Belinda: An April Folly in Three Acts

by A. A. Milne

Betty. Yes, ma'am.

Belinda. He will say (imitating Mr. Baxter), "Oh–er–oh–er–really." Then you'll smile very sweetly and say, "I beg your pardon, was it Mr. Baxter?" And he'll say, "Yes!" and you'll say, "Oh, I beg your pardon, sir; this way, please."

Betty. Yes, ma'am.

Belinda. That's right, Betty. Well now, if Mr. Devenish calls–he is the rather poetical gentleman—

Betty. Yes, ma'am; the one who's always coming here.

Belinda (with a pleased smile). Yes. Well, if he calls you'll say, "Not at home."

Betty. Yes, ma'am.

Belinda. He'll immediately (extending her arms descriptively) throw down his bunch of flowers and dive despairingly into the moat. You'll stop him, just as he is going in, and say, "I beg your pardon, sir, was it Mr. Devenish?" And he will say, "Yes!" and you will say, "Oh, I beg your pardon, sir; this way, please."

Betty. Yes, ma'am. And suppose they both call together?

Belinda (non-plussed for a moment). We won't suppose anything so exciting, Betty.