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Jerome</title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + P { margin-top: .75em; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + P.gutsumm { margin-left: 5%;} + P.poetry {margin-left: 3%; } + .GutSmall { font-size: 0.7em; } + H1, H2 { + text-align: center; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + } + H3, H4, H5 { + text-align: center; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + } + BODY{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + table { border-collapse: collapse; } +table {margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;} + td { vertical-align: top; border: 1px solid black;} + td p { margin: 0.2em; } + .blkquot {margin-left: 4em; margin-right: 4em;} /* block indent */ + + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .pagenum {position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: small; + text-align: right; + font-weight: normal; + color: gray; + } + img { border: none; } + img.dc { float: left; width: 50px; height: 50px; } + p.gutindent { margin-left: 2em; } + div.gapspace { height: 0.8em; } + div.gapline { height: 0.8em; width: 100%; border-top: 1px solid;} + div.gapmediumline { height: 0.3em; width: 40%; margin-left:30%; + border-top: 1px solid; } + div.gapmediumdoubleline { height: 0.3em; width: 40%; margin-left:30%; + border-top: 1px solid; border-bottom: 1px solid;} + div.gapshortdoubleline { height: 0.3em; width: 20%; + margin-left: 40%; border-top: 1px solid; + border-bottom: 1px solid; } + div.gapdoubleline { height: 0.3em; width: 50%; + margin-left: 25%; border-top: 1px solid; + border-bottom: 1px solid;} + div.gapshortline { height: 0.3em; width: 20%; margin-left:40%; + border-top: 1px solid; } + .citation {vertical-align: super; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: none;} + img.floatleft { float: left; + margin-right: 1em; + margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } + img.floatright { float: right; + margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 0.5em; + margin-bottom: 0.5em; } + img.clearcenter {display: block; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0.5em; + margin-bottom: 0.5em} + --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> +</head> +<body> +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Master of Mrs. Chilvers, by Jerome K. +Jerome + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most +other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of +the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at +www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have +to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. + + + + +Title: The Master of Mrs. Chilvers + An Improbable Comedy + + +Author: Jerome K. Jerome + + + +Release Date: September 26, 2014 [eBook #2195] +[This file was first posted on 24 September 1999] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MASTER OF MRS. CHILVERS*** +</pre> +<p>Transcribed from the 1911 T. Fisher Unwin edition by David +Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org</p> +<p style="text-align: center"> +<a href="images/coverb.jpg"> +<img alt= +"Book cover" +title= +"Book cover" + src="images/covers.jpg" /> +</a></p> +<h1><i>THE MASTER of</i><br /> +<i>MRS. CHILVERS</i></h1> +<p style="text-align: center"><i>AN IMPROBABLE COMEDY</i></p> +<p style="text-align: center"><span class="GutSmall">IMAGINED +BY</span></p> +<p style="text-align: center"><i>JEROME K. JERMONE</i></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p style="text-align: center"><i>LONDON: T. FISHER UNWIN</i><br +/> +<i>ADELPHI TERRACE</i></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p style="text-align: center"><span +class="smcap">Copyright</span> 1911 <span class="smcap">by Jerome +K. Jerome</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">in the</span> U.S.A.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>All rights reserved</i>.)</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p style="text-align: center">THE FIRST ACT<br /> +<span class="smcap">Scene</span>: Drawing-room, 91, Russell +Square.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Time</span>: 3 p.m.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">THE SECOND ACT<br /> +<span class="smcap">Scene</span>: Liberal Committee Room, East +India Dock Road.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Time</span>: 5 p.m.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">THE THIRD ACT<br /> +<span class="smcap">Scene</span>: The Town Hall, East Poplar.<br +/> +<span class="smcap">Time</span>: 10 p.m.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">THE FOURTH ACT<br /> +<span class="smcap">Scene</span>: Russell Square<br /> +<span class="smcap">Time</span>: Midnight</p> +<h2>THE CAST OF “THE MASTER OF MRS. CHILVERS”</h2> +<p style="text-align: center"><span class="GutSmall">AS IT WAS +PRODUCED AT THE</span> R<span class="GutSmall">OYALTY</span> +T<span class="GutSmall">HEATRE, </span>L<span +class="GutSmall">ONDON, ON</span><br /> +A<span class="GutSmall">PRIL</span> 26<span class="GutSmall">TH, +</span>1911, <span class="GutSmall">UNDER THE</span> M<span +class="GutSmall">ANAGEMENT OF</span><br /> +M<span class="GutSmall">ESSRS.</span> V<span +class="GutSmall">EDRENNE &</span> E<span +class="GutSmall">ADIE.</span></p> +<table> +<tr> +<td><p>Lady Mogton</p> +</td> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Mary Rorke</span></p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Annys Chilvers</p> +</td> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Lena Ashwell</span></p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Phoebe Mogton</p> +</td> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Ethel Dane</span></p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Janet Blake</p> +</td> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Gillian Scaife</span></p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Mrs. Mountcalm Villiers</p> +</td> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Sarah Brooke</span></p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Elizabeth Spender</p> +</td> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Auriol Lee</span></p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Rose Merton</p> +</td> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Esme Beringer</span></p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Mrs. Chinn</p> +</td> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Sydney Fairbrother</span></p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Geoffrey Chilvers, M.P.</p> +</td> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Dennis Eadie</span></p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Dorian St. Herbert</p> +</td> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Leon Quartermaine</span></p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Ben Lamb, M.P.</p> +</td> +<td><p><span class="smcap">A. E. Benedict</span></p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>William Gordon</p> +</td> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Edmund Gwenn</span></p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Sigsby</p> +</td> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Michael Sherbrooke</span></p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Hake</p> +</td> +<td><p><span class="smcap">H. B. Tabberer</span></p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Mr. Peekin</p> +</td> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Gerald Mirrielees</span></p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Mr. Hopper</p> +</td> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Stanley Logan</span></p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Mrs. Peekin</p> +</td> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Rowena Jerome</span></p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Miss Borlasse</p> +</td> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Cathleen Nesbitt</span></p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Miss Ricketts</p> +</td> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Hetta Bartlett</span></p> +</td> +</tr> +</table> +<h2>CHARACTERS IN THE PLAY</h2> +<table> +<tr> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey Chilvers</span>, M.P. +(<i>President Men’s League for the Extension of the +Franchise to Women</i>)</p> +</td> +<td><p>A loving husband, and (would-be) affectionate +father. Like many other good men, he is in sympathy with +the Woman’s Movement: “not thinking it is coming in +his time.”</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Annys Chilvers</span> (<i>née +Mogton</i>, <i>Hon. Sec. Women’s Parliamentary Franchise +League</i>)</p> +</td> +<td><p>A loving wife, and (would-be) affection mother. Many +thousands of years have gone to her making. A generation +ago, she would have been the ideal woman: the ideal +helpmeet. But new ideas are stirring in her blood, a new +ideal of womanhood is forcing itself upon her.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span> (<i>President +W.P.F.L.</i>)</p> +</td> +<td><p>She knows she would be of more use in Parliament than many +of the men who are there; is naturally annoyed at the Law’s +stupidity in keeping her out.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Phoebe Mogton</span> (<i>Org. Sec. +W.P.F.L.</i>)</p> +</td> +<td><p>The new girl, thinking more of politics than of +boys. But that will probably pass.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Janet Blake</span> (<i>Jt. Org. Sec. +W.P.F.L.</i>)</p> +</td> +<td><p>She dreams of a new heaven and a new earth when woman has +the vote.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Mountcalm Villiers +</span>(<i>Vice-President W.P.F.L.</i>)</p> +</td> +<td><p>She was getting tired of flirting. The Woman’s +Movement has arrived just at the right moment.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth Spender</span> (<i>Hons. +Treas. W.P.F.L.</i>)</p> +</td> +<td><p>She sees woman everywhere the slave of man: now pampered, +now beaten, but ever the slave. She can see no hope of +freedom but through warfare.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span></p> +</td> +<td><p>A mother.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span></p> +</td> +<td><p>A bill-poster. Movements that do not fit in with the +essentials of life on thirty shillings a week have no message so +far as Jawbones is concerned.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span></p> +</td> +<td><p>Whose proper name is Rose Merton, and who has to reconcile +herself to the fact that so far as her class is concerned the +primæval laws still run.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Dorian St. Herbert</span> (<i>Hon. +Sec. M.L.E.F.W.</i>)</p> +</td> +<td><p>He is interested in all things, the Woman’s Movement +included.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Ben Lamb</span>, M.P.</p> +</td> +<td><p>As a student of woman, he admits to being in the +infants’ class.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span></p> +</td> +<td><p>An Election Agent. He thinks the modern woman +suffers from over-indulgence. He would recommend to her the +teachings of St. Paul.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p><span class="smcap">Hake</span></p> +</td> +<td><p>A butler. He does not see how to avoid his wife +being practically a domestic servant without wages.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>A <span class="smcap">Deputation</span></p> +</td> +<td><p>It consists of two men and three women. Superior +people would call them Cranks. But Cranks have been of some +service to the world, and the use of superior people is still to +be discovered.</p> +</td> +</tr> +</table> +<h2>THE FIRST ACT</h2> +<p><span class="smcap">Scene</span>:—<i>Drawing-room</i>, +91, <i>Russell Square</i>.</p> +<p style="text-align: center"><span +class="smcap">Time</span>:—<i>Afternoon</i>.</p> +<p>(<span class="smcap">Mrs. Elizabeth Spender</span> <i>sits +near the fire</i>, <i>reading a book</i>. <i>She is a +tall</i>, <i>thin woman</i>, <i>with passionate eyes</i>, <i>set +in an oval face of olive complexion</i>; <i>the features are +regular and severe</i>; <i>her massive dark hair is almost primly +arranged</i>. <i>She wears a tailor-made costume</i>, +<i>surmounted by a plain black hat</i>. <i>The door opens +and</i> <span class="smcap">Phoebe</span> <i>enters</i>, <i>shown +in by</i> <span class="smcap">Hake</span>, <i>the butler</i>, +<i>a thin</i>, <i>ascetic-looking man of about thirty</i>, +<i>with prematurely grey hair</i>. <span +class="smcap">Phoebe Mogton</span> <i>is of the Fluffy Ruffles +type</i>, <i>petite</i>, <i>with a retroussé nose</i>, +<i>remarkably bright eyes</i>, <i>and a quantity of fluffy light +hair</i>, <i>somewhat untidily arranged</i>. <i>She is +fashionably dressed in the fussy</i>, <i>flyaway style</i>. +<span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span> <i>looks up</i>; <i>the two +young women shake hands</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Good woman. +’Tisn’t three o’clock yet, is it?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. About five minutes +to.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Annys is on her +way. I just caught her in time. (<i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">Hake</span>.) Put a table and six +chairs. Give mamma a hammer and a cushion at her back.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Hake</span>. A hammer, miss?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. A chairman’s +hammer. Haven’t you got one?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Hake</span>. I’m afraid not, +miss. Would a gravy spoon do?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span> (<i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>, <i>after expression of +disgust</i>.) Fancy a house without a chairman’s +hammer! (<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Hake</span>.) +See that there’s something. Did your wife go to the +meeting last night?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Hake</span> (<i>He is arranging furniture +according to instructions</i>.) I’m not quite sure, +miss. I gave her the evening out.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. “Gave her the +evening out”!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. We are speaking of +your wife, man, not your servant.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Hake</span>. Yes, miss. You +see, we don’t keep servants in our class. +Somebody’s got to put the children to bed.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. Why not the +man—occasionally?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Hake</span>. Well, you see, miss, in +my case, I rarely getting home much before midnight, it would +make it so late. Yesterday being my night off, things +fitted in, so to speak. Will there be any writing, +miss?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Yes. See that +there’s plenty of blotting-paper. (<i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>.) Mamma always splashes +so.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Hake</span>. Yes, miss.</p> +<p style="text-align: right">(<i>He goes out</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. Did you ever hear +anything more delightfully naïve? He +“gave” her the evening out. That’s how +they think of us—as their servants. The gentleman +hasn’t the courage to be straightforward about it. +The butler blurts out the truth. Why are we meeting here +instead of at our own place?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. For secrecy, I +expect. Too many gasbags always about the office. I +fancy—I’m not quite sure—that mamma’s got +a new idea.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. Leading to +Holloway?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Well, most roads lead +there.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. And end +there—so far as I can see.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. You’re too +impatient.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. It’s what +our friends have been telling us—for the last fifty +years.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Look here, if it was +only the usual sort of thing mamma wouldn’t want it kept +secret. I’m inclined to think it’s a new +departure altogether.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>The door opens</i>. <i>There +enters</i> <span class="smcap">Janet Blake</span>, <i>followed +by</i> <span class="smcap">Hake</span>, <i>who proceeds with his +work</i>. <span class="smcap">Janet Blake</span> <i>is a +slight</i>, <i>fragile-looking creature</i>, <i>her great dark +eyes—the eyes of a fanatic—emphasise the pallor of +her childish face</i>. <i>She is shabbily dressed</i>; <i>a +plain</i>, <i>uninteresting girl until she smiles</i>, <i>and +then her face becomes quite beautiful</i>. <span +class="smcap">Phoebe</span> <i>darts to meet her</i>.) Good +girl. Was afraid—I say, you’re wet through.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. It was only a +shower. The ’buses were all full. I had to ride +outside.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Silly kid, why +didn’t you take a cab?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. I’ve been +reckoning it up. I’ve been half over London chasing +Mrs. Mountcalm-Villiers. Cabs would have come, at the very +least, to twelve-and-six.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Well—</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span> (<i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>.) Well—I want you to +put me down as a contributor for twelve-and-six. (<i>She +smiles</i>.) It’s the only way I can give.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. (<i>She is taking +off</i> <span class="smcap">Janet’s</span> <i>cloak</i>; +<i>throws it to</i> <span class="smcap">Hake</span>.) Have +this put somewhere to dry. (<i>She pushes</i> <span +class="smcap">Janet</span> <i>to the fire</i>.) Get near +the fire. You’re as cold as ice.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. All the seats +inside, I suppose, occupied by the chivalrous sex.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. Oh, there was one +young fellow offered to give me up his place, but I +wouldn’t let him. You see, we’re claiming +equality. (<i>Smiles</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. And are being +granted it—in every direction where it works to the +convenience of man.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. +(<i>Laughs</i>.) Is she coming—the Villiers +woman?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. Yes. I ran her +down at last—at her dress-maker’s. She made an +awful fuss about it, but I wouldn’t leave till she’d +promised. Tell me, it’s something quite important, +isn’t it?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. I don’t know +anything, except that I had an urgent telegram from mamma this +morning to call a meeting of the entire Council here at three +o’clock. She’s coming up from Manchester on +purpose. (<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Hake</span>.) +Mrs. Chilvers hasn’t returned yet, has she?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Hake</span>. Not yet, miss. +Shall I telephone—</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. (<i>Shakes her +head</i>.) No; it’s all right. I have seen +her. Let her know we are here the moment she comes in.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Hake</span>. Yes, miss.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>He has finished the +arrangements</i>. <i>The table has been placed in the +centre of the room</i>, <i>six chairs round it</i>, <i>one of +them being a large armchair</i>. <i>He has placed writing +materials and a large silver gravy spoon</i>. <i>He is +going</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Why aren’t you +sure your wife wasn’t at the meeting last night? +Didn’t she say anything?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Hake</span>. Well, miss, +unfortunately, just as she was starting, Mrs. +Comerford—that’s the wife of the party that keeps the +shop downstairs—looked in with an order for the +theatre.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Oh!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Hake</span>. So I thought it best to +ask no questions.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Thank you.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Hake</span>. Thank you, miss.</p> +<p style="text-align: right">(<i>He goes out</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. Can nothing be +done to rouse the working-class woman out of her apathy?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Well, if you ask me, +I think a good deal has been done.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. Oh, what’s +the use of our deceiving ourselves? The great mass are +utterly indifferent.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span> (<i>She is seated in an +easy-chair near the fire</i>.) I was talking to a woman +only yesterday—in Bethnal Green. She keeps a husband +and three children by taking in washing. “Lord, +miss,” she laughed, “what would we do with the vote +if we did have it? Only one thing more to give to the +men.”</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. That’s rather +good.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. The curse of it is +that it’s true. Why should they put themselves out +merely that one man instead of another should dictate their laws +to them?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. My dear girl, +precisely the same argument was used against the Second Reform +Bill. What earthly difference could it make to the working +men whether Tory Squire or Liberal capitalist ruled over +them? That was in 1868. To-day, fifty-four Labour +Members sit in Parliament. At the next election they will +hold the balance.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. Ah, if we could +only hold out <i>that</i> sort of hope to them!</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Annys</span> +<i>enters</i>. <i>She is in outdoor costume</i>. +<i>She kisses</i> <span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>, <i>shakes +hands with the other two</i>. <span +class="smcap">Annys’s</span> <i>age is about +twenty-five</i>. <i>She is a beautiful</i>, +<i>spiritual-looking creature</i>, <i>tall and graceful</i>, +<i>with a manner that is at the same time appealing and +commanding</i>. <i>Her voice is soft and caressing</i>, +<i>but capable of expressing all the emotions</i>. <i>Her +likeness to her younger sister</i> <span +class="smcap">Phoebe</span> <i>is of the slightest</i>: <i>the +colouring is the same</i>, <i>and the eyes that can flash</i>, +<i>but there the similarity ends</i>. <i>She is simply but +well dressed</i>. <i>Her soft hair makes a quiet but +wonderfully effective frame to her face</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She is taking off +her outdoor things</i>.) Hope I’m not late. I +had to look in at Caxton House. Why are we holding it +here?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Mamma’s +instructions. Can’t tell you anything more except +that I gather the matter’s important, and is to be kept +secret.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Mamma isn’t +here, is she?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. (<i>Shakes her +head</i>.) Reaches St. Pancras at two-forty. +(<i>Looks at her watch</i>.) Train’s late, I +expect.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span class="smcap">Hake</span> +<i>has entered</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She hands</i> +<span class="smcap">Hake</span> <i>her hat and coat</i>.) +Have something ready in case Lady Mogton hasn’t +lunched. Is your master in?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Hake</span>. A messenger came for +him soon after you left, ma’am. I was to tell you he +would most likely be dining at the House.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Thank you.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span class="smcap">Hake</span> +<i>goes out</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>.) I so want you to meet +Geoffrey. He’ll alter your opinion of men.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. My opinion of men +has been altered once or twice—each time for the worse.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Why do you dislike +men?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. (<i>With a short +laugh</i>.) Why does the slave dislike the slave-owner?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Oh, come off the +perch. You spend five thousand a year provided for you by a +husband that you only see on Sundays. We’d all be +slaves at that price.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. The chains have +always been stretched for the few. My sympathies are with +my class.