THOMAS _comes in, preceded by_ PHILLIMORE. PHILIP PHILLIMORE _is a self-centered, short-tempered, imperious member of the respectable fashionables of New York. He is well and solidly dressed, and in manner and speech evidently a man of family. He is accustomed to being listened to in his home circle and from the bench, and it is practically impossible for him to believe that he can make a mistake._ GRACE. [_Outraged._] Really you know-- [CYNTHIA _moves to the table._] Philip! PHILIP _nods to_ GRACE _absent-mindedly. He is in his working suit and looks tired. He walks into the room silently; goes over to the tea-table, bends over and kisses_ CYNTHIA _on the forehead. Goes to his chair, which_ THOMAS _has moved to suit him. He sits, and sighs with satisfaction._ PHILIP. [_As if exhausted by brain work._] Ah, Grace! [GRACE _immediately sails out of the room._] Well, my dear, I thought I should never extricate myself from the court-room. You look very debonnair! CYNTHIA. The tea's making. You'll have your glass of sherry? PHILIP. [_The strain of the day evidently having been severe._] Thanks! [_Taking it from_ THOMAS _and sighing._] Ah! CYNTHIA. I can see it's been a tiring day with you. PHILIP. [_His great tussle with the world leaving him unworsted but utterly spent._] H'm! [_He gratefully sips his tea._ CYNTHIA. Were the lawyers very long-winded? PHILIP. [_Almost too tired for speech._] Prolix to the point of somnolence. It might be affirmed without inexactitude that the prolixity of counsel is the somnolence of the judiciary. I am fatigued, ah! [_A little suddenly, awaking to the fact that his orders have not been carried out to the letter._] Thomas! My _Post_ is not in its usual place! CYNTHIA. It's here, Philip. [THOMAS _gets it._ PHILIP. Thanks, my dear. [_Opening "The Post."_] Ah! This hour with you--is--is really the--the-- [_Absently._] the one vivid moment of the day. [_Reading._] H'm--shocking attack by the President on vested interests. H'm--too bad--but it's to be expected. The people insisted on electing a desperado to the presidential office--they must take the hold-up that follows. [_After a pause, he reads._] H'm! His English is lacking in idiom, his spelling in conservatism, his mind in balance, and his character in repose. CYNTHIA. [_Amiable but not very sympathetic._] You seem more fatigued than usual. Another glass of sherry, Philip? PHILIP. Oh, I ought not to-- CYNTHIA. I think you seem a little more tired than usual. PHILIP. Perhaps I am. [_She pours out sherry._ PHILIP _takes glass but does not sip._] Ah, this hour is truly a grateful form of restful excitement. [_After an inspired interval._] You, too, find it--eh? [_He looks at_ CYNTHIA. CYNTHIA. [_With veiled sarcasm._] Decidedly. PHILIP. Decidedly what, my dear? CYNTHIA. [_Her sarcasm still veiled._] Restful.