Belinda: An April Folly in Three ActsMilne, A. A. (Alan Alexander)
General
Belinda: An April Folly in Three Acts
Milne, A. A. (Alan Alexander)
English drama -- 20th century
BELINDA. I shouldn't go on _that_ too much. You see, he may easily
have changed it by now. He was never very much of a Robinson. Nothing to
do with Peter or any of those.
DEVENISH. I will find him.
BAXTER (_with a look of annoyance at_ DEVENISH). Well, can you tell
us what he's like?
BELINDA. Well, it's such a long time since I saw him. (_Looking down
modestly_.) Of course, I was quite a girl then. The only thing I know
for certain is that he has a mole on his left arm about here. (_She
indicates a spot just below the elbow_. BAXTER _examines it
closely_.)
DEVENISH (_folding his arms and looking nobly upwards_). I will
find him.
BAXTER. I am bound to inform you, Mrs. Tremayne, that even a trained
detective could not give you very much hope in such a case. However, I
will keep a look-out for him, and, of course, if--
DEVENISH. Fear not, lady, I will find him.
BAXTER (_annoyed_). Yes, you keep on saying that, but what have you
got to go on?
DEVENISH (_grandly_). Faith! The faith which moves mountains.
BELINDA. Yes, and this is only just one small mole-hill, Mr. Baxter.
BAXTER. Yes, but still--
BELINDA. S'sh! here is Miss Robinson.
(BAXTER _takes up his hat and moves below the deck-chair to_ R.
_to meet_ DELIA.)
If Mr. Devenish will hold the hammock while I alight--we don't want an
accident--
(DELIA _comes out of the house_.)
--I can introduce you. (_He helps her to get out, holding the
hammock_.) Thank you. Delia darling (DELIA _moves down_ R.) this
is Mr. Baxter,--and Mr. Devenish. My niece, Miss Robinson--
(DELIA _shakes hands with_ BAXTER _and moves to_ C. _below_
BELINDA _and shakes hands with_ DEVENISH.)
DELIA. How do you do?
BELINDA. Miss Robinson has just come over from France. _Man Dieu, quel
pays!_
BAXTER. I hope you had a good crossing, Miss Robinson.
DELIA. Oh, I never mind about the crossing. (_Very slowly and
shyly_.) Aunt Belinda----(_She stops and smiles_.)
BELINDA. Yes, dear?
DELIA. I believe tea is almost ready. I want mine, and I'm sure Mr.
Baxter's hungry. (_He sniggers approvingly_.) Mr. Devenish scorns
food, I expect.
DEVENISH (_hurt_). Why do you say that?
DELIA. Aren't you a poet?
BELINDA. Yes, darling, but that doesn't prevent him eating. He'll be
absolutely lyrical over Betty's sandwiches.
DEVENISH. You won't deny me that inspiration, I hope, Miss Robinson.
BELINDA (_taking_ DELIA'S_ arm and moving with her to below deck-
chair_). Well, let's go and see what they're like.
(DELIA _moves up_ R.C. _to below the porch, accompanied by_
BAXTER _on her_ R. _and_ DEVENISH, _who follows her on her_ L.
_They all move towards the porch_.)
Mr. Baxter, just a moment.
BAXTER (_apologizing to_ DELIA _and moving in front of the others
to back of deck-chair_.) Yes?
(DELIA _gathers a daffodil from a vase_ R. _and places it in
_DEVENISH'S_ buttonhole_.)
BELINDA (_secretly_). Not a word to her about Mr. Robinson. It must
be a surprise for her.
BAXTER. Quite so, I understand.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account