(Faraday goes extreme L., Madge back to head of table L., Tarver extreme R. and Evelyn to chair R.C.)
Aunt Ida. (Coming down stage) Hadn't you better leave it to me?
(All show tremendous relief.)
Madge. Of course.
Faraday. You are the very person.
Grice. Hush! Now everybody try to be quite calm and natural and act as though nothing whatever had happened. Oh!!! The Times!
(All rush for the Times. Grice seizes outer sheet of Times and looks wildly about for some place to hide it. In desperation, he thrusts it up his coat at the back. Phyllis seizes a sheet, runs up and hides it under piano cover. Madge also seizes a sheet and hides it behind curtain of card room. Grice sits R. of L. table. Everyone assumes strained positions with set grins on their faces. Enter Celia, L.I entrance. She brings with her two small packages wrapped in tissue paper. She is dressed elaborately in outdoor costume and carries a light muff.)
Celia. (Brightly) Good afternoon, everybody.
(All give a short, nervous giggle, pause and then say together, "Good afternoon, Celia" Celia crosses to chair L. of table.)
Faraday. (Coming down L. of Celia, offering to take her muff) Allow me, dear.