Home > Authors Index > Jerome K Jerome > Master Of Mrs. Chilvers: An Improbable Comedy > This page
The Master Of Mrs. Chilvers: An Improbable Comedy, a play by Jerome K Jerome |
||
Act 1 |
||
| < Previous |
Table of content |
Next > |
|
________________________________________________
_ The First Act SCENE:- Drawing-room, 91, Russell Square. TIME:- Afternoon. [MRS. ELIZABETH SPENDER sits near the fire, reading a book. She is a tall, thin woman, with passionate eyes, set in an oval face of olive complexion; the features are regular and severe; her massive dark hair is almost primly arranged. She wears a tailor-made costume, surmounted by a plain black hat. The door opens and PHOEBE enters, shown in by HAKE, the butler, a thin, ascetic-looking man of about thirty, with prematurely grey hair. PHOEBE MOGTON is of the Fluffy Ruffles type, petite, with a retrousse nose, remarkably bright eyes, and a quantity of fluffy light hair, somewhat untidily arranged. She is fashionably dressed in the fussy, flyaway style. ELIZABETH looks up; the two young women shake hands.] PHOEBE Good woman. 'Tisn't three o'clock yet, is it? ELIZABETH About five minutes to. PHOEBE Annys is on her way. I just caught her in time. [To HAKE.] Put a table and six chairs. Give mamma a hammer and a cushion at her back. HAKE A hammer, miss? PHOEBE A chairman's hammer. Haven't you got one? HAKE I'm afraid not, miss. Would a gravy spoon do? PHOEBE [To ELIZABETH, after expression of disgust.] Fancy a house without a chairman's hammer! [To HAKE.] See that there's something. Did your wife go to the meeting last night? HAKE [He is arranging furniture according to instructions.] I'm not quite sure, miss. I gave her the evening out. PHOEBE "Gave her the evening out"! ELIZABETH We are speaking of your wife, man, not your servant. HAKE Yes, miss. You see, we don't keep servants in our class. Somebody's got to put the children to bed. ELIZABETH Why not the man--occasionally? HAKE 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? PHOEBE Yes. See that there's plenty of blotting-paper. [To ELIZABETH.] Mamma always splashes so. HAKE Yes, miss. [He goes out.] ELIZABETH Did you ever hear anything more delightfully naive? 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? PHOEBE 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. ELIZABETH Leading to Holloway? PHOEBE Well, most roads lead there. ELIZABETH And end there--so far as I can see. PHOEBE You're too impatient. ELIZABETH It's what our friends have been telling us--for the last fifty years. PHOEBE 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. [The door opens. There enters JANET BLAKE, followed by HAKE, who proceeds with his work. JANET BLAKE is a slight, fragile-looking creature, her great dark eyes--the eyes of a fanatic--emphasise the pallor of her childish face. She is shabbily dressed; a plain, uninteresting girl until she smiles, and then her face becomes quite beautiful. PHOEBE darts to meet her.] Good girl. Was afraid--I say, you're wet through. JANET It was only a shower. The 'buses were all full. I had to ride outside. PHOEBE Silly kid, why didn't you take a cab? JANET 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. PHOEBE Well - JANET [To ELIZABETH.] Well--I want you to put me down as a contributor for twelve-and-six. [She smiles.] It's the only way I can give. PHOEBE [She is taking off JANET'S cloak; throws it to HAKE.] Have this put somewhere to dry. [She pushes JANET to the fire.] Get near the fire. You're as cold as ice. ELIZABETH All the seats inside, I suppose, occupied by the chivalrous sex. JANET 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. [Smiles.] ELIZABETH And are being granted it--in every direction where it works to the convenience of man. PHOEBE [Laughs.] Is she coming--the Villiers woman? JANET 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? PHOEBE 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. [To HAKE.] Mrs. Chilvers hasn't returned yet, has she? HAKE Not yet, miss. Shall I telephone - PHOEBE [Shakes her head.] No; it's all right. I have seen her. Let her know we are here the moment she comes in. HAKE Yes, miss. [He has finished the arrangements. The table has been placed in the centre of the room, six chairs round it, one of them being a large armchair. He has placed writing materials and a large silver gravy spoon. He is going.] PHOEBE Why aren't you sure your wife wasn't at the meeting last night? Didn't she say anything? HAKE 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. PHOEBE Oh! HAKE So I thought it best to ask no questions. PHOEBE Thank you. HAKE Thank you, miss. [He goes out.] ELIZABETH Can nothing be done to rouse the working-class woman out of her apathy? PHOEBE Well, if you ask me, I think a good deal has been done. ELIZABETH Oh, what's the use of our deceiving ourselves? The great mass are utterly indifferent. JANET [She is seated in an easy-chair near the fire.] 