HECTOR. I beg your pardon. We did not know there was anyone here.
ELLIE [rising]. That means that you want to tell Mr Randall the
story about the tiger. Come, Captain: I want to talk to my
father; and you had better come with me.
CAPTAIN SHOTOVER [rising]. Nonsense! the man is in bed.
ELLIE. Aha! I've caught you. My real father has gone to bed; but
the father you gave me is in the kitchen. You knew quite well all
along. Come. [She draws him out into the garden with her through
the port door].
HECTOR. That's an extraordinary girl. She has the Ancient Mariner
on a string like a Pekinese dog.
RANDALL. Now that they have gone, shall we have a friendly chat?
HECTOR. You are in what is supposed to be my house. I am at your
disposal.
Hector sits down in the draughtsman's chair, turning it to face
Randall, who remains standing, leaning at his ease against the
carpenter's bench.
RANDALL. I take it that we may be quite frank. I mean about Lady
Utterword.
HECTOR. You may. I have nothing to be frank about. I never met
her until this afternoon.
RANDALL [straightening up]. What! But you are her sister's
husband.
HECTOR. Well, if you come to that, you are her husband's brother.
RANDALL. But you seem to be on intimate terms with her.
HECTOR.
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