Mr Pim Passes By | Page 5

half an hour before they happen. George just begins to get hold of them about half an hour after they've happened. (Considering him, stroking his hair.) After all, there's no reason why George shouldn't like you, darling.
BRIAN. I'm not his sort, you know, really.
DINAH. You're more Olivia's sort. Well, we'll tell Olivia this morning.
(OLIVIA comes in from top of staircase up R.)
OLIVIA (coming in). And what are you going to tell Olivia this morning? (They jump up and go to her.)
DINAH. Olivia, darling--
OLIVIA, Oh, well, I think I can guess,
(DINAH goes to her R, and BRIAN to her L., _and they bring her down_ C.)
BRIAN (following). Say you understand, Mrs. Marden.
OLIVIA. Mrs. Marden, I am afraid, is a very dense person, Brian, but I think if you asked Olivia if she understood--
BRIAN. Bless you, Olivia. I knew you'd be on our side.
DINAH. Of course she would.
OLIVIA. I don't know if it's usual to kiss an aunt-in-law, Brian, but Dinah is such a very special sort of niece that--(_she inclines her cheek and BRIAN kisses it_).
DINAH (backing away to B. a little). I say, you are in luck to-day, Brian.
(BRIAN moves up C. laughing.)
OLIVIA (crossing below settee L. and up L. to cabinet). And how many people have been told the good news?
BRIAN. Nobody yet.
DINAH. Except Mr. Pim.
BRIAN (crossing down to DINAH). Oh, does he--
OLIVIA (timing as she reaches cabinet, up L.), Who's Mr, Pim?
DINAH. Oh, he just happened--(OLIVIA _takes curtains and work-basket from centre cupboard of cabinet_.)--I say, are those the curtains? Then you're going to have them after all?
OLIVIA (_with an air of surprise, coming down L., and putting work- basket on table L.C. and sitting with curtains_). After all what? But I decided on them long ago. (To BRIAN.) You haven't told George yet.
BRIAN (moving to below stool L.C.). I began to, you know, but I never got any farther than "Er--there's just--er--"
DINAH (crossing quickly below OLIVIA and speaking into her face). George would talk about pigs all the time.
OLIVIA. Well, I suppose you want me to help you.
DINAH (sitting to L. of OLIVIA). Oh, do, darling.
BRIAN (sits on stool L.C.). It would be awfully decent of you. Of course, I'm not quite his sort really--
DINAH. You're my sort.
BRIAN. But I don't think he objects to me, and--
(GEORGE _comes in from terrace, a typical, narrow-minded, honest country gentleman of forty odd. BRIAN rises hurriedly and crosses to above piano to R. DINAH rises and stands by fireplace. OLIVIA unfolds curtains and prepares to sew_.)
GEORGE (at the windows--he does not see BRIAN). Hullo! Hullo! Hullo! What's all this about a Mr. Pim? Who is he? Where is he? (_He puts his cap on table, and comes down, into room_.) I had most important business with Lumsden, and the girl comes down and cackles about a Mr, Pim, or Ping, or something. Where did I put his card? (Bringing it out.) Carraway Pim. Never heard of him in my life, (_Moves back to writing- table and puts down card_.)
DINAH. He said he had a letter of introduction, Uncle George.
GEORGE. Oh, you saw him, did you! (Comes down C. to R.) Yes, that reminds me, there was a letter--(he brings it out and reads it).
DINAH. He had to send a telegram. He's coming back.
OLIVIA. Pass me those scissors, Brian.
BRIAN (crossing to above table L.C.). These? (he passes them.)
OLIVIA (giving BRIAN a nod of encouragement and looking round at DINAH). Thank you.
GEORGE (reading). Ah well, a friend of Brymer's, Glad to oblige him. Yes, I know the man he wants. Coming back, you say, Dinah? (DINAH nods.) Then I'll be going back too. Send him down to the farm, Olivia, when he comes. (Going up meets BRIAN.) Hallo, what happened to you? (Still moving up a little.)
OLIVIA. Don't go, George, there's something we want to talk about. (DINAH gives a long whistle. All look sheepish and GEORGE _notices their attitude_.)
GEORGE. Hallo, what's this?
BRIAN (quickly and over back of i.e. table to OLIVIA). Shall I---! (DINAH pantomimes. "Yes, do.")
OLIVIA (with a roguish loot at DINAH). Yes, (Sticks needle in work.)
BRIAN (stepping out to C.) I've been wanting to tell you all this morning, sir, only I didn't seem to have an opportunity of getting it out.
GEORGE. Well, what is it?
(BRIAN, taken aback for a moment, looks to OLIVIA _for encouragement. She nods approval and turning to DINAH, takes her hand encouragingly-- _)
BRIAN (boldly). I want to marry Dinah, sir.
GEORGE. You want to marry Dinah? God bless my soul!
DINAH (rushing to him below and to his R. _and pulling her cheek against his coat, and her hands on his shoulder_). Oh, do say you like the idea, Uncle George.
GEORGE. Like the idea! (Taking her hands from his shoulder.) Have you heard of this nonsense, Olivia?
(Movement of annoyance from DINAH.)
OLIVIA. They've just this moment told