DAS Let me move the cushion.

FLORA It’s all right. I’m back now. Panic over. I’m here for my health, you see. Well, not here … I’ll stay longer in the Hills.

DAS Yes, that will be better. You must go high.

FLORA Yes. In a day or two.

DAS What is the matter with you?

FLORA Oh, sloshing about inside. Can’t breathe under water. I’m sorry if I frightened you.

DAS You did frighten me.

FLORA I’m soaking.

DAS You must change your clothes.

FLORA Yes. I’ll go in now. I’ve got a shiver. Pull me up. Thank you. Ugh. I need to be rubbed down like a horse.

DAS Perhaps some tea … I’ll go to the kitchen and tell—

FLORA Yes. Would you? I’ll have a shower and get into my Wendy house.

DAS Your … ?

FLORA My big towel is on the kitchen verandah—would you ask Nazrul to put it in the bedroom?

Das runs towards the kitchen verandah, shouting for Nazrul. Flora goes into the interior, into the bedroom, undressing as she goes, dropping the blue dress on the floor, and enters the bathroom in her underwear. Das returns, hurrying, with a white towel. He enters the interior cautiously, calling ‘Miss Crewe …’ He enters the bedroom and finds it empty. From the bathroom there is the sound of the water pipes thumping, but no sound of water.

FLORA (Off stage) Oh, damn, come on!

DAS Miss Crewe …

The thumping in the pipes continues. Das approaches the bathroom door.

DAS (Louder) Miss Crewe! I’m sorry, there’s no—

FLORA (Offstage, shouts) There’s no water!

The thumping noise continues.

DAS Miss Crewe! I’m sorry, the electricity—(The thumping noise suddenly stops.) (In mid-shout) The electric pump—

FLORA (Entering naked) I have to lie down.

DAS Oh! (Thrusting the towel at her) Oh, I’m so sorry!

Relieved of the towel, Das is frozen with horror.

FLORA I’m sorry, Mr Das, but really I feel too peculiar to mind at the moment.

DAS (Turning to leave hurriedly) Please forgive me!

FLORA No, please, there’s water in the jug on the wash-stand. (She stands shivering, hugging the towel.) Do be quick.

DAS (Getting the water) It’s the electricity for the pump.

FLORA Is there any water?

DAS Yes, it’s full … Here—

He gives her the jug, and turns away.

FLORA Thank you. No, you do it. Over my head, and my back, please. (Das pours the water over her, carefully.) Oh, heaven … Oh, thank you … I’m terribly sorry about this. Oh, that’s good. Tip the last bit on the towel.

DAS There …

She wipes her face with the wet corner of the towel …

FLORA I feel as weak as a kitten.

DAS I’m afraid that’s all.

FLORA Thank you. (She wraps the towel around herself.) Could you do the net for me? (Das lifts one side of the mosquito net and Flora climbs onto the bed.) I’ll be all right now.

DAS (Misunderstanding; leaving) Yes, of course.