Green Stockings: A Comedy in Three Acts

by A. E. W. Mason

Celia. Not at all. (Looks at Aunt Ida and begins to laugh irrepressibly.)

Aunt Ida. Celia!

Celia. (Bends above Aunt Ida, putting her arms about her from back and kissing her neck) Hush--listen, dear---- Will you swear you won't betray me?

Aunt Ida. But--Celia!

Celia. Will you promise, Aunt Ida? I know I can trust you if you will only really promise never to breathe a word of what I am going to tell you to any living being?

Aunt Ida. Well--but--I am not sure.

Celia. Oh, very well, then--if you don't want to (Crosses to chair R. of table L. and sits.)

Aunt Ida. No, no, Celia, I promise. There now, I have promised.

Celia. Very well, then. (Slowly and emphatically) There--isn't--any--Colonel Smith.

Aunt Ida. (Helplessly) There--isn't--any--Colonel?