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. LADY UTTERWORD [gratefully]. Thank you, Hector. [They shake hands cordially]. Mazzini Dunn is seen crossing the garden from starboard to port. CAPTAIN SHOTOVER [coming from the pantry and addressing Ellie]. Your father has washed himself. ELLIE [quite self-possessed]. He often does, Captain Shotover. CAPTAIN SHOTOVER. A strange conversion! I saw him through the pantry window. Mazzini Dunn enters through the port window door, newly washed and brushed, and stops, smiling benevolently, between Mangan and Mrs Hushabye. MRS HUSHABYE [introducing]. Mr Mazzini Dunn, Lady Ut--oh, I forgot: you've met. [Indicating Ellie] Miss Dunn. MAZZINI [walking across the room to take Ellie's hand, and beaming at his own naughty irony]. I have met Miss Dunn also. She is my daughter. [He draws her arm through his caressingly]. MRS HUSHABYE. Of course: how stupid! Mr Utterword, my sister's--er-- RANDALL [shaking hands agreeably]. Her brother-in-law, Mr Dunn. How do you do? MRS HUSHABYE. This is my husband. HECTOR. We have met, dear. Don't introduce us any more. [He moves away to the big chair, and adds] Won't you sit down, Lady Utterword? [She does so very graciously]. MRS HUSHABYE. Sorry. I hate it: it's like making people show their tickets. MAZZINI [sententiously]. How little it tells us, after all! The great question is, not who we are, but what we are. CAPTAIN SHOTOVER. Ha! What are you? MAZZINI [taken aback]. What am I? CAPTAIN SHOTOVER. A thief, a pirate, and a murderer. MAZZINI. I assure you you are mistaken.