Books: Night Must Fall
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Williams, Emlyn >> Night Must Fall
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OLIVIA: What awful things?
DAN: Well ... (_Grinning like a child and going back to the
sofa_) Ah-ha!... I haven't had as much to drink as all that!
(_Sitting on the sofa_) Ah-ha!...
OLIVIA: You haven't a very high opinion of women, have you?
DAN _makes a gesture with his hands, pointing the thumbs downwards
with a decisive movement._
DAN: Women don't have to be drunk to talk.... You don't talk that much,
though; fair play. (_Looking her up and down, insolently_) You're
a dark horse, you are.
_A pause. She rises abruptly and stands at the fireplace, her back to
him. She takes off her spectacles._
Ye know, this isn't the life for you. What is there to it? Tell me
that!
OLIVIA (_sombrely_): What is there to it ...?
DAN: Yes....
OLIVIA: Getting up at seven, mending my stockings or washing them,
having breakfast with a vixenish old woman and spending the rest of the
day with her, in a dreary house in the middle of a wood, and going to
bed at eleven.... I'm plain, I haven't got any money, I'm shy, and I
haven't got any friends.
DAN (_teasing_): Don't you _like_ the old lady?
OLIVIA: I could kill her.
_A pause. She realises what she has said._
DAN (_with a laugh_): Oh, no, you couldn't!... Not many people
have it in them to kill people.... Oh, no!
_She looks at him. A pause. He studies the palms of his hands,
chuckling to himself._
OLIVIA: And what was there to your life at the Tallboys?
DAN: My life? Well.... The day don't start so good, with a lot of
stuck-up boots to clean, and a lot of silly high heels all along the
passage waitin' for a polish, and a lot of spoons to clean that's been
in the mouths of gapin' fools that looks through me as if I was a dirty
window hadn't been cleaned for years.... (_Throwing his stub into the
fire in a sudden crescendo of fury_) Orders, orders, orders; go
here, do this, don't do that, you idiot, open the door for me, get a
move on--I was never meant to take orders, never!... Down in the tea-
place there's an old white beard wigglin'. "Waiter, my tea's stone
cold." (_Furiously_) I'm not a waiter, I'm a millionaire, and
everybody's under me!... And just when I think I got a bit o' peace....
(_His head in his hands_) ... there's somebody ... lockin' the
bedroom door ... (_raising his head_) ... won't let me get out;
talk, talk, talk, won't fork out with no more money, at me, at me, at
me, won't put no clothes on, calls me everythin', lie on the floor and
screams and screams, so nothin' keeps that mouth shut only ... (_A
pause._) It's rainin' out of the window, and the leaves is off the
trees ... oh, Lord ... I wish I could hear a bit o' music ...
(_smiling, slowly_) ... And I do, inside o' myself! And I have a
drop of drink ... and everything's fine (_Excited_) And when it's
the night ...
OLIVIA (_with a cry_): Go on!
_A pause. He realises she is there, and turns slowly and looks at
her._
DAN (_wagging his finger with a sly smile_): Aha! I'm too fly for
you! You'd like to know, wouldn't you? Aha! Why would you like to know?
(_Insistently, mischievously_) Why d'you lie awake ... all night?
OLIVIA: Don't!... I'm frightened of you!...
DAN (_triumphantly, rising and facing her, his back half to the
audience_): Why?
OLIVIA (_desperate_): How do you know I lie awake at night? Shall
I tell you why? Because you're awake yourself! You can't sleep, can
you?... (_Triumphantly, in her turn_) You _can't sleep!_ There's
one thing that keeps you awake ... isn't there? One thing you've pushed
into the back of your mind, and you can't do any more about it, and you
never will.... And do you know what it is?... It's a little thing. A box.
Only a box. But it's ... rather heavy....
DAN _looks at her. A long pause. He jerks away with a laugh and sits
at the sofa again._ DAN (_quietly, prosaically_): The way you
was going through my letters the other day--that had to make me
smile.... _His voice dies away. Without warning, as if seeing
something in his mind which makes him lose control, he shrieks loudly,
clapping his hands over his eyes: then is silent. He recovers slowly
and stares at her.
(After a pause, in a measured voice_) It's the only thing that keeps
me awake, mind you! The only thing! (_Earnestly_) But I don't know
what to do.... You see, nothing worries me, nothing in the world, only
... I don't like a pair of eyes staring at me ... (_his voice trailing
away_) ... with no look in them. I don't know what to do ... I don't
know ...
