A terrific explosion shakes the earth. They reel back into their seats, or clutch the nearest support. They hear the falling of the shattered glass from the windows.
NURSE GUINNESS [in hideous triumph]. Right in the gravel pit: I seen it. Serve un right! I seen it [she runs away towards the gravel pit, laughing harshly].
CAPTAIN SHOTOVER. Thirty pounds of good dynamite wasted.
HECTOR. Are you immortal that you need pity him? Our turn next.
They wait in silence and intense expectation. Hesione and Ellie hold each other's hand tight.
MRS HUSHABYE [relaxing her grip]. Oh! they have passed us.
LADY UTTERWORD. The danger is over, Randall. Go to bed.
CAPTAIN SHOTOVER. Turn in, all hands. The ship is safe. [He sits down and goes asleep].
HECTOR [disgustedly]. Yes, safe. And how damnably dull the world has become again suddenly! [he sits down].
MAZZINI [sitting down]. I was quite wrong, after all. It is we who have survived; and Mangan and the burglar--
LADY UTTERWORD. --the two practical men of business--
MAZZINI. --both gone. And the poor clergyman will have to get a new house.
MRS HUSHABYE. But what a glorious experience! I hope they'll come again tomorrow night.
ELLIE [radiant at the prospect]. Oh, I hope so.
Randall at last succeeds in keeping the home fires burning on his flute.
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Heartbreak House, by George Bernard Shaw