Part 8 (1/2)

TREMAYNE (_hastily inventing, moving down_ L. _below the hammock_). They use you as a sign-post in the village. Past Mrs.

Tremayne's house and then bear to the left--

BELINDA. And you couldn't go past it?

TREMAYNE. I'm afraid I couldn't. Thank you so much for not minding.

(_Going up to the_ L. _of her_.) Well, I must be getting on, I have trespa.s.sed quite enough.

BELINDA (_regretfully_). And you haven't really seen the garden yet.

TREMAYNE. If you won't mind my going on this way, I shall see some more on my way out.

BELINDA. Please do. It likes being looked at. (_With the faintest suggestion of demureness_.) All pretty things do.

TREMAYNE. Thank you very much. (_Turns to go up c_.) Er----(_He hesitates_.)

BELINDA (_helpfully_). Yes?

TREMAYNE. I wonder if you'd mind very much if I called one day to thank you formally for the lesson you gave me in p.r.o.nunciation?

BELINDA (_gravely_). Yes. I almost think you ought to. I think it's the correct thing to do.

TREMAYNE (_contentedly_). Thank you very much, Mrs. Tremayne.

BELINDA. You'll come in quite formally (_pointing to_ R. _with her sunshade_) by the front-door next time, won't you, because-- because that seems the only chance of my getting to know your name.

TREMAYNE. Oh, I beg your pardon. My name is--er--er--Robinson.

(_She is highly amused and looks round towards the house, recalling to her mind_ DELIA.)

BELINDA (_laughing_). How very odd!

TREMAYNE (_startled_). Odd?

BELINDA. Yes; we have some one called Robinson (_nodding towards the house_) staying in the house. I wonder if she is any relation?

TREMAYNE (_hastily_). Oh no, no. No, she couldn't be. I have no relations called Robinson--not to speak of.

BELINDA. You must tell me all about your relations when you come and call, Mr. Robinson.

TREMAYNE. I think we can find something better worth talking about than that.

BELINDA. Do you think so? (_He says ”Yes” with his eyes, bows, and moves up_ C. _The piano is now forte. BELINDA accompanies him up a little, then stops. He turns in entrance up C., and they exchange glances_. TREMAYNE _exits to_ R., _behind yew hedge. BELINDA stays looking after him, then moves down to back of table and picking up the book of poems, gives that happy sigh of hers, only even more so_.) O-oh!

(_Enter_ BETTY _from porch_.)

BETTY. If you please, ma'am, Miss Delia says, are you coming in to tea?

BELINDA (_looking straight in front of her, and taking no notice of_ BETTY, _in a happy, dreamy voice_). Betty, ... about callers .... If Mr. Robinson calls--he's the handsome gentleman who hasn't been here before (_puts book down_)--you will say, ”Not at home.” And he will say, ”Oh!” And you will say, ”I beg your pardon, sir, was it Mr. Robinson?” And he will say, ”Yes!” And you will say, ”Oh, I beg your pardon, sir---” (_Almost as if she were BETTY, she begins to move towards the house_.) ”This way---” (_she would be smiling an invitation over her shoulder to_ MR. ROBINSON, _if he were there, and she were_ BETTY)--”please!” (_And the abandoned woman goes in to tea_.)