_Without warning he bursts into tears. She sits beside him and seems
almost about to put her arms about him. He feels she is there, looks
into her eyes, grasps her arm, then pulls himself together abruptly.
(Rising_) But it's the only thing! I live by myself ... (_clapping
his chest_) ... inside here--and all the rest of you can go hang!
_After_ I've made a use of you, though! Nothing's going to stop
me! I feel fine! I--
BELSIZE _crosses outside. A sharp knock at the front door. She half
rises. He motions her to sit again.
(With his old swagger_) All right! Anybody's there, I'll deal with
'em--I'll manage myself all right! You watch me!
_He goes to the front door and opens it._
BELSIZE (_at the door, jovially_): Hello, Dan! How's things?
DAN (_letting him in and shutting the door_): Not so bad....
_He brings_ BELSIZE _into the room._
BELSIZE (_as OLIVIA goes_): Afternoon, Miss Grayne!
OLIVIA (_putting on her spectacles_): How do you do....
_She makes an effort to compose herself and hurries across to the
sun-room._ BELSIZE'S _attitude is one of slightly exaggerated
breeziness:_ DAN'S _is one of cheerful naivete almost as limpid as
on his first appearance._
BELSIZE: Bearing up, eh?
DAN: Yes, sir, bearin' up, you know....
BELSIZE: We haven't scared you all out of the house yet, I see!
DAN: No chance!
BELSIZE: All these blood-curdlers, eh?
DAN: I should say so!
BELSIZE: No more news for me, I suppose?
DAN: No chance!
BELSIZE: Ah ... too bad! Mind if I sit down?
DAN: (_pointing to the sofa_): Well, this is the nearest you get
to comfort in this house, sir.
BELSIZE: No, thanks, this'll do.... (_Sitting on a chair at the
table, and indicating the cuttings_) I see you keep apace of the
news?
DAN: I should say so! They can't hardly wait for the latest on the
case in this house, sir.
BELSIZE: Ah, well, it's only natural.... I got a bit of a funny feeling
bottom of my spine myself crossing by the rubbish-heap.
DAN: Well, will you have a cigarette, sir?... (_His hand to his
jacket pocket_) Only a Woodbine----
BELSIZE: No, thanks.
DAN (_after a pause_): Would you like to see Mrs. Bramson, sir?
BELSIZE: Oh, plenty of time. How's she bearing up?
DAN: Well, it's been a bit of a shock for her, them finding the remains
of the lady at the bottom of her garden, you know.
BELSIZE: The remains of the lady! I wish you wouldn't talk like that.
I've seen 'em.
DAN (_looking over his shoulder at the cuttings_): Well, you see,
I haven't.
BELSIZE: You know, I don't mind telling you, they reckon the fellow
that did this job was a bloodstained clever chap.
DAN (_smiling_): You don't say?
BELSIZE (_casually_): He was blackmailing her, you know.
DAN: Tch! tch! Was he?
BELSIZE: Whoever he was.
DAN: She had a lot of fellows on a string, though, didn't she?
BELSIZE (_guardedly_): That's true.
DAN: Though this one seems to have made a bit more stir than any of the
others, don't he?
BELSIZE: Yes. (_Indicating the cuttings_) Regular film star. Made
his name.
DAN (_abstractedly_): If you _can_ make your name withou
nobody knowin' what it is, o' course.
BELSIZE (_slightly piqued_): Yes, of course.... But I don't reckon
he's been as bright as all that.
DAN (_after a slight pause_): Oh, you don't?
BELSIZE: No! They'll nab him in no time.
DAN: Oh ... Mrs. Bramson'll be that relieved. And the whole country
besides....
BELSIZE: Look here, Dan, any self-respecting murderer would have taken
care to mutilate the body to such a degree that nobody could recognise
it--and here we come and identify it first go! (DAN _folds his arms
and looks thoughtful_.) Call that clever?... What d'you think?
DAN _catches his eye and crosses to the sofa._
DAN: Well, sir, I'm a slow thinker, I am, but though it might be clever
to leave the lady unide--unide----
BELSIZE: Unidentified.
DAN (_sitting on the edge of the sofa_): Thank you, sir....
(_Laboriously_) Well, though it be clever to leave the lady
unidentified and not be caught ... hasn't it been more clever to leave
her _i_dentified ... and still not be caught?
BELSIZE: Why didn't you sleep in your bed on the night of the tenth?
_A pause._ DAN _stiffens almost imperceptibly._
DAN: What you say?