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. But men like +Geoffrey—men who are devoting their whole time and energy +to furthering our cause; what can you have to say against +them?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. Simply that they +don’t know what they’re doing. The French +Revolution was nursed in the salons of the French nobility. +When the true meaning of the woman’s movement is understood +we shall have to get on without the male sympathiser.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>A pause</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. What do you understand +is the true meaning of the woman’s movement?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. The dragging down +of man from his position of supremacy. What else can it +mean?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Something much +better. The lifting up of woman to be his partner.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. My dear Annys, the +men who to-day are advocating votes for women are doing so in the +hope of securing obedient supporters for their own political +schemes. In New Zealand the working man brings his female +relations in a van to the poll, and sees to it that they vote in +accordance with his orders. When man once grasps the fact +that woman is not going to be his henchman, but his rival, men +and women will face one another as enemies.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>The door opens</i>. <span +class="smcap">Hake</span> <i>announces</i> <span +class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span> <i>and</i> <span +class="smcap">Dorian St. Herbert</span>. <span +class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span> <i>is a large</i>, +<i>strong-featured woman</i>, <i>with a naturally loud +voice</i>. <i>She is dressed with studied +carelessness</i>. <span class="smcap">Dorian St. +Herbert</span>, K.C., <i>is a tall</i>, <i>thin man</i>, <i>about +thirty</i>. <i>He is elegantly</i>, <i>almost dandily +dressed</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>Kissing her +mother</i>.) Have you had lunch?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. In the +train.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. (<i>Who has also +kissed her mother and shaken hands with</i> <span +class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>.) We are all here except +Villiers. She’s coming. Did you have a good +meeting?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. Fairly. +Some young fool had chained himself to a pillar and thrown the +key out of window.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. What did you do?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. Tied a sack over +his head and left him there.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>She turns aside for a moment to talk +to</i> <span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>, <i>who has taken +some papers from his despatch-box</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>.) We must finish out our +talk some other time. You are quite wrong.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. Perhaps.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. We had better +begin. I have only got half an hour.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. I saw Mrs. +Villiers. She promised she’d come.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. You should have +told her we were going to be photographed. Then she’d +have been punctual. (<i>She has taken her seat at the +table</i>. <span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span> <i>at her +right</i>.) Better put another chair in case she does turn +up.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. (<i>Does +so</i>.) Shall I take any notes?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. No. +(<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Annys</span>.) Give +instructions that we are not to be interrupted for anything.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span class="smcap">Annys</span> +<i>rings bell</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. (<i>He turns +to</i> <span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>, <i>on his +right</i>.) Have you heard the latest?</p> +<blockquote><p><i>There was an old man of Hong Kong</i>,<br /> +<i>Whose language was terribly strong</i>.</p> +</blockquote> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>Enter</i> <span +class="smcap">Hake</span>. <i>He brings a bottle and +glass</i>, <i>which he places</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Oh, Hake, please, +don’t let us be interrupted for anything. If Mrs. +Mountcalm-Villiers comes, show her up. But nobody else.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Hake</span>. Yes, ma’am.</p> +<p style="text-align: right">(<span class="smcap">Hake</span> +<i>goes out</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. +(<i>Continuing</i>.)</p> +<blockquote><p><i>It wasn’t the words</i><br /> +<i>That frightened the birds</i>,<br /> +<i>’Twas the ’orrible double-entendre</i>.</p> +</blockquote> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. (<i>Who has sat +waiting in grim silence</i>.) Have you finished?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. Quite +finished.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. Thank you. +(<i>She raps for silence</i>.) You will understand, please, +all, that this is a private meeting of the Council. Nothing +that transpires is to be allowed to leak out. (<i>There is +a murmur</i>.) Silence, please, for Mr. St. Herbert.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. Before we begin, +I should like to remind you, ladies, that you are, all of you, +persons mentally deficient—</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>The door opens</i>. <span +class="smcap">Mrs. Mountcalm-Villiers</span> <i>enters</i>, +<i>announced by</i> <span class="smcap">Hake</span>. <i>She +is a showily-dressed</i>, <i>flamboyant lady</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Mountcalm-Villiers</span>. I +<i>am</i> so sorry. I have only just this +minute—(<i>She catches sight of</i> <span class="smcap">St. +Herbert</span>.) You naughty creature, why weren’t +you at my meeting last night? The Rajah came with both his +wives. We’ve elected them, all three, honorary +members.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. Do you mind +sitting down?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Mountcalm-Villiers</span>. +Here, dear? (<i>She takes the vacant chair</i>.) So +nice of you. I read about your meeting. What a clever +idea!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. (<i>Cuts her +short</i>.) Yes. We are here to consider a very +important matter. By way of commencement Mr. St. Herbert +has just reminded us that in the eye of the law all women are +imbeciles.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Mountcalm-Villiers</span>. I +know, dear. Isn’t it shocking?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. Deplorable; but +of course not your fault. I mention it because of its +importance to the present matter. Under Clause A of the Act +for the Better Regulation, &c., &c., all persons +“mentally deficient” are debarred from becoming +members of Parliament. The classification has been held to +include idiots, infants, and women.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>An interruption</i>. +<span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span> <i>hammers</i>.)</p> +<p>Bearing this carefully in mind, we proceed. (<i>He +refers to his notes</i>.) Two years ago a bye-election took +place for the South-west division of Belfast.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Mountcalm-Villiers</span>. My +dear, may I? It has just occurred to me. Why do we +never go to Ireland?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. For various +sufficient reasons.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Mountcalm-Villiers</span>. So +many of the Irish members have expressed themselves quite +sympathetically.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. We wish them to +continue to do so. (<i>Turns to</i> <span class="smcap">St. +Herbert</span>.) I’m sorry.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. A leader of the +Orange Party was opposed by a Nationalist, and the proceedings +promised to be lively. They promised for a while to be +still livelier, owing to the nomination at the last moment of the +local lunatic.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. (<i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">Annys</span>.) This is where we come in.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. There is always +a local lunatic, who, if harmless, is generally a popular +character. James Washington McCaw appears to have been a +particularly cheerful specimen. One of his eccentricities +was to always have a skipping-rope in his pocket; wherever the +traffic allowed it, he would go through the streets +skipping. He said it kept him warm. Another of his +tricks was to let off fireworks from the roof of his house +whenever he heard of the death of anybody of importance. +The Returning Officer refused his nomination—which, so far +as his nominators were concerned, was intended only as a +joke—on the grounds of his being by common report a person +of unsound mind. And there, so far as South-west Belfast +was concerned, the matter ended.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Pity.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. But not so far +as the Returning Officer was concerned. McCaw appears to +have been a lunatic possessed of means, imbued with all an +Irishman’s love of litigation. He at once brought an +action against the Returning Officer, his contention being that +his mental state was a private matter, of which the Returning +Officer was not the person to judge.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. He wasn’t a +lunatic all over.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. We none of us +are. The case went from court to court. In every +instance the decision was in favour of the Returning +Officer. Until it reached the House of Lords. The +decision was given yesterday afternoon—in favour of the man +McCaw.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. Then lunatics, at +all events, are not debarred from going to the poll.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. The +“mentally deficient” are no longer debarred from +going to the poll.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. What grounds were +given for the decision?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. (<i>He refers +again to his notes</i>.) A Returning Officer can only deal +with objections arising out of the nomination paper. He has +no jurisdiction to go behind a nomination paper and constitute +himself a court of inquiry as to the fitness or unfitness of a +candidate.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Good old House of +Lords!</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span class="smcap">Lady +Mogton</span> <i>hammers</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. But I thought it +was part of the Returning Officer’s duty to inquire into +objections, that a special time was appointed to deal with +them.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. He will still be +required to take cognisance of any informality in the nomination +paper or papers. Beyond that, this decision relieves him of +all further responsibility.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. But this gives us +everything.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. It depends upon +what you call everything. It gives a woman the right to go +to the poll—a right which, as a matter of fact, she has +always possessed.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Then why did the +Returning Officer for Camberwell in 1885—</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. Because he did +not know the law. And Miss Helen Taylor had not the means +possessed by our friend McCaw to teach it to him.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>Rises</i>. +<i>She goes to the centre of the room</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. Where are you +going?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She turns</i>; +<i>there are tears in her eyes</i>. <i>The question seems +to recall her to herself</i>.) Nowhere. I am so +sorry. I can’t help it. It seems to me to mean +so much. It gives us the right to go before the +people—to plead to them, not for ourselves, for them. +(<i>Again she seems to lose consciousness of those at the +table</i>, <i>of the room</i>.) To the men we will say: +“Will you not trust us? Is it harm we have ever done +you? Have we not suffered for you and with you? Were +we not sent into the world to be your helpmeet? Are not the +children ours as well as yours? Shall we not work together +to shape the world where they must dwell? Is it only the +mother-voice that shall not be heard in your councils? Is +it only the mother-hand that shall not help to +guide?” To the women we will say: “Tell +them—tell them it is from no love of ourselves that we come +from our sheltered homes into the street. It is to give, +not to get—to mingle with the sterner judgments of men the +deeper truths that God, through pain, has taught to +women—to mingle with man’s justice woman’s +pity, till there shall arise the perfect law—not made of +man nor woman, but of both, each bringing what the other +lacks.” And they will listen to us. Till now it +has seemed to them that we were clamouring only for selfish +ends. They have not understood. We shall speak to +them of common purposes, use the language of +fellow-citizens. They will see that we are worthy of the +place we claim. They will welcome us as helpers in a common +cause. They—</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>She turns</i>—<i>the +present comes back to her</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. (<i>After a +pause</i>.) The business (<i>she dwells severely on the +word</i>) before the meeting—</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She resents +herself meekly</i>. <i>Apologising generally</i>.) I +<i>must</i> learn to control myself.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. (<i>Who has +waited</i>.) —is McCaw versus Potts. Its +bearing upon the movement for the extension of the franchise to +women. My own view I venture to submit in the form of a +resolution. (<i>She takes up a paper on which she has been +writing</i>.) As follows: That the Council of the +Woman’s Parliamentary Franchise League, having regard to +the decision of the House of Lords in McCaw v. Potts—</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. (<i>Looking +over</i>.) Two t’s.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. —resolves +to bring forward a woman candidate to contest the next +bye-election. (<i>Suddenly to</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. +Mountcalm-Villiers</span>, <i>who is chattering</i>.) Do +you agree or disagree?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Mountcalm-Villiers</span>. My +dear! How can you ask? Of course we all agree. +(<i>To Elizabeth</i>.) You agree, don’t you?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. Of course, even if +elected, she would not be allowed to take her seat.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. How do you +know? Nothing more full of surprises than English law.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. At the present +stage I regard that point as immaterial. What I am thinking +of is the advertisement. A female candidate upon the +platform will concentrate the whole attention of the country on +our movement.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. It might even be +prudent—until you have got the vote—to keep it dark +that you will soon be proceeding to the next inevitable step.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. You think even man +could be so easily deceived!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. Man has had so +much practice in being deceived. It comes naturally to +him.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. Poor devil!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. The only +question remaining to be discussed is the candidate.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Is there not danger +that between now and the next bye-election the Government may, +having regard to this case, bring in a bill to stop women +candidates from going to the poll?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. I have thought +of that. Fortunately, the case seems to have attracted very +little attention. If a bye-election occurred soon there +would hardly be time.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. It must be the +very next one that does occur—wherever it is.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. I am sure that in the +East End we should have a chance.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Great Scott! +Just think. If we were to win it!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. If you could get +a straight fight against a Liberal I believe you would.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Why is the Government +so unpopular?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. Well, take the +weather alone—twelve degrees of frost again last night.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. In St. George’s +Road the sewer has burst. The water is in the rooms where +the children are sleeping. (<i>She clenches her +hands</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Mountcalm-Villiers</span>. +(<i>She shakes her head</i>.) Something ought really to be +done.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. Has anybody any +suggestion to make?—as regards the candidate. +There’s no advantage in going outside. It will have +to be one of ourselves.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Mountcalm-Villiers</span>. +Won’t you, dear?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. I shall be +better employed organising. My own feeling is that it ought +to be Annys. (<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">St. +Herbert</span>.) What do you think?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. Undoubtedly.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. I’d rather +not.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. It’s not a +question of liking. It’s a question of duty. +For this occasion we shall be appealing to the male voter. +Our candidate must be a woman popular with men. The choice +is somewhat limited.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. No one will put up +so good a fight as you.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Will you give me till +this evening?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. What for?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. I should like to +consult Geoffrey.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. You think he +would object?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>A little +doubtfully</i>.) No. But we have always talked +everything over together.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. Absurd! +He’s one of our staunchest supporters. Of course +he’ll be delighted.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. I think the thing +ought to be settled at once.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. It must +be. I have to return to Manchester to-night. We shall +have to get to work immediately.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. Geoffrey will +surely take it as a compliment.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. Don’t you feel +that woman, all over the world, is calling to you?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. It isn’t +that. I’m not trying to shirk it. I merely +thought that if there had been time—of course, if you +really think—</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. You consent?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Yes. If +it’s everybody’s wish.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. That’s +settled.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. (<i>She springs +up</i>, <i>waving a handkerchief</i>.) Chilvers for +ever!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. (<i>Rises</i>.) +God bless you!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Mountcalm-Villiers</span>. +(<i>Clapping her hands</i>.) Now we shan’t be +long!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. +(<i>Hammers</i>.) Order, please!</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>The three subside</i>.)</p> +<p>This is serious business. The next step is, of +course—</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>The door opens</i>; <span +class="smcap">Geoffrey</span> <i>enters</i>. <i>He is a +youngish-looking man of three or four and thirty</i>. <span +class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>, <i>at the sound of the +door</i>, <i>turns</i>. <span class="smcap">St. +Herbert</span> <i>rises</i>. <i>There is a pause</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. We’ve been +talking about you. We must apologise for turning your +drawing-room—</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. My dear +mother-in-law, it is Providence. (<i>He kisses +her</i>.) There is no one I was more longing to see.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She has +risen</i>.) Hake told me you would be dining at the +House.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He comes to +her</i>, <i>kisses her</i>, <i>he is in a state of suppressed +excitement</i>.) I shall be. I came back to bring you +some news.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. We’ve got some +news for you. Have you heard—</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He stays +her</i>.) May I claim man’s privilege for the first +word? It is news, I am sure, you will all be delighted to +hear. A friend of yours has been appointed to an office +where—it is quite possible—he may be of service to +you.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Governorship of +Holloway Gaol?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Not a bad +guess. Very near it. To the Under-Secretaryship for +Home Affairs.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. Who is it?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He +bows</i>.) Your affectionate and devoted servant.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. You!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. (<i>Genuinely +delighted</i>. <i>She is not a quick thinker</i>.) +Bravo! Congratulations, old boy! (<i>She has +risen</i>—<i>she slaps him on the back</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Geoffrey! +(<i>She puts her arms about him</i>.) You never told me +anything.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. I know, dear. +I was afraid. It mightn’t have come off. And +then you would have been so disappointed.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>There are tears in +her eyes</i>. <i>She still clings to him</i>.) I am +so glad. Oh, I am so glad!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. It is all your +doing. You have been such a splendid help. (<i>He +breaks gently away from her</i>. <i>Turns to</i> <span +class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>, <i>with a lighter +tone</i>.) Haven’t you anything to say to a +fellow? You’re not usually dumb.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. It has all been +so sudden—as the early Victorian heroine was fond of +remarking!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. +(<i>Laughs</i>.) It has been sudden. We had, none of +us, any idea till yesterday that old Bullock was thinking of +resigning.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. (<i>She has risen +and moved towards the fire</i>.) Won’t it necessitate +a bye-election?</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span> +<i>and</i> <span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span> <i>have been +thinking it out</i>. <i>On the others the word falls like a +bombshell</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He turns to +her</i>. <i>He does not see their faces</i>.) +Yes. But I don’t anticipate a contest. The +Conservatives are without a candidate, and I am on good terms +with the Labour Party. Perhaps Mr. Hunnable—(<i>He +laughs</i>, <i>then</i>, <i>turning</i>, <i>catches sight of his +wife’s face</i>. <i>From</i> <span +class="smcap">Annys</span> <i>he looks to the others</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. (<i>She has +risen</i>.) You haven’t heard, then, of McCaw versus +Potts?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. “McCaw versus +Potts!” What the—</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. Was decided in +the House of Lords late yesterday afternoon. Briefly +stated, it confers upon women the right of becoming Parliamentary +candidates.