[Maggie, Susan and Verbena enter the house]

Oh, it was just wonderful!

[coming down the stairs]

Mother! Oh, I'm so glad you came! [Sharon and Maggie hug] Oh! You look wonderful! What'd you do to yourself?

Do you like it?

Oh, I love it!

Oh darling! [Maggie hugs Sharon again] Oh! Finally! Both of you together at last. What do you think of each other?

Fine.

We love each other!

Hi, Sue.

Hi.

[Addressing Sharon]

Oh and just look at you! That short hair.

I cut it, Mother.

You know, I like it.

Oh, and I love yours, Mother.

Where's your father?

Oh, he's out somewhere on a horse.

[to Sharon]

Are we in time?

[to Susan]

Time?

[to Susan]

Didn't you tell her? [Susan shakes her head, no]

Tell me what?

Well ...

Dad's getting married.

Well. When is all this taking place?

Saturday, supposedly. [Maggie looks away, anxiously]

She just sort of infiltrated, Mother. And before you knew it, Dad was hooked.

If you ask me, Mr. Evers is slipping into his second childhood.

Oh your father is old enough to know what he's doing. Shall we go upstairs and get unpacked? I'm just dying to get into a hot shower after that long plane trip.
[Chatter as they all move up the stairs]