MRS HUSHABYE. I don't know. She quarrelled mortally with my husband only ten minutes ago; and I didn't know anyone else had come. It must be a visitor. [She goes to the window to look]. Oh, it is Hector. They've made it up.
LADY UTTERWORD. Your husband! That handsome man?
MRS HUSHABYE. Well, why shouldn't my husband be a handsome man?
RANDALL [joining them at the window]. One's husband never is, Ariadne [he sits by Lady Utterword, on her right].
MRS HUSHABYE. One's sister's husband always is, Mr Randall.
LADY UTTERWORD. Don't be vulgar, Randall. And you, Hesione, are just as bad.
- Ellie and Hector come in from the garden by the starboard door. Randall rises. Ellie retires into the corner near the pantry. Hector comes forward; and Lady Utterword rises looking her very best.
MRS. HUSHABYE. Hector, this is Addy.
HECTOR [apparently surprised]. Not this lady.
LADY UTTERWORD [smiling]. Why not?
HECTOR. [looking at her with a piercing glance of deep but respectful admiration, his moustache bristling]. I thought—[pulling himself together] I beg your pardon, Lady Utterword. I am extremely glad to welcome you at last under our roof [he offers his hand with grave courtesy].
MRS HUSHABYE. She wants to be kissed, Hector.
LADY UTTERWORD. Hesione! [But she still smiles].
MRS HUSHABYE. Call her Addy; and kiss her like a good brother-in-law; and have done with it. [She leaves them to themselves].
HECTOR. Behave yourself, Hesione. Lady Utterword is entitled not only to hospitality but to civilization.
