_below_
BELINDA _and shakes hands with_ DEVENISH.)
DELIA. How do you do?
BELINDA. Miss Robinson has just come over from France. _Man Dieu, quel
pays!_
BAXTER. I hope you had a good crossing, Miss Robinson.
DELIA. Oh, I never mind about the crossing. (_Very slowly and
shyly_.) Aunt Belinda----(_She stops and smiles_.)
BELINDA. Yes, dear?
DELIA. I believe tea is almost ready. I want mine, and I'm sure Mr.
Baxter's hungry. (_He sniggers approvingly_.) Mr. Devenish scorns
food, I expect.
DEVENISH (_hurt_). Why do you say that?
DELIA. Aren't you a poet?
BELINDA. Yes, darling, but that doesn't prevent him eating. He'll be
absolutely lyrical over Betty's sandwiches.
DEVENISH. You won't deny me that inspiration, I hope, Miss Robinson.
BELINDA (_taking_ DELIA'S_ arm and moving with her to below deck-
chair_). Well, let's go and see what they're like.
(DELIA _moves up_ R.C. _to below the porch, accompanied by_
BAXTER _on her_ R. _and_ DEVENISH, _who follows her on her_ L.
_They all move towards the porch_.)
Mr. Baxter, just a moment.
BAXTER (_apologizing to_ DELIA _and moving in front of the others
to back of deck-chair_.
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