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." PHOEBE That's rather good. ELIZABETH 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? PHOEBE 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. ELIZABETH Ah, if we could only hold out THAT sort of hope to them! [ANNYS enters. She is in outdoor costume. She kisses PHOEBE, shakes hands with the other two. ANNYS's age is about twenty-five. She is a beautiful, spiritual-looking creature, tall and graceful, with a manner that is at the same time appealing and commanding. Her voice is soft and caressing, but capable of expressing all the emotions. Her likeness to her younger sister PHOEBE is of the slightest: the colouring is the same, and the eyes that can flash, but there the similarity ends. She is simply but well dressed. Her soft hair makes a quiet but wonderfully effective frame to her face.] ANNYS [She is taking off her outdoor things.] Hope I'm not late. I had to look in at Caxton House. Why are we holding it here? PHOEBE Mamma's instructions. Can't tell you anything more except that I gather the matter's important, and is to be kept secret. ANNYS Mamma isn't here, is she? PHOEBE [Shakes her head.] Reaches St. Pancras at two-forty. [Looks at her watch.] Train's late, I expect. [HAKE has entered.] ANNYS [She hands HAKE her hat and coat.] Have something ready in case Lady Mogton hasn't lunched. Is your master in? HAKE 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. ANNYS Thank you. [HAKE goes out.] ANNYS [To ELIZABETH.] I so want you to meet Geoffrey. He'll alter your opinion of men. ELIZABETH My opinion of men has been altered once or twice--each time for the worse. ANNYS Why do you dislike men? ELIZABETH [With a short laugh.] Why does the slave dislike the slave-owner? PHOEBE 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. ELIZABETH The chains have always been stretched for the few. My sympathies are with my class. ANNYS 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? ELIZABETH 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. [A pause.] ANNYS What do you understand is the true meaning of the woman's movement? ELIZABETH The dragging down of man from his position of supremacy. What else can it mean? ANNYS Something much better. The lifting up of woman to be his partner. ELIZABETH 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. [The door opens. HAKE announces LADY MOGTON and DORIAN ST. HERBERT. LADY MOGTON is a large, strong-featured woman, with a naturally loud voice. She is dressed with studied carelessness. DORIAN ST. HERBERT, K.C., is a tall, thin man, about thirty. He is elegantly, almost dandily dressed.] ANNYS [Kissing her mother.] Have you had lunch? LADY MOGTON In the train. PHOEBE [Who has also kissed her mother and shaken hands with ST. HERBERT.] We are all here except Villiers. She's coming. Did you have a good meeting? LADY MOGTON Fairly. Some young fool had chained himself to a pillar and thrown the key out of window. PHOEBE What did you do? LADY MOGTON Tied a sack over his head and left him there. [She turns aside for a moment to talk to ST. HERBERT, who has taken some papers from his despatch-box.] ANNYS [To ELIZABETH.] We must finish out our talk some other time. You are quite wrong. ELIZABETH Perhaps. LADY MOGTON We had better begin. I have only got half an hour. JANET I saw Mrs. Villiers. She promised she'd come. LADY MOGTON You should have told her we were going to be photographed. Then she'd have been punctual. [She has taken her seat at the table. ST. HERBERT at her right.] Better put another chair in case she does turn up. JANET [Does so.] Shall I take any notes? LADY MOGTON No. [To ANNYS.] Give instructions that we are not to be interrupted for anything. [ANNYS rings bell.] ST. HERBERT [He turns to PHOEBE, on his right.] Have you heard the latest? [Enter HAKE. He brings a bottle and glass, which he places.] ANNYS Oh, Hake, please, don't let us be interrupted for anything. If Mrs. Mountcalm-Villiers comes, show her up. But nobody else. HAKE Yes, ma'am. ST. HERBERT [Continuing.]
