BELINDA. Lovely. (_She kisses her once more, then she takes the cushion from the hammock, moves at back of table and places it on the head of the deck-chair_.) And now you're going to stay with me for just as long as you want a mother. (_Anxiously moving to_ R. _of deckchair_.) Darling, you didn't mind being sent away to school, did you? It _is_ the usual thing, you know. DELIA. Silly mother! of course it is. BELINDA (_relieved, and sitting on deck-chair_). I'm so glad you think so too. DELIA. Have you been very lonely without me? BELINDA (_with a sly look at_ DELIA). Very. DELIA (_turning to_ BELINDA _and holding up a finger_). The truth, mummy! BELINDA. I've missed you horribly, Delia. (_Primly_.) The absence of female companionship of the requisite-- DELIA. Are you really all alone? BELINDA (_smiling mysteriously and coyly_). Well, not always, of course. DELIA (_excitedly, at she slips off the table, and backing to_ L. _a little_). Mummy, I believe you're being bad again. BELINDA. Really, darling, you forget that I'm old enough to be--in fact, am--your mother. DELIA (_nodding her head_). You are being bad. BELINDA (_rising with dignity and drawing herself up to her full height, moving_ L.). My child, that is not the way to--Oh, I say, what a lot taller I am than you! (_Turning her back to_ DELIA _and comparing sizes_.) DELIA. And prettier. BELINDA (_playfully rubbing noses with_ DELIA). Oh, do you think so? (_Firmly, but pleased_.) Don't be silly, child. DELIA (_holding up a finger_). Now tell me all that's been happening here at once. BELINDA (_with a sigh_). And I was just going to ask you how you were getting on with your French. (_Sits in deck-chair_.) DELIA. Bother French! You've been having a much more interesting time than I have, so you've got to tell. BELINDA (_with a happy sigh_). O-oh! (_She sinks back into her chair_.) DELIA (_taking off her coat_). Is it like the Count at Scarborough? BELINDA (_surprised and pained_). My darling, what do you mean? DELIA. Don't you remember the Count who kept proposing to you at Scarborough? I do. (_Places coat on hammock_.) BELINDA (_reproachfully_). Dear one, you were the merest child, paddling about on the beach and digging castles. DELIA (_smiling to herself_). I was old enough to notice the Count. BELINDA (_sadly_). And I'd bought her a perfectly new spade! How one deceives oneself! DELIA (_at table and leaning across, with hands on table_). And then there was the M.P. who proposed at Windermere. BELINDA. Yes, dear, but it wasn't seconded--I mean he never got very far with it. DELIA. And the artist in Wales. BELINDA. Darling child, what a memory you have. No wonder your teachers are pleased with you. DELIA (_settling herself comfortably in deck-chair_ L. _of_ BELINDA _and lying in her arms_). Now tell me all about this one. BELINDA (_meekly_). Which one? DELIA (_excitedly_). Oh, are there lots? BELINDA (_severely_). Only two.