[At telephone]

Please forgive me. People rushing in and out, this house grows more like a railway station every day.... Now, General, that was a deliberate compliment. [She laughs.] Ridiculous man.... Very well.... Good-bye. [She hangs up receiver.] My God! ten for dreariness!

Helen

He’s not a bad old thing.

Florence

No, but he tries to be, and that’s what’s so frightful. [Arranging her hair before glass.] I look like Death.... Isn’t Tom a darling?

Helen

Yes, dear, without being aggressively brilliant.

Florence