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He is +staggered</i>.) You mean—</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. Having regard to +which, we have decided to bring forward a woman candidate to +contest the next bye-election.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Um! I +see.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. But we never +thought—we never anticipated it would be +Geoffrey’s.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. I really cannot +admit that that alters the case. Geoffrey himself would +never dream, I am sure, of asking us to sacrifice our cause to +his convenience.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. No. Of course +not. Certainly not.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. It is perhaps +unfortunate that the candidate selected—</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. It is quite +impossible. Such a dilemma was never dreamed of.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. And if +not? Is the solidarity of woman—</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>Beginning to +guess</i>.) Forgive my impatience; but whom <i>have</i> you +selected?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. (<i>When she likes +she can be quite sweet</i>.) Your wife. (<i>He +expected it</i>.) We rather assumed (<i>she appeals to the +others with a gesture</i>), I think, that the president of the +Man’s League for the Extension of the Franchise to Women +would regard it as a compliment.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>His dislike of +her is already in existence</i>.) Yes. Very +thoughtful.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. You must choose some +one else.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. But there <i>is</i> +no one else.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. There’s +mamma.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Mamma’s +too heavy.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Well, then, +there’s Elizabeth—there’s you!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Yes. Why not +you? You and I could have a jolly little fight.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. This is not a +laughing matter. If I could think of any one to take +Annys’s place I should not insist. I cannot.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. You see, it +mustn’t be a crank.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He is losing +his temper</i>.) Yes, I suppose that does limit you.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. And +then—thanks to you—Mrs. Chilvers has had such +excellent training in politics. It was that, I think, that +decided us.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>Convention +forbids his strangling her</i>.) Will somebody kindly +introduce me to this lady?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. Ah, yes, of +course. You don’t know each other, do you? Mr. +Geoffrey Chilvers—Mrs. Joseph Spender. Mrs. +Spender—Mr. Chilvers, M.P.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. +(<i>Sweetly</i>.) Delighted!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>Not</i>.) +Charmed.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. (<i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">Annys</span>.) I am not indifferent to your +difficulty. But the history of woman, my dear Annys, is a +history of sacrifice. We give our sons—if necessary, +our husbands.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Mountcalm-Villiers</span>. +(<i>Affected</i>.) How true!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. But you are not asking +me to give him. You are asking me to fight him. I +can’t.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. You mean you +won’t.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. You can put it that +way if you like. I won’t.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>A pause</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. I thought Mrs. +Chilvers had pledged her word.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. Yes. But +without her husband’s consent. So, of course, it +doesn’t count.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He turns on +her</i>.) Why not you—if there must be a fight? +Or would it be against your principles?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. Not in the +least.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Ah!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. I would offer +myself as a substitute. Only it might seem like coming +between husband and wife.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He turns away +with a grunt of disgust</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. It’s awfully +rough on you, Geoffrey. I can see it from your point of +view. But one can’t help remembering the things that +you yourself have said.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. I know; I +know. I’ve been going up and down the country, +excusing even your excesses on the ground that no movement can +force its way to the front without treading on innumerable +toes. For me, now, to cry halt merely because it happens to +be my own toes that are in the way would +be—ridiculous—absurd—would be monstrous. +(<i>Nobody contradicts him</i>.) You are perfectly +justified—if this case means what you say it does—in +putting up a candidate against me for East Poplar. Only, +naturally, it cannot be Annys. (<i>He reaches out his hand +to where</i> <span class="smcap">Annys</span> <i>stands a little +behind him</i>, <i>takes her hand</i>.) Annys and I have +fought more than one election. It has been side by +side.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. The lady a little +behind.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He moves away +with an expression of deep annoyance</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. (<i>She comes +forward</i>. <i>She holds forth her hands with a +half-appealing</i>, <i>half-commanding gesture</i>. <i>She +almost seems inspired</i>.) Would it not be so much better +if, in this first political contest between man and woman, the +opponents were two people honouring one another, loving one +another? Would it not show to all the world that man and +woman may meet—contend in public life without anger, +without scorn? (<i>There is a pause</i>. <i>They +stand listening</i>.) I do not know, but it seems to me +that if Mr. Chilvers could bring himself to do this it would be +such a big thing—perhaps the most chivalrous thing that a +man has ever done to help women. If he would put aside, +quite voluntarily, all the man’s privilege—just say +to the people, “Now choose—one of us two to serve +you. We stand before you, equal, my wife and +I.” I don’t know how to put it, but I feel that +by merely doing that one thing Mr. Chilvers would solve the whole +problem. It would prove that good men are ready to give us +of their free accord all that we claim. We should gain our +rights, not by warfare, but through love and understanding. +Wouldn’t that be—so much better? (<i>She +looks—her hands still appealing—from one to the +other</i>.)</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>Another silence</i>. <i>They have +all been carried a little off their feet by</i> <span +class="smcap">Janet’s</span> <i>earnestness</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She touches +him</i>.) What do you think, dear?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Yes, there’s +a good deal, of course, in what Miss Blake says.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. It <i>would</i> be a +big thing for you to do.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. You see, whatever +happened, the seat would be yours. This case only gives us +the right to go to the poll. We are keen upon Annys because +she’s our best card, that’s all.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Do you wish it?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She smiles up at +him</i>.) I’d rather fight you than any one else.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. You are not afraid +that the situation might be—just a trifle comical?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>Shakes her +head</i>.) No. I think everybody will say it was +rather splendid of you.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Well, if it will +help women.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She holds out her +hand</i>. <i>She is still in exalted mood</i>.) We +will show how man and woman may be drawn nearer to one another by +rivalry for noble ends.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. (<i>He +shakes</i> <span class="smcap">Geoffrey’s</span> +<i>somewhat limp hand</i>.) I envy you. The situation +promises to be piquant.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Mountcalm-Villiers</span>. It +will be a battle of roses.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. I must go. +I shall see you both again to-morrow. (<i>She kisses</i> +<span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>.) This is an historic +day.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Yes. I +daresay we shall all remember it.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. (<i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">Janet</span>.) I will get you to come to the +station with me. I can give you your instructions in the +cab. (<i>She kisses</i> <span +class="smcap">Annys</span>.) You have been called to a +great work. Be worthy of it.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>They are all making ready to +go</i>. <span class="smcap">Annys</span> <i>has rung the +bell for</i> <span class="smcap">Hake</span>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. (<i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">Annys</span>.) Are you glad?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>Kisses +her</i>.) You showed me the whole thing in a new +light. You were splendid. (<i>She turns to</i> <span +class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>.) Didn’t I tell you he +would convert you?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. I was wrong to +judge all men guilty. There are also—the +innocent.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>For a +moment—but a moment only—she is pleased</i>. +<i>Then the doubtful meaning of</i> <span +class="smcap">Elizabeth’s</span> <i>words strikes +her</i>.)</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>Enter</i> <span +class="smcap">Hake</span>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She has to +dismiss</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>.) Oh, +Hake—(<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Lady +Mogton</span>.) You’ll want a cab, won’t you, +mamma?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. A +taxi— Goodbye, everybody.</p> +<p style="text-align: right">(<i>She sails out</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Mountcalm-Villiers</span>. I +have my carriage. (<i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>.) Can I give you a lift?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. Thank you. +(<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>.) We shall +meet again.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. I feel sure of +it.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Mrs. +Mountcalm-Villiers</span> <i>and</i> <span +class="smcap">Elizabeth</span> <i>go out</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. (<i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">Hake</span>.) Are Miss Blake’s things +dry yet?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. They’ll be quite +all right, dear. Please don’t trouble. (<i>She +advances a timid hand to</i> <span +class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>.) Goodbye, Mr. Chilvers.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He takes it +smiling</i>.) Goodbye.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>She goes out</i>; <span +class="smcap">Hake</span> <i>follows</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Goodbye, old +boy. (<i>They shake hands</i>.) Don’t you let +her walk over you. Make her fight.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. +(<i>Laughing</i>.) Don’t you worry about that.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. Would you care +to look through McCaw v. Potts? (<i>He has the papers in +his hand</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. I’ll ask you +for it when I want it.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. (<i>At +door</i>.) You’ll be alone this evening?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Yes. Come in to +dinner.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. All right. +Goodbye.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. Goodbye.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span> +<i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Annys</span> <i>answer +them</i>. <i>They go out</i>, <i>closing the +door</i>. <span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span> <i>is by the +fire</i>. <span class="smcap">Annys</span> <i>comes to +him</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She puts her arms +round him</i>.) You don’t mind?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He holds her at +arms’ length—looking into her eyes and +smiling</i>.) I believe you are looking forward to it.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Do you know how long +we have been married? Eight years. And do you know, +sir, that all that time we have never had a difference? +Don’t you think it will be good for you?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Do you know +<i>why</i> we have never had a difference? Because you have +always had your own way.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Oh!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. You have got so +used to it, you don’t notice it.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Then it will be good +for me. I must learn to suffer opposition. (<i>She +laughs</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. You won’t +like it.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Do you know, I’m +not at all sure that I shan’t. (<i>Unconsciously they +let loose of one another</i>.) You see, I shall have the +right of hitting back. (<i>Again she laughs</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>Also +laughingly</i>.) Is woman going to develop the fighting +instinct?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. I wonder.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>A moment’s +silence</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. The difficulty in +our case is there seems nothing to fight about.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. We must think of +something. (<i>Laughs</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. What line are you +going to take—what is your argument: why they should vote +for you in preference to me?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Simply that I am a +woman.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. My dear child, that +won’t be enough. Why should they vote for you merely +because you’re a woman?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>Slightly +astonished</i>.) Because—because women are wanted in +public life.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Who wants them?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>More +astonished</i>.) Who? Why—(<i>it doesn’t +seem too clear</i>.) Why, all of us—you, +yourself!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. I’m not East +Poplar.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>Is puzzled a +moment</i>, <i>then valiantly</i>.) I shall ask them to +send me to Parliament to represent the interests of their +women—and therefore of themselves—the interests of +their children.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Children! +What do you know about children?</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>Another silence</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. +Personally—no. We have had no children of our own, of +course. But (<i>hopefully</i>) it is a woman’s +instinct.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Oh, Lord! +That’s what the lady said who had buried seven.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>Her mouth is +growing hard</i>.) Don’t you believe in the right of +women to share in the government of the country?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Some women. +Yes. I can see some capable—</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>Winces</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. —elderly, +motherly woman who has brought up a dozen children of her +own—who knows the world, being of some real use.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. If it comes to that, +there must be—I don’t say more “capable,” +but more experienced, more fatherly men than yourself.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>He turns</i>, <i>they look at one +another</i>. <i>His tone almost touched contempt—hers +was veiled anger</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. <i>That’s</i> +the danger. It may come to a real fight.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>Upon her also the +fear has fallen</i>.) It must not. (<i>She flings her +arms around him</i>.) We must show the world that man and +woman can meet—contend in public life without anger, +without scorn.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He folds her to +him</i>.) The very words sound ugly, don’t they?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. It would be +hideous. (<i>She draws away</i>.) How long will the +election last?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Not long. The +writ will be issued on Wednesday. Nomination on +Monday—polling, I expect, on Saturday. Puts me in +mind—I must prepare my election address.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. I ought to be getting +on with mine, too, I suppose.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. It ought to be out +by to-morrow.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>With +inspiration</i>.) We’ll do yours first. (<i>She +wonders why he hesitates</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. +“We?” Shan’t I have to do it +alone—this time?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Alone! +Nonsense! How can you?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. I’m afraid I +shall have to try.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Um! I suppose +you’re right. What a nuisance! (<i>She turns +away</i>.) I shan’t like it.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He moves +towards the folding-doors</i>.) No. It won’t be +quite the same thing. Goodbye.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She crosses to her +desk by the window</i>. <i>Not the same instant but the +next his</i> “<i>Goodbye</i>” <i>strikes +her</i>. <i>She turns</i>.) You’re not going +out, are you?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He stops and +turns—puzzled at her question</i>.) No. Only +into my study.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. You said +“Goodbye.”</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>Not +remembering</i>.) <i>I</i> did! Must have been +thinking of something else. I shall be in here if you want +me. (<i>He goes into the other room</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She has crossed to +her desk</i>. <i>She is humming</i>. <i>She seats +herself</i>, <i>takes paper and pen</i>, <i>writes</i>. +<i>Without turning—still writing—she raises her +voice</i>.) Geoffrey! How do you spell +“experimental”? One “r” or two?</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>There is no answer</i>. <i>Puzzled +at the silence</i>, <i>she looks round</i>. <i>The great +folding-doors are closed</i>. <i>She stares in front of +her</i>, <i>thinking</i>, <i>then turns again to her +work</i>.)</p> +<p style="text-align: center"><span +class="smcap">Curtain</span>.</p> +<h2>THE SECOND ACT</h2> +<p><span class="smcap">Scene</span>:—<i>Liberal Central +Committee Rooms</i>, <i>East India Dock Road</i>, +<i>Poplar</i>. <i>A large</i>, <i>high room on the first +floor of an old-fashioned house</i>. <i>Two high windows +right</i>. <i>A door at back is the main +entrance</i>. <i>A door left leads to other +rooms</i>. <i>The walls are papered with election +literature</i>. <i>Conspicuous among the posters displayed +is</i> “<i>A Man for Men</i>.” “<i>No +Petticoat Government</i>.” “<i>Will you be +Henpecked</i>?” <i>A large</i>, <i>round table centre +is littered with papers and pamphlets</i>. <i>A large desk +stands between the windows</i>. <i>A settee is against the +left wall</i>.</p> +<p>(<i>When the curtain rises</i>, <span class="smcap">Rose +Merton</span> (<i>otherwise</i> “<span +class="smcap">Ginger</span>”) <i>is discovered seated</i>, +<i>her left arm resting on the table</i>. <i>She is a young +lady typical of the Cockney slavey type</i>, <i>dressed according +to the ideas of her class as regards the perfect lady</i>. +<i>Her hat is characteristic</i>. <i>Her gloves</i>, <i>her +reticule</i>, <i>her umbrella—the latter something +rather</i> “<i>saucy</i>”—<i>are displayed +around her</i>. <i>She is feeling comfortable and airing +her views</i>. <span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span> <i>is +laying the cloth over a portion of the table</i>, <i>with some +tea-things</i>. <span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span> <i>is +a thin</i>, <i>narrow-chested lady with thin hands and bony +wrists</i>. <i>No one since her husband died has ever seen +her without her bonnet</i>. <i>Its appearance suggests the +possibility that she sleeps in it</i>. <i>It is black</i>, +<i>like her dress</i>. <i>The whole figure is decent</i>, +<i>but dingy</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Wot I say about the +question is—</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. Do you mind +moving your arm?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Beg pardon. +(<i>She shifts</i>.) Wot I say is, why not give us the vote +and end all the talking?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. You think it +would have that effect?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Well! we don’t +want to go on being a nuisance—longer than we can possibly +’elp!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. Daresay +you’re right. It’s about the time most people +stop.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. You’ve never +thought much about the question yourself, ’ave you, Mrs. +Chinn?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. I ain’t +fretted much about it.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Was a time when I +didn’t. I used to be all for—you +know—larking about. I never thought much about +anything.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. Ah! it’s a +useful habit.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. What is?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. Thinking.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. It’s what we +women ’aven’t done enough of—in the past, I +mean. All that’s going to be altered. In the +future there’s going to be no difference between men and +women.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. (<i>Slowly</i>, +<i>quietly she turns upon</i> <span class="smcap">Ginger</span> +<i>her expressionless eyes</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Mentally, I mean, +o’ course.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. (<i>Takes back +her eyes</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Do you know, Mrs. +Chinn, that once upon a time there was only one sex? +(<i>She spreads herself</i>.) Hus!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. You ain’t +thinking of going back to it, are you?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Not if the men +be’ave themselves.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. Perhaps +they’re doing their best, poor things! It don’t +do to be too impatient with them.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Was talking to old +Dot-and-carry-one the other d’y. You know who I +mean—chap with the wooden leg as ’as ’is pitch +outside the “George.” “Wot do you wimmen +want worrying yourselves about things outside the +’ome?” ’e says to me. “You’ve +got the children,” ’e says. “Oh,” I +says, “and whose fault’s that, I’d like to +know? You wait till we’ve got the vote,” I +says, “we’ll soon show you—”</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Sigsby</span> +<i>enters</i>. <span class="smcap">Sigsby</span> <i>is a +dapper little man</i>, <i>very brisk and +bustling—hirsute—looks as if he wanted dusting</i>, +<i>cleaning up generally</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. That young blackguard +come back yet?