BELINDA (_jumping up and catching her firmly by the left arm_). You will do nothing of the sort. (_Pulling_ DELIA _back to centre_.) You will take off that hat--(_she lets go of the arm and begins to take out the pin_) which is a perfect duck, and I don't know why I didn't say so before--(_she puts the hat down on the table_) and let me take a good look at you (_she does so_), and kiss you (_she does so, then crosses_ DELIA _below her and takes her towards the house_), and then we'll go to your room and unpack and have a lovely talk about clothes. And then we'll have tea. (BETTY _comes in and stands up at back_.) And now here's Betty coming in to upset all our delightful plans, just when we'vt made them. (BELINDA _and_ DELIA _are now on_ BETTY'S R.) DELIA (_leaving_ BELINDA _and shaking hands with_ BETTY). How are you, Betty? I've left school. BETTY. Very nicely, thank you, miss. (_Backing to_ L. _and admiring_.) You've grown. BELINDA (_moving to and patting the top of_ DELIA'S _head_). I'm much taller than she is... (_Crossing to_ BETTY _in front of_ DELIA.) Well, Betty, what is it? BETTY. The two gentlemen, Mr. Baxter and Mr. Devenish, have both called together, ma'am. BELINDA (_excited_). Oh! How--how very simultaneous of them! DELIA (_eagerly, going towards house_). Oh, do let me see them! BELINDA (_stopping her_). Darling, you'll see plenty of them before you've finished. (_To_ BETTY _in an exaggerated whisper_.) What have you done with them? BETTY. They're waiting in the hall, ma'am, while I said I would see if you were at home. BELINDA. All right, Betty. Give me two minutes and then show them out here. BETTY. Yes, ma'am. (BETTY _crosses below_ BELINDA _and_ DELIA _and exits into the house_.) BELINDA (_taking_ DELIA _down_ R. _a step_). They can't do much harm to each other in two minutes. DELIA (_taking her hat from table_). Well, I'll go and unpack. (_She goes back to_ BELINDA.) You really won't mind my coming down afterwards? BELINDA. Of course not. (_A little awkwardly, taking_ DELIA'S _arm and moving down_ R.) Darling one, I wonder if you'd mind--just at first--being introduced as my niece. (_By now at foot of deck-chair_.) You see, I expect they're in a bad temper already (_now_ C.), having come here together, and we don't want to spoil their day entirely. DELIA (_smiling, on_ BELINDA'S L.). I'll be your mother if you like. BELINDA. Oh no, that wouldn't do, because then Mr. Baxter would feel that he ought to ask your permission before paying his attentions to me. He's just that sort of man. A niece is so safe--however good you are at statistics, you can't really prove anything. DELIA. All right, mummy.