BELSIZE: Why didn't you sleep in your bed on the night of the murder?
DAN: I did.
BELSIZE (_lighting his pipe_): You didn't.
DAN: Yes I did. Oh--except for about half an hour--that's right. I
couldn't sleep for toffee and I went up the fire-escape--I remember
thinkin' about it next day when the woman was missing, and trying to
remember if I could think of anything funny----
BELSIZE: What time was that? (_He rises, crosses to the fireplace,
and throws his match into it._)
DAN: Oh, about ... oh, you know how you wake up in the night and don't
know what time it is....
BELSIZE (_staring at him doubtfully_): Mmm ...
DAN: I could never sleep when I was at sea, neither, sir.
BELSIZE: Mmm. (_Suddenly_) Are you feeling hot?
DAN: No.
BELSIZE: Your shirt's wet through.
DAN (_after a pause_): I've been sawin' some wood.
BELSIZE: Why didn't you tell us you were having an affair with the
deceased woman?
DAN: Affair? What's that?
BELSIZE: Come along, old chap, I'll use a straighter word if it'll help
you. But you're stalling. She was seen by two of the maids talking to
you in the shrubbery. Well?
_A pause._ DAN _bursts into tears, but with a difference. His
breakdown a few minutes ago was genuine; this is a good performance,
very slightly exaggerated._ BELSIZE _watches him dispassionately,
his brows knit._
DAN: Oh, sir ... it's been on my conscience ... ever since ...
BELSIZE: So you did have an affair with her?
DAN: Oh, no, sir, not that! I avoided her ever after that day she
stopped me, sir!... You see, sir, a lady stayin' where I was workin',
and for all I knew married, and all the other fellers she'd been after,
and the brazen way she went on at me.... You're only human, aren't you,
sir, and when they asked me about her, I got frightened to tell about
her stopping me.... But now you know about it, sir, it's a weight off
my mind, you wouldn't believe!... (_Rising, after seeming to pull
himself together_) As a matter of fact, sir, it was the disgust-like
of nearly gettin' mixed up with her that was keepin' me awake at
nights.
BELSIZE: I see.... You're a bit of a milk-sop, aren't you?
DAN (_apparently puzzled_): Am I, sir?
BELSIZE: Yes.... That'll be all for to-day. I'll let you off this once.
DAN: I'm that relieved, sir!
BELSIZE (_crossing to the table for his hat_): But don't try and
keep things from the police another time.
DAN: No chance!
BELSIZE: They always find you out, you know.
DAN: Yes, sir. Would you like a cup o' tea, sir?
BELSIZE: No, thanks. I've got another inquiry in the village....
(_Turning back, with an afterthought_) Oh, just one thing--might
as well just do it, we're supposed to with all the chaps we're
questioning, matter of form--if you don't mind. I'll have a quick look
through your luggage. Matter of form....
DAN: Oh, yes.
BELSIZE: Where d' you hang out?
DAN (_tonelessly_): Through the kitchen ... here, sir.... First
door facin' ...
BELSIZE: First door facing----
DAN: You can't miss it.
BELSIZE: I'll find it.
DAN: It's open, I think.
BELSIZE _goes into the kitchen. A pause,_ DAN _looks slowly
round the room.
(Turning mechanically to the kitchen door_) You can't miss it....
_A pause. The noise of something being moved beyond the kitchen._
Dan _sits on the sofa with a jerk, looking before him. His fingers
beat a rapid tattoo on the sides of the sofa. He looks at them, rises
convulsively and walks round the room, grasping chairs and furniture as
he goes round. He returns to the sofa, sits, and begins the tattoo
again. With a sudden wild automatic movement he beats his closed fists
in rapid succession against the sides of his head._ BELSIZE
_returns, carrying the hat-box._
BELSIZE (_crossing and placing the hat-box on the table_): This
one's locked. Have you got the key?
DAN _rises, and takes a step into the middle of the room. He looks at
the hat-box at last._
DAN (_in a dead voice_): It isn't mine.
BELSIZE: Not yours?
DAN: No.
BELSIZE: Oh?... Whose is it, then?
DAN: I dunno. It isn't mine.
OLIVIA _stands at the sun-room door._
OLIVIA: I'm sorry, I thought ... Why, inspector, what are you doing
with my box?
BELSIZE: Yours?
OLIVIA: Yes! It's got all my letters in it!
BELSIZE: But it was in ...
