MRS. DERMOTT. We're saved--oh, my darlings! (_She breaks down again._) JOYCE. He may not have any money after all. MRS. DERMOTT. He'd never have got across so quickly if he hadn't. (_She sniffs._) Oh, it's too, too wonderful--I have not seen him for six years. BOBBIE. As a matter of fact it is jolly decent of him to be so prompt. MRS. DERMOTT. Where's Oliver? He ought to be here to welcome him too. BOBBIE (C.). Oliver has gone for a brisk walk, to keep fit he said, as if it made any difference whether he kept fit or not. MRS. DERMOTT. It makes a lot of difference, dear. He is the athletic one of the family. (BOBBIE _is annoyed_.) I don't like the way you speak of him, Bobbie. We can't all compose songs and be brilliant. You must try and cultivate a little toleration for others, darling. (OLIVER _passes window from_ L.) Oliver is a great comfort to me. Tibbets only said---- EVANGELINE (_glancing out of the window_). Here he is, anyhow. Who's going to tell him the news? MRS. DERMOTT (_rising, goes to stairs_). Well, I've no time now, I must change my dress for Daniel. Turn on the lights, Bobbie; make everything look as cosy and festive as you can. (_On stairs._) Run into the kitchen, Joyce dear, and tell cook to make an extra supply of hot cakes for tea. I'm sure Daniel will love them after being so long abroad and living on venison and bully beef and things. (_Ascending, then turns._) You will all wash before tea, won't you, darlings? It's always so important to make a good first impression, and he hasn't seen any of you since you've been grown up. (_Glances in mirror._) Oh! look at my face, I look quite happy now. (_Exit_ MRS. DERMOTT _upstairs._) SYLVIA. I think mother is rather mixing up North and South America; they don't have such awful hardships where Uncle Daniel comes from. (_Enter_ OLIVER _from hall; he is a thick-set, determined-looking man of twenty-five._) OLIVER. Hallo! (_Crossing to table_, L.C.) JOYCE (_going to him, excitedly_). Something wonderful has happened, Oliver. OLIVER. What is it? JOYCE. We're ruined. I've just got to go and order extra teacakes. Isn't it all thrilling? (_Exit_ JOYCE _into hall._) OLIVER. What on earth's she talking about? SYLVIA. It's perfectly true. We haven't any money, but Uncle Daniel's coming to-day, and we're sure he'll help us. OLIVER (_dazed_). Haven't any money, but---- EVANGELINE (_at fire_). Mother's been rather vague as usual, but we gather that we're practically penniless, and that we shall have to give up the house after two years unless something happens. SYLVIA. Luckily Uncle Daniel is happening--this afternoon. Mother's just had a wire from him--he's certain to be rich, mother says. (BOBBIE _leaning against stairs._) OLIVER. Why? SYLVIA. Because he's a bachelor, and has been living in South America for five years. BOBBIE. Six years. SYLVIA. Five years. BOBBIE. Six years--mother said so. SYLVIA. No, she didn't----