I'd no sooner got round the corner she screamed for me—"Danny, Danny, Danny!" she was screamin'—"Danny," she calls me, a pet name for Dan, that is—
As BELSIZE _goes into the sun-room.
(Rambling on mechanically_) I told her so then. I said, "It's dangerous, that's what it is, havin' so much paraffin in the house." That paraffin—she shouldn't ha' so much paraffin in the house—
His voice trails away. Silence. BELSIZE comes back, his face intent, one hand in coat pocket. A pause.
BELSIZE (to OLIVIA): What are you doing here?
OLIVIA: I'm concerned in—
DAN (loudly, decisively, silencing her): It's all right. (Crossing to BELSIZE and swaggering desperately, in front of the women) I'm the feller. Anything I'm concerned in, I run all by myself. If there's going to be any putting me on a public platform to answer any questions, I'm going to do it by myself … (looking at OLIVIA) … or not at all. I'll manage myself all right—
BELSIZE: I get you. Like a bit of limelight, eh?
DAN (smiling): Well …
BELSIZE (as if humouring him): Let's have a look at your hands, old boy, will you?