[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--between two trees at the back. In front of
these there is a solid oak garden-table, with a comfortable chair
on the right of it and a straight-backed one on 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.]

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 (trying the knots at the other end of the hammock). Yes,
ma'am; it's quite firm this end too.

BELINDA. It's not the ends I'm frightened of; it's the middle where
the weight's coming. (She comes into the garden.) It looks very
nice.

BETTY. Yes, ma'am.

BELINDA (trying the middle of it with her hand). I asked them at