BELINDA (_coming down_ R.). What are you doing, Mr. Devenish! DEVENISH (_throwing away the flower and bowing very low_). My lady. (BAXTER _rises quickly_.) BAXTER (removing his bowler-hat stiffly). Good afternoon, Mrs. Tremayne. (_She gives her left hand to_ DEVENISH, _who kisses it, and her right to_ BAXTER, _who shakes it_.) BELINDA. How nice of you both to come! BAXTER. Mr. Devenish and I are inseparable--apparently. BELINDA. You haven't told me what you were doing, Mr. Devenish. Was it (_plucking an imaginary flower_) "This year, next year?" or "Silk, satin--" DEVENISH. My lady, it was even more romantic than that. I have the honour to announce to your ladyship that Mr. Baxter is to be a sailor. (_Dances round imitating the hornpipe_.) BELINDA (_to_ BAXTER). Doesn't he talk nonsense? BAXTER. He'll grow out of it. I did. BELINDA (_moving down_ R. _and then to centre towards hammock_). Oh, I hope not. I love talking nonsense, and I'm ever so old. (_As they both start forward to protest_.) Now which one of you will say it first? DEVENISH. You are as old as the stars and as young as the dawn. BAXTER. You are ten years younger than I am. BELINDA. What sweet things to say! I don't know which I like best. DEVENISH. Where will my lady sit! BELINDA (_with an exaggerated curtsy_). I will recline in the hammock, an it please thee, my lord------ (BAXTER _goes to the right of the hammock, saying_ "Allow me." DEVENISH _moves to the left of the hammock and holds it, takes up a cushion which_ BAXTER _snatches from him and places in hammock again_.) --only it's rather awkward getting in, Mr. Baxter. Perhaps you'd both better look at the tulips for a moment. BAXTER. Oh--ah--yes. (_Crosses down_ R., _turns his back to the hammock and examines the flowers_.) DEVENISH (leaning over her). If only------ BELINDA. You'd better not say anything, Mr. Devenlsh. Keep it for your next volume. (_He turns away and examines flowers on_ L. _She sits on hammock_.) One, two, three--(_throws her legs over_)-- that was better than last time. (_They turn round to see her safely in the hammock_. DEVENISH _leans against the_ L. _tree at her feet, and_ BAXTER _draws the deck-chair from the right side of the table and turns it round towards her. He presses his hat more firmly on and sits down_.) I wonder if either of you can guess what I've been reading this afternoon! DEVENISH (_looking at her lovingly_). I know. BELINDA (_giving him a fleeting look_). How did you know? DEVENISH. Well, I----- BELINDA (_to_ BAXTER). Yes, Mr. Baxter, it was your article I was reading. If you'd come five minutes earlier you'd have found me wrestling--I mean revelling in it. BAXTER. I am very greatly honoured, Mrs. Tremayne. Ah--it seemed to me a very interesting curve showing the rise and fall of-----