MARTHA—[With forced gaiety.] You're not very tactful, I must say. Don't you know I'm thirty-eight?
BIGELOW—[Gallantly.] A woman is as old as she looks. You're not thirty yet.
MARTHA—[Laughing.] After that nice remark I'll have to forgive you everything, won't I? [LILY JAYSON comes in from the rear. She is a slender, rather pretty girl of twenty-five. The stamp of college student is still very much about her. She rather insists on a superior, intellectual air, is full of nervous, thwarted energy. At the sight of them sitting on the couch together, her eyebrows are raised.]
LILY—[Coming into the room—breezily.] Hello, Martha. Hello, Big. [They both get up with answering "Hellos.">[ I walked right in regardless. Hope I'm not interrupting.
MARTHA—Not at all.
LILY—[Sitting down by the table as MARTHA and BIGELOW resume their seats on the lounge.] I must say it sounded serious. I heard you tell Big you'd forgive him everything, Martha. [Dryly—with a mocking glance at BIGELOW.] You're letting yourself in for a large proposition.
BIGELOW—[Displeased but trying to smile it off.] The past is never past for a dog with a bad name, eh, Lily? [LILY laughs. BIGELOW gets up.] If you want to reward me for my truthfulness, Mrs. Jayson, help me take the kids for an airing in the car. I know it's an imposition but they've grown to expect you. [Glancing at his watch.] By Jove, I'll have to run along. I'll get them and then pick you up here. Is that all right?
MARTHA—Fine.
BIGELOW—I'll run, then. Good-by, Lily. [She nods. BIGELOW goes out rear.]
MARTHA—[Cordially.] Come on over here, Lily.