Up from the fragrant garden comes a girl, running. She takes the broad terrace steps two at a stride, laughing, breathless, fleet as a fawn, sweet as a rose. She is hotly pursued by a boy, handsome, ardent, attractively selfish, and just now blindly determined to catch the pretty creature before she gains the protecting shelter of home. She is determined to let him but not to let him know it.... There, she might have darted in through the open door, but it is such a cold, formal entrance; she pretends to be exhausted, dodges behind a stone tea-table, and, turning, faces him, each panting and laughing excitedly; she alluring and defiant, he merry and dominant.

She is twenty-five and he is a year or two older, but they are both children; in other words, unmarried.

REX Think I'll let you say that to me?

JEAN [making a face at him] Think I'm afraid of you!

REX Take it back, I tell you.

JEAN I won't.

REX I'll make you.

JEAN [with a dance step] Think so, do you?

REX I warn you.

JEAN Booh-woo!

[He makes a feint to the right, then dashes to the left and catches her.

REX [triumphantly] Now!... You would, would you?

JEAN [struggling] Let me go.

REX I couldn't think of it.

JEAN [seizes his hands to free herself--can't] You're so strong--it isn't fair.

REX You're so sweet--it isn't fair.

[Smiling down at her struggles, rejoicing in his strength, her weakness, he gently draws her near.

JEAN [knows what is coming] No, Rex.

REX Yes.

JEAN You mustn't.

REX But I will.

[He laughs and kisses her lightly on the cheek. Therefore she struggles furiously. Therefore he does it again. And again. Suddenly he enfolds her completely and kisses her passionately--cheeks, mouth, eyes--until she gasps in alarm. Laughter has gone from them now.