Mrs. Dermott. He'd never have got across so quickly if he hadn't. (She sniffs.) Oh, it's too, too wonderful—I have not seen him for six years.
Bobbie. As a matter of fact it is jolly decent of him to be so prompt.
Mrs. Dermott. Where's Oliver? He ought to be here to welcome him too.
Bobbie (c.). Oliver has gone for a brisk walk, to keep fit he said, as if it made any difference whether he kept fit or not.
Mrs. Dermott. It makes a lot of difference, dear. He is the athletic one of the family. (Bobbie is annoyed.) I don't like the way you speak of him, Bobbie. We can't all compose songs and be brilliant. You must try and cultivate a little toleration for others, darling. (Oliver passes window from l.) Oliver is a great comfort to me. Tibbets only said——
Evangeline (glancing out of the window). Here he is, anyhow. Who's going to tell him the news?
Mrs. Dermott (rising, goes to stairs). Well, I've no time now, I must change my dress for Daniel. Turn on the lights, Bobbie; make everything look as cosy and festive as you can. (On stairs.) Run into the kitchen, Joyce dear, and tell cook to make an extra supply of hot cakes for tea. I'm sure Daniel will love them after being so long abroad and living on venison and bully beef and things. (Ascending, then turns.) You will all wash before tea, won't you, darlings? It's always so important to make a good first impression, and he hasn't seen any of you since you've been grown up. (Glances in mirror.) Oh! look at my face, I look quite happy now.
(Exit Mrs. Dermott upstairs.)
Sylvia. I think mother is rather mixing up North and South America; they don't have such awful hardships where Uncle Daniel comes from.
(Enter Oliver from hall; he is a thick-set, determined-looking man
of twenty-five.)