BUBBA: I know. But that was when Barney was hanging up Roo’s boots. And sayin’ what he’d like to do with his pieces of equipment. [Conscious of NANCY’s gaze] Well, it was funny. Sendin’ off them singlets made of string to General Blamey. Even you laughed.

NANCY: Yeh, but then I laugh at anything. And I’m not studying for the year’s exam, and I don’t have a good chance of a scholarship.

BUBBA: Nance—

NANCY: It’s what you do these next few months—

BUBBA: [smothering criticism] I know, I know. And I’ll work like mad. As soon as Roo and Barney get their discharge and go up North. I promise.

She hugs NANCY and moves to the hall, cramming books into her schoolbag. She grabs her hat from the newel post and shouts upstairs:

’Bye ’bye, Ol—’bye ’bye, Roo— [waving her hat] —’bye, Nance— [over her shoulder as she heads for the street door] —’bye ’bye, Barn—

EMMA: [exasperated] Oh, for God’s sake—hurroo! [Approaching from the kitchen] And don’t you slam—

Too late. BUBBA has shut the street door with a bang and runs across the front verandah as EMMA appears in the hallway.

Olive to a tee.

She moves into the room, with an oblique approach to an important question.

The application you filled in for me last week? The government form? You sure you got it right?

NANCY nods.

Well, haven’t had a letter back. Pretty funny that I haven’t heard?

NANCY: [sipping tea] Everyone after a telephone these days. Queuing up in droves.

EMMA: Maybe they are. But they don’t have an introduction to a feller in the right department.

NANCY shrugs and EMMA picks up the shoe-cleaning equipment left by ROO.

What about them eggs and toast out there?

NANCY: Couldn’t face ’em.

EMMA: Sensible, that is. Goin’ off to work on nothin’ but a cup of tea. No time to be nursin’ invalids, y’know.

ROO comes downstairs, wearing full uniform for guard duty, but without his hat and carrying his overcoat. He is followed by OLIVE, dressed for work, and carrying her handbag. EMMA confronts ROO with the shoe-cleaning equipment.

Or chasin’ after the army, either. You tidy up after you.

She goes off to the kitchen.

ROO: [wryly] Easy to see the war’s over. Shift your pack, Jack.

OLIVE: A bit scotty this mornin’.

NANCY: She was hoping for some word about her telephone.

OLIVE: Never stops. Hurry up and dress, and you can come down to the station with us?

NANCY shakes her head.

Oh, c’mon. We’ll all go down together—

NANCY: Be lucky if I make it to the pub on time.

She puts her cup aside and moves for the stairs.

See you boys tonight.

ROO: See you, Nance.

NANCY ascends the stairs. ROO turns to OLIVE, who has opened her handbag in search of a compact.