She
married him, and will never set foot in this house again.
NURSE GUINNESS [carrying the table, with the tea-things on it, to
Ellie's side]. Indeed you never were more mistaken. She is in
England this very moment. You have been told three times this
week that she is coming home for a year for her health. And very
glad you should be to see your own daughter again after all these
years.
THE CAPTAIN. I am not glad. The natural term of the affection of
the human animal for its offspring is six years. My daughter
Ariadne was born when I was forty-six. I am now eighty-eight. If
she comes, I am not at home. If she wants anything, let her take
it. If she asks for me, let her be informed that I am extremely
old, and have totally forgotten her.
NURSE GUINNESS. That's no talk to offer to a young lady. Here,
ducky, have some tea; and don't listen to him [she pours out a
cup of tea].
THE CAPTAIN [rising wrathfully]. Now before high heaven they have
given this innocent child Indian tea: the stuff they tan their
own leather insides with. [He seizes the cup and the tea-pot and
empties both into the leathern bucket].
ELLIE [almost in tears]. Oh, please! I am so tired. I should have
been glad of anything.
NURSE GUINNESS. Oh, what a thing to do! The poor lamb is ready to
drop.
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