Corn. (replacing other chair) No, no! Merely ordinary courtesies.
Nio. (very affectionately) I have no fear of him now you are here.
Putting her arms round Dunn’s neck as he turns; Corney, coming forward, sees them and affects to be greatly shocked, hiding face with newspaper.
Dunn. (perplexed and affecting light indifference, trying to get away from her) Of course not, there is nothing to be afraid of. (to Corney) She’s so timid, you see Corney, she—she—seems to think everyone is against her.
Niobe looks up, their faces close together.
Corn. (down C.) She doesn’t seem to mind you, Peter!
Dunn. No, she’s quite taken to me, and if there is anything, Corney, I’ll find out for you. She’ll tell me!
As Dunn turns from Niobe going towards Corney, she keeps him back with her arms still round his neck. He breaks away and she goes L.—Dunn R.
Corn. Well, I’ll leave her to you—(goes up L. C.) I confess I don’t know what to make of her; she doesn’t seem the kind of person to undertake such a mission; a resuscitated mummy couldn’t appear more ignorant of the world’s ways. (aloud) Peter! Peter! Hail to you!