Belinda

Belinda, by A. A. Milne

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Title: Belinda
Author: A. A. Milne
Release Date: November, 2004 [EBook #6992] [Yes, we are more than
one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on February 20,
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Language: English
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BELINDA
An April Folly in Three Acts
BY
A. A. MILNE

CHARACTERS

Produced by Mr. Dion Boucioault at the New Theatre, London, on
April 8, 1918, with the following cast:--
BELINDA TREMAYNE .......... Irene Vanbrugh. DELIA (her
Daughter) ...... Isabel Elsom. HAROLD BAXTER ............. Dion
Boucicault. CLAUDE DEVENISH ........... Dennis Neilson-Terry.
JOHN TREMAYNE ............. Ben Webster. BETTY ..................... Anne
Walden.
The action takes place in Belinda's country-house in Devonshire at the
end of April, the first act in the garden and the second and last acts in

the hall

[Illustration]

BELINDA

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. Cushions.
(BETTY moves to and takes a cushion from deck-chair. BELINDA
assists 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."
BETTY. Yes, ma'am.
BELINDA. That's right, Betty. Well now,