OLIVIA: Oh, Dan's room used to be the box-room.
BELSIZE: Oh, I see....
OLIVIA: I'll keep it in my wardrobe; it'll be safer there.... _With
sudden feverish resolution, she picks up the box and carries it into
the kitchen._ DAN _looks the other way as she passes him._
BELSIZE: I'm very sorry, miss. (_Scratching his head_) I'm afraid
I've offended her....
DAN (_smiling_): She'll be all right, sir....
BELSIZE: Well, young feller, I'll be off. You might tell the old lady I
popped in, and hope she's better.
DAN (_smiling and nodding_): Thank you, sir.... Good day, sir.
BELSIZE: Good day.
_He goes out through the front door into the twilight, closing it
behind him._
DAN: Good day sir....
_A pause,_ DAN _crumples to the floor in a dead faint._
QUICK CURTAIN
ACT III
SCENE 1
_Half an hour later. The light has waned; the fire is lit and throws
a red reflection into the room._ DAN _is lying on the sofa, eyes
closed._ NURSE LIBBY _sits at the end of the sofa holding his
pulse._ MRS. TERENCE _stands behind the sofa with a toby jug of
water._
NURSE: There, lovey, you won't be long now.... Ever so much steadier
already.... What a bit o' luck me blowin' in to-day!... Tt! tt! Pouring
with sweat, the lad is. Whatever's he been up to?
MRS. TERENCE: When I walked in that door and saw 'im lyin' full stretch
on that floor everything went topsy-wopsy. (_Pressing the jug to_
DAN'S _lips_) It did! The room went round and round....
NURSE:(_as_ DAN _splutters_): Don't choke 'im, there's a
love....
MRS. TERENCE: D'you know what I said to meself when I saw 'im lyin'
there?
NURSE: What?
MRS. TERENCE: I said, "That murderer's been at 'im," I said, "and it's
the next victim." I did!
NURSE: So you would! Just like the pictures.... 'Old your 'ead up,
love.
MRS. TERENCE (_as_ NURSE LIBBY _supports_ DAN'S _head_):
Got a _nice_ face, 'asn't he?
NURSE: Oh, yes!... (As DAN'S eyes flicker) Shh, he's coming to.... DAN
_opens his eyes and looks at her._
Welcome back to the land of the living!
MRS. TERENCE: Thought the murderer'd got you! _A pause._ DAN
_stares, then sits up abruptly._
DAN: How long I been like that?
NURSE: We picked you up ten minutes ago, and I'd say it was twenty
minutes before that, roughly-like, that you passed away.
MRS. TERENCE: Passed away, don't frighten the boy!... Whatever come
over you, dear?
DAN: I dunno. Felt sick, I think. (_Recovering himself_) Say no
more about it, eh? Don't like swinging the lead.... (_His head in his
hand._)
MRS. TERENCE: Waiting 'and and foot on Madame Crocodile, enough to wear
King Kong out....
NURSE: That's better, eh?
DAN: Is it really getting dark?
MRS. TERENCE: It's a scandal the way the days are drawin' in.... 'Ave
another sip----
DAN (_as she makes to give him more water, to_ NURSE LIBBY): You
haven't such a thing as a nip of brandy?
NURSE (_opening her bag_): Yes, lovey, I nearly gave you a drop
just now---
DAN _takes a flask from her and gulps; he takes a second mouthful. He
gives it back, shakes himself, and looks before him._
MRS. TERENCE: Better?
DAN: Yes.... Clears the brain no end.... Makes you understand
better.... (_His voice growing in vehemence_) Makes you see what a
damn silly thing it is to get the wind up about anything. _Do_
things! Get a move on! Show 'em what you're made of! Get a move on!...
Fainting, indeed.... Proper girl's trick, I'm ashamed of myself....
(_Looking round, quietly_) The light's going.... The daytime's as
if it's never been; it's dead.... (_Seeing the others stare, with a
laugh_) Daft, isn't it?
DORA _brings in an oil lamp from the kitchen; she is wearing her
outdoor clothes. She crosses to the table, strikes a match with her
back to the audience and lights the lamp, then the wall lamp. The
twilight is dispelled._
NURSE (_shutting her bag, rising_): You'll be all right; a bit
light-headed after the fall, I expect. (_Going to the hall_) Well,
got an abscess the other side of Turneyfield, _and_ a slow
puncture. So long, lovey.
DAN (_sitting up_): So long!
NURSE: Be good, all!
