[LORETTA glances into tray and discovers that it is empty. She looks
inquiringly at MAID.]

MAID. A gentleman to see you. He hasn't any card. He said for me to
tell you that it was Billy.

LORETTA. [Starting, looking with dismay and appeal to NED.] Oh! . . .
Ned!

NED [Gracefully and courteously, rising to his feet and preparing to
go.] If you'll excuse me now, I'll wait till afterward to tell you what
I wanted.

LORETTA. [In dismay.] What shall I do?

NED. [Pausing.] Don't you want to see him? [LORETTA shakes her head.]
Then don't.

LORETTA. [Slowly.] I can't do that. We are old friends. We . . . were
children together. [To the MAID.] Send him in. [To NED, who has
started to go out toward right.] Don't go, Ned.

[MAID makes exit to left.]

NED. [Hesitating a moment.] I'll come back.

[NED makes exit to right.]

[LORETTA, left alone on stage, shows perturbation and dismay.]