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. (<i>At sound of</i> +<span class="smcap">Sigsby’s</span> <i>voice she springs +up</i>. <i>At first is about to offer excuses for being +found seated</i>, <i>but recollects herself</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. Which one, +sir?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. Young +Jawbones—what’s he call himself?—Gordon.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. Not yet, sir.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. +(<i>Grunts</i>.) My chop ready?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. I expect +it’s about done. I’ll see.</p> +<p style="text-align: right">(<i>She goes out</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. (<i>He turns to</i> +<span class="smcap">Ginger</span>.) What can <i>I</i> do +for you?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. (<i>She produces a +letter</i>.) I was to wait for an answer.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. (<i>He opens and +reads it</i>.) What do they expect me to do?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. ’Er ladyship +thought as perhaps you would consult Mr. Chilvers ’imself +on the subject.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. Look here. What +I want to know is this: am I being asked to regard Lady Mogton as +my opponent’s election agent, or as my principal’s +mother-in-law? That point’s got to be settled. +(<i>His vehemence deepens</i>.) Look at all these +posters. Not to be used, for fear the other side +mayn’t like them. Now Lady Mogton writes me that my +candidate’s supporters are not to employ a certain argument +she disapproves of: because, if they do, she’ll tell his +wife. Is this an election, or is it a family jar?</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Jawbones</span> +<i>enters</i>. <span +class="smcap">Jawbones</span>—<i>otherwise</i> <span +class="smcap">William Gordon</span>—<i>is a clean-shaven +young hooligan</i>. <i>He wears a bicycle cap on the back +of his head</i>, <i>allowing a picturesque tuft of hair to fall +over his forehead</i>. <i>Evidently he is suffering from +controlled indignation</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. (<i>Seeing +him</i>.) Oh, so you’ve come back, have you?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. I ’ave, +wot’s left of me.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. What have you been +doing?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. Clinging to a roof +for the last three hours.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. Clinging to a +roof! What for?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. (<i>He boils +over</i>.) Wot for? ’Cos I didn’t want to +fall off! Wot do you think: ’cos I was fond of +it?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. I don’t +understand—</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. You find yourself +’alf way up a ladder, posting bills as the other side +’as took objection to—with a crowd of girls from +Pink’s jam factory waiting for you at the bottom with a +barrel of treacle, and you <i>will</i> understand. Nothing +else for me to do, o’ course, but to go up. Then they +took the ladder away.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. Where are the +bills?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. Last I see of them +was their being put into a ’earse on its way to Ilford +Cemetery.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. This has got to be +seen into. This sort of thing can’t be allowed to go +on. (<i>He snatches up his hat</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. There’s +another suggestion I’d like to make.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. (<i>Pauses</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. That is, if this +election is going to be fought fairly, that our side should be +provided with ’at-pins.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. +(<i>Grunts</i>.) Tell Mrs. Chinn to keep that chop +warm.</p> +<p style="text-align: right">(<i>He goes out</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. (<i>She begins to +giggle</i>. <i>It grows into a shrill hee-haw</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. (<i>He looks at her +fixedly</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. (<i>Her laugh</i>, +<i>under the stern eye of</i> <span +class="smcap">Jawbones</span>, <i>dies away</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. Ain’t no +crowd of you ’ere, you know. Nothing but my inborn +chivalry to prevent my pulling your nose.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. (<i>Cowed</i>, <i>but +simmering</i>.) Chivalry! (<i>A shrill +snort</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. Yus. And +don’t you put a strain upon it neither. Because I +tell you straight, it’s weakening.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. (<i>His sudden +fierceness has completely cowed her</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. You +wimmin—</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>There re-enters</i> <span +class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span> <i>with a tray</i>. <i>He +is between them</i>.)</p> +<p>That’s old Sigsby’s chop?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. Yes. He +hasn’t gone out again, has he?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. I’ll +’ave it. Get ’im another. Guess ’e +won’t be back for ’alf an hour.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. He’s nasty +when his food ain’t ready.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. (<i>He takes the +tray from her</i>.) Not your fault. Tell ’im I +took it from you by brute force.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. (<i>She +acquiesces with her usual even absence of all emotion</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. You needn’t +stop. Miss Rose Merton will do the waiting.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. (<i>Starts</i>, +<i>then begins to collect her etceteras</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. Perhaps +there’ll be time to cook him another.</p> +<p style="text-align: right">(<i>She goes out</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. Take off that +cover.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. (<i>She starts on a +bolt for the door</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. (<i>He is quite +prepared</i>. <i>In an instant he is in front of +her</i>.) No, yer don’t.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>A pause</i>.)</p> +<p>Take off that cover.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. (<i>She still +hesitates</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. If yer don’t +do what I tell yer, I’ll ’ide yer. I’m in +the mood.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. (<i>She takes off the +cover</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. (<i>He seats +himself and falls to</i>.) Now pour me out a cup of +tea.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. (<i>Is pouring it +out</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. Know why yer doing +it?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. (<i>With shrill +indignation</i>.) Yus. Becos yer got me ’ere +alone, yer beast, with only that cracked image of a Mrs. +Chinn—</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. That’ll +do.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. (<i>It is +sufficient</i>. <i>She stops</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. None of your +insults agen a lady as I ’olds in ’igh respect. +The rest of it is all right. Becos I’ve got yer +’ere alone. You wimmin, you think it’s going to +pay you to chuck law and order. You’re out for a +fight, are yer?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Yus, and we’re +going to win. Brute force ’as ’ad its +d’y. It’s brains wot are going to rule the +world. And we’ve got ’em.</p> +<p style="text-align: right">(<i>She has become quite +oratorical</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. Glad to ’ear +it. Take my tip: you’ll use ’em. +Meanwhile I’ll ’ave another cup o’ tea.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. (<i>She takes the +cup—is making for the window</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. (<i>Fierce +again</i>.) I said tea.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. All right, I was only +going to throw the slops out of window. There ain’t +no basin.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. I’ll tell yer +when I want yer to open the window and call for the +p’lice. You can throw them into the waste-paper +basket.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. (<i>She +obeys</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. Thank you. +Very much obliged. One of these d’ys, maybe, +you’ll marry.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. When I do, it will be +a man, not a monkey.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. I’m not +proposing. I’m talking to you for your good.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. (<i>Snorts</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. You’ve been +listening to a lot of toffs. Easy enough for them to talk +about wimmen not being domestic drudges. They keep a cook +to do it. They don’t pity ’e for being a +down-trodden slive, spending sixteen hours a d’y in +<i>their</i> kitchen with an evening out once a week. When +you marry it will be to a bloke like me, a working man . . .</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Working! +(<i>She follows it with a shrill laugh</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. Yus. +There’s always a class as laughs when you mention the word +“work.” Them as knows wot it is, +don’t. I’ve been at it since six o’clock +this morning, carrying a ladder, a can of paste weighing twenty +pounds, and two ’undred double royal posters. You try +it! When ’e comes ’ome, ’e’ll want +’is victuals. If you’ve got ’em ready for +’im and are looking nice—no reason why you +shouldn’t—and feeling amiable, you’ll get on +very well together. If you are going to argue with +’im about woman’s sphere, you’ll get the worst +of it.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. You always was a +bully.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. Not always. +Remember last Bank ’oliday? (<i>He winks</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. (<i>She tries not to +give in</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. ’Ave a cup of +tea. (<i>He pours it out for her</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. (<i>The natural woman +steals in—she sits</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. ’Ow are they +doing you, fairly well?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Oh! Well, +nothing to grumble at.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. You can do a bit +o’ dressing on it.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. (<i>She meets his +admiring eye</i>. <i>The suffragette departs</i>.) +Dressing don’t cost much—when you’ve got +tyste.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. Wot! Not that +’at?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Made it myself.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. No!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Honour bright! +Tell yer—</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span> +<i>and</i> <span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span> +<i>enter</i>. <span class="smcap">Jawbones</span> +<i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Ginger</span> <i>make to +rise</i>. <span class="smcap">Ginger</span> +<i>succeeds</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. All right, all +right. Don’t let me disturb the party. +Where’s Mr. Sigsby?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. Gone to look up the +police, I think, sir. (<i>Having finished</i>, <i>he +rises</i>.) Some of those factory girls been up to their +larks again.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Umph! +What’s it about this time?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. They’ve took +objection to one of our posters.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. What, +another! (<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">St. +Herbert</span>.) Woman has disappointed me as a +fighter. She’s willing enough to strike. If you +hit back, she’s surprised and grieved.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. She’s come +to the game rather late.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. She might have +learned the rules. (<i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">Jawbones</span>.) Which particular one is it +that has failed to meet with their approval?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. It’s rather a +good one, sir, from our point of view: “Why she left her +’appy ’ome.”</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. I don’t seem +to remember it. Have I seen it?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. I don’t think +you ’ave, sir. It was Mr. Sigsby’s idea. +On the left, the ruined ’ome, baby crying it’s little +’eart out—eldest child lying on the floor, +scalded—upset the tea-kettle over itself—youngest boy +in flames—been playing with the matches, nobody there to +stop ’im. At the open door the father, returning from +work. Nothing ready for ’im. On the other +side—’<i>er</i>, on a tub, spouting politics.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>.) Sounds rather good.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. Wait a +minute. There was a copy somewhere about—a +proof. (<i>He is searching for it on the desk—finds +it</i>.) Yus, ’ere ’tis. (<i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">Ginger</span>.) Catch ’old.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span +class="smcap">Jawbones</span> <i>and</i> <span +class="smcap">Ginger</span> <i>hold it displayed</i>.)</p> +<p>That’s the one, sir.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. Why is the +working man, for pictorial purposes, always a carpenter?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. It’s the skirt +we object to.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. The skirt! +What’s wrong with the skirt?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Well, it’s only +been out of fashion for the last three years, that’s +all.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Oh! I +see. (<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">St. +Herbert</span>.) We’ve been hitting them below the +belt. What do you think I ought to do about it?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. What would you +have thought yourself, three weeks ago?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. You and I have been +friends ever since we were boys. You rather like me, +don’t you?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. +(<i>Puzzled</i>.) Yes.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. If I were to +suddenly hit you on the nose, what would happen?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. I +understand. Woman has suddenly started hitting man on the +nose. Her excuse being that she really couldn’t keep +her hands off him any longer.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. (<i>He has pinned +the poster to the wall</i>.) They begun it. To +’ear them talk, you’d think as man had never done +anything right.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. He’s quite +right. Their posters are on every hoarding: +“Who’s made all the Muddles? Man!” +“Men’s Promises! Why, it’s all +Froth!” “Woman this Time!” I +suppose it will have to go.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. +(<i>Hopefully</i>.) Up, sir?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. No, Jawbones. +Into the dust-heap with the rest.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Jawbones</span> <i>is +disgusted</i>. <span class="smcap">Ginger</span> <i>is +triumphant</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. I must talk to +Sigsby. He’s taking the whole thing too +seriously. It will be some time before we reach that +stage. (<i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">Jawbones</span>.) Ask Mrs. Chinn to bring me +a cup of tea.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span +class="smcap">Jawbones</span> <i>goes out</i>.)</p> +<p>(<i>He seats himself at table and takes up some +correspondence</i>. <i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">Ginger</span>.) Are you waiting for any +one?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. A letter from her +ladyship. (<i>She picks up from the desk and hands him the +letter</i> <span class="smcap">Sigsby</span> <i>had thrown +there</i>.) Her ladyship thought you ought to be +consulted.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He reads the +short letter with a gathering frown—hands it across to</i> +<span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. (<i>Having +read</i>, <i>he passes it back in silence</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">Ginger</span>.) Do you know the contents of +this letter?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. The matter has been +discussed among us—informally.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Tell Lady Mogton +I’ll—talk to her myself on the subject.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Thank you. +(<i>She collects her etceteras</i>.) Good afternoon.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. +(<i>Shortly</i>.) Good afternoon.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. (<i>She bows +graciously to</i> <span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>, <i>who +responds</i>. <i>Goes out</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. The devil of it is +that it’s the truth.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. Somebody was +bound to say it, sooner or later!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Yes, but +one’s own wife! This is a confoundedly awkward +situation.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. (<i>He comes to +him</i>, <i>stands looking down at him</i>.) Did it never +occur to you, when you were advocating equal political rights for +women, that awkward situations might arise?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He leans back +in his chair</i>.) Do you remember Tommy the Terrier, as +they used to call him in the House—was always preaching +Socialism?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. Quite the most +amusing man I ever met!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. And not afraid of +being honest. Do you remember his answer when somebody +asked him what he would do if Socialism, by any chance, really +became established in England? He had just married an +American heiress. He said he should emigrate. I am +still convinced that woman is entitled to equal political rights +with man. I didn’t think it was coming in my +time. There are points in the problem remaining to be +settled before we can arrive at a working solution. This is +one of them. (<i>He takes up the letter and +reads</i>.) “Are you prepared to have as your +representative a person who for six months out of every year may +be incapacitated from serving you?” It’s easy +enough to say I oughtn’t to allow my supporters to drag in +the personal element. I like it even less myself. But +what’s the answer?</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span +class="smcap">Jawbones</span> <i>enters with a tray</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. (<i>Places tray on +table</i>.) Tea’s coming in a minute, sir. +(<i>He is clearing away</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Never mind all +that. (<i>He hands him a slip</i>.) Take this to the +printers. Tell them I must have a proof to-night.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. Yes, sir.</p> +<p style="text-align: right">(<i>Finds his cap and goes +out</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. The answer, I +should say, would be that the majority of women will continue to +find something better to do. The women who will throw +themselves into politics will be the unattached women, the +childless women. (<i>In an instant he sees his mistake</i>, +<i>but it is too late</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He rises</i>, +<i>crosses to the desk</i>, <i>throws into a waste-paper-basket a +piece of crumpled paper that was in his hand</i>; <i>then +turns</i>. <i>The personal note has entered into the +discussion</i>.) The women who <i>want</i> to be +childless—what about them?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. (<i>He shrugs +his shoulders</i>.) Are there any such?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. There are women who +talk openly of woman’s share in the general scheme being a +“burden” on her—an “incubus.”</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. A handful of +cranks. To the normal woman motherhood has always been the +one supreme desire.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Because children +crowned her with honour. The barren woman was +despised. All that is changing. This movement is +adding impulse to it.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. Movements do not +alter instincts.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. But they do. +Ever since man emerged from the jungle he has been shedding his +instincts—shaping them to new desires. Where do you +find this all-prevailing instinct towards maternity? Among +the women of society, who sacrifice it without a moment’s +hesitation to their vanity—to their mere pleasures? +The middle-class woman—she, too, is demanding +“freedom.” Children, servants, the +home!—they are too much for her “nerves.” +And now there comes this new development, appealing to the +intellectual woman. Is there not danger of her preferring +political ambition, the excitement of public life, to what has +come to be regarded as the “drudgery” of turning four +walls into a home, of peopling the silence with the voices of the +children? (<i>He crosses to the table—lays his hand +again upon the open letter</i>.) How do you know that this +may not be her answer—“I have no children. I +never mean to have children”?</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Sigsby</span> <i>enters +in company with</i> <span class="smcap">Ben Lamb</span>, +M.P. <span class="smcap">Lamb</span> <i>is a short</i>, +<i>thick-set</i>, <i>good-tempered man</i>.)</p> +<p>Ah, Lamb, how are you?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lamb</span>. (<i>They greet one +another</i>.) How are things going?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. They’re not +going at all well.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Sigsby was ever the +child of despondency.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. Yes, and so will you +be when you find yourself at the bottom of the poll.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>The notion +takes him by surprise</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lamb</span>. It’s going to be +a closer affair than any of us thought. It’s the joke +of the thing that appears to have got hold of them. They +want to see what will happen.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Man’s fatal +curiosity concerning the eternal feminine!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. Yes, and they +won’t have to pay for it. That will be our +department.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. (<i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">Sigsby</span>.) What do you think +they’ll do, supposing by any chance Mrs. Chilvers should +head the poll?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. How do you +mean—“what’ll they do?”</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. Do you think +they’ll claim the seat?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. Claim the seat! +What do you think they’re out for—their health? +Get another six months’ advertisement, if they don’t +get anything else. Meanwhile what’s our +position—just at the beginning of our ministerial +career?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. They will not claim +the seat.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. How do you know?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. I know my wife.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lamb</span>. (<i>After a +moment’s silence</i>.) Quite sure you do?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>Turns</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lamb</span>. Ever seen a sheep +fighting mad? I have. Damned sight worse than the old +ram.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. She doesn’t +fight the ram.