MARTHA--Not at all.

LILY--[Sitting down by the table as MARTHA and BIGELOW resume
their seats on the lounge.] I must say it sounded serious. I heard
you tell Big you'd forgive him everything, Martha. [Dryly--with a
mocking glance at BIGELOW.] You're letting yourself in for a large
proposition.

BIGELOW--[Displeased but trying to smile it off.] The past is
never past for a dog with a bad name, eh, Lily? [LILY laughs.
BIGELOW gets up.] If you want to reward me for my truthfulness,
Mrs. Jayson, help me take the kids for an airing in the car. I
know it's an imposition but they've grown to expect you. [Glancing
at his watch.] By Jove, I'll have to run along. I'll get them and
then pick you up here. Is that all right?

MARTHA--Fine.

BIGELOW--I'll run, then. Good-by, Lily. [She nods. BIGELOW goes
out rear.]

MARTHA--[Cordially.] Come on over here, Lily.

LILY--[Sits on couch with MARTHA--after a pause--with a smile.]
You were forgetting, weren't you?

MARTHA--What?

LILY--That you'd invited all the family over here to tea this
afternoon. I'm the advance guard.