Madge. Oh, Father! (Rushes to him, brings him C. She is R. of him.) What do you think has happened? Celia is engaged to be married. (Pauses a moment to listen to ensuing dialogue and then runs up to card room and in dumb show tells others of Celia's engagement. They also in pantomime express surprise and incredulity. They come slowly out of card room.)
Faraday. God--bless--my--soul! (A broad grin breaks slowly on his face) Celia--engaged?
Celia. Why, yes, Father, if you have no objection to the prospect of my leaving you.
Faraday. Objection? (Joyfully) Why, I'm delighted, my dear girl, delighted.
(Aunt Ida and Celia exchange glances and Aunt Ida, disgusted at Faraday, goes up to card room and talks to Evelyn.)
Celia. Yes, Father, I thought you would be pleased.
Faraday. Pleased? (With mock sentiment) I hope I show a father's feelings when his eldest daughter proposes to--er--desert the home-nest. (Murmurs up in card room. Reverting to his former attitude of enthusiasm) And who is he? What's the d-e-a-r fellow's name? Eh, Celia?
(Evelyn comes down extreme left. Raleigh, Grice and Steele up L.C. Aunt Ida comes back of chair, R. of table L. Phyllis kneels on sofa, facing Celia. Tarver comes and sits in chair below fender.)
Madge. (Coming down R.C.) Yes, Celia, tell us all about him. Who is he? (Sits L. of table R.)
Celia. (Standing by chair R. of table L. Slowly) Well--he is in the army.