MRS HUSHABYE [to Lady Utterword]. Her father is a very remarkable man, Addy. His name is Mazzini Dunn. Mazzini was a celebrity of some kind who knew Ellie's grandparents. They were both poets, like the Brownings; and when her father came into the world Mazzini said, "Another soldier born for freedom!" So they christened him Mazzini; and he has been fighting for freedom in his quiet way ever since. That's why he is so poor. ELLIE. I am proud of his poverty. MRS HUSHABYE. Of course you are, pettikins. Why not leave him in it, and marry someone you love? LADY UTTERWORD [rising suddenly and explosively]. Hesione, are you going to kiss me or are you not? MRS HUSHABYE. What do you want to be kissed for? LADY UTTERWORD. I DON'T want to be kissed; but I do want you to behave properly and decently. We are sisters. We have been separated for twenty-three years. You OUGHT to kiss me. MRS HUSHABYE. To-morrow morning, dear, before you make up. I hate the smell of powder. LADY UTTERWORD. Oh! you unfeeling--[she is interrupted by the return of the captain]. THE CAPTAIN [to Ellie]. Your room is ready. [Ellie rises]. The sheets were damp; but I have changed them [he makes for the garden door on the port side]. LADY UTTERWORD. Oh! What about my sheets? THE CAPTAIN [halting at the door]. Take my advice: air them: or take them off and sleep in blankets. You shall sleep in Ariadne's old room. LADY UTTERWORD. Indeed I shall do nothing of the sort. That little hole! I am entitled to the best spare room. THE CAPTAIN [continuing unmoved]. She married a numskull. She told me she would marry anyone to get away from home. LADT UTTERWORD. You are pretending not to know me on purpose. I will leave the house. Mazzini Dunn enters from the hall. He is a little elderly man with bulging credulous eyes and earnest manners. He is dressed in a blue serge jacket suit with an unbuttoned mackintosh over it, and carries a soft black hat of clerical cut. ELLIE. At last! Captain Shotover, here is my father. THE CAPTAIN. This! Nonsense! not a bit like him [he goes away through the garden, shutting the door sharply behind him]. LADY UTTERWORD. I will not be ignored and pretended to be somebody else. I will have it out with Papa now, this instant. [To Mazzini]. Excuse me. [She follows the captain out, making a hasty bow to Mazzini, who returns it]. MRS HUSHABYE [hospitably shaking hands]. How good of you to come, Mr Dunn! You don't mind Papa, do you? He is as mad as a hatter, you know, but quite harmless and extremely clever. You will have some delightful talks with him. MAZZINI. I hope so. [To Ellie]. So here you are, Ellie, dear. [He draws her arm affectionately through his]. I must thank you, Mrs Hushabye, for your kindness to my daughter. I'm afraid she would have had no holiday if you had not invited her. MRS HUSHABYE. Not at all. Very nice of her to come and attract young people to the house for us.