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lamb</span>. (<i>He makes a sweeping +movement that takes in the room</i>, <i>the election—all +things</i>.) What’s all this? We thought woman +hadn’t got the fighting instinct—that we “knew +her.” My boy, we’re in the infants’ +class.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. If you want to be his +Majesty’s Under-Secretary for Home Affairs, you take my +tip, guv’nor, you’ll win this election.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. What more can I do +than I’m doing? How can I countenance this sort of +thing? (<i>He indicates the posters</i>.) Declare +myself dead against the whole movement?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lamb</span>. You’ll do it +later. May as well do it soon.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Why must I do +it?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lamb</span>. Because you’re +beginning to find out what it means.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>A pause</i>. <i>The door +is open</i>. <span class="smcap">Annys</span> <i>is +standing there</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Dare we venture into +the enemy’s camp?</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>She enters</i>, <i>laughing</i>, +<i>followed by</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span> +<i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. <span +class="smcap">Annys</span> is somewhat changed <i>from the +grave</i>, <i>dreamy</i> <span class="smcap">Annys</span> <i>of a +short week ago</i>. <i>She is brimming over with +vitality—excitement</i>. <i>There is a +decisiveness</i>, <i>an egoism</i>, <i>about her that seems new +to her</i>. <i>The women’s skirts make a +flutter</i>. <i>A breeze seems to have entered</i>. +<span class="smcap">Annys</span> <i>runs to her +husband</i>. <i>For the moment the election fades +away</i>. <i>They are all smiles</i>, <i>tenderness for one +another</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Don’t tell, will +you? Mamma would be so shocked. Do you know you +haven’t been near me for three days?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Umph! I like +that. Where were you last night?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Last night? In +the neighbourhood of Leicester Square till three +o’clock. Oh, Geoff, there’s such a lot wants +altering!</p> +<p style="text-align: right">(<i>She turns to greet the +others</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Your ruining your +health won’t do it. You’re looking fagged to +death.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She shakes hands +with</i> <span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>.) How are +you? (<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Lamb</span>.) +I’m so glad you’re helping him. (<i>She turns +again to</i> <span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>.) Pure +imagination, dearest. I never felt better in my life.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Umph! Look at +all those lines underneath your eyes. (<i>He shakes hands +with</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>.) How do you +do? (<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>.) +How are you?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She comes back to +him—makes to smooth the lines from his forehead</i>.) +Look at all those, there. We’ll run away together for +a holiday, when it’s all over. What are you doing +this evening?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. You promised to speak +at a Smoker to-night; the Bow and Bromley Buffaloes.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Oh, bother the +Buffaloes. Take me out to dinner. I am free after +seven.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span> +<i>has entered—is arranging the table for tea</i>. +<span class="smcap">Annys</span> <i>goes to her</i>.)</p> +<p>How are you, Mrs. Chinn?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. (<i>She wipes her +hand on her apron before taking</i> <span +class="smcap">Annys’s</span> <i>proffered hand</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">Sigsby</span>.) I can turn up there later in +the evening. (<i>He joins the others for a +moment—talks with them</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. (<i>Now shaking +hands</i>.) Quite well, thank you, ma’am. +(<i>She has cast a keen</i>, <i>motherly glance at</i> <span +class="smcap">Annys</span>.) I hope you’re taking +care of yourself, ma’am.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Of course I am. +We Politicians owe it to our Party. (<i>Laughs</i>.) +How are they getting on here, without me?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. Well, +ma’am, from what I can see, I think Mr. Chilvers is +trusting a little too much to his merits. Shall I bring +some more cups and saucers, sir?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Ah! yes! +(<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Annys</span>.) You’ll +have some tea?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Strong, please, Mrs. +Chinn.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span class="smcap">Mrs. +Chinn</span> <i>goes out</i>.)</p> +<p>(<i>Laughs</i>.) Yes, I know it’s bad for +me. (<i>She puts a hand over his mouth</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Old Mother Chinn is +quite right, you know, Geoff. You’re not putting up a +good fight.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>A slight +irritability begins to show itself</i>.) I frankly confess +that I am not used to fighting women.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. Yes. It was +easier, no doubt, when we took it lying down.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. You promised, if I +brought you, that you would be good.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. I wish it had been +you.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Yes, but we +don’t!</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>As she and</i> <span +class="smcap">Elizabeth</span> <i>move away</i>.)</p> +<p>Did you have a row with the doctor when you were born?</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>To which</i> <span +class="smcap">Elizabeth</span> <i>replies</i>, <i>though the +words reach only</i> <span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>: +“<i>I might have</i>, <i>if I had known that my mother was +doing all the work</i>, <i>while he was pocketing the +fee</i>!”)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lamb</span>. You see, Mrs. Chilvers, +our difficulty is that there is nothing to be said against +you—except one thing.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. What’s that?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lamb</span>. That you’re a +woman.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. +(<i>Smiling</i>.) Isn’t that enough?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. Quite enough, Mrs. +Chilvers, if the guv’nor would only say it.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>.) Why don’t you? +I’ll promise not to deny it.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>The others drift apart</i>. +<i>They group themselves near to the window</i>. <i>They +talk together—grow evidently interested and +excited</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. I have just had a +letter from your—Election Agent, expressing indignation +with one of my supporters for merely having hinted at the +fact.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. I don’t +understand.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He takes from +the table the letter and hands it to her in silence</i>. +<i>He seats himself on the settee and watches her</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She seats herself +on a chair just opposite to him</i>; <i>reads the letter through +in silence</i>.) In my case it does not apply.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. How do you +know?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>The atmosphere has +grown suddenly oppressive</i>.) Oh, I—I think we +might find some other reason than that. (<i>She hands him +back the letter</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. It’s the only +one of any importance. It embraces all the others. +Shall woman be mother—or politician? (<i>He puts the +letter in his pocket</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Why cannot she be +both?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He is looking +at her searchingly</i>.) Because if she is the one, she +doesn’t want to be the other.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>A silence</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. You are wrong. +It is the mother instinct that makes us politicians. We +want to take care of the world.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Exactly. You +think man’s job more interesting than your own.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>After a +moment</i>.) Who told you that it was a man’s +job?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Well. (<i>He +shrugs his shoulders</i>.) We can’t do yours.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Can’t we help +each other?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. As, for instance, +in this election! (<i>He gives a short laugh</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Of course, this is an +exceptional case.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. It’s an +epitome of the whole question. You are trying to take my +job away from me. To the neglect of your own.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>After another +moment’s silence</i>.) Haven’t I always tried +to do my duty?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. I have thought +so.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Oh, my dear, we +mustn’t quarrel. You will win this election. I +want you to win it. Next time we must fight side by side +again.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Don’t you +see? Fighting you means fighting the whole movement. +(<i>He indicates the posters pinned to the walls</i>.) That +sort of thing.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>After a brief +inspection</i>.) Not that way. (<i>Shaking her +head</i>.) It would break my heart for you to turn against +us. Win because you are the better man. +(<i>Smiling</i>.) I want you to be the better man.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. I would rather be +your husband.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. +(<i>Smiling</i>.) Isn’t that the same thing?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. No. I want a +wife.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. What precisely do you +mean by “wife”?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. It’s an +old-established word.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span> +<i>has entered to complete the tea arrangements</i>. <i>She +is arranging the table</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. There’s a +deputation downstairs, sir, just come for you.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. What are they?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. It’s one of +those societies for the reform of something. They said you +were expecting them.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. (<i>Breaking away +from the group by the window</i>.) Quite right. +(<i>Looks at his watch</i>.) Five o’clock, I’ll +bring them up.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Happen to know what +it is they want to reform?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. (<i>By +door</i>.) Laws relating to the physical relationship +between the sexes, I think.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Oh, only that!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. Something of the +sort.</p> +<p>(<i>He goes out</i>. <span class="smcap">Mrs. +Chinn</span> <i>also by the other door</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. +(<i>Rising</i>.) Will you pour out?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She has been +thinking</i>. <i>She comes back to the present</i>.) +We shan’t be in your way?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Oh, no. It +will make it easier to get rid of them.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Annys</span> <i>changes +her chair</i>. <i>The others gather round</i>. <i>The +service and drinking of tea proceeds in the usual +course</i>.)</p> +<p>(<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>.) +You’ll take some tea?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. Thank you.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. You must be +enjoying yourself just now.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. (<i>Makes a +moue</i>.) They insist on my being agreeable.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. It’s so good for +her. Teaches her self-control.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lamb</span>. I gather from Mrs. +Spender, that in the perfect world there will be no men at +all.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. Oh, yes, they will +be there. But in their proper place.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. That’s why +you didn’t notice them.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>The</i> <span +class="smcap">Deputation</span> <i>reaches the door</i>. +<i>The sound of voices is heard</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. She’s getting +on very well. If she isn’t careful, she’ll end +up by being a flirt.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>The</i> <span +class="smcap">Deputation</span> <i>enters</i>, <i>guided by</i> +<span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. <i>Its number is +five</i>, <i>two men and three women</i>. <i>Eventually +they group themselves—some standing</i>, <i>some +sitting—each side of</i> <span +class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. <i>The others gather +round</i> <span class="smcap">Annys</span>, <i>who keeps her seat +at the opposite side of the table</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. (<i>Talking as he +enters</i>.) Exactly what I’ve always maintained.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Hopper</span>. It would make the +husband quite an interesting person.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. +(<i>Cheerfully</i>.) That’s the idea. Here we +are, guv’nor. This is Mr. Chilvers.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span> +<i>bows</i>, <i>the</i> <span class="smcap">Deputation</span> +<i>also</i>. <span class="smcap">Sigsby</span> +<i>introduces a remarkably boyish-looking man</i>, <i>dressed in +knickerbockers</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. This is Mr. Peekin, +who has kindly consented to act as spokesman. (<i>To +the</i> <span class="smcap">Deputation</span>, +<i>generally</i>.) Will you have some tea?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Miss Borlasse</span>. (<i>A +thick-set</i>, <i>masculine-featured lady</i>, <i>with short hair +and heavy eyebrows</i>. <i>Her deep</i>, <i>decisive tone +settles the question</i>.) Thank you. We have so +little time.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mr. Peekin</span>. We propose, Mr. +Chilvers, to come to the point at once. (<i>He is all +smiles</i>, <i>caressing gestures</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Excellent.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Peekin</span>. If I left a baby at +your door, what would you do with it?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>For a moment he +is taken aback</i>, <i>recovers himself</i>.) Are you +thinking of doing so?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Peekin</span>. It’s not +impossible.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Well, it sounds +perhaps inhospitable, but do you know I really think I should ask +you to take it away again.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Peekin</span>. Yes, but by the time +you find it there, I shall have disappeared—skedaddled.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Hopper</span>. Good. (<i>He +rubs his hands</i>. <i>Smiles at the others</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. In that case I warn +you that I shall hand it over to the police.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Peekin</span>. (<i>He turns to the +others</i>.) I don’t myself see what else Mr. +Chilvers could be expected to do.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Miss Borlasse</span>. He’d be +a fool not to.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Thank you. So +far we seem to be in agreement. And now may I ask to what +all this is leading?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Peekin</span>. (<i>He changes from +the debonnair to the dramatic</i>.) How many men, Mr. +Chilvers, leave their babies every year at the door of +poverty-stricken women? What are they expected to do with +them?</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>A moment</i>. <i>The</i> <span +class="smcap">Deputation</span> <i>murmur approval</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. I see. But is +there no difference between the two doors? I am not an +accomplice.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Peekin</span>. An accomplice! +Is the ignorant servant-girl—first lured into the +public-house, cajoled, tricked, deceived by false +promises—the half-starved shop-girl in the hands of the +practised libertine—is she an accomplice?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Peekin</span>. (<i>A +dowdily-dressed</i>, <i>untidy woman</i>, <i>but the face is +sweet and tender</i>.) Ah, Mr. Chilvers, if you could only +hear the stories that I have heard from dying lips.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Very pitiful, my +dear lady. And, alas, only too old. But there are +others. It would not be fair to blame always the man.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>Unnoticed</i>, +<i>drawn by the subject</i>, <i>she has risen and come +down</i>.) Perhaps not. But the punishment always +falls on the woman. Is <i>that</i> quite fair?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He is irritated +at</i> <span class="smcap">Annys’s</span> <i>incursion into +the discussion</i>.) My dear Annys, that is Nature’s +law, not man’s. All man can do is to mitigate it.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Peekin</span>. That is all we +ask. The suffering, the shame, must always be the +woman’s. Surely that is sufficient.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. What do you +propose?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Miss Borlasse</span>. (<i>In her +deep</i>, <i>fierce tones</i>.) That all children born out +of wedlock should be a charge upon the rates.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Miss Ricketts</span>. (<i>A +slight</i>, <i>fair</i>, <i>middle-aged woman</i>, <i>with a +nervous hesitating manner</i>.) Of course, only if the +mother wishes it.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>The proposal +staggers him</i>. <i>But the next moment it inspires him +with mingled anger and amusement</i>.) My dear, good +people, have you stopped for one moment to consider what the +result of your proposal would be?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Peekin</span>. For one thing, Mr. +Chilvers, the adding to the populace of healthy children in place +of the stunted and diseased abortions that is all that these poor +women, out of their scanty earnings, can afford to present to the +State.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Humph! That +incidentally it would undermine the whole institution of +marriage, let loose the flood-gates that at present hold +immorality in check, doesn’t appear to trouble you. +That the law must be altered to press less heavily upon the +woman—that the man must be made an equal sharer in the +penalty—all that goes without saying. The remedy you +propose would be a thousand times worse than the disease.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. And meanwhile? +Until you have devised this scheme (<i>there is a note of +contempt in her voice</i>) under which escape for the man will be +impossible?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. The evil must +continue. As other evils have to until the true remedy is +found.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Peekin</span>. (<i>He has hurriedly +consulted with the others</i>. <i>All have risen—he +turns to</i> <span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>.) You will +not support our demand?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Support it! +Do you mean that you cannot yourselves see that you are holding +out an indemnity to every profligate, male and female, throughout +the land—that you would be handicapping, in the struggle +for existence, every honest man and woman desirous of bringing up +their children in honour and in love? Your suggestion is +monstrous!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Peekin</span>. (<i>The little man is +not without his dignity</i>.) We apologise, Mr. Chilvers, +for having taken up your time.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. I am sorry the +matter was one offering so little chance of agreement.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Peekin</span>. We will make only one +slight further trespass on your kindness. Mrs. Chilvers, if +one may judge, would seem to be more in sympathy with our +views. Might we—it would be a saving of time and shoe +leather (<i>he smiles</i>)—might we take this opportunity +of laying our case before her?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. It would be +useless.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>A short silence</i>. <span +class="smcap">Annys</span>, <i>with</i> <span +class="smcap">Elizabeth</span> <i>and</i> <span +class="smcap">Phoebe</span> <i>a little behind her</i>, <i>stands +right</i>. <span class="smcap">Lamb</span>, <span +class="smcap">Sigsby</span>, <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">St. +Herbert</span> <i>are behind</i> <span +class="smcap">Geoffrey</span> <i>centre</i>. <i>The</i> +<span class="smcap">Deputation</span> <i>is left</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Hopper</span>. Do we gather that in +this election you speak for both candidates?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. In matters of +common decency, yes. My wife does not associate herself +with movements for the encouragement of vice.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>There is another moment’s +silence</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. But, Geoffrey, +dear—we should not be encouraging the evil. We should +still seek to find the man, to punish him. The woman would +still suffer—</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. My dear Annys, this +is neither the time nor place for you and me to argue out the +matter. I must ask you to trust to my judgment.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. I can understand your +refusing, but why do you object to my—</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Because I do not +choose for my wife’s name to be linked with a movement that +I regard as criminal. I forbid it.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>It was the moment that was bound to +come</i>. <i>The man’s instincts</i>, +<i>training</i>, <i>have involuntarily asserted +themselves</i>. <i>Shall the woman yield</i>? <i>If +so</i>, <i>then down goes the whole movement—her claim to +freedom of judgment</i>, <i>of action</i>, <i>in all +things</i>. <i>All watch the struggle with breathless +interest</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She speaks very +slowly</i>, <i>very quietly</i>, <i>but with a new note in her +voice</i>.) I am sorry, but I have given much thought to +this matter, and—I do not agree with you.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Peekin</span>. You will help +us?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. I will do what I +can.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Peekin</span>. (<i>He takes from his +pocket a folded paper</i>.) It is always so much more +satisfactory when these things are in writing. Candidates, +with the best intentions in the world, are apt to forget. +(<i>He has spread the paper on a corner of the table</i>. +<i>He has in his hand his fountain-pen</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>With a +smile</i>.) I am not likely to forget, but if you wish +it—(<i>She approaches the table</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He +interposes</i>. <i>His voice is very low</i>, <i>almost a +whisper</i>.) My wife will not sign.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She also speaks +low</i>, <i>but there is no yielding in her voice</i>.) I +am not only your wife. I have a duty also to others.