[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.  She coughs slightly. LAURA takes a step back with a smile.] Oh, pardon me, John—­one of my dearest friends, Miss Sinclair; she’s heard a lot about you.

ELFIE, with a slight gush, in her most captivating manner, goes over and holds out her gloved hand laden with bracelets, and with her sweetest smile crosses to centre.

ELFIE.  How do you do?

MADISON.  I’m glad to meet you, I’m sure.

ELFIE. [Still holding JOHN’S hand.] Yes, I’m sure you are—­particularly just at this time. [To LAURA.] You know that old stuff about two’s company and three [LAURA smiles.] is a crowd.  Here’s where I vamoose. [Crosses to door.

LAURA. [As ELFIE goes toward door.] Don’t hurry, dear.

ELFIE. [With a grin.] No, I suppose not; just fall down stairs and get out of the way, that’s all. [Crosses to JOHN.] Anyway, Mr. Madison, I’m awfully glad to have met you, and I want to congratulate you.  They tell me you’re rich.

JOHN.  Oh, no; not rich.

ELFIE.  Well, I don’t believe you—­anyway I’m going.  Ta-ta, dearie. 
Good-bye, Mr. Madison.

JOHN.  Good-bye.

[JOHN crosses up to back of sofa; removes coat, puts it on sofa.

ELFIE. [Goes to the door, opens it and turns. JOHN’S back is partly toward her and she gives a long wink at LAURA, snapping fingers to attract LAURA’S attention.] I must say, Laura, that when it comes to picking live ones, you certainly can go some.