ELLIE [unmoved]. I nailed Mangan by telling him that if he did
not marry me he should never see you again [she lifts herself on
her wrists and seats herself on the end of the table].
MRS HUSHABYE [recoiling]. Oh!
ELLIE. So you see I am not unprepared for your playing that trump
against me. Well, you just try it: that's all. I should have made
a man of Marcus, not a household pet.
MRS HUSHABYE [flaming]. You dare!
ELLIE [looking almost dangerous]. Set him thinking about me if
you dare.
MRS HUSHABYE. Well, of all the impudent little fiends I ever met!
Hector says there is a certain point at which the only answer you
can give to a man who breaks all the rules is to knock him down.
What would you say if I were to box your ears?
ELLIE [calmly]. I should pull your hair.
MRS HUSHABYE [mischievously]. That wouldn't hurt me. Perhaps it
comes off at night.
ELLIE [so taken aback that she drops off the table and runs to
her]. Oh, you don't mean to say, Hesione, that your beautiful
black hair is false?
MRS HUSHABYE [patting it]. Don't tell Hector. He believes in it.
ELLIE [groaning]. Oh! Even the hair that ensnared him false!
Everything false!
MRS HUSHABYE. Pull it and try. Other women can snare men in their
hair; but I can swing a baby on mine.
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