BLANCHE:

Yes, it is, it is or I wouldn't say it! You just have to watch around the hips a little. Stand up.

STELLA:

Not now.

BLANCHE:

You hear me? I said stand up!

[Stella complies reluctantly]

You messy child, you, you've spilt something on the pretty white lace collar! About your hair--you ought to have it cut in a feather bob with your dainty features. Stella, you have a maid, don't you?

STELLA:

No. With only two rooms it's--

BLANCHE:

What? Two rooms, did you say?

STELLA:

This one and--

[She is embarrassed.]

BLANCHE:

The other one?

[She laughs sharply. There is an embarrassed silence.]

BLANCHE:

I am going to take just one little tiny nip more, sort of to put the stopper on, so to speak.... Then put the bottle away so I won't be tempted.

[She rises]

I want you to look at my figure!

[She turns around]

You know I haven't put on one ounce in ten years, Stella? I weigh what I weighed the summer you left Belle Reve. The summer Dad died and you left us....

STELLA [a little wearily]:

It's just incredible, Blanche, how well you're looking.

BLANCHE:

[They both laugh uncomfortably]

But, Stella, there's only two rooms, I don't see where you're going to put me!

STELLA:

We're going to put you in here.

BLANCHE:

What kind of bed's this--one of those collapsible things?

[She sits on it.]

STELLA:

Does it feel all right?

BLANCHE [dubiously]:

Wonderful, honey. I don't like a bed that gives much. But there's no door between the two rooms, and Stanley--will it be decent?

STELLA:

Stanley is Polish, you know.

BLANCHE:

Oh, yes. They're something like Irish, aren't they?