Baxter--Heaven help her!--she
loves me--
BELINDA (at the garden door.). What _are_ you doing, Mr. Devenish!
DEVENISH (throwing away the flower and bowing very low). My lady.
BAXTER (removing his bowler-hat stiffly). Good afternoon, Mrs.
Tremayne.
(She gives her left hand to DEVENISH, who kisses it, and her
right to BAXTER, who shakes it.)
BELINDA. How nice of you both to come!
BAXTER. Mr. Devenish and I are inseparable--apparently.
BELINDA. You haven't told me what you were doing, Mr. Devenish. Was
it "This year, next year?" or "Silk, satin--"
DEVENISH. My lady, it was even more romantic than that. I have the
honour to announce to your ladyship that Mr. Baxter is to be a
sailor.
BELINDA (to BAXTER). Doesn't he talk nonsense?
BAXTER. He'll grow out of it. I did.
BELINDA. Oh, I hope not. I love talking nonsense, and I'm ever so
old. (As they both start forward to protest) Now which one of
you will say it first?
DEVENISH. You are as old as the stars and as young as the dawn.
BAXTER. You are ten years younger than I am.
BELINDA. What sweet things to say! I don't know which I like best.
DEVENISH. Where will my lady sit?
BELINDA. I will recline in the hammock, an it please thee, my lord--
only it's rather awkward getting in, Mr. Baxter. Perhaps you'd both
better look at the tulips for a moment.
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