ld. Slender, delicate, a fragile flower. Ingenuous.

NED BASHFORD, A jaded young man of the world, who has philosophised his
experiences and who is without faith in the veracity or purity of women.

BILLY MARSH, A boy from a country town who is just about as innocent as
Loretta. Awkward. Positive. Raw and callow youth.

ALICE HEMINGWAY, A society woman, good-hearted, and a match-maker.

JACK HEMINGWAY, Her husband.

MAID.

A WICKED WOMAN

[Curtain rises on a conventional living room of a country house in
California. It is the Hemingway house at Santa Clara. The room is
remarkable for magnificent stone fireplace at rear centre. On either
side of fireplace are generous, diamond-paned windows. Wide, curtained
doorways to right and left. To left, front, table, with vase of flowers
and chairs. To right, front, grand piano.]

[Curtain discovers LORETTA seated at piano, not playing, her back to it,
facing NED BASHFORD, who is standing.]

LORETTA. [Petulantly, fanning herself with sheet of music.] No, I won't
go fishing. It's too warm. Besides, the fish won't bite so early in the
afternoon.

NED. Oh, come on. It's not warm at all. And anyway, we won't really
fish. I want to tell you something.

LORETTA. [Still petulantly.] You are always wanting to tell me
something.

NED. Yes, but only in fun. This is different. This is serious. Our
. . . my happiness depends upon it.

LORETTA. [Speaking eagerly, no longer petulant, looking, serious and
delighted, divining a proposal.] Then don't wait. Tell me right here.

NED. [Almost threateningly.] Shall I?

LORETTA. [Challenging.] Yes.

[He looks around apprehensively as though fearing interruption, clears
his throat, takes resolution, also takes LORETTA's hand.]

[LORETTA is startled, timid, yet willing to hear, naively unable to
conceal her love for him.]

NED. [Speaking softly.] Loretta . . . I, . . . ever since I met you I
have--

[JACK HEMINGWAY appears in the doorway to the left, just entering.]

[NED suddenly drops LORETTA's hand. He shows exasperation.]

[LORETTA shows disappointment at interruption.]

NED. Confound it

LORETTA. [Shocked.] Ned! Why will you swear so?

NED. [Testily.] That isn't swearing.

LORETTA. What is it, pray?

NED. Displeasuring.

JACK HEMINGWAY. [Who is crossing over to right.] Squabbling again?

LORETTA. [Indignantly and with dignity.] No, we're not.

NED. [Gruffly.]