ELLIE [seeing him and rising in glad surprise]. Oh! Hesione: this
is Mr Marcus Darnley.
MRS HUSHABYE [rising]. What a lark! He is my husband.
ELLIE. But now--[she stops suddenly: then turns pale and sways].
MRS HUSHABYE [catching her and sitting down with her on the
sofa]. Steady, my pettikins.
THE MAN [with a mixture of confusion and effrontery, depositing
his hat and stick on the teak table]. My real name, Miss Dunn, is
Hector Hushabye. I leave you to judge whether that is a name any
sensitive man would care to confess to. I never use it when I can
possibly help it. I have been away for nearly a month; and I had
no idea you knew my wife, or that you were coming here. I am none
the less delighted to find you in our little house.
ELLIE [in great distress]. I don't know what to do. Please, may I
speak to papa? Do leave me. I can't bear it.
MRS HUSHABYE. Be off, Hector.
HECTOR. I--
MRS HUSHABYE. Quick, quick. Get out.
HECTOR. If you think it better--[he goes out, taking his hat with
him but leaving the stick on the table].
MRS HUSHABYE [laying Ellie down at the end of the sofa]. Now,
pettikins, he is gone. There's nobody but me. You can let
yourself go. Don't try to control yourself. Have a good cry.
ELLIE [raising her head].
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