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. It is for you to +choose. (<i>He leaves the way open to her</i>.)</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>The silence can almost be +felt</i>. <i>She moves to the table</i>, <i>takes up the +paper</i>. <i>It contains but a few lines of +writing</i>. <i>Having read it</i>, <i>she holds out her +hand for the pen</i>. <span class="smcap">Peekin</span> +<i>puts it in her hand</i>. <i>With a firm hand she +signs</i>, <i>folds the paper</i>, <i>and returns it to +him</i>. <i>She remains standing by the table</i>. +<i>With the removal of the tension there comes a rustle</i>, <i>a +breaking of the silence</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Miss Ricketts</span>. (<i>She +seizes</i> <span class="smcap">Annys’s</span> <i>hand</i>, +<i>hanging listlessly by her side</i>, <i>and</i>, +<i>stooping</i>, <i>kisses it</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Miss Borlasse</span>. That is all, +isn’t it?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Peekin</span>. We thank you, Mrs. +Chilvers. Good afternoon.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>The natural +reaction is asserting itself</i>. <i>She pulls herself +together sufficiently to murmur her answer</i>.) Good +afternoon.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Peekin</span>. (<i>The</i> +<span class="smcap">Deputation</span> <i>is moving away</i>; +<i>she takes from her waist a small bunch of flowers</i>, +<i>and</i>, <i>turning</i>, <i>places them in</i> <span +class="smcap">Annys’s</span> <i>hand</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She smiles</i>, +<i>remains standing silent</i>, <i>the flowers in her +hand</i>.)</p> +<p class="gutindent">(“<i>Good afternoons</i>” <i>are +exchanged with some of the others</i>. <i>Finally</i>:)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Peekin</span>. Good afternoon, Mr. +Chilvers.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>Who has moved +away</i>.) Good afternoon.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>The</i> <span +class="smcap">Deputation</span> <i>joins</i> <span +class="smcap">Sigsby</span> <i>by the door</i>. <i>He leads +them out</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. (<i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">Phoebe</span>.) Are you going my way?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. (<i>She glances round +at</i> <span class="smcap">Annys</span>.) Yes, I’ll +come with you.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. I will put you +into a bus, if you will let me. We don’t sport many +cabs in East Poplar. (<i>He is helping</i> <span +class="smcap">Elizabeth</span> <i>with her cloak</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. Thank you.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lamb</span>. I’ve got to go up +West. (<i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>.) Will you be at the House +this evening?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He is standing +by the desk pretending to look at some papers</i>.) I shall +look in about ten o’clock.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lamb</span>. One or two things I +want to say to you. Goodbye for the present.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Goodbye!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Goodbye, old +man. (<i>She stretches out her hand</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Goodbye. +(<i>She shakes hands with a smile</i>, <i>exchanges a casual</i> +“<i>goodbye</i>” <i>with</i> <span +class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>.)</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>They go towards the +door</i>.)</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span class="smcap">Sigsby</span> +<i>re-enters</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. (<i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">Lamb</span>.) Are you going?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lamb</span>. Yes. I’ll +see you to-morrow morning. About ten o’clock.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. I shall be +here. (<i>He exchanges a</i> “<i>good +afternoon</i>” <i>with the others</i>.)</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>They go out</i>. <span +class="smcap">Sigsby</span> <i>crosses and goes into the other +room</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She has let fall +the flowers on the table</i>. <i>She crosses to where</i> +<span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span> <i>still stands by the +desk</i>, <i>his back towards her</i>. <i>She stretches out +her hand</i>, <i>touches him</i>. <i>He does not +move</i>.) Geoffrey!</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>But still he takes no +notice</i>.)</p> +<p>I am so sorry. We must talk it over quietly—at +home.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He +turns</i>.) Home! I have no home. I have +neither children nor wife. I <i>keep</i> a political +opponent.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Annys</span> <i>starts +back with a cry</i>. <i>He crosses in front of her and +seats himself at the table</i>. <i>The flowers are lying +there</i>; <i>he throws them into the waste-paper +basket</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She puts on her +cloak</i>, <i>moves towards the door</i>. <i>Half-way she +pauses</i>, <i>makes a movement towards him</i>. <i>But he +will not see</i>. <i>Then a hard look comes into her +eyes</i>, <i>and without another word she goes out</i>, +<i>leaving the door open</i>.)</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span class="smcap">Sigsby</span> +<i>is heard moving in the other room</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He is +writing</i>.) Sigsby.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. Hallo!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. That poster I told +young Gordon I wouldn’t sanction, “The Woman spouting +politics, the Man returning to a slattern’s +home.”</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span class="smcap">Sigsby</span> +<i>enters</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. I have countermanded +them.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Countermand them +again. We shall want a thousand.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. (<i>Can hardly +believe his ears</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>With a gesture +round the room</i>.) All of them. “A Man for +Men!” “Save the Children!” +“Guard your Homes!” All the damned +collection. Order as many as you want.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. (<i>His excitement +rising</i>.) I can go ahead. You mean it?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He looks at +him</i>.) It’s got to be a fight! (<i>A +moment</i>. <i>He returns to his writing</i>.) +Telephone Hake that I shall be dining at the Reform Club.</p> +<p style="text-align: center"><span +class="smcap">Curtain</span>.</p> +<h2>THE THIRD ACT</h2> +<p><span class="smcap">Scene</span>:—<i>A room in the Town +Hall</i>, <i>Poplar</i>. <i>A high</i>, <i>bare</i>, +<i>cold room</i>, <i>unfurnished except for cane-bottomed chairs +ranged against the walls</i>. <i>French windows right give +on to a balcony overlooking the street</i>. <i>Door in back +opens upon a stone passage</i>. <i>A larger door opens into +another room</i>, <i>through which one passes to reach the room +in which the counting of the votes is taking place</i>. +<i>A fire burns</i>—<i>or rather tries to burn</i>. +<i>The room is lighted from the centre of the ceiling by an +electric sun</i>. <i>A row of hat-pegs is on the wall +between the two doors</i>. <i>The time is about</i> 9 +<i>p.m.</i></p> +<p>(<i>People entering from the street wear coats or cloaks</i>, +<i>&c.</i>, <i>the season being early spring</i>. <i>If +passing through or staying in the room</i>, <i>they take off +their outdoor things and hang them up</i>, <i>putting them on +again before going out</i>.)</p> +<p>(<span class="smcap">Jawbones</span> <i>is coaxing the +reluctant fire by using a newspaper as a blower</i>. <i>He +curses steadily under his breath</i>. <i>The door +opens</i>. <span class="smcap">Ginger</span> <i>enters</i>; +<i>she is dressed in cheap furs</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. Shut the door, +can’t yer!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Don’t yer want +a draught?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. No, I +don’t. Not any more than I’ve got.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. (<i>She shuts the +door</i>.) ’Ave they begun counting the votes?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. Been at it for the +last three-quarters of an hour.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Who’s going to +win?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. One of +’em.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span> +<i>has entered</i>. <i>She has come from the room where +they are counting the votes</i>.)</p> +<p>Shut that door! (<i>He glances over his shoulder</i>, +<i>sees his mistake</i>.) Beg pardon! (<i>To +himself</i>.) Thought ’twas the other fool!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. (<i>She shuts +the door</i>. <i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">Ginger</span>.) Have you seen Mrs. +Chilvers?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Not since the +afternoon, your ladyship.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. She is coming, I +suppose?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. I think so, your +ladyship.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. It’s very +cold in here, Gordon.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. Yes, my lady. +Not what I call a cosy room.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. (<i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">Ginger</span>.) Jump into a cab. See if +you can find her. Perhaps she has been detained at one of +the committee-rooms. Tell her she ought to be here.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Yes, your +ladyship. (<i>She crosses</i>, <i>opens door</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. Shut the door.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Oh, shut—</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>She finds herself face to face with +a</i> <span class="smcap">Messenger</span> <i>carrying a +ballot-box</i>.)</p> +<p>I beg yer pardon! (<i>She goes out</i>, <i>closes +door</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. (<i>To the</i> +<span class="smcap">Messenger</span>.) Is that the +last?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Messenger</span>. Generally +is. Isle of Dogs!</p> +<p style="text-align: right">(<i>He goes into the other +room</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. (<i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">Jawbones</span>.) Do you know where Mr. +Chilvers is?</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>There comes a bloodthirsty yell from the +crowd outside</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. Not unless +that’s ’im. (<i>He finishes for the time being +with the fire</i>. <i>Rises</i>.)</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span class="smcap">Janet</span> +<i>enters</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. Was that you +they were yelling at?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. No, it’s Mr. +Sigsby.</p> +<p>(<i>Another yell is heard</i>. <i>Out of it a shrill +female voice</i>—“<i>Mind ’is fice</i>; <i>yer +spoiling it</i>!”)</p> +<p>The Woman’s Laundry Union have taken such a strong +dislike to him.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>A final yell</i>. <i>Then a +voice</i>: “<i>That’s taken some of the starch out of +him</i>!” <i>followed by a shriek of laughter</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. ’E only +suggested as ’ow there was enough old washerwomen in +Parliament as it was.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. A most +unnecessary remark. It will teach him—</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Sigsby</span> +<i>enters</i>, <i>damaged</i>. <i>His appearance is +comic</i>. <span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span> <i>makes +no effort to repress a grim smile</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. Funny, ain’t +it?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. I am sorry.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. (<i>He +snarls</i>.) “The Mother’s Hand shall Help +Us!” One of your posters, I think.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. You +shouldn’t have insulted them—calling them old +washerwomen!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. Insult! +Can’t one indulge in a harmless <i>jeu +d’esprit</i>—(<i>he pronounces it according to his +own ideas</i>)—without having one’s clothes torn off +one’s back? (<i>Fiercely</i>.) What do you mean +by it—disgracing your sex?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. Are you +addressing me?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. All of you. +Upsetting the foundations upon which society has been +reared—the natural and lawful subjection of the woman to +the man. Why don’t you read St. Paul?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. St. Paul was +addressing Christians. When men behave like Christians +there will be no need of Votes for Women. You read St. Paul +on men. (<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Janet</span>.) +I shall want you!</p> +<p style="text-align: right">(<i>She goes out</i>, <i>followed +by</i> <span class="smcap">Janet</span>.)</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span class="smcap">Sigsby</span> +<i>gives vent to a gesture</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. Getting saucy, +ain’t they?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. +Over-indulgence. That’s what the modern woman is +suffering from. Gets an idea on Monday that she’d +like the whole world altered; if it isn’t done by Saturday, +raises hell! Where’s the guv’nor?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. Hasn’t been +here.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. (<i>Hands</i> <span +class="smcap">Jawbones</span> <i>his damaged hat</i>.) See +if they can do anything to that. If not, get me a new +one. (<i>He forks out a sovereign</i>.) Sure to be +some shops open in the High Street.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span class="smcap">Lamb</span> +<i>and</i> <span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span> +<i>enter</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lamb</span>. Hallo! have they been +mauling you?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. (<i>He snatches the +damaged hat from</i> <span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>, <i>to +hand it back the next moment</i>; <i>holds it out</i>.) +Woman’s contribution to politics. Get me a collar at +the same time—sixteen and a half.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Jawbones</span> +<i>takes his cap and goes out</i>. <i>The men hang up their +overcoats</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. Where’s it all +going to end? That’s what I want to know!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. Where most +things end. In the millennium, according to its +advocates. In the ruin of the country, according to its +opponents. In mild surprise on the part of the next +generation that ever there was any fuss about it.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. In amazement, you +mean, that their fathers were so blind as not to see where it was +leading. My boy, this is going to alter the whole +relationship between the sexes!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. Is it so perfect +as it is?</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>A silence</i>.)</p> +<p>Might it not be established on a more workable, a more +enduring basis if woman were allowed a share in the shaping of +it?</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>Some woman in the crowd starts the +refrain</i>, “<i>We’ll hang old Asquith on a sour +apple tree</i>.” <i>It is taken up with quiet +earnestness by others</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. Shaping it! +Nice sort of shape it will be by the time that lot (<i>with a +gesture</i>, <i>including the crowd</i>, <span class="smcap">Lady +Mogton</span> & <span class="smcap">Co</span>.) have done +knocking it about. Wouldn’t be any next generation to +be surprised at anything if some of them had their way.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. The +housebreakers come first—not a class of work demanding much +intelligence; the builders come later. Have you seen +Chilvers?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lamb</span>. I left him at the +House. He couldn’t get away.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. There’s your +object-lesson for you. We don’t need to go far. +A man’s whole career ruined by the wife he nourishes.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. How do you mean, +“ruined?”</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. So it is. If +she wins the election and claims the seat. Do you think the +Cabinet will want him? Their latest addition compelled to +appeal to the House of Commons to fight for him against his own +womenfolk. (<i>Grunts</i>.) He’ll be the +laughing-stock of the whole country.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. Do you know for +certain that they mean to claim the seat?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. “Wait and +see” is their answer.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lamb</span>. Hasn’t Chilvers +any idea?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. Can’t get him +to talk. Don’t think he’s seen her since that +shindy over the Deputation.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lamb</span>. Humph!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. Even if she herself +wished to draw back, the others would overrule her.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lamb</span>. I’m not so sure +of that. She’s got a way of shutting her mouth that +reminds me of my old woman.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. The arrangement, as +he explained it to me, was that the whole thing was to end with +the polling. It was to have been a mere joke, a mere +<i>ballon d’essai</i>. The mistake he made was +thinking he could depend on her.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lamb</span>. Guess she made the same +mistake. You can fight and shake hands afterwards; it +doesn’t go with kissing.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. Man and woman were +not made to fight. It was never intended.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>The woman’s</i> +“<i>Marseillaise</i>” <i>has been taken up by the +crowd</i>. <i>The chorus has been reached</i>.)</p> +<p>Oh, damn your row! (<i>He slams to the window</i>; <i>it +was ajar</i>.)</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span +class="smcap">Jawbones</span> <i>has entered</i>, <i>with his +purchases</i>.)</p> +<p>(<i>Turning from window he sees</i> <span +class="smcap">Jawbones</span>, <i>goes to meet him</i>.) +Couldn’t they do anything?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. (<i>He has bought a +new hat</i>; <i>has also brought back the remains</i>. +<i>He shakes his head</i>.) No good for anything else but a +memento.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. (<i>With a grunt he +snatches the thing and flings it into a corner</i>. +<i>Tries on the new one</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. ’Ow’s +it feel?</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>, <i>with +the help of</i> <span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>, <i>attends +to his appearance</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lamb</span>. (<i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>.) No use talking to her, I +suppose?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. (<i>Shrugs his +shoulders</i>.) She’ll do what she imagines to be her +duty. Women are so uncivilised.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>A burst of cheering is heard</i>. +<i>A shrill male voice</i>: “<i>Three cheers for Winston +Churchill</i>!” <i>It is followed by an explosion of +yells</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. Who’s +that?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lamb</span>. (<i>He has opened the +window</i>.) Phoebe Mogton!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. What a family!</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span class="smcap">Janet</span> +<i>has entered</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. Is that Mrs. +Chilvers? (<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Lamb</span> +<i>and</i> <span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>.) Good +evening.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. Good +evening.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lamb</span>. No; it’s her +sister.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. I wonder she +doesn’t come.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. What are the latest +figures? Do you know?</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span class="smcap">Phoebe</span> +<i>enters</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. I forget the +numbers. Mrs. Chilvers is forty ahead.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Forty ahead! +(<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Janet</span>.) Did you order +the band?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lamb</span>. (<i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">Sigsby</span>.) The Dock division was against +him to a man; that Shipping Bill has upset them.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. No. I +didn’t think we should want the band.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Not want it! My +dear girl—</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. Perhaps Lady Mogton +has ordered it, I’ll ask her.</p> +<p style="text-align: right">(<i>She goes out</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. Hadn’t you +better “Wait and see”? It isn’t over +yet.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. We may as well have +it! It can play the Dead March in “Saul” if you +win. (<i>She laughs</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sigsby</span>. (<i>Grunts</i>. +<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Lamb</span>.) Are you +coming?</p> +<p style="text-align: right">(<i>He goes out</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lamb</span>. Yes. (<i>To</i> +<span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>.) Are you +coming?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. Hardly worth +while; nearly over, isn’t it?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lamb</span>. It generally takes an +hour and a half. (<i>He looks at his watch</i>.) +Another forty minutes. Perhaps less.</p> +<p style="text-align: right">(<i>He goes out</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. I do love to make him +ratty. Wish it wasn’t poor old Geoff we were +fighting.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. When I marry, it +will be the womanly woman.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. No chance for me +then?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. I don’t +say that. I can see you taking your political opinions from +your husband, and thinking them your own.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Good heavens!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. The brainy woman +will think for herself. And then I foresee some lively +breakfast tables.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Humph! No fear, +I suppose, of a man taking his views from his wife and thinking +them his own?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. That may be the +solution. The brainy woman will have to marry the manly +man.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span class="smcap">Ginger</span> +<i>enters</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. (<i>He is on his +knees blowing the fire</i>. <i>In a low growl</i>.) +Shut the door!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Can’t till +I’m inside, can I? (<i>Shuts it</i>.) +Where’s Lady Mogton?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. I don’t +know.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. What do you want her +for?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Only to tell her that +I can’t find Chilvers.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Isn’t she +here?