_She bustles out of the front door. A pause._ DAN _sits looking
before him, drumming his fingers on the sofa._
DORA (_closing the right window-curtains_): What's the matter with
him?
MRS. TERENCE: Conked out.
DORA: Conked out? Oh, dear.... D'you think 'e see'd something? I'll
tell you what it is!
MRS. TERENCE (_closing the left window-curtains_): What?
DORA: The monster's lurking again.
_Mechanically_ DAN _takes a box of matches and a cigarette from
his pocket._
MRS. TERENCE: I'll give you lurk, my girl, look at the egg on my toby!
Why don't you learn to wash up, instead of walkin' about talking like
three-halfpennyworth of trash?
DORA: I can't wash up properly in that kitchen, with that light. Them
little oil lamps isn't any good except to set the place on fire.
_She goes into the kitchen._ DAN _drums his fingers on the
sofa._ MRS. BRAMSON _wheels herself from the bedroom._
MRS. BRAMSON: I dropped off. Why didn't somebody wake me? Have I been
missing something?
MRS. TERENCE: That Inspector Belsize called.
MRS. BRAMSON (_testily_): Then why didn't somebody wake me? Dan,
what did he want?
DAN: Just a friendly call.
MRS. BRAMSON: You seem very far away, dear. What's the matter with
you?... Dan!
DAN: Bit of an 'eadache, that's all.
MRS. BRAMSON: Doesn't make you deaf, though, dear, does it?
MRS. TERENCE: Now, now, turnin' against the apple of your eye; can't
'ave that goin' on----
_A sharp knock at the front door._ DAN _starts up and goes
towards the hall._
MRS. BRAMSON (_to_ MRS. TERENCE): See who it is.
MRS. TERENCE (_at the front door, as_ DAN _is about to push past
her_): Oh ... it's only the paraffin boy.... (_To the boy outside,
taking a can from him_) And you bring stuff on a Saturday night
another time.
DAN _is standing behind_ MRS. BRAMSON'S _chair._
MRS. BRAMSON: I should think so----MRS. TERENCE _comes into the
room._ DAN _strikes a match for his cigarette._
MRS. TERENCE (_with a cry_): Oh! Can't you see this is paraffin?
(_She puts the can on the floor just inside the hall._)
MRS. BRAMSON: You went through my side like a knife----
MRS. TERENCE: If people knew what to do with their money, they'd put
electric light in their 'omes 'stead of dangerin' people's lives.
_She goes into the kitchen._ DAN _stares before him, the match
flickering._
MRS. BRAMSON (_blowing out the match_): You'll burn your fingers!
Set yourself on fire! Absent-minded!... I woke up all of a cold shiver.
Had a terrible dream.
DAN (_mechanically_): What about?
MRS. BRAMSON: Horrors.... I'm freezing. Get me my shawl off my bed,
will you, dear?... (_As he does not move_) My shawl, dear! DAN
_starts, collects himself and smiles his most ingratiating smile._
DAN: I am sorry, mum. In the Land of Nod, I was! Let me see, what was
it your highness was after? A shawl? No sooner said than done.... You
watch me! One, two, three!
_He runs into the bedroom._
MRS. BRAMSON: Silly boy ... silly boy....
OLIVIA _comes in quickly from the kitchen. She is dressed to go out
and carries a suitcase._ Where are you off to?
OLIVIA: I--I've had a telegram. A friend of mine in London's very ill.
MRS. BRAMSON: What's the matter with her?
OLIVIA: Pneumonia.
MRS. BRAMSON: Where's the telegram?
OLIVIA: I--I threw it away.
MRS. BRAMSON: Where d'you throw it?
OLIVIA: I--I----
MRS. BRAMSON: You haven't had any telegram.
OLIVIA (_impatiently_): No, I haven't!
MRS. BRAMSON: What's the matter with you?
OLIVIA: I can't stay in this house to-night.
MRS. BRAMSON: Why not?
OLIVIA: I'm frightened.
MRS. BRAMSON: Oh, don't be----
OLIVIA: Listen to me. I've never known before what it was to be
terrified. But when I saw today beginning to end, and to-night getting
nearer and nearer ... I felt my finger-tips getting cold. And I knew it
was fright ... stark fright. I'm not a fool, and I'm not hysterical ...
but I've been sitting in my room looking at myself in the glass, trying
to control myself, telling myself what are real things ... and what
aren't. I don't know any longer. The day's over. The forest's all round
us. Anything may happen.... You shouldn't stay in this house to-night.
