Late afternoon

Mrs. Kent: (sternly) Oh, stop that, Thelma! I declare, you make me nervous, fussing and wasting time like that. What is it? I know you want something, or you wouldn't fool around so. Out with it.
Thelma: (Embarrassed, smiles, twists her apron and wriggles her shoulders.) Well, ma'am; I, well, it's this way. There's a dance up at Crosby's barn tonight, and Bill Fox, you know him, ma'am, he works in Paxley's garage he's asked me to go.
Mrs. Kent: (Stops sewing, looks at Thelma, speaks slowly.) We-ll, I don't know. (Pause.) About this Bill Fox, Thelma, are you sure he's genteel?
Thelma: (shocked) Genteel, ma'am? Why, he's that delicate-like —
Mrs. Kent: How so, Thelma?
Thelma: (shyly) Well, he gave his mother a new coat last Christmas — but he wouldn't think of giving me anything so personal-like.
Mrs. Kent: Indeed. What did he give you?
Thelma: (proudly) He gave me a set of books called Greek Myth — mythic — mythiologgio, that's it! It's all about a tribe of people who lived in most peculiar places — like in the air, and under the sea — (Shakes her head.) Oh, I'd never believe a word of it if Bill hadn't given it to me!
Mrs. Kent: (Laughs.) That makes him perfectly respectable, Thelma, does it?
Thelma: (enthusiastically) Oh, yes, ma'am! I wouldn't go out with him, unless he was — not when I'm working for you. (Puts hand over mouth to stifle laugh.)
Mrs. Kent: Ok, (airily) Go along to the dance then, but see you behave yourself properly!
Thelma: Oh, yes, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am.
(Starts toward door, when it opens and Eve enters. Thelma stops, stares, pretends to pick up threads from floor, straightens chairs, etc., in order to remain.)
Eve: (Rushes in impulsively, throws off her hat, sits down.) Oh, Mother, I'm glad you're here! I've been to the most wonderful lecture given by Madame Tergehova. She's simply too, too divine!
Mrs. Kent: Indeed, dear? In what way?
Eve: (breathless) Oh, Mother, you've no idea how primitive we are — how simple, how bourgeois! You ought to hear how people in her country live — so happy, so free! None of our silly conventions and ridiculous standards of life! Why, her mother wouldn't have dreamed of marrying her father, it would simply have seemed childish to her! And here we are, living like our colonial ancestors — Puritans or Quakers, really. It's too absurd!
Mrs. Kent: My dear child — stuff and nonsense!
Eve： Now it's no use your saying anything， Mother — I've made up my mind. Stephen and I have decided on an experimental marriage. We're leaving tonight on the 12:15 for New York! If it works out, if we decide on a permanent marriage, we'll come back and be married at home. But if not, we're determined to go our separate ways, and each seek our own career in New York!
Mrs. Kent: (Dazed, rises, sewing drops from her lap to floor.) Why, Eve, you don't know what you're saying — you can't mean it. You're joking, I know you are! (Thelma comes forward, picks up sewing, hands it to Mrs. Kent, whose manner changes to one of sharp reprimand.) What, Thelma, you here still! How many times have I told you not to snoop! Listening to things that don't concern you! Leave the room at once!
Thelma: (obediently) Yes, ma'am, (Exits hastily.)
Mrs. Kent: Now then. Eve, come here and tell me what you are talking about. (Sits down on sofa.)
Eve: (sitting beside her) Oh, you heard me, Mother. It's perfectly simple, and you needn't have sent Thelma out — it's nothing secret. That's the whole trouble, our stupid, small-town way of doing things, always under cover. We've nothing to hide or be ashamed of — why, Stephen is coming over here for tea, to say goodbye to you all. He'll be here in a little while!
Mrs. Kent: Eve, you just wait until your father —
Eve: Of course we're putting you and Dad on your honor. Mother. We don't expect you to be so childish as to lock me up in my room, call the police, or anything so naive as that!
Mrs. Kent: ( Weeps. ) I suppose there's nothing-nothing I can say or do to stop you, Eve. But youll be sorry someday.
Eve: Why will I be sorry? I don't think you and Dad are so ideally happy-I bet he's not even in love with you any more! He probably wouldn't even care if you went off with another man. Come now. Mother, confess — would he?
Mrs. Kent: (shocked) Eve! How can you say such things to me?
Eve: (laughing) Why, I don't know. Mother. There's no point in not saying them, if they're true!
Mrs. Kent: This — this Madame Tergehova, she may live like that in her own country, but it's not the way of life in America!
Eve: But it can be. Mother — it will be. This narrow, conventional way of living cant go on forever! Stephen and I, well be pioneers in this great crusade toward a new and free civilization!
Mrs. Kent: (sadly) But at what a cost, child — at what a cost!
Eve: Oh, it's no use. Mother, you'll never understand! Ill go and pack my bag now. (Rises.) I'm not going to lead this silly, uncivilized life any longer, that's all.