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Not unless +she’s come while I’ve been out.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span class="smcap">Janet</span> +<i>enters</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. Oh, Lady +Mogton—</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. (<i>Interrupting +her</i>.) Isn’t Annys here?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. No. (<i>To</i> +<span class="smcap">Ginger</span>.) Haven’t you found +her?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. (<i>Shakes her +head</i>.) Been everywhere I could think of.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. (<i>To +herself</i>.) She couldn’t have gone home? Is +there a telephone here?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. The room’s +locked up.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. There’s one +at 118, High Street. Shall I go, miss?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. No, thanks. +I’ll go myself. Oh, what about the band?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. Lady Mogton says +she’d like it. If it isn’t too tired.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. It’s at +Sell’s Coffee-’ouse in Piggott Street. I +’eard them practising.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Good. I +shan’t be more than a few minutes.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">St. Herbert</span>. I’ll come +with you, if I may? I’ve got some news that may be of +use to you.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Do. (<i>To</i> +<span class="smcap">Ginger</span>.) Stop here, I may want +you.</p> +<p>(<span class="smcap">Phoebe</span> <i>and</i> <span +class="smcap">St. Herbert</span> <i>go out</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. How was Mrs. Chilvers +seeming this afternoon?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Never ’eard +’er speak better, miss.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. Did you stop to the +end?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Not quite. Mrs. +Spender wanted some shopping done.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span class="smcap">Janet</span> +<i>goes out</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Can I ’elp +yer?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. Yer might hold the +piper while I blow.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>The fire begins to +burn</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. It’s getting +brighter.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. That’s caught +it.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Wonderful what a +little coaxing will do.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. (<i>He is still +squatting on his heels</i>, <i>folding up the paper</i>. +<i>He looks up</i>.) Ain’t yer ever thought of that, +instead of worrying about the vote?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. (<i>She moves +away</i>.) You don’t understand us wimmin.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. (<i>He has +risen</i>. <i>He pauses in his folding of the +paper</i>.) Don’t say that.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Why should we coax +yer—for our rights?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. Because it’s +the easiest way of getting ’em.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. (<i>She has become +oratorical</i>.) Our appeal is not to man (<i>with upraised +hand</i>) but to Justice!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. Oh! And what +does the lidy say?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. +(<i>Descending</i>.) ’Ow do yer mean?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. To your +appeal. Is she goin’ to give ’em to yer? +You tike my tip: if yer in a ’urry, you get a bit on +account—from Man. ’Ere. (<i>He dives into +his pocket</i>, <i>produces</i>, <i>wrapped up in tissue +paper</i>, <i>a ring</i>, <i>which he exhibits to her</i>.) +That’s a bit more in your line.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. (<i>Her eyes +sparkle</i>. <i>She takes the ring in her hand</i>. +<i>Then problems come to her</i>.) Why do yer want me, +William?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. Because, in spite +of all, I love yer.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. (<i>She looks into +the future</i>.) What will I be? A general servant, +without wages.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. The question, as it +seems to me, is, which of us two is the biggest fool? +Instead of thirty bob a week in my pocket to spend as I +like—guess I’ll ’ave to be content with three +’alf-crowns.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Seven an’ +six! Rather a lot, Bill, out o’ thirty bob. +Don’t leave much for me an’ the children.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. I shall ’ave +to get my dinners.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. I could mike yer +somethin’ tasty to tike with yer. Then with, +say—three shillings—</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. +’Ere—(<i>He is on the point of snatching back the +ring</i>. <i>He encounters her eyes</i>. <i>There is +a moment’s battle</i>. <i>The Eternal Feminine +conquers</i>.) Will yer always look as sweet as yer do +now?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Always, Bill. +So long as yer good to me!</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>She slips the ring over her finger</i>, +<i>still with her eyes drawing him</i>. <i>He catches her +to him in fierce passion</i>, <i>kisses her</i>.)</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>A loud shrill female cheer comes from +the crowd</i>. <i>The cheer is renewed and +renewed</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. (<i>He breaks away +and goes to the window</i>.) ’Ullo! What are +they shoutin’ about now? (<i>He looks out</i>.) +It’s the Donah!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. Mrs. Chilvers?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. Yus. Better +not get wearin’ it—may shock their feelings.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. (<i>She gazes +rapturously at the ring as she draws it off</i>.) It is a +beauty! I do love yer, Bill.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>There enter</i> <span +class="smcap">Annys</span> <i>and</i> <span +class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. <span +class="smcap">Annys</span> <i>is excited</i>; <i>she is laughing +and talking</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>Laughing while she +rearranges her hat and hair</i>.) A little +embarrassing. That red-haired girl—she carried me +right up the steps. I was afraid she would—</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Jawbones</span> <i>has +been quick enough to swing a chair into place just in time to +receive her</i>.)</p> +<p>(<i>She recovers herself</i>.) Thank you.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. (<i>She hands</i> +<span class="smcap">Annys</span> <i>a smelling-bottle</i>. +<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>.) Open the +window a few inches.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>He does so</i>. <i>Some woman</i>, +<i>much interrupted</i>, <i>is making a speech</i>.)</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Janet</span> <i>opens +the door a little way and looks in</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. Oh, it is you! I +am glad!</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>She goes out again</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. Are the others all +here?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Ginger</span>. ’Er ladyship is +watching the counting. Miss Phoebe ’as just gone +out—</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span class="smcap">Phoebe</span> +<i>enters</i>.)</p> +<p>Oh, ’ere she is.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Hullo! (<i>She +is taking off her things</i>.) Wherever have you +been? We’ve been scouring the +neighbourhood—</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span class="smcap">Lady +Mogton</span> <i>enters</i>, <i>followed by</i> <span +class="smcap">Janet</span>.)</p> +<p>I say, you’re looking jolly chippy.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. We had an extra +enthusiastic meeting. She spoke for rather a long +time. I made her come home with me and lie down. I +think she is all right now.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. Would you like +to see a doctor?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. There is a very good +man close here. (<i>She turns to</i> <span +class="smcap">Jawbones</span>, <i>who is still near the +window</i>.) Gordon—</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. +(<i>Interrupting</i>.) No. Please don’t. +I am quite all right. I hate strange doctors.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Well, let me send for +Whitby; he could be here in twenty minutes.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. I wish you would all +leave me alone. There’s absolutely nothing to fuss +about whatever. We pampered women—we can’t +breathe the same air that ordinary mortals have to. We +ought to be ashamed of ourselves.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. (<i>To +herself</i>.) Obstinate pig.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>She catches</i> <span +class="smcap">Jawbones</span>’ <i>eye</i>; <i>unnoticed by +the others</i>, <i>she takes him aside</i>. <i>They +whisper</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. How is it going?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. You must be +prepared for winning. (<i>She puts again the question +that</i> <span class="smcap">Annys</span> <i>has frequently been +asked to answer during the last few days</i>.) What are you +going to do?</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Mrs. +Mountcalm-Villiers</span> <i>enters</i>, <i>as usual in a flutter +of excitement</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Mountcalm-Villiers</span>. Am I +late?</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>They brush her back into +silence</i>. <span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span> <i>takes +charge of her</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She has +risen</i>.) You think it wise tactics, to make it +impossible for Geoffrey to be anything else in the future but our +enemy?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. +(<i>Contemptuously</i>.) You are thinking of him, and not +of the cause.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. And if I were! +Haven’t I made sacrifice enough?—more than any of you +will ever know. Ay—and would make more, if I felt it +was demanded of me. I don’t! (<i>Her burst of +anger is finished</i>. <i>She turns</i>, +<i>smiling</i>.) I’m much more cunning than you +think. There will be other elections we shall want to +fight. With the Under-Secretary for Home Affairs in +sympathy with us, the Government will find it difficult to +interfere. Don’t you see how clever I am?</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>, +<i>having received his instructions from</i> <span +class="smcap">Phoebe</span>, <i>has slipped out +unobserved</i>. <i>He has beckoned to</i> <span +class="smcap">Ginger</span>; <i>she has followed him</i>. +<span class="smcap">Phoebe</span> <i>has joined the +group</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Mountcalm-Villiers</span>. +There’s something in that.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. Is Mr. Chilvers still +in sympathy with us?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Of course he +is. A bit rubbed up the wrong way just at present; +that’s our fault. When Annys goes down, early next +mouth, to fight the Exchange Division of Manchester, we shall +have him with us.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>A moment</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. Where do you get +that from?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. From St. +Herbert. The present member is his cousin. They say +he can’t live more than a week.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Mountcalm-Villiers</span>. It +really seems like Providence.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>Has taken the +opportunity of giving</i> <span class="smcap">Phoebe</span> <i>a +grateful squeeze of the hand</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. You will fight +Manchester?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Yes. +(<i>Laughs</i>.) And make myself a public nuisance if I +win.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. Well, must be +content with that, I suppose. Better not come in; the +room’s rather crowded. I’ll keep you informed +how things are going.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>She goes out</i>, <i>followed +by</i> <span class="smcap">Janet</span>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Mountcalm-Villiers</span>. +I’ll stay with you, dear.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. I want you to come +and be photographed for the Daily Mirror. The man’s +waiting downstairs.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. I’ll stop +with Annys.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Mountcalm-Villiers</span>. +I’m not quite sure, you know, that I take well by +flashlight.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. You wait till +you’ve seen mamma! We must have you. They want +you for the centre of the page.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Mountcalm-Villiers</span>. +Well, if it’s really—</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. (<i>To the +others</i>.) Shall see you again. (<i>She +winks</i>. <i>Then to</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. +Mountcalm-Villiers</span>.) We mustn’t keep them +waiting. They are giving us a whole page.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Phoebe</span> +<i>takes</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Mountcalm-Villiers</span> +<i>out</i>. <span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span> <i>has +followed to the door</i>; <i>she closes it</i>. <span +class="smcap">Annys</span> <i>has reseated herself</i>, <i>facing +the fire</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. When did you see +your husband last?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Not +since—Tuesday, wasn’t it, that we went round to his +rooms. Why?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. I’m thinking +about Manchester. What was it he said to you?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Oh, we were, both of +us, a little over-excited, I suppose. He has—(<i>she +hesitates</i>, <i>finally answers</i>)—he has always been +so eager for children.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. Yes. So many +men are; not having to bear the pain and inconvenience +themselves.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Oh, well, they have to +provide for them when they do come. That’s fair +enough division, I su— (<i>Suddenly she turns +fiercely</i>.) Why do you talk like that? As if we +women were cowards. Do you think if God sent me a child I +should grudge Him the price!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. Do you want Him +to?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. I don’t know; +prayed Him to, once.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. (<i>She lays her +hand upon her</i>.) It isn’t a few more mothers that +the world has need of. It is the women whom God has +appointed—to whom He has given freedom, that they may +champion the cause of the mothers, helpless by reason of their +motherhood.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>A moment</i>. <span +class="smcap">Geoffrey</span> <i>enters</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Good evening.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>Rises</i>; <i>a +smile struggles for possession</i>. <i>But he only shakes +hands</i>, <i>and it dies away</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. Good evening.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>They shake hands</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. You are not +interested in the counting?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. The room is rather +crowded. Mamma thought I would be better out here. +How have you been?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Oh, all +right. It’s going to be a very near thing, they tell +me.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Yes, I shall be glad +when it’s over.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. It’s always a +trying time. What are you going to do, if you win?</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span class="smcap">Lady +Mogton</span> <i>looks in</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. (<i>Seeing</i> +<span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>.) Oh, good evening.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Good evening.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. Chilvers, +2,960—Annys Chilvers, 2,874.</p> +<p style="text-align: right">(<i>She disappears—closes +door</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Perhaps I’m not +going to win. (<i>She goes to him</i>, +<i>smiling</i>.) I hope you’ll win. I would so +much rather you won.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Very kind of +you. I’m afraid that won’t make it a +certainty.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>His answer has +hardened her again</i>.) How can I? It would not be +fair. Without your consent I should never have entered upon +it. It was understood that the seat, in any case, would be +yours.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. I would rather you +considered yourself quite free. In warfare it doesn’t +pay to be “fair” to one’s enemy.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>Still +hardening</i>.) Besides, there is no need. There will +be other opportunities. I can contest some other +constituency. If I win, claim the seat for that.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>A moment</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. So this is only the +beginning? You have decided to devote yourself to a +political career?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Why not?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. If I were to ask +you to abandon it, to come back to your place at my +side—helping me, strengthening me?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. You mean you would +have me abandon my own task—merge myself in you?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Be my wife.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. It would not be +right. I, too, have my work.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. If it takes you +away from me?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Why need it take me +away from you? Why cannot we work together for common ends, +each in our own way?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. We talked like that +before we tried it. Marriage is not a partnership; it is a +leadership.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She looks at +him</i>.) You mean—an ownership.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Perhaps +you’re right. I didn’t make it. I’m +only—beginning to understand it.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. And I too. It is +not what I want.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. You mean its duties +have become irksome to you.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. I mean I want to be +the judge myself of what are my duties.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. I no longer +count. You will go your way without me?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. I must go the way I +think right.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He flings +away</i>.) If you win to-night you will do well to make the +most of it. Take my advice and claim the seat.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>Looks at him +puzzled</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. Why?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Because (<i>with a +short</i>, <i>ugly laugh</i>) the Lord only knows when +you’ll get another opportunity.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. You are going to +stop us?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. To stop women from +going to the poll. The Bill will be introduced on +Monday. Carried through all its stages the same week.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. You think it will +pass?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. The Whips assure me +that it will.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. But they cannot, they +dare not, without your assent. The— (<i>The +light breaks in upon her</i>.) Who is bringing it in?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. I am.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>Is going to +speak</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He stops +her</i>.) Oh, I’m prepared for all +that—ridicule, abuse. “Chilvers’s Bill +for the Better Regulation of Mrs. Chilvers,” they’ll +call it. I can hear their laughter. Yours won’t +be among it.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. But, Geoffrey! +What is the meaning? Merely to spite me, are you going to +betray a cause that you have professed belief in—that you +have fought for?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Yes—if it is +going to take you away from me. I want you. No, I +don’t want a friend—“a +fellow-worker”—some interesting rival in well +doing. I can get all that outside my home. I want a +wife. I want the woman I love to belong to me—to be +mine. I am not troubling about being up to date; I’m +talking what I feel—what every male creature must have felt +since the protoplasmic cell developed instincts. I want a +woman to love—a woman to work for—a woman to fight +for—a woman to be a slave to. But mine—mine, +and nothing else. All the rest (<i>he makes a gesture</i>) +is talk.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>He closes the window</i>, <i>shutting +out the hubbub of the crowd</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>A strange</i>, +<i>new light has stolen in</i>. <i>She is bewildered</i>, +<i>groping</i>.) But—all this is new between +us. You have not talked like this for—not +since— We were just good friends—comrades.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. And might have +remained so, God knows! I suppose we’re made like +that. So long as there was no danger passion slept. I +cannot explain it. I only know that now, beside the thought +of losing you, all else in the world seems meaningless. The +Woman’s Movement! (<i>He makes a gesture of +contempt</i>.) Men have wrecked kingdoms for a woman before +now—and will again. I want you! (<i>He comes to +her</i>.) Won’t you come back to me, that we may +build up the home we used to dream of? Wasn’t the old +love good? What has this new love to give you? Work +that man can do better. The cause of the women—the +children! Has woman loved woman better than man? Will +the world be better for the children, man and woman +contending? Come back to me. Help me. Help me +to fight for all good women. Teach me how I may make the +world better—for our children.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>The light is in +her eyes</i>. <i>She stands a moment</i>. <i>Her +hands are going out to him</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. (<i>She comes +between them</i>.) Yes, go to him. He will be very +good to you. Good men are kind to women, kind even to their +dogs. You will be among the pampered few! You will be +happy. And the others! What does it matter?</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>They draw apart</i>. <i>She stands +between them</i>, <i>the incarnation of the spirit of sex +war</i>.)</p> +<p>The women that have not kind owners—the dogs that have +not kind masters—the dumb women, chained to their endless, +unpaid drudgery! Let them be content. What are they +but man’s chattel? To be honoured if it pleases him, +or to be cast into the dust. Man’s pauper! +Bound by his laws, subject to his whim; her every hope, her every +aspiration, owed to his charity. She toils for him without +ceasing: it should be her “pleasure.” She bears +him children, when he chooses to desire them. They are his +to do as he will by. Why seek to change it? Our man +is kind. What have they to do with us: the women beaten, +driven, overtasked—the women without hope or joy, the +livers of grey lives that men may laugh and spend—the women +degraded lower than the beasts to pander to the beast in +man—the women outraged and abandoned, bearing to the grave +the burden of man’s lust? Let them go their +way. They are but our sisters of sorrow. And we who +could help them—we to whom God has given the weapons: the +brain, and the courage—we make answer: “I have +married a husband, and I cannot come.”