NETTIE
A man!
[Nettie looks at Ella in cruel amazement and all but Orin burst into a laugh—Ella turns up and hides her face against the window as Orin pulls at his mother’s skirt.
ORIN
Mum! Mum! I thought you told me not to laugh, not once, while we was here!
HENRY
You’re right, nephew, and we’re wrong, all of us. I’m sorry, Ella, we’re all sorry.
ELLA (wipes her eyes)
Laugh if you want to—maybe it won’t be so long before I do some of it myself.
HENRY (thoughtfully)