ST. HERBERT Quite finished. LADY MOGTON Thank you. [She raps for silence.] You will understand, please, all, that this is a private meeting of the Council. Nothing that transpires is to be allowed to leak out. [There is a murmur.] Silence, please, for Mr. St. Herbert. ST. HERBERT Before we begin, I should like to remind you, ladies, that you are, all of you, persons mentally deficient - [The door opens. MRS. MOUNTCALM-VILLIERS enters, announced by HAKE. She is a showily-dressed, flamboyant lady.] [HAKE goes out.] MRS. MOUNTCALM-VILLIERS I AM so sorry. I have only just this minute--[She catches sight of ST. HERBERT.] 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. LADY MOGTON Do you mind sitting down? MRS. MOUNTCALM-VILLIERS Here, dear? [She takes the vacant chair.] So nice of you. I read about your meeting. What a clever idea! LADY MOGTON [Cuts her short.] 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. MRS. MOUNTCALM-VILLIERS I know, dear. Isn't it shocking? ST. HERBERT 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. [An interruption. LADY MOGTON hammers.] Bearing this carefully in mind, we proceed. [He refers to his notes.] Two years ago a bye-election took place for the South-west division of Belfast. MRS. MOUNTCALM-VILLIERS My dear, may I? It has just occurred to me. Why do we never go to Ireland? LADY MOGTON For various sufficient reasons. MRS. MOUNTCALM-VILLIERS So many of the Irish members have expressed themselves quite sympathetically. LADY MOGTON We wish them to continue to do so. [Turns to ST. HERBERT.] I'm sorry. ST. HERBERT 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. PHOEBE [To ANNYS.] This is where we come in. ST. HERBERT 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. PHOEBE Pity. ST. HERBERT 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. PHOEBE He wasn't a lunatic all over. ST. HERBERT 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. ELIZABETH Then lunatics, at all events, are not debarred from going to the poll. ST. HERBERT The "mentally deficient" are no longer debarred from going to the poll. ELIZABETH What grounds were given for the decision? ST. HERBERT [He refers again to his notes.] 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. PHOEBE Good old House of Lords! [LADY MOGTON hammers.] ELIZABETH 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. ST. HERBERT 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. JANET But this gives us everything. ST. HERBERT 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. PHOEBE Then why did the Returning Officer for Camberwell in 1885 - ST. HERBERT 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. ANNYS [Rises. She goes to the centre of the room.] LADY MOGTON Where are you going? ANNYS [She turns; there are tears in her eyes. The question seems to recall her to herself.] 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. [Again she seems to lose consciousness of those at the table, of the room.] 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 - [She turns--the present comes back to her.] LADY MOGTON [After a pause.] The business [she dwells severely on the word] before the meeting - ANNYS [She resents herself meekly. Apologising generally.] I must learn to control myself. LADY MOGTON [Who has waited.]--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. [She takes up a paper on which she has been writing.] 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 - ST. HERBERT [Looking over.] Two t's. LADY MOGTON --resolves to bring forward a woman candidate to contest the next bye-election. [Suddenly to MRS. MOUNTCALM- VILLIERS, who is chattering.] Do you agree or disagree? MRS. MOUNTCALM-VILLIERS My dear! How can you ask? Of course we all agree. [To Elizabeth.] You agree, don't you? ELIZABETH Of course, even if elected, she would not be allowed to take her seat. PHOEBE How do you know? Nothing more full of surprises than English law. LADY MOGTON 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. ST. HERBERT 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. ELIZABETH You think even man could be so easily deceived! ST. HERBERT Man has had so much practice in being deceived. It comes naturally to him. ELIZABETH Poor devil! LADY MOGTON The only question remaining to be discussed is the candidate. ANNYS 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? ST. HERBERT 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. LADY MOGTON It must be