JACK. [Realizing that he had said something awkward.] I think I was
the first Socialist he'd ever met. He had just gotten to the stage of
despair. He'd started out with a long program of reforms . . . and he
was going to educate the people to them . . . one by one, until he'd
made them all effective. I said to him: "By the time you've got the
attention of the public on reform number thirty . . . what do you
suppose the politicians will have been doing with reform number one?"

JULIA. We all have to go through that stage. I can remember just as
well . . . [A ring upon the bell.] Ah, there he is.

JACK. [Rises and goes to the door.] But I think he's most through
butting his head against the stone wall! [Calls.] Are you there, old
man?

MONTAGUE. [Off.] I'm here!

JACK. How are you?

MONTAGUE. Fine!

JACK. Come right in.

MONTAGUE. [Enters; a tall, handsome man of thirty; self-contained and
slow of speech; the dark type of a Southerner.] I'm a trifle late.
[Sees LAURA; starts.] Miss Hegan! You! [Recovers himself.] Why . . .
an unexpected pleasure!

LAURA. Unexpected on both sides, Mr. Montague.