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?
DUVALLET.
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