the very next one that does occur--wherever it is. JANET I am sure that in the East End we should have a chance. PHOEBE Great Scott! Just think. If we were to win it! ST. HERBERT If you could get a straight fight against a Liberal I believe you would. ANNYS Why is the Government so unpopular? ST. HERBERT Well, take the weather alone--twelve degrees of frost again last night. JANET In St. George's Road the sewer has burst. The water is in the rooms where the children are sleeping. [She clenches her hands.] MRS. MOUNTCALM-VILLIERS [She shakes her head.] Something ought really to be done. LADY MOGTON 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. MRS. MOUNTCALM-VILLIERS Won't you, dear? LADY MOGTON I shall be better employed organising. My own feeling is that it ought to be Annys. [To ST. HERBERT.] What do you think? ST. HERBERT Undoubtedly. ANNYS I'd rather not. LADY MOGTON 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. ELIZABETH No one will put up so good a fight as you. ANNYS Will you give me till this evening? LADY MOGTON What for? ANNYS I should like to consult Geoffrey. LADY MOGTON You think he would object? ANNYS [A little doubtfully.] No. But we have always talked everything over together. LADY MOGTON Absurd! He's one of our staunchest supporters. Of course he'll be delighted. ELIZABETH I think the thing ought to be settled at once. LADY MOGTON It must be. I have to return to Manchester to-night. We shall have to get to work immediately. ST. HERBERT Geoffrey will surely take it as a compliment. JANET Don't you feel that woman, all over the world, is calling to you? ANNYS 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 - LADY MOGTON You consent? ANNYS Yes. If it's everybody's wish. LADY MOGTON That's settled. PHOEBE [She springs up, waving a handkerchief.] Chilvers for ever! JANET [Rises.] God bless you! MRS. MOUNTCALM-VILLIERS [Clapping her hands.] Now we shan't be long! LADY MOGTON [Hammers.] Order, please! [The three subside.] This is serious business. The next step is, of course - [The door opens; GEOFFREY enters. He is a youngish-looking man of three or four and thirty. LADY MOGTON, at the sound of the door, turns. ST. HERBERT rises. There is a pause.] LADY MOGTON We've been talking about you. We must apologise for turning your drawing-room - GEOFFREY My dear mother-in-law, it is Providence. [He kisses her.] There is no one I was more longing to see. ANNYS [She has risen.] Hake told me you would be dining at the House. GEOFFREY [He comes to her, kisses her, he is in a state of suppressed excitement.] I shall be. I came back to bring you some news. PHOEBE We've got some news for you. Have you heard - GEOFFREY [He stays her.] 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. PHOEBE Governorship of Holloway Gaol? GEOFFREY Not a bad guess. Very near it. To the Under- Secretaryship for Home Affairs. LADY MOGTON Who is it? GEOFFREY [He bows.] Your affectionate and devoted servant. ANNYS You! PHOEBE [Genuinely delighted. She is not a quick thinker.] Bravo! Congratulations, old boy! [She has risen--she slaps him on the back.] ANNYS Geoffrey! [She puts her arms about him.] You never told me anything. GEOFFREY I know, dear. I was afraid. It mightn't have come off. And then you would have been so disappointed. ANNYS [There are tears in her eyes. She still clings to him.] I am so glad. Oh, I am so glad! GEOFFREY It is all your doing. You have been such a splendid help. [He breaks gently away from her. Turns to ST. HERBERT, with a lighter tone.] Haven't you anything to say to a fellow? You're not usually dumb. ST. HERBERT It has all been so sudden--as the early Victorian heroine was fond of remarking! GEOFFREY [Laughs.] It has been sudden. We had, none of us, any idea till yesterday that old Bullock was thinking of resigning. ELIZABETH [She has risen and moved towards the fire.] Won't it necessitate a bye-election? [LADY MOGTON and ST. HERBERT have been thinking it out. On the others the word falls like a bombshell.] GEOFFREY [He turns to her. He does not see their faces.] 