MRS. BRAMSON: Never you mind, dear.... Any more of those terrible people called? Reporters? Police? DAN (_gaily_): There's a definite fallin' off in attendance to-day. Sunday, I expect. MRS. BRAMSON: Hush, don't talk like that, dear. DAN: Sorry, mum. MRS. BRAMSON: And don't call me "mum"! DAN: Well, if I can't call you Mrs. Bramson, what can I call you? MRS. BRAMSON: If you were very good, I might let you call me ... mother! DAN (_mischievously, his hand to his forehead_): O.K., mother. MRS. BRAMSON (_joining in his laughter_): Oh, you are in a mood to-day! (_Suddenly, imperiously_) I want to be read to now. DAN (_crossing to the desk, in mock resignation_): Your servant, mother o' mine.... What'll you have? _The Channings? The Red Court Farm_? MRS. BRAMSON: I'm tired of them. DAN: Well ... oh! (_Taking a large Bible from the top of the desk_) What about the Bible? MRS. BRAMSON: The Bible? DAN: It's Sunday, you know. I was brought up on it! MRS. BRAMSON: So was I ... _East Lynne's_ nice, though. DAN: Not as nice as the Bible. MRS. BRAMSON (_doubtfully_): All right, dear; makes a nice change.... Not that I don't often dip into it. DAN: I'm sure you do. (_Blowing the dust off the book_) Now where'll I read? MRS. BRAMSON (_unenthusiastic_): At random's nice, don't you think, dear? DAN: At random.... Yes.... MRS. BRAMSON: The Old Testament. DAN (_turning over leaves thoughtfully_): At random in the Old Testament's a bit risky, don't you think so? MRS. TERENCE _comes in from the kitchen._ MRS. TERENCE (_to MRS. BRAMSON_): The paperboy's at the back door and says you're in the _News of the World_ again. MRS. BRAMSON (_interested_): Oh!... (_Simulating indifference_) That horrible boy again, when the one thing I want is to blot the whole thing out of my mind. MRS. TERENCE: 'Ow many copies d'you want? MRS. BRAMSON: Get three. MRS. TERENCE: _And_ 'e says there's a placard in Shepperley with your name on it. MRS. BRAMSON: What does it say? MRS. TERENCE: "Mrs. Bramson Talks." _She goes back towards the kitchen._ MRS. BRAMSON: Oh. (_As_ MRS. TERENCE _reaches the kitchen door_) Go at once into Shepperley and order some. At once! MRS. TERENCE: Can't be done. MRS. BRAMSON: Can't be done? What d'you mean, can't be done? It's a scandal. What are you paid for? MRS. TERENCE (_coming back, furious_): I'm not paid! And 'aven't been for two weeks! And I'm not coming to-morrow unless I am! Put that in your copybook and blot it. _She goes back into the kitchen, banging the door._ MRS. BRAMSON: Isn't paid? Is she mad? (_To_ OLIVIA) Are you mad? Why don't you pay her? OLIVIA (_coming down_): Because you don't give me the money to do it with. MRS. BRAMSON: I--(_fumbling at her bodice_)--wheel me over to that cupboard. OLIVIA _is about to do so, when she catches_ DAN'S _eye._ OLIVIA (_to_ DAN, _pointedly_): Perhaps you'd go into the kitchen and get the paper from Mrs. Terence?