(For a moment, however, she breaks down. Then she clenches her hands
and stands erect.)
CRICHTON (watching her, and forgetting perhaps for the moment that
they are not just a man and woman). You're a good pluckt 'un, my
lady.
LADY MARY (falling into the same error). I shall try to be.
(Extricating herself.) Crichton, how dare you?
CRICHTON. I beg your ladyship's pardon; but you are.
(She smiles, as if it were a comfort to be told this even by
CRICHTON.)
And until a ship comes we are three men who are going to do our best
for you ladies.
LADY MARY (with a curl of the lip). Mr. Ernest does no work.
CRICHTON (cheerily). But he will, my lady.
LADY MARY. I doubt it.
CRICHTON (confidently, but perhaps thoughtlessly). No work--no
dinner--will make a great change in Mr. Ernest.
LADY MARY. No work--no dinner. When did you invent that rule,
Crichton?
CRICHTON (loaded with bamboo). I didn't invent it, my lady. I seem
to see it growing all over the island.
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