MALISE. [Admiring her] Ah-h-h! [Then, as she drops her arms suddenly] Play me something.
CLARE. [Going to the piano] I'm awfully grateful to you. You don't make me feel just an attractive female. I wanted somebody like that. [Letting her hands rest on the notes] All the same, I'm glad not to be ugly.
MALISE. Thank God for beauty!
PAYNTER. [Opening the door] Mr. and Mrs. Fullarton.
MALISE. Who are they?
CLARE. [Rising] She's my chief pal. He was in the Navy.
She goes forward. MRS. FULLERTON is a rather tall woman, with dark hair and a quick eye. He, one of those clean-shaven naval men of good presence who have retired from the sea, but not from their susceptibility.
MRS. FULLARTON. [Kissing CLARE, and taking in both MALISE and her husband's look at CLARE] We've only come for a minute.
CLARE. They're playing Bridge in the dining-room. Mr. Malise doesn't play. Mr. Malise—Mrs. Fullarton, Mr. Fullarton.
[They greet.]