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hateful urges me to drive him into doing it!

[The maid has answered the ring and opened the outer door. ''comes in from the rear. His face looks older. There is an expression of defensive bitterness and self-resentment about his mouth and eyes. This vanishes into one of desire and joy as he sees''. He starts toward her impulsively]

Nina!

[Then stops short as he sees ]

[Forgetting, gets to her feel as if to receive in her arms—with love]

Ned!

[Affectionately and gratefully]

Hello, Ned!

[He holds out his hand which takes mechanically]

[Trying to overcome his guilty embarrassment]

Hello, Sam. Didn’t see you.

[Hurriedly reaching in his coat pocket]

Before I forget, here’s that letter. I had a talk over the phone with Appleby yesterday. He’s pretty sure there’s an opening—

[With a condescension he can’t help]

—but you’ll have to get your nose on the grindstone to make good with him.

[Flushing guiltily—forcing a confident tone]

You bet I will!

[Then gratefully and humbly]