Understand! You forget, dear, I am a woman. SOREL: I know you are, Mother. That’s what makes it all so poignant. JUDITH (_magnanimously, to SANDY_): If you want Sorel, truly, I give her to you—unconditionally. SANDY (_dazed_): Thanks—awfully, Mrs. Bliss. JUDITH: You can still call me Judith, can’t you?—it’s not much to ask. SANDY: Judith. JUDITH (_bravely_): There, now. Away with melancholy. This is all tremendously exciting, and we must all be very happy. SOREL: Don’t tell Father—yet. JUDITH: We won’t tell anybody; it shall be our little secret. SOREL: You are splendid, Mother. JUDITH: Nonsense. I just believe in being honest with myself—it’s awfully good for one, you know, so cleansing. I’m going upstairs now to have a little aspirin——(_She goes upstairs, and turns._) Ah, Youth, Youth, what a strange, mad muddle you make of things! (_She goes off._) [_SOREL heaves a slight sigh, and takes a cigarette._ SOREL: Well, that’s that. SANDY: Yes. SOREL: It’s all right. Don’t look so gloomy—I know you don’t love me really. SANDY (_startled_): I say, Sorel—— SOREL: Don’t protest; you know you don’t—any more than I love you. SANDY: But you told Judith——