Somebody has
really told you all this.
ELLIE [flushing]. Hesione, don't say that you don't believe him.
I couldn't bear that.
MRS HUSHABYE [soothing her]. Of course I believe him, dearest.
But you should have broken it to me by degrees. [Drawing her back
to her seat]. Now tell me all about him. Are you in love with
him?
ELLIE. Oh, no. I'm not so foolish. I don't fall in love with
people. I'm not so silly as you think.
MRS HUSHABYE. I see. Only something to think about--to give some
interest and pleasure to life.
ELLIE. Just so. That's all, really.
MRS HUSHABYE. It makes the hours go fast, doesn't it? No tedious
waiting to go to sleep at nights and wondering whether you will
have a bad night. How delightful it makes waking up in the
morning! How much better than the happiest dream! All life
transfigured! No more wishing one had an interesting book to
read, because life is so much happier than any book! No desire
but to be alone and not to have to talk to anyone: to be alone
and just think about it.
ELLIE [embracing her]. Hesione, you are a witch. How do you know?
Oh, you are the most sympathetic woman in the world!
MRS HUSHABYE [caressing her]. Pettikins, my pettikins, how I envy
you! and how I pity you!
ELLIE. Pity me! Oh, why?
A very handsome man of fifty, with mousquetaire moustaches,
wearing a rather dandified curly brimmed hat, and carrying an
elaborate walking-stick, comes into the room from the hall, and
stops short at sight of the women on the sofa.
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