MAZZINI [walking across the room to take Ellie's hand, and
beaming at his own naughty irony]. I have met Miss Dunn also. She
is my daughter. [He draws her arm through his caressingly].
MRS HUSHABYE. Of course: how stupid! Mr Utterword, my sister's--
er--
RANDALL [shaking hands agreeably]. Her brother-in-law, Mr Dunn.
How do you do?
MRS HUSHABYE. This is my husband.
HECTOR. We have met, dear. Don't introduce us any more. [He moves
away to the big chair, and adds] Won't you sit down, Lady
Utterword? [She does so very graciously].
MRS HUSHABYE. Sorry. I hate it: it's like making people show
their tickets.
MAZZINI [sententiously]. How little it tells us, after all! The
great question is, not who we are, but what we are.
CAPTAIN SHOTOVER. Ha! What are you?
MAZZINI [taken aback]. What am I?
CAPTAIN SHOTOVER. A thief, a pirate, and a murderer.
MAZZINI. I assure you you are mistaken.
CAPTAIN SHOTOVER. An adventurous life; but what does it end in?
Respectability. A ladylike daughter. The language and appearance
of a city missionary. Let it be a warning to all of you [he goes
out through the garden].
DUNN. I hope nobody here believes that I am a thief, a pirate, or
a murderer. Mrs Hushabye, will you excuse me a moment? I must
really go and explain.
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