Belinda (absently). No. (Hurriedly.) I mean, how sweet of you–only—
Delia. What!
Belinda (playing with her rings). Well, one of them, Mr. Baxter–Harold–(she looks quickly up at Delia and down again in pretty affectation, but she is really laughing at herself all the time) he writes statistical articles for the Reviews–percentages and all those things. He's just the sort of man, if he knew that I was your mother, to work it out that I was more than thirty. The other one, Mr. Devenish–Claude–(she looks up and down as before) he's rather, rather poetical. He thinks I came straight from heaven–last week.
Delia (laughing and jumping up and crossing below deck-chair to R. towards house). I think I'd better go straight back to Paris.
Belinda (jumping up and catching her firmly by the left arm). You will do nothing of the sort. (Pulling Delia back to centre.) You will take off that hat–(she lets go of the arm and begins to take out the pin) which is a perfect duck, and I don't know why I didn't say so before–(she puts the hat down on the table) and let me take a good look at you (she does so), and kiss you (she does so, then crosses Delia below her and takes her towards the house), and then we'll go to your room and unpack and have a lovely talk about clothes. And then we'll have tea.
(Betty comes in and stands up at back.)
And now here's Betty coming in to upset all our delightful plans, just when we'vt made them. (Belinda and Delia are now on Betty's R.)
Delia (leaving Belinda and shaking hands with Betty). How are you, Betty? I've left school.
Betty. Very nicely, thank you, miss. (Backing to L. and admiring.) You've grown.
Belinda (moving to and patting the top of Delia's head). I'm much taller than she is... (Crossing to Betty in front of Delia.) Well, Betty, what is it?