That's all.
MRS. BRAMSON (_blustering_): It's very silly of you, trying to
scare an old woman with a weak heart. What have you got to be
frightened of?
OLIVIA: There's been a murder, you know.
MRS. BRAMSON: Nobody's going to murder _you_! Besides, we've got
Danny to look after us. He's as strong as an ox, and no silly nerves
about him.... What _is_ it you're afraid of?
OLIVIA: I--
MRS. BRAMSON: Sly, aren't you?... Where are you staying to-night?
OLIVIA: In Langbury, with Hubert Laurie and his sister.
MRS. BRAMSON: Not too frightened to make arrangements with _him_,
eh?
OLIVIA: Arrangements?
MRS. BRAMSON: Well, some people would call it something else.
OLIVIA (_losing her temper_): Oh, won't you see ...
MRS. BRAMSON: I'm very annoyed with you. How are you going to get
there?
OLIVIA: Walking.
MRS. BRAMSON: Through the forest? Not too frightened for that, I see.
OLIVIA: I'd rather spend to-night in the forest than in this house.
MRS. BRAMSON: That sounds convincing, I must say. Well, you can go, but
when you come back, I'm not so sure I shall answer the door. Think that
over in the morning.
OLIVIA: The morning?...
DAN'S VOICE (_in the bedroom, singing_): "... their home addresses
... and their caresses ... linger in my memory of those beautiful
dames ..."
OLIVIA _listens, holding her breath; she tries to say something
to_ MRS. BRAMSON, _and fails. She makes an effort, and runs out of
the front door. It bangs behind her._ DAN _comes back from the
bedroom, carrying a shawl._
DAN (_over-casual_): What was that at the door?
MRS. BRAMSON: My niece. Gone for the night, if you please.
DAN: Gone ... for the night? (_He stares before him._)
MRS. BRAMSON: Would you believe it? Says she's frightened....
_A pause._
Come along with the shawl, dear. I'm freezing....
DAN (_with a laugh, putting the shawl round her_): Don't know
what's up with me--
_He goes to the table and looks at a newspaper._ MRS. TERENCE
_comes in from the kitchen, her coat on._
MRS. TERENCE: Well, I must go on me way rejoicin'.
MRS. BRAMSON: Everybody seems to be going. What is all this?
MRS. TERENCE: What d'you want for lunch tomorrow?
MRS. BRAMSON: Lunch to-morrow?... Let me see....
DAN: Lunch? To-morrow?... (_After a pause_) What about a nice
little steak?
MRS. BRAMSON: A steak, let me see.... Yes, with baked potatoes--
DAN: And a nice roly-poly puddin', the kind you like?
MRS. BRAMSON: I think so.
MRS. TERENCE: Something light. O.K. Good night.
_She goes back into the kitchen._ DAN _scans the newspaper
casually._
MRS. BRAMSON (_inquisitive_): What are you reading, dear?
DAN (_breezily_): Only the murder again. About the clues that
wasn't any good.
MRS. BRAMSON (_suddenly_): Danny, _d'you_ think Olivia's a
thief?
DAN: Shouldn't be surprised.
MRS. BRAMSON: What!
DAN: Her eyes wasn't very wide apart.
MRS. BRAMSON (_working herself up_): Goodness me ... my
jewel-box ... what a fool I was to let her go--my earrings ... the
double-faced--
_She wheels herself furiously into her bedroom._ DORA, _her hat
and coat on, comes in from the kitchen in time to see her go._
DORA: What's up with her?
DAN (_still at his paper_): Thinks she's been robbed.
DORA: Oh, is that all.... That's the fourth time this month she's
thought that. One of these days something _will_ 'appen to her,
and will I be pleased? Oh, baby!... Where's Mrs. Terence?
DAN: Gone, I think.
DORA (_frightened_): Oh, law, no! (_Calling_) Mrs. Terence!
MRS. TERENCE (_calling, in the kitchen_): Ye-es!
DORA: You 'aven't gone without me, 'ave you?
MRS. TERENCE (_appearing at the kitchen door, spearing a hatpin into
her hat_): Yes, I'm 'alf-way there. What d'you think?
DORA: You did give me a turn! (_Going to the table and taking the
box_) I think I'll 'ave a choc. (_Walking towards the hall_) I
couldn't 'ave walked a step in those trees all by myself. Coming?
DAN (_suddenly_): I'd have come with you with pleasure, only I'm
going the other direction. Payley Hill way.
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