Scene: A glade in a wood. About C. a great beech-tree, the branches of which overhang the stage, the brilliant sunlight filtering through them. The sky where it can be seen through the branches is a cloudless blue.
When the curtain rises Cecil Harburton is discovered sitting on the ground under the tree, leaning his back against its trunk and reading a book. He wears a straw hat and the lightest of gray flannel suits. The chattering of innumerable small birds is heard while the curtain is still down, and this grows louder as it rises, and we find ourselves in the wood. Presently a wood pigeon coos in the distance. Then a thrush begins to sing in the tree above Cecil's head and is answered by another. After a moment Cecil looks up.]
Cecil. By Jove, that's jolly! [Listens for a moment, then returns to his book.]
[Suddenly a cuckoo begins to call insistently. After a moment or two he looks up again.]
Cuckoo too! Bravo! [Again he returns to his book.]
[A moment later enter Evelyn Rivers. She also wears the lightest of summer dresses, as it is a cloudless day in May. On her head is a shady straw hat. As she approaches the tree a twig snaps under her foot and Cecil looks up. He jumps to his feet, closing book, and advances to her, eagerly holding out his right hand, keeping the book in his left.]
[Reproachfully.] Here you are at last!
Evelyn. At last?
Cecil. Yes. You're awfully late! [Looks at watch.]
Evelyn. Am I?