BETTY. Yes, ma'am. [Exit.]
BELINDA. They can't do much harm to each other in two minutes.
DELIA (taking her hat). Well, I'll go and unpack. You really won't
mind my coming down afterwards?
BELINDA. Of course not. (A little awkwardly) Darling one, I wonder
if you'd mind--just at first--being introduced as my niece. You
see, I expect they're in a bad temper already, having come here
together, and we don't want to spoil their day entirely.
DELIA (smiling). I'll be your mother if you like.
BELINDA. Oh no, that wouldn't do, because then Mr. Baxter would
feel that he ought to ask your permission before paying his
attentions to me. He's just that sort of man. A niece is so safe--
however good you are at statistics, you can't really prove
anything.
DELIA. All right, mummy.
BELINDA (enjoying herself). You'd like to be called by a different
name, wouldn't you? There's something so thrilling about taking a
false name. Such a lot of adventures begin like that. How would
you like to be Miss Robinson, darling? It's a nice easy one to
remember. (Persuasively.) And you shall put your hair up so as to
feel more disguised. What fun we're going to have!
DELIA. You baby! All right, then, I'm Miss Robinson, your favourite
niece. (She moves towards the house.)
BELINDA. How sweet of you! Oh, I'm coming with you to do your hair.
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