ELLIE. You dread it almost as much as I used to dread losing my
dreams and having to fight and do things. But that is all over
for me: my dreams are dashed to pieces. I should like to marry a
very old, very rich man. I should like to marry you. I had much
rather marry you than marry Mangan. Are you very rich?
CAPTAIN SHOTOVER. No. Living from hand to mouth. And I have a
wife somewhere in Jamaica: a black one. My first wife. Unless
she's dead.
ELLIE. What a pity! I feel so happy with you. [She takes his
hand, almost unconsciously, and pats it]. I thought I should
never feel happy again.
CAPTAIN SHOTOVER. Why?
ELLIE. Don't you know?
CAPTAIN SHOTOVER. No.
ELLIE. Heartbreak. I fell in love with Hector, and didn't know he
was married.
CAPTAIN SHOTOVER. Heartbreak? Are you one of those who are so
sufficient to themselves that they are only happy when they are
stripped of everything, even of hope?
ELLIE [gripping the hand]. It seems so; for I feel now as if
there was nothing I could not do, because I want nothing.
CAPTAIN SHOTOVER. That's the only real strength. That's genius.
That's better than rum.
ELLIE [throwing away his hand]. Rum! Why did you spoil it?
Hector and Randall come in from the garden through the starboard
door.
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