The Stage Manager interrupts to reflect on how the relationship between George and Emily began. His reason is that "suddenly you are young and you make a decision to get married and the next thing you know you are seventy and that whitehaired lady at your side has eaten over fifty thousand meals with you " The Stage Manager explains that George has just been elected president of the senior class for the next year and that Emily has been elected secretary-treasurer. Emily is walking down Main Street carrying an armful of schoolbooks. George catches up with her and asks to carry her books. He says that he is awfully glad she was elected.
Suddenly George asks why she is angry with him. Emily gives an honest answer: George has changed during the last year; he spends too much time playing baseball, and people talk about him because he doesn't speak to anyone and acts conceited. George stammers and then admits that Emily's honesty is beneficial because "it's hard for a fella not to have faults creep into his character " Emily explains that she wants men to be perfect and there is no reason why George shouldn't be. George maintains that "men aren't naturally good; but girls are " He asks her to have an ice cream soda with him.
George and Emily enter Morgan's drugstore. The Stage Manager appears in the role of Mr. Morgan, the druggist. He notices that Emily has been crying. George fibs that Emily has been frightened by Tom Huckins' maniac driving. George insists that they order two strawberry ice cream sodas to celebrate their election.
