MRS. DERMOTT. Oh, Danny, I only wish you were better in health. The shadow of your illness just hangs over me like a nightmare. I can't pass a flower shop without thinking of you. DANIEL (_puts down knife and fork_). But I'm not ill at all. I've no intention of dying until I'm eighty-three or even eighty-four. MRS. DERMOTT. Dear old boy, you're only saying that so that I shan't worry. (_She dabs her eyes._) But it's no use, you can't deceive me, you know. DANIEL. But, Anne, I swear.-- MRS. DERMOTT. There, there, we'll say no more about it. It only upsets me and here's your tea. (_She takes tea from_ GRIGGS, _who has entered with tea and toast. He goes off again._) Have you seen your doctor lately? DANIEL (_resignedly_). Yes, I saw him the other day. MRS. DERMOTT (_pouring out tea_). And what did he say? DANIEL (_confused_). Well--er--I don't know--he sounded me. MRS. DERMOTT. Yes, they always do that. I wonder why. Your illness has nothing to do with your heart has it? DANIEL (_firmly_). My dear Anne, I haven't got an illness. MRS. DERMOTT. I'm sure I hope not, dear, but if he said that, I should really get another more expert opinion if I were you. A man like that can't be really reliable. I don't believe in doctors ever since poor Millicent Jenkins died. DANIEL. Look here, Anne, I really do want to make you understand that what I told the children is perfectly true. I haven't any money. MRS. DERMOTT. Nonsense, dear, you can't pull my leg as easily as that. How were you able to send that cheque when I most needed it, and those lovely Christmas presents, and the fares backwards and forwards to America--I believe you've got some big surprise for us all later on and you're afraid that we'll guess it. DANIEL. Yes, I have. MRS. DERMOTT (_rising_). Now look here, dear, I must leave you for a little while. Saturday is the busiest morning in the whole week. Finish off your breakfast and smoke a pipe--or a cigar or something; if any of the children come near you, just ignore them or pretend to be frightfully angry with them. That will bring them round. (_Enter_ GRIGGS _hurriedly_, R.) GRIGGS. If you please, madam, the boiler is making the most peculiar noises. Shall I send for Brown to come and look at it? MRS. DERMOTT. I don't think that will do it any good, but still perhaps you'd better. I'll come myself in a minute. (_Exit_ GRIGGS, R.) MRS. DERMOTT (C.). Really, everything is going wrong this morning, first you, Danny, then the boiler; sometimes life isn't worth living--I do hope it won't burst. (_Exit_ MRS. DERMOTT, R. DANIEL _sits thoughtful for a moment and_ _then resumes his breakfast. Enter_ JOYCE _from garden. She sees_ UNCLE DANIEL _and comes rather sheepishly up to him._) JOYCE. Uncle, I---- DANIEL (_gruffly_). Good morning. JOYCE (_feebly_). Good morning. (_There is a long pause._) Uncle Daniel--we've--er--we've all been talking---- DANIEL. That's quite a natural and healthy occupation.