tonic. Have you seen Doctor Haskins?

BILLY. [Looking at watch and evincing signs of haste.] Loretta, when a
girl kisses a man, it means she is going to marry him.

LORETTA. I know it, Billy. But . . . [She glances toward letters on
table.] Captain Kitt doesn't want me to marry you. He says . . . [She
takes letter and begins to open it.]

BILLY. Never mind what Captain Kitt says. He wants you to stay and be
company for your sister. He doesn't want you to marry me because he
knows she wants to keep you.

LORETTA. Daisy doesn't want to keep me. She wants nothing but my own
happiness. She says--[She takes second letter from table and begins to
open it.]

BILLY. Never mind what Daisy says--

LORETTA. [Taking third letter from table and beginning to open it.] And
Martha says--

BILLY. [Angrily.] Darn Martha and the whole boiling of them!

LORETTA. [Reprovingly.] Oh, Billy!

BILLY. [Defensively.] Darn isn't swearing, and you know it isn't.

[There is an awkward pause. Billy has lost the thread of the
conversation and has vacant expression.]