_] Dearie, promise me that you
won't be a damn fool.
[_The bell rings; both start._
LAURA. [_Rises._] Maybe that's John.
[ELFIE _brushes a tear quickly from her eye._
ELFIE. Oh! And you'll promise me, Laura?
LAURA. I'll try. [ANNIE _enters up stage from the adjoining room and
crosses to the door._] If that's Mr. Madison, Annie, tell him to come
in.
LAURA _stands near the table, almost rigid. Instinctively_ ELFIE _goes
to the mirror and re-arranges her gown and hair as_ ANNIE _exits._
ELFIE _turns to_ LAURA.
ELFIE. If I think he's the fellow when I see him, watch me and I'll
tip you the wink.
[_Kisses_ LAURA; _up stage puts on coat._
_She goes up stage to centre;_ LAURA _remains in her position. The
doors are heard to open, and in a moment_ JOHN _enters. He is
dressed very neatly in a business suit, and his face is tanned and
weather-beaten. After he enters, he stands still for a moment. The
emotion that both he and_ LAURA _go through is such that each is
trying to control it,_ LAURA _from the agony of her position, and_
JOHN _from the mere hurt of his affection. He sees_ ELFIE _and forces
a smile._
JOHN. [_Quietly._] Hello, Laura! I'm on time.
LAURA _smiles, quickly crosses the stage, and holds out her hand._
LAURA. Oh, John, I'm so glad--so glad to see you. [_They hold this
position for a moment, looking into each other's eyes._ ELFIE _moves
so as to take_ JOHN _in from head to toe and is obviously very much
pleased with his appearance.
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