Evidences of authorship . . . Sam’s ads? . . . isn’t making good, he said . . . was I wrong in thinking he had stuff in him? . . . hope not . . . always liked Sam, don’t know why exactly . . . said Nina’d gotten into a bad state again . . . what’s happened to their marriage? . . . I felt a bit sorry for myself at their wedding . . . not that I’d ever fallen . . . but I did envy him in a way . . . she always had strong physical attraction for me . . . that time I kissed her . . . one reason I’ve steered clear since . . . take no chances on emotional didos . . . need all my mind on my work . . . got rid of even that slight suspicion . . . I’d forgotten all about her . . . she’s a strange girl . . . interesting case . . . I should have kept in touch on that account . . . hope she’ll tell me about herself . . . can’t understand her not having child . . . it’s so obviously the sensible thing . . .
[Cynically]
Probably why . . . to expect common sense of people proves you’re lacking in it yourself! . . .
Nina
[Enters silently. She has fixed herself up, put on her best dress, arranged her hair, rouged, etc.—but it is principally her mood that has changed her, making her appear a younger, prettier person for the moment. Darrell immediately senses her presence, and, looking up, gets to his feet with a smile of affectionate admiration. She comes quickly over to him saying with frank pleasure]
Hello, Ned. I’m certainly glad to see you again—after all these years!
Darrell
[As they shake hands—smiling]
Not as long as all that, is it?
