Belinda: An April Folly in Three ActsMilne, A. A. (Alan Alexander)
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Belinda: An April Folly in Three Acts
Milne, A. A. (Alan Alexander)
English drama -- 20th century
TREMAYNE. I have already told you that he was a silly ass. (_He makes
a move as if to kiss her again_.)
BELINDA (_holding up her hand and sitting on the_ R. _side of the
Chesterfield_). I shall scream for Mr. Baxter.
TREMAYNE (_sitting down on the Chesterfield, on her_ L, _side_.)
Belinda----
BELINDA. Yes, Henry--I mean, Jack?
TREMAYNE. Do you know who I am! (_He is thoroughly enjoying the
surprise he is about to give her_.)
BELINDA (_nodding_). Yes, Jack.
TREMAYNE. Who?
BELINDA. Jack Tremayne.
TREMAYNE (_jumping up_). Good heavens, you _know_!
BELINDA (_gently_). Yes, Jack.
TREMAYNE (_angrily_). You've known all the time that I was your
husband, and you've been playing with me and leading me on.
BELINDA (_mildly_). Well, darling, you knew all the time that I was
your wife, and you've been making love to me and leading me on.
TREMAYNE. That's different.
BELINDA (_to herself_). That's just what the late Mr. Tremayne
said, and then he slammed the door and went straight off to the Rocky
Mountains and shot bears; and I didn't see him again for eighteen years.
TREMAYNE (_remorsefully_). Darling, I was a fool then, and I'm a
fool now.
BELINDA. I was a fool then, but I'm not such a fool now--I'm not going
to let you go. It's quite time I married and settled down.
TREMAYNE. You darling I (_He kisses her_.) How did you find out who
I was?
BELINDA (_awkwardly_). Well, it was rather curious, darling.
(_After a pause_.) It was April, and I felt all sort of Aprily,
and--and--there was the garden all full of daffodils--and--and there was
Mr. Baxter--the one we left in the library--knowing all about moles.
He's probably got the M. volume down now. Well, we were talking about
them one day, and I happened to say that the late Mr. Tremayne--that was
you, darling--had rather a peculiar one on his arm. And then he happened
to see it this morning and told me about it.
TREMAYNE. What an extraordinary story!
BELINDA. Yes, darling; it's really much more extraordinary than that. I
think perhaps I'd better tell you the rest of it another time.
(_Coaxingly_.) Now show me where the nasty lion scratched you.
(TREMAYNE _pulls up his sleeve_.) Oh! (_She kisses his arm_.)
You shouldn't have left Chelsea, darling.
TREMAYNE. I should never have found you if I hadn't.
BELINDA (_squeezing his arm_). No, Jack, you wouldn't. (_After a
pause_.) I--I've got another little surprise for you if--if you're
ready for it. (_Standing up and moving to the chair_ L. _of the
table_.) Properly speaking, I ought to be wearing white. I shall
certainly stand up while I'm telling you. (_Modestly_.) Darling, we
have a daughter--our little Delia. (_He is standing in front of the
fireplace_.)
TREMAYNE. Delia? You said her name was Robinson.
BELINDA. Yes, darling, but you said yours was. One always takes one's
father's name. Unless, of course, you were Lord Robinson.
TREMAYNE. But you said her name was Robinson before you--
(_She makes a playful move_.)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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