I
married at nineteen to escape from it. My husband is Sir Hastings
Utterword, who has been governor of all the crown colonies in
succession. I have always been the mistress of Government House.
I have been so happy: I had forgotten that people could live like
this. I wanted to see my father, my sister, my nephews and nieces
(one ought to, you know), and I was looking forward to it. And
now the state of the house! the way I'm received! the casual
impudence of that woman Guinness, our old nurse! really Hesione
might at least have been here: some preparation might have been
made for me. You must excuse my going on in this way; but I am
really very much hurt and annoyed and disillusioned: and if I had
realized it was to be like this, I wouldn't have come. I have a
great mind to go away without another word [she is on the point
of weeping].
ELLIE [also very miserable]. Nobody has been here to receive me
either. I thought I ought to go away too. But how can I, Lady
Utterword? My luggage is on the steps; and the station fly has
gone.
The captain emerges from the pantry with a tray of Chinese
lacquer and a very fine tea-set on it. He rests it provisionally
on the end of the table; snatches away the drawing-board, which
he stands on the floor against table legs; and puts the tray in
the space thus cleared.
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