(_Turning away from her._) Haven't you? It's seemed a long time. (_Handing her the letter without looking at her._) I think Theodore wants to see you about this letter. He's in the garden. PRIMROSE DEANE. (_She takes the letter but hardly glances at it._) Don't--don't you want to see me? You--you were going to ask me if--if I meant--something or other. TED MORRIS. (_Desperately._) Miss Deane, I--I acted a little strangely just now. Please try to forget it. I--I don't think I quite knew what I was doing. PRIMROSE DEANE I will try to forget it, Mr. Morris. (_Enter Mrs. Ben Dixon and Jack_.) MRS. BEN DIXON. (_As they come on_.) Well, drat the boy, you'll stop and have a cup of tea, and a bit of seed cake. You've got time for that? JACK MEDBURY. Well, I won't say no to that. MRS. BEN DIXON. Um--well, it's surprising that you don't. (_To Primrose._) Ring the bell, dear, and let's have some tea up. Lord help the child, what's the matter with _you?_ PRIMROSE DEANE. Nothing, Mrs. Ben Dixon. (_Cherry and Nelly enter._) MRS. BEN DIXON, For goodness sake, look it then. There's no need for the whole house to be like a funeral party. Ted, do go and find Theodore. That tongue of his will be of some use for once in a way. Tell him that if he'll come in he can have all the conversation to himself--that ought to bring him. (_Ted goes out by window_.) We'll have _somebody_ cheerful about. NELLY MORRIS. Shall I see to the tea, aunt? You are looking so worried. MRS. BEN DIXON. No--no, child. Let me be doing something, then I don't think. What's brought that artist friend of yours down in such a hurry? There's nothing wrong with Ted, is there? NELLY MORRIS. No--I don't think so, aunt. MRS. BEN DIXON. Um--just the afternoon for it to happen if there was. Troubles always come together in this world, and they don't even make the usual reduction for taking a quantity. (Enter Theodore and Ted by window.) THEODORE TRAVERS. Want me, mater? MRS. BEN DIXON. Yes, I do--look at us all. Did you ever see a collection of people looking more as if they'd just been fined forty shillings all round? We want some of your light philosophical conversation. Make us a bit cheerful. THEODORE TRAVERS. (_Looks round._) Too big an order for me, mater. You want a soothing and elevating influence here. Where's Ben? MRS. BEN DIXON. Don't you try to irritate me with that step-father of yours, Theodore, or you and I---- (Enter servant.) SERVANT. Did you ring, ma'am? MRS. BEN DIXON. Yes, bring the tea, and tell Davis to---- (_Enter Ben Dixon. He has shaved himself. He enters singing. The servant remains, staring at his master._) MRS. BEN DIXON. (_Staring aghast at Ben Dixon._) Lord save us all! What's the man done to himself!