Nurse, who is this
misguided and unfortunate young lady?
NURSE GUINNESS. She says Miss Hessy invited her, sir.
THE CAPTAIN. And had she no friend, no parents, to warn her
against my daughter's invitations? This is a pretty sort of
house, by heavens! A young and attractive lady is invited here.
Her luggage is left on the steps for hours; and she herself is
deposited in the poop and abandoned, tired and starving. This is
our hospitality. These are our manners. No room ready. No hot
water. No welcoming hostess. Our visitor is to sleep in the
toolshed, and to wash in the duckpond.
NURSE GUINNESS. Now it's all right, Captain: I'll get the lady
some tea; and her room shall be ready before she has finished it.
[To the young lady]. Take off your hat, ducky; and make yourself
at home [she goes to the door leading to the hall].
THE CAPTAIN [as she passes him]. Ducky! Do you suppose, woman,
that because this young lady has been insulted and neglected, you
have the right to address her as you address my wretched
children, whom you have brought up in ignorance of the commonest
decencies of social intercourse?
NURSE GUINNESS. Never mind him, doty. [Quite unconcerned, she
goes out into the hall on her way to the kitchen].
THE CAPTAIN. Madam, will you favor me with your name? [He sits
down in the big wicker chair].
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