"I'll Leave It To You": A Light Comedy In Three Acts

by Noel Coward

(Oliver crosses to Chesterfield, picks up Sylvia's paper and reads,
pacing up and down.)

Mrs. Dermott. There's no fuss, darling, but it's stupid to let the breakfast get cold. I've got mushrooms this morning, specially because Uncle Daniel likes them.

(Enter Bobbie from garden profoundly gloomy. Kisses mother.)

Bobbie. You could hear that beastly gong a mile off.

(Sylvia crosses to table with coffee and milk.)

Mrs. Dermott. I'm so glad, dear. It shows it's a good gong. Ring the bell, will you, Oliver? (Oliver does so.) Where's Evangeline? She's generally quite an early bird.

(Enter Evangeline downstairs. She is distinctly depressed.)

Evangeline (on the stairs). Here I am, mother (kisses Mrs. Dermott). (With sarcasm.) What a pity it is that the bath water isn't a little hotter. I hate tepidity in anything. (Sits on Sylvia's left.)

(Bobbie serves bacon, sitting at the foot of the table, facing Mrs.
Dermott.)

Oliver. If Joyce didn't bounce in and take it all it would be hotter.