dog in his arms._]
Didn't realize it was getting so late. I'll be back as soon as I
can. [_He goes._]

KATE. I think, Ted, that gray gives your face more life, [TED _puts
hat on again, and surveys himself before the mirror_, KATE _views
him in critical admiration, readjusts his hat several times, and
stands off to contemplate her man_. MARTIN _watches them both, then
inspired, takes pencil and cardboard and begins to sketch._] Brown
is unutterably drab. It does the most terrible things to me. Put it
a little more forward. There--_I_ think that's stunning, Ted.

TED. This time of year the hat and coat would be seen together more
than the hat and suit.

KATE. That's right.--Put the coat on again, [TED _puts coat on
again, and poses with both hat and coat before the mirror._] I
don't know. Perhaps you're right.--If you really want to change the
hat, go ahead.

[_They continue posing_, KATE _angling the hat, etc., till_ MARTIN
_calls_ TED. _There has been a low knock._ MARTIN _turns his
sketch face down and opens the door. A middle-aged woman enters._]

CASE WORKER. Does Theodore Brooks live here?

MARTIN. Yes.

[_She walks in._]

CASE WORKER. Are you Mr. Brooks?

MARTIN. No.

CASE WORKER. Well, is he in?

MARTIN. Yes.

CASE WORKER. Please call him.

MARTIN. Hi, Ted! [TED _turns and_ CASE WORKER _looks at him. He
shows no recognition and does not start over._] This lady is
calling on you.

[TED _comes slowly, taking off his hat; he is still wearing the
coat._]

CASE WORKER. [_Impatiently._] I asked to see Theodore Brooks.

TED. Yes?

CASE WORKER. You are not Brooks.

TED. Yes. That's my name.

CASE WORKER. Theodore Brooks?--You!

TED. [_Uncomfortably._] What do you want, madam?

CASE WORKER. I am a case worker on relief applications.

TED. Oh!

CASE WORKER. Someone giving the name of Theodore Brooks and this
address applied for relief.

TED. Yes.

CASE WORKER. Did _you_ make that application?

TED. Yes.

CASE WORKER. Why?

TED. [_Squirming._] The usual reason--I suppose.

[_There is a pause in which one expects almost anything to
happen._]

CASE WORKER. [_With restraint._] Very well. I must ask you a few
questions. [_Her antagonism is felt all through._]

TED. I'll try to answer them. [_Desperately._] I needed relief or I
wouldn't have applied for it.

CASE WORKER. You feel you still need relief?

TED. I do.

CASE WORKER. Well ... Well, we'll go ahead. I have to fill my
r