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. Yes, that's much better .... (_As if it were he who had
interrupted_.) Well, do go on.
TREMAYNE. I'm afraid it isn't much of an apology really. I saw what
looked like a private road (_points_ L.), but what I rather hoped
wasn't, and--well, I thought I'd risk it. I do hope you'll forgive me.
BELINDA. Oh, but I love people seeing my garden. Are you staying in
Mariton?
TREMAYNE. I think so. Oh yes, decidedly.
BELINDA. Well, perhaps the next time the road won't feel so private.
TREMAYNE. How charming of you! (_He feels he must know. A piano is
heard off playing "Belinda." The tune is continued until the fall of the
curtain_.) Are you Mrs. Tremayne by any chance?
BELINDA. Yes.
TREMAYNE (_nodding to himself_). Yes.
BELINDA. How did _you_ know?
TREMAYNE (_hastily inventing, moving down_ L. _below the
hammock_). They use you as a sign-post in the village. Past Mrs.
Tremayne's house and then bear to the left--
BELINDA. And you couldn't go past it?
TREMAYNE. I'm afraid I couldn't. Thank you so much for not minding.
(_Going up to the_ L. _of her_.) Well, I must be getting on, I
have trespassed quite enough.
BELINDA (_regretfully_). And you haven't really seen the garden
yet.
TREMAYNE. If you won't mind my going on this way, I shall see some more
on my way out.
BELINDA. Please do. It likes being looked at. (_With the faintest
suggestion of demureness_.) All pretty things do.
TREMAYNE. Thank you very much. (_Turns to go up c_.) Er----(_He
hesitates_.)
BELINDA (_helpfully_). Yes?
TREMAYNE. I wonder if you'd mind very much if I called one day to thank
you formally for the lesson you gave me in pronunciation?
BELINDA (_gravely_). Yes. I almost think you ought to. I think it's
the correct thing to do.
TREMAYNE (_contentedly_). Thank you very much, Mrs. Tremayne.
BELINDA. You'll come in quite formally (_pointing to_ R. _with
her sunshade_) by the front-door next time, won't you, because--
because that seems the only chance of my getting to know your name.
TREMAYNE. Oh, I beg your pardon. My name is--er--er--Robinson.
(_She is highly amused and looks round towards the house, recalling to
her mind_ DELIA.)
BELINDA (_laughing_). How very odd!
TREMAYNE (_startled_). Odd?
BELINDA. Yes; we have some one called Robinson (_nodding towards the
house_) staying in the house. I wonder if she is any relation?
TREMAYNE (_hastily_). Oh no, no. No, she couldn't be. I have no
relations called Robinson--not to speak of.
BELINDA. You must tell me all about your relations when you come and
call, Mr. Robinson.
TREMAYNE. I think we can find something better worth talking about than
that.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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