again offers his hand.)

MARCHBANKS (taking it with a nervous jerk). Not at all.

BURGESS. Bye, bye, Candy. I'll look in again later on. So long,
James.

MORELL. Must you go?

BURGESS. Don't stir. (He goes out with unabated heartiness.)

MORELL. Oh, I'll see you out. (He follows him out. Eugene stares
after them apprehensively, holding his breath until Burgess
disappears.)

CANDIDA (laughing). Well, Eugene. (He turns with a start and
comes eagerly towards her, but stops irresolutely as he meets her
amused look.) What do you think of my father?

MARCHBANKS. I--I hardly know him yet. He seems to be a very nice
old gentleman.

CANDIDA (with gentle irony). And you'll go to the Freeman
Founders to dine with him, won't you?

MARCHBANKS (miserably, taking it quite seriously). Yes, if it
will please you.

CANDIDA (touched). Do you know, you are a very nice boy, Eugene,
with all your queerness. If you had laughed at my father I