_Dance music is heard from a distant orchestra. Just after the rise of the curtain two people come in together from the left--a young woman of twenty-five, or perhaps she is even a little older, and a slim boy obviously under twenty. She is rather elaborate in her afternoon indoor dress, but none the less effectively pretty; he is of a scrubbed and sleeked youthfulness, in white trousers, a short black coat and dancing shoes; and from the moment of his first appearance he is seen to be in an extremity of love. He leans as near the young woman as he can; his eyes search her face yearningly and without intermission; he caroms into her slightly as they come in, and repeats the carom unwittingly. They have evidently just come from the dancing floor and are a little flushed; she fans herself with her handkerchief and he fans her with his. They are heard talking before they enter: “Oh, let’s do find some place to sit down!” she is saying; and he, simultaneously: “Oh, wasn’t that divine! You dance just simply divinely!” These speeches “bring them on.”_ THE YOUNG WOMAN Here’s a place we can sit down! (_She immediately drops into a chair._) THE BOY Yes, this is a lovely place, where nobody is at all. It’s the only quiet place in the hotel: you never see more than two people here at a time, because it’s kind of off, like this. That’s why I wanted to walk this way. (_Sitting on a lounge and leaning toward her._) Isn’t it divine to be in a place where nobody is at _all_? THE YOUNG WOMAN (_still fanning herself_) Why, you and I are here. THE BOY Yes; but I mean nobody else at all. We’re practically all alone, practically. THE YOUNG WOMAN (_laughing as she waves her hand to indicate the spacious corridors to the right and left_) Alone? Why, there are at least three hundred people in this hotel. THE BOY Yes, but they’re all either outdoors, or dancin’, or havin’ tea, right now. It’s practically the same as being alone. It is--practically, I mean. THE YOUNG WOMAN Yes, I’ve noticed that it was a rather secluded spot myself. (_She glances about the room thoughtfully, then turns to him, smiling._) Don’t you want to run and dance with some of those pretty young girls your own age? THE BOY (_with pained earnestness_) Them? My goodness, no! THE YOUNG WOMAN Oh, but that isn’t normal, is it? THE BOY I’m not normal. I don’t want to be normal. THE YOUNG WOMAN Well, but it would only be natural for you to like those pretty young things, so-- Well, _do_ run and dance with one of ’em. Won’t you, please? THE BOY (_interrupting_) No. They haven’t got any experience of life. What I like is a woman that’s had some experience of life, like you. THE YOUNG WOMAN But at your age-- THE BOY Age hasn’t got anything to do with it. The thing that brings a man and a woman together, it’s when they have about the same amount of experience of life.