LILY--[Sharply.] Two months, she said.

EMILY--Two months? [She lets this sink in.]

JOHN--[Quickly scenting something--eagerly.] What do you mean,
Emily? [Then as if he read her mind.] Two months? But before that--
Curt was away in New York almost a month!

LILY--[Turning on EMILY fiercely.] So! You got someone to say it
for you as you always do, Poison Mind! Oh, I wish the ducking
stool had never been abolished!

EMILY--[Growing crimson--falteringly.] I--I didn't mean--

JOHN--[Furiously.] Where the honor of the family is at stake--

LILY--[Fiercely.] Ssshh, you empty barrel! I think I hear--[The
door from the study is opened and MARTHA comes in in the midst of
a heavy silence. All the gentlemen rise stiffly. MARTHA is made
immediately self-conscious and resentful by the feeling that they
have been discussing her unfavorably.]

MARTHA--[Coming forward--with a forced cordiality.] How do you do,
everybody? So sorry I wasn't here when you came. I hope Lily made
proper excuses for me. [She goes from one to the other of the four
latest comers with "So glad you came," etc. They reply formally
and perfunctorily. MARTHA finally finds a seat on the couch
between EMILY and ESTHER.] I hope Lily--but I see you've all had
tea.