Part 1 (1/2)

Belinda.

by A. A. Milne.

ACT I

_It is a lovely April afternoon--a foretaste of summer--in_ BELINDA'S _garden_.

BETTY, _a middle-aged servant, is fastening a hammock--its first appearance this year--to a tree down_ L. _In front there is a garden-table, with a deck-chair on the right of it and a straight-backed one to the left. There are books, papers, and magazines on the table_. BELINDA, _of whom we shall know more presently, is on the other side of the open windows which look on to the garden, talking to_ BETTY, _who crosses to_ R. _of hammock, securing it to tree_ C.

BELINDA (_from inside the house_). Are you sure you're tying it up tightly enough, Betty?

BETTY (_coming to front of hammock_). Yes, ma'am; I think it's firm.

BELINDA. Because I'm not the fairy I used to be.

BETTY (_testing hammock_). Yes, ma'am; it's quite firm this end too.

BELINDA (_entering from portico with sunshade open_). It's not the ends I'm frightened of; it's the middle where the weight's coming.

(_Comes down_ R. _and admiring_.) It looks very nice. (_She crosses at back of wicker table, hanging her hand-bag on hammock. Closes and places her sunshade at back of tree_ C.)

BETTY. Yes, ma'am.

BELINDA (_trying the middle of it with her hand_). I asked them at the Stores if they were quite _sure_ it would bear me, and they said it would take anything up to--I forget how many tons. I know I thought it was rather rude of them. (_Looking at it anxiously, and trying to get in, first with her right leg and then her left_.) How does one get in! So trying to be a sailor!

BETTY. I think you sit in it, ma'am, and then (_explaining with her hands_) throw your legs over.

BELINDA. I see. (_She sits gingerly in the hammock, and then, with a sudden flutter of white, does what_ BETTY _suggests_.) Yes.

(_Regretfully_.) I'm afraid that was rather wasted on you, Betty.

We must have some spectators next time.

BETTY. Yea, ma'am

BELINDA. Cus.h.i.+ons.

(BETTY _moves to and takes a cus.h.i.+on from deck-chair_. BELINDA _a.s.sists her to place it at back of her head_. BETTY _then goes to back of hammock and arranges_ BELINDA'S _dress_.)

There! Now then, Betty, about callers.

BETTY. Yes, ma'am.

BELINDA. If Mr. Baxter calls--he is the rather prim gentleman--

BETTY. Yea, ma'am; the one who's been here several times before.

(_Moves to below and_ L. _of hammock_.)

BELINDA (_giving_ BETTY _a quick look_). Yes. Well, if he calls, you'll say, ”Not at home.”

BETTY. Yes, ma'am.

BELINDA. He will say (_imitating_ MR. BAXTER), ”Oh--er--oh--er-- really.” Then you'll smile very sweetly and say, ”I beg your pardon, was it Mr_. BAXTER_?” And he'll say, ”Yes!” and you'll say, ”Oh, I beg your pardon, sir; _this_ way, please.”