MARY. [Quickly.] Don't make it hard for us again.
OLLIVANT. I made it hard, Mary? Because I objected to your leaving your mother here alone?
MARY. I remember; you said I was a foolish, "stage-struck" girl.
OLLIVANT. Well, you're over that, aren't you?
MARY. That's just where you are mistaken, father. [Slowly.] That's why I asked you if you hadn't misunderstood my coming back.
OLLIVANT. [Suspiciously.] Then why did you come at all?
MARY. I'm human; I wanted to see you and mother, so I came when you generously wrote me. I'm not going to stay and spray the roses.
OLLIVANT. [He eyes her tensely and controls himself with an effort.] So you are not going to stay with your mother and me?
MARY. [Affectionately.] I'll come see you as often as I can and——
OLLIVANT.—and make a hotel of your home? [Mary is silent.] Don't you see your mother is getting older and needs somebody to be here?