Smith. I am not very surprised to hear that.
Phyllis. (Melodramatically) The bolt fell from a clear sky. She received no telegram, no letter to warn her of the impending destruction of her happiness. (Places card on table.)
Smith. (Meaningly) No, indeed. How could she?
Phyllis. She was happy. She loved and was loved. (Smith turns and looks at her.) And then in a second comes Fate with its cruel shears----
Smith. (Interrupting her) Excuse me, but do you write for the Sunday papers?
Phyllis. No, but I have been listening lately to a great number of election speeches.
Smith. I quite understand. From them those flowers of eloquence were culled. Please go on.
Phyllis. Celia bore the blow with remarkable courage. But now comes your visit, which will upset her even more than the news of Colonel Smith's death itself.
Smith. Yes, Miss Faraday, I am quite sure that it will do that. You have made an appeal to me to deliver my harrowing message as delicately as I can. You can help me not to make mistakes.
Phyllis. How?