MRS. HUSHABYE. Quite a romance. And when did the Boss develop the
tender passion?
ELLIE. Oh, that was years after, quite lately. He took the chair
one night at a sort of people's concert. I was singing there. As
an amateur, you know: half a guinea for expenses and three songs
with three encores. He was so pleased with my singing that he
asked might he walk home with me. I never saw anyone so taken
aback as he was when I took him home and introduced him to my
father, his own manager. It was then that my father told me how
nobly he had behaved. Of course it was considered a great chance
for me, as he is so rich. And--and--we drifted into a sort of
understanding--I suppose I should call it an engagement--[she is
distressed and cannot go on].
MRS HUSHABYE [rising and marching about]. You may have drifted
into it; but you will bounce out of it, my pettikins, if I am to
have anything to do with it.
ELLIE [hopelessly]. No: it's no use. I am bound in honor and
gratitude. I will go through with it.
MRS HUSHABYE [behind the sofa, scolding down at her]. You know,
of course, that it's not honorable or grateful to marry a man you
don't love. Do you love this Mangan man?
ELLIE. Yes. At least--
MRS HUSHABYE. I don't want to know about "at least": I want to
know the worst.
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