KNOX. What I want to know is, whats to be the end of this? It's not for me to interfere between you and your son, Gilbey: he knows his own intentions best, no doubt, and perhaps has told them to you. But Ive my daughter to look after; and it's my duty as a parent to have a clear understanding about her. No good is ever done by beating about the bush. I ask Lieutenant--well, I dont speak French; and I cant pronounce the name-- MARGARET. Mr Duvallet, father. KNOX. I ask Mr Doovalley what his intentions are. MARGARET. Oh father: how can you? DUVALLET. I'm afraid my knowledge of English is not enough to understand. Intentions? How? MARGARET. He wants to know will you marry me. MRS GILBEY. | What a thing to say! | KNOX. | Silence, miss. | DORA. | Well, thats straight, aint it? DUVALLET. But I am married already. I have two daughters. KNOX. [rising, virtuously indignant] You sit there after carrying on with my daughter, and tell me coolly youre married. MARGARET. Papa: you really must not tell people that they sit there. [He sits down again sulkily]. DUVALLET. Pardon. Carrying on? What does that mean? MARGARET. It means-- KNOX. [violently] Hold your tongue, you shameless young hussy. Dont you dare say what it means. DUVALLET. [shrugging his shoulders] What does it mean, Rudolph? MRS KNOX. If it's not proper for her to say, it's not proper for a man to say, either. Mr Doovalley: youre a married man with daughters. Would you let them go about with a stranger, as you are to us, without wanting to know whether he intended to behave honorably?