RANDOLPH You mustn’t read so much. SABINE Anything further, Mr. Randolph, before you go out? RANDOLPH No. But--but I don’t remember mentioning that I was going out. SABINE I thought you did. Good evening. PAULA (_Good-naturedly_) Is Mrs. Sabine well? SABINE Not exactly. RANDOLPH Indeed? SABINE (_Smiling_) My wife seems upset about something. RANDOLPH (_Casually_) Why, she seemed well when she was here last, didn’t she, Paula? PAULA Yes, and so happy. RANDOLPH What’s the trouble? SABINE I’m not quite sure--_yet_. RANDOLPH Perhaps she needs a change. SABINE I’ll tell her you asked after her, Mr. Randolph. RANDOLPH Certainly. Do. But it was _Miss_ Randolph who inquired. SABINE I thought it was you. (_He smiles._) The air in the library has affected me. (_He smiles._) Good evening. (_He leaves the room, slowly closing the door. There is a pause as_ PAULA _looks curiously before her, while_ RANDOLPH, _somewhat puzzled, goes up to door and sees that_ SABINE _has gone into the library beyond_.) PAULA I hope it’s nothing serious. RANDOLPH What? PAULA Mrs. Sabine. RANDOLPH Nothing, of course. PAULA Hasn’t she told _you_? RANDOLPH Me? PAULA You’re such good friends. RANDOLPH My dear, women with attractive husbands never confide in outsiders. PAULA (_Innocently_) Don’t they? RANDOLPH (_Laughing_) You know so little of life. (PAULA _sighs in agreement_.) And I wish you to keep your sweetness until you are married. PAULA Doesn’t one need it then? RANDOLPH You’ll understand when the time comes, child. PAULA (_Enigmatically_) And one mustn’t before! RANDOLPH Children don’t realize how they unconsciously hold parents to higher things: it’s because of you, for instance, more than anything else since your dear mother died, that I’ve tried to keep _my_ life an example. PAULA I’ve always had it before me, father. (_Coming closer._) I’m deeply grateful for showing me what I, too, should be. RANDOLPH Yes, yes. (_Patting her._) Now, dear, run along to bed: your eyes are tired. PAULA (_Glancing at book_) I’m fond of reading. RANDOLPH (_Humoring her throughout_) What do you like best? PAULA (_Cheerfully_) Adventure. RANDOLPH With real heroes? PAULA (_Referring to book_) I love those who keep cool in times of danger. RANDOLPH You’re only a child, after all, eh? (_He pats her tenderly as she notices him glancing at his watch._) PAULA (_Casually_) You _are_ going out? RANDOLPH Yes: some business. PAULA Will you be late? RANDOLPH Do I disturb you? PAULA I can generally hear the machine from my room, before you turn up the path. RANDOLPH It’s easy nowadays to go fast in the dark. PAULA You will always toot the horn? (_Reprovingly_) Think of the danger to others. RANDOLPH Foolish girl! There’s no danger about here. PAULA No; of course not. (_Goes to him._) Good night. RANDOLPH Dear, dear girl. (_Looking at her._) It’s good to have such a daughter.