The sitting-room of Bimpe, Liz's mother. Enter Bimpe, looking round the room in dismay.

BIMPE: Oh, it's almost twelve noon. Liz and her fiancé will be here any moment from now but the sitting-room is in a shambles. Okoro O! Okoro!.

OKORO: (From within) Yes, madam.

BIMPE; Come O, come quickly.

(Enter Okoro)

OKORO: Wetin you want, madam?

BIMPE: Quickly, Okoro, come and tidy up this room. Be quick!

OKORO: Abi you dey expect fisitor, madam?

BIMPE: Oh, yes. My daughter is bringing her fiancé today. Be quick! They will be here soon and the sitting-room is like a pig sty.

OKORO: Ah, madam, we go wash am O!

BIMPE: Are you crazy, Okoro? Who do you want to wash, the fiancé or my daughter?

OKORO: (Laughing} Na both of them we go wash, madam.

BIMPE: Be careful, Okoro. Don't crack such expensive jokes before my guest.

(Exit Okoro still laughing)

Lazy goat! He only knows how to crack expensive jokes and fill his belly with food. I better wait until he has swept the room before arranging it.

(Exit Bimpe. Okoro re-enters, sweeps the room, singing as he does. He finishes and calls out to Bimpe.)

OKORO: Madam! I don finish O.

BIMPE: I'm coming. (Enter Bimpe) Ah, it's much better like this.

(She dusted and arranged the furniture.)

Now I can receive a king inside this sitting room.

(Exit Okoro. A knock.)

Enter please.

(Liz and Femi enter.)

LIZ: Mummy!

BIMPE: Liz, my love!

(They fly into each other 's arms.)

I'm so very happy to see you, my daughter.

LIZ: Me too. I hope we meet you well, Mummy.

BIMPE: Praise be to God! And I suppose this is the young man you've been writing to me about?

LIZ: Yes, mummy. This is Femi Adebisi, my fiancé. Femi, meet my mother.

FEMI: I'm pleased to meet you, ma. I hope we meet you well.

BIMPE: Welcome, my dear. Please be seated. (They sit.) Okoro O!

(Enter Okoro smilling mischievously.)

Go and bring a bottle of beer and a Coke from the fridge.

0KORO: Abi we want begin dey wash am, madam?

BIMPE: Are you crazy? Get out!

OKORO: I beg, make you no forget me when the jollification begin O.

(He goes out amidst general laughter.)

LIZ: Don't mind him, Femi dear. Okoro has always been a clown.

FEMI: I don't mind him at all. In fact, I quite agree with him. "Pass me not, O gentle

Saviour” is certainly not a hymn to be sung on one’s knees!

(They all laugh again. Enter Okoro with the drinks, which are poured.)

BIMPE: Thank you, Okoro.

OKORO: Abi me self fit take one bottle from the fridge, madam.

BIMPE: Oh, my God! Alright, go and take a Coke.

OKORO: Mba! Mba! Mba! I be man, madam. Coke na for small pickins.

BIMPE: Alright, take whatever you like. Just get out!

(Exit Okoro, grinning broadly.)

BIMPE: And how was your journey, my dear.

FEMI: It was fine, ma.

BIMPE: Praise God for his protection.

(They sip their drinks in silence for a few minutes.)

My son, Femi, Liz wrote to me saying that you asked her to be your wife.

FEMI: That's true, ma, but everything depends on your approval.

BIMPE: I will not stand in the way of my daughter's happiness, my dear. Whatever pleases her pleases me. As you must surely know, she is the only one I have, and so she is dearer to me than life itself. If she loves and wishes to be married to you, that is alright by me. I beg you in the name of God not to maltreat her. Look after her and be faithful to her. And may God in all his mercies bless your marriage with lots of children. That is all I shall say for now.

FEMI: Thank you, ma. I promise to take very good care of Liz.

BIMPE: (Gets up.) Stay here both of you while I go to prepare lunch.

LIZ: Let me come and help you with the dishes, Mummy.

BIMPE: Don't bother, my dear. Stay here and keep your fiancé company. Okoro is around to help me.

(Exit Bimpe.)

LIZ: Femi, dear. Mummy approves of you. It can see it in her eyes.

FEM1: I'm glad she does, darling. I too find her a very nice lady.

L1Z: Come. Let me show you round the house. We shall come back to eat later.

FEMI: Very well, darling.

(Exit both hand in hand.)