It’s so comforting to know that we both look so awfully well. Can I have a cigarette? CAROL Yes, of course. I’m so sorry. Here— [_She hands her a box open._] ZOE Thank you, dear. There aren’t any in this box, but it doesn’t matter. CAROL How annoying! Wait a minute. [_She takes another box off a table, left._] Here— ZOE [_Taking one_] You seem a little distrait this morning, if I may say so. CAROL I’ve got rather a headache. ZOE I’m so sorry. You don’t look very well. CAROL I think, if you’ll forgive me, I’ll go and take some aspirin. ZOE Of course. I should lie down until lunch if I were you. CAROL Perhaps I will. Edward’s certain to be in soon. ZOE I’ll be perfectly happy waiting. CAROL You must come and dine one night. ZOE I’d adore to. CAROL Good-by for the present, dear. [_She kisses her._] ZOE Good-by. I’m sorry you’re so seedy. I’m afraid you’ve been overdoing it lately. CAROL [_Irritatedly_] Overdoing what? ZOE [_Vaguely_] Oh, everything. CAROL No, I haven’t. ZOE I’m so glad. [_CAROL goes out. ZOE wanders round the room, smiling to herself, examining various portraits, etc. After a moment EDWARD enters._] EDWARD Zoe! How long have you been here? ZOE Only a few minutes. EDWARD I’ve been out in the Park. ZOE I didn’t know it was still there. EDWARD I’m afraid you’re finding the old town sadly changed. ZOE I’m sure it’s much more hygienic now. EDWARD Have you seen Carol? ZOE Yes. She’s just gone to bed. EDWARD Gone to bed? ZOE She said she had a headache. EDWARD How do you think she’s looking? ZOE [_Laughing_] Awfully well. EDWARD What are you laughing at? ZOE Carol always makes me laugh. EDWARD Why? ZOE She’s so consistent. EDWARD Are you lunching with me? ZOE If you like. I’ve got to go to Sloane Street first and look at Mary Phillip’s house. She wants to let it to me. EDWARD Pick me up here on the way back. ZOE I really came to ask you to dine to-night and go to a play. EDWARD I’d love to. What do you want to see? ZOE A nice clean play, please, Edward. EDWARD Splendid. We shan’t have any trouble getting seats. ZOE I’m so old-fashioned—I like love stories without the slightest suggestion of sex. EDWARD You ought to be a critic. ZOE You’re an awfully nice person to come back to! EDWARD [_Smiling_] Am I? ZOE Yes. One picks up the threads exactly where they were dropped. EDWARD They were never dropped. ZOE Carol’s an awful fool. EDWARD Why? ZOE She could hold you if she wanted to. EDWARD Don’t be tiresome, Zoe. ZOE What are you going to do about it? EDWARD About what? ZOE Do you really want me to be explicit? EDWARD No. I know perfectly well what you mean. ZOE You’re wasting time. EDWARD Not at all. I’m working hard. ZOE You said that yesterday and it was no more convincing then than it is now. EDWARD It’s true. ZOE Perhaps, but rather beside the point. EDWARD