</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>A silence</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Well, you have +heard. (<i>He makes a gesture</i>.) What is +your answer?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She comes to +him</i>.) Don’t you love me enough to humour me a +little—to put up with my vexing ways? I so want to +help, to feel I am doing just a little, to make the world +kinder. I know you can do it better, but I want so to be +“in it.” (<i>She laughs</i>.) Let us +forget all this. Wake up to-morrow morning with fresh +hearts. You will be Member for East Poplar. And then +you shall help me to win Manchester. (<i>She puts her hands +upon his breast</i>: <i>she would have him take her in his +arms</i>.) I am not strong enough to fight alone.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. I want you. +Let Manchester find some one else.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She draws away +from him</i>.) And if I cannot—will not?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. I bring in my Bill +on Monday. We’ll be quite frank about it. That +is my price—you. I want you!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. You mean it comes to +that: a whole cause dependent on a man and a woman!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Yes, that is how +the world is built. On each man and woman. “How +does it shape my life, my hopes?” So will each make +answer.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span class="smcap">Lady +Mogton</span> <i>enters</i>. <i>She stands silent</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>. Is it over?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. Annys Chilvers, +3,604—Geoffrey Chilvers, 3,590.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span class="smcap">Janet</span> +<i>enters</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. (<i>She rushes to</i> +<span class="smcap">Annys</span>, <i>embraces her</i>.) +You’ve won, you’ve won! (<i>She flies to the +window</i>, <i>opens it</i>, <i>and goes out on to the +balcony</i>.)</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Phoebe</span> +<i>enters</i>, <i>followed by</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. +Mountcalm-Villiers</span>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. Is it true?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. Pretty +close. Majority of 14.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Mountcalm-Villiers</span>. For +us?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. For us.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Janet</span> <i>by this +time has announced the figures</i>. <i>There is heard a +great burst of cheering</i>, <i>renewed again and again</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. +(<i>Re-entering</i>.) They want you! They want +you!</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>Mingled with the cheering come cries +of</i> “<i>Speech</i>! <i>Speech</i>!”)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lady Mogton</span>. You must say +something.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>The band strikes up</i> “<i>The +Conquering Hero</i>.” <i>The women crowd round</i> +<span class="smcap">Annys</span>, <i>congratulating +her</i>. <span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span> <i>stands +apart</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Phoebe</span>. (<i>Screaming above +the din</i>.) Put on your cloak.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Janet</span>. (<i>Rushes and gets +it</i>.)</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>They wrap it round +her</i>.)</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Annys</span> <i>goes +out on to the balcony</i>, <i>followed by the other +women</i>. <span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>, <i>going +last</i>, <i>fires a parting smile of triumph at</i> <span +class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>.)</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>A renewed burst of cheering announces +their arrival on the balcony</i>. <i>The crowd bursts +into</i> “<i>For She’s a Jolly Good +Fellow</i>”—<i>the band</i>, <i>making a quick +change</i>, <i>joins in</i>. <span +class="smcap">Geoffrey</span> <i>remains centre</i>.)</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Jawbones</span> +<i>enters unobserved</i>. <i>The singing ends with three +cheers</i>. <span class="smcap">Annys</span> <i>is +speaking</i>. <span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span> <i>turns +and sees</i> <span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>With a +smile</i>.) Give me down my coat, will you?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. (<i>He is +sympathetic</i>. <i>He helps him on with it</i>.) +Shall I get you a cab, sir?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. No, thanks. +I’ll pick one up. (<i>He goes towards the door</i>, +<i>then stops</i>.) Is there any other way out—not +through the main entrance?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Jawbones</span>. Yes, sir. +There’s a side door opening on Woodstock Road. +I’ll show it you.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Thanks. +(<i>He follows</i> <span class="smcap">Jawbones</span> +<i>out</i>.)</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>A burst of cheering comes from +the crowd</i>.)</p> +<p style="text-align: center"><span +class="smcap">Curtain</span>.</p> +<h2>THE FOURTH ACT</h2> +<p><span class="smcap">Scene</span>:—<i>Russell +Square</i>. <i>The morning-room</i> (<i>on the ground +floor</i>). <i>A small</i>, <i>cheerful room</i>, +<i>furnished in Chippendale</i>, <i>white panelled</i>, <i>with +Adams fireplace in which a bright fire is burning</i>. +<i>Two deep easy-chairs are before the fire</i>. <i>The +window-curtains of red damask are drawn</i>. <i>An oval +table occupies the centre of the room</i>. <i>The door at +back opens upon the hall</i>. <i>Only one light burns</i>, +<i>an electric lamp on a table just above the fire</i>.</p> +<p style="text-align: center"><span +class="smcap">Time</span>:—<i>Midnight</i>.</p> +<p>(<i>The door opens</i>. <span +class="smcap">Geoffrey</span> <i>enters</i>. <i>He has left +his out-door things in the hall</i>. <i>He crosses and +rings the bell</i>. <i>A moment</i>.)</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span class="smcap">Hake</span> +<i>enters</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Oh, you, +Hake! There wasn’t any need for you to have +stopped.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Hake</span>. I was not sure of your +arrangements. I thought perhaps I might be wanted.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Sorry. I +ought to have told you.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Hake</span>. It’s been no +inconvenience, sir. I told Mrs. Hake not to sit up.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He is opening +and reading his letters left for him on the table</i>.) +Does she generally sit up for you?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Hake</span>. As a rule, sir. +We like a little chat before going to bed.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>His eyes on a +letter</i>.) What do you find to chat about?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Hake</span>. Oh, there is so much +for a husband and wife to talk about. The— As a +rule.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>A clock on the mantelpiece +strikes one</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. What’s +that?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Hake</span>. Quarter past twelve, +sir.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Has your mistress +come in?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Hake</span>. Not yet, sir. Has +the election gone all right, sir?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. For Mrs. Chilvers, +yes. She is now member for East Poplar.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Hake</span>. I am sorry. It +has been a great surprise to me.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. The result?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Hake</span>. The whole thing, +sir. Such a sweet lady, we all thought her.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Life, Hake, is a +surprising affair.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>A ring is heard</i>.)</p> +<p>I expect that’s she. She has forgotten her +key.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span class="smcap">Hake</span> +<i>goes out</i>.)</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span> +<i>continues his letters</i>. <i>A few moments pass</i>; +<span class="smcap">Hake</span> <i>re-enters</i>, <i>closes the +door</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Hake</span>. (<i>He seems +puzzled</i>.) It’s a lady, sir</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span +class="smcap">Geoffrey</span> <i>turns</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Hake</span>. At least—hardly a +lady. A Mrs. Chinn.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Mrs. Chinn! +(<i>He glances at his watch</i>.) At twelve o’clock +at night. Well, all right. I’ll see her.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Hake</span> <i>opens +the door</i>, <i>speaks to</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. +Chinn</span>. <i>She enters</i>, <i>in bonnet and +shawl</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Hake</span>. Mrs. Chinn.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Good evening, Mrs. +Chinn.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. Good evening, +sir.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. You needn’t +stop, Hake. I shan’t be wanting anything.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Hake</span>. Thank you.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Apologise for me to +Mrs. Hake. Good-night.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Hake</span>. Good-night, sir.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Hake</span> <i>goes +out</i>. <i>A minute later the front door is heard to +slam</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Won’t you sit +down? (<i>He puts a chair for her left of the +table</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. (<i>Seating +herself</i>.) Thank you, sir.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He half sits on +the arm of the easy-chair below the fire</i>.) What’s +the trouble?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. It’s my +boy, sir—my youngest. He’s been taking money +that didn’t belong to him.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Um. Has it +been going on for long?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. About six months, +sir. I only heard of it to-night. You see, his wife +died a year ago. She was such a good manager. And +after she was gone he seems to have got into debt.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. What were his +wages?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. Nineteen +shillings a week, sir. And that with the rent and three +young children—well, it wants thinking out.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. From whom did he +take the money—his employers?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. Yes, sir. +He was the carman. They had always trusted him to collect +the accounts.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. How much, would you +say, was the defalcation?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. I beg pardon, +sir.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. How much does it +amount to, the sums that he has taken?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. Six pounds, sir, +Mr. Cohen says it comes to.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Won’t they +accept repayment?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. Yes, sir. +Mr. Cohen has been very nice about it. He is going to let +me pay it off by instalments.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Well, then, that +gets over most of the trouble.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. Well, you see, +sir, unfortunately, Mr. Cohen gave information to the police the +moment he discovered it.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Umph! +Can’t he say he made a mistake?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. They say it must +go for trial, sir. That he can only withdraw the charge in +court.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Um!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. You see, +sir—a thing like that—(<i>She recovers +herself</i>.) It clings to a lad.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. What do you want me +to do?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. Well, sir, I +thought that, perhaps—you see, sir, he has got a brother in +Canada who would help him; and I thought that if I could ship him +off—</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. You want me to tip +the wink to the police to look the other way while you smuggle +this young malefactor out of the clutches of the law?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. (<i>Quite +indifferent to the moral aspect of the case</i>.) If you +would be so kind, sir.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Umph! I +suppose you know what you’re doing; appealing through your +womanhood to man’s weakness—employing +“backstairs influence” to gain your private ends, +indifferent to the higher issues of the public weal? All +the things that are going to cease when woman has the vote.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. You see, sir, +he’s the youngest.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>Gradually the decent but dingy figure +of</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span> <i>has taken to +itself new shape</i>. <i>To</i> <span +class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>, <i>it almost seems as though there +were growing out of the shadows over against him the figure of +great Artemis herself—Artemis of the Thousand +Breasts</i>. <i>He had returned home angry</i>, <i>bitter +against all women</i>. <i>As she unfolds her simple tale +understanding comes to him</i>. <i>So long as there are</i> +“<i>Mrs. Chinns</i>” <i>in the world</i>, <i>Woman +claims homage</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. How many were +there?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. Ten altogether, +six living.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Been a bit of a +struggle for you, hasn’t it?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. It has been a bit +difficult, at times; especially after their poor father died.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. How many were you +left with?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. Eight, sir.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. How on earth did +you manage to keep them?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. Well, you see, +sir, the two eldest, they were earning a little. I +don’t think I could have done it without that.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Wasn’t there +any source from which you could have obtained help? What +was your husband?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. He worked in the +shipyards, sir. There was some talk about it. But, of +course, that always means taking the children away from you.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Would not that have +been better for them?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. Not always, +sir. Of course, if I hadn’t been able to do my duty +by them I should have had to. But, thank God, I’ve +always been strong.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He +rises</i>.) I will see what can be done.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. Thank you, +sir.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>Half-way</i>, +<i>he turns</i>.) When does the next boat sail—for +Canada?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. To-morrow night, +sir, from Glasgow. I have booked his passage.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>With a +smile</i>.) You seem to have taken everything for +granted.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. You see, sir, +it’s the disgrace. All the others are doing so +well. It would upset them so.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>He goes out</i>.)</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>There is a moment</i>.)</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span class="smcap">Annys</span> +<i>enters</i>. <i>She is wearing her outdoor +things</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Mrs. Chinn!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. (<i>She has +risen</i>; <i>she curtseys</i>.) Good evening, +ma’am.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She is taking off +her hat</i>.) Nothing wrong, is there?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. My boy, +ma’am, my youngest, has been getting into trouble.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She pauses</i>, +<i>her hat in her hand</i>.) They will, won’t +they? It’s nothing serious, I hope?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. I think it will +be all right, ma’am, thanks to your good gentleman.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She lays aside her +hat</i>.) You have had a good many children, haven’t +you, Mrs. Chinn?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. Ten altogether, +ma’am; six living.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Can one love ten, all +at once?</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>The cloak has fallen aside</i>. +<span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span> <i>is a much experienced +lady</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. Just as many as +come, dear. God sends the love with them.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>There is a moment</i>; <i>the two women +are very close to one another</i>. <i>Then</i> <span +class="smcap">Annys</span> <i>gives a little cry and somehow +their arms are round one another</i>.)</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>She mothers her into the easy chair +above the fire</i>; <i>places a footstool under her +feet</i>.) You have your cry out, dearie, it will do you +good.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. You look so strong and +great.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. It’s the +tears, dearie. (<i>She arranges the foot-stool</i>.) +You keep your feet up.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>The handle of the door is +heard</i>. <span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span> <i>is +standing beside her own chair</i>. <i>She is putting back +her handkerchief into her bag</i>.)</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span +class="smcap">Geoffrey</span> <i>re-enters</i>.)</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Annys</span> <i>is +hidden in the easy chair</i>. <i>He does not see +her</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Well, Mrs. Chinn, +an exhaustive search for the accused will be commenced—next +week.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. Thank you, +sir.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. What about the +children—are they going with him?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. No, sir; I +thought he would be better without them till everything is +settled.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Who is taking care +of them—you?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. Yes, sir.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. And the passage +money—how much was that?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. Four pound +fifteen.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Would you mind my +coming in, as a friend?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. Well, if you +don’t mind, I’d rather not. I’ve always +done everything for the children myself. It’s been a +fad of mine.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He makes a +gesture of despair</i>.) You mothers! You’re so +greedy. (<i>He holds out his hand</i>, +<i>smiling</i>.) Goodbye.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. (<i>She takes his +hand in hers</i>.) God bless you, sir. And your good +lady.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>As he takes her +to the door</i>.) How will you get home?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chinn</span>. I can get the +Underground from Gower Street, sir.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>They go out talking about last trains +and leaving the door open</i>. <i>The next moment the front +door is heard to slam</i>.)</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span +class="smcap">Geoffrey</span> <i>re-enters</i>.)</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<span class="smcap">Annys</span> <i>has +moved round</i>, <i>so that coming back into the room he finds +her there</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. How long have you +been in?</p> +<p style="text-align: right">(<i>He closes the door</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Only a few +minutes—while you were at the telephone. I had to +rest for a little while. Dr. Whitby brought me back in his +motor.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. Was he down +there?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. Phoebe had sent for +him. I had been taken a little giddy earlier in the +day.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He +grunts</i>. <i>He is fighting with his +tenderness</i>.) Don’t wonder at it. All this +overwork and excitement.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. I’m afraid +I’ve been hurting you.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>Still +growling</i>.) Both been hurting each other, I expect.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She +smiles</i>.) It’s so easy to hurt those that love +us.</p> +<p class="gutindent">(<i>She makes a little movement</i>, +<i>feebly stretches out her arms to him</i>. +<i>Wondering</i>, <i>he comes across to her</i>. <i>She +draws him down beside her</i>, <i>takes his arms and places them +about her</i>.) I want to feel that I belong to you. +That you are strong. That I can rest upon you.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He cannot +understand</i>.) But only an hour ago—(<i>He looks at +her</i>.) Have you, too, turned traitor to the +Woman’s Cause?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She answers +smiling</i>.) No. But woman, dear, is a much more +complicated person than I thought her. It is only in this +hour that God has revealed her to me. (<i>She draws him +closer</i>.) I want you, dear—dear husband. +Take care of us—both, won’t you? I love you, I +love you. I did not know how much.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He gathers her +to him</i>, <i>kissing her</i>, <i>crooning over her</i>.) +Oh, my dear, my dear! My little one, my love, my wife!</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. (<i>She is +laughing</i>, <i>crying</i>.) But, Geoffrey, +dear—</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>He tries to calm her</i>.)</p> +<p>No, let me. I want to— And then I’ll +be quite good, I promise— It’s only fair to +warn you. When I’m strong and can think again, I +shall still want the vote. I shall want it more than +ever.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. (<i>He answers with +a happy laugh</i>, <i>holding her in his arms</i>.)</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Annys</span>. You will help +us? Because it’s right, dear, isn’t it? +He will be my child as well as yours. You will let me help +you make the world better for our child—and for all the +children—and for all the mothers—and for all the +dear, kind men: you will, won’t you?</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Geoffrey</span>. I thought you were +drifting away from me: that strange voices were calling you away +from life and motherhood. God has laughed at my +fears. He has sent you back to me with His command. +We will fashion His world together, we two lovers, Man and Woman, +joined together in all things. It is His will. His +chains are the children’s hands.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>Kneeling</i>, <i>he holds her +in his arms</i>.)</p> +<p style="text-align: center">(<span class="smcap">The Curtain +Falls</span>.)</p> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MASTER OF MRS. 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