St. John Ervine's popular comedy of manners follows Janet Fraser, a poised and independent woman who years earlier divorced her husband, Alan, only to find herself drawn back into his household when his glamorous but faithless second wife abandons him for a younger lover. Rather than gloating over her ex-husband's misfortune, Janet steps in with wit and quiet dignity to set his affairs and his heart back in order, all while fending off the assumption that she still wants him for herself. The play is built on sharp, urbane dialogue and the comic tension between old feelings and new independence, as Janet's grown-up composure contrasts with the second wife's flightiness. Along the way, questions of pride, remarriage, and what people actually owe their former spouses are explored with a light touch rather than moralizing. It was a favorite of amateur and repertory companies for its brisk pacing and the meaty, sympathetic central role it offers an actress of maturity and charm. The ending gently suggests that first loves, tempered by hard-won wisdom, may be the most enduring after all.

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