He hurries to the medicine cupboard and pours medicine into a spoon. HUBERT comes in from the front door.

HUBERT (eagerly): Have you heard?

MRS. BRAMSON (eagerly): What?

HUBERT: Dora's found a belt!

MRS. BRAMSON (disappointed again): Oh … it was Olivia's.

HUBERT: I say, what a shame!…

MRS. BRAMSON: Tch, tch!… All this sensation-mong——

DAN drowns her speech by deftly pouring the spoonful of medicine down her throat. He pushes her chocolate-box towards her, and strides briskly into the hall.

Horrid….

DAN (taking a soft hat from the rack and putting it on): Good for you, though, the way you are….