EXTERIOR. THE CABOT ESTATE. DAY.The year is 1895. The Cabot Estate is several manicured acresof green a few miles from Boston. Carriages approach by a longtree-canopied driveway. The passengers discharged are sharplyattired young men, and young women who shake out long, fulldresses. They head for a party in progress behind the greathouse, where tents shade tables of sweet cakes and lemonade. A string quartet labors seriously at a classical piece. On agrass tennis court, four young women in ankle-length whiteskirts are having a doubles match while a raucous crowd cheersand jeers. Presently serving is GRACE ELLSWORTH CABOT, arobust young woman who has twisted her long black hair into aponytail. Her partner, HELEN SANFORD, a stout redhead, is atthe net waiting for the service return.YOUNG MANBrave Helen! At net are the quick and thedead.HELENQuick like a cobra. I catch the eyes and Istrike.Grace delivers a strong overhand serve which is weaklyreturned. Helen pounces on the ball and knocks it for a winner.YOUNG MANWhat a world is this when the gentlewomenhurl lightning bolts!HELENPerhaps we must furl the net and roll theball underneath?Grace serves another, hard and not returnable. The playersgather at the net and congratulate one another, then surrendertheir rackets to four young men who roll up their sleeves andbegin to rally. Grace and Helen link arms as they stroll away.HELENI would live my life this way forever.GRACEForever? Would you weary of frivolity dayafter day?

HELENDid we tire of four years?GRACEYou characterize Radcliffe College asfrivolity?Grace and Helen grab glasses of lemonade and stretch out ontolounges.HELENBut Grace - how swiftly it passed. Fouryears, and I feel strangely untouched.When I am on my deathbed, I wonder how much substance all the years between nowand then shall have.GRACEWhy are you so morbid amid this gaiety?Have you been reading Hawthorne again?HELENPoe.GRACEEven worse! A tiny girl, BESSIE DELANEY, comes sprinting across the lawnand launches herself into Grace's lap. She is about four yearsold, shoeless, wearing a worn, plain dress.GRACEBessie! My feral child!BESSIEGracie, Papa said I was to stay in thehouse while you were having your party.But I heard the music....She looks longingly at their glasses. Grace hands hers over,and Bessie gulps it down.GRACEWhere is Mr. Delaney now?BESSIE