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--[He laughs, then, turning, catches sight of his wife's face. From ANNYS he looks to the others.] LADY MOGTON [She has risen.] You haven't heard, then, of McCaw versus Potts? GEOFFREY "McCaw versus Potts!" What the - ST. HERBERT Was decided in the House of Lords late yesterday afternoon. Briefly stated, it confers upon women the right of becoming Parliamentary candidates. GEOFFREY [He is staggered.] You mean - LADY MOGTON Having regard to which, we have decided to bring forward a woman candidate to contest the next bye-election. GEOFFREY Um! I see. ANNYS But we never thought--we never anticipated it would be Geoffrey's. LADY MOGTON 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. GEOFFREY No. Of course not. Certainly not. LADY MOGTON It is perhaps unfortunate that the candidate selected - ANNYS It is quite impossible. Such a dilemma was never dreamed of. LADY MOGTON And if not? Is the solidarity of woman - GEOFFREY [Beginning to guess.] Forgive my impatience; but whom HAVE you selected? ELIZABETH [When she likes she can be quite sweet.] Your wife. [He expected it.] We rather assumed [she appeals to the others with a gesture], I think, that the president of the Man's League for the Extension of the Franchise to Women would regard it as a compliment. GEOFFREY [His dislike of her is already in existence.] Yes. Very thoughtful. ANNYS You must choose some one else. PHOEBE But there IS no one else. ANNYS There's mamma. PHOEBE Mamma's too heavy. ANNYS Well, then, there's Elizabeth--there's you! GEOFFREY Yes. Why not you? You and I could have a jolly little fight. LADY MOGTON This is not a laughing matter. If I could think of any one to take Annys's place I should not insist. I cannot. PHOEBE You see, it mustn't be a crank. GEOFFREY [He is losing his temper.] Yes, I suppose that does limit you. ELIZABETH And then--thanks to you--Mrs. Chilvers has had such excellent training in politics. It was that, I think, that decided us. GEOFFREY [Convention forbids his strangling her.] Will somebody kindly introduce me to this lady? ST. HERBERT Ah, yes, of course. You don't know each other, do you? Mr. Geoffrey Chilvers--Mrs. Joseph Spender. Mrs. Spender-- Mr. Chilvers, M.P. ELIZABETH [Sweetly.] Delighted! GEOFFREY [Not.] Charmed. LADY MOGTON [To ANNYS.] 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. MRS. MOUNTCALM-VILLIERS [Affected.] How true! ANNYS But you are not asking me to give him. You are asking me to fight him. I can't. LADY MOGTON You mean you won't. ANNYS You can put it that way if you like. I won't. [A pause.] JANET I thought Mrs. Chilvers had pledged her word. ELIZABETH Yes. But without her husband's consent. So, of course, it doesn't count. GEOFFREY [He turns on her.] Why not you--if there must be a fight? Or would it be against your principles? ELIZABETH Not in the least. GEOFFREY Ah! ELIZABETH I would offer myself as a substitute. Only it might seem like coming between husband and wife. GEOFFREY [He turns away with a grunt of disgust.] PHOEBE 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. GEOFFREY 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. [Nobody contradicts him.] 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. [He reaches out his hand to where ANNYS stands a little behind him, takes her hand.] Annys and I have fought more than one election. It has been side by side. ELIZABETH The lady a little behind. GEOFFREY [He moves away with an expression of deep annoyance.] JANET [She comes forward. She holds forth her hands with a half-appealing, half-commanding gesture. She almost seems inspired.] 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? [There is a pause. They stand listening.] 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? [She looks--her hands still appealing--from one to the other.] [Another silence. They have all been carried a little off their feet by JANET'S earnestness.] ANNYS [She touches him.] What do you think, dear? GEOFFREY Yes, there's a good deal, of course, in what Miss Blake says. ANNYS It WOULD be a big thing for you to do. PHOEBE 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. GEOFFREY Do you wish it? ANNYS [She smiles up at him.] I'd rather fight you than any one else. GEOFFREY You are not afraid that the situation might be--just a trifle comical? ANNYS [Shakes her head.] No. I think everybody will say it was rather splendid of you. GEOFFREY Well, if it will help women. ANNYS [She holds out her hand. She is still in exalted mood.] We will show how man and woman may be drawn nearer to one another by rivalry for noble ends. ST. HERBERT [He shakes GEOFFREY'S somewhat limp hand.] I envy you. The situation promises to be piquant. MRS. MOUNTCALM-VILLIERS It will be a battle of roses. LADY MOGTON I must go. I shall see you both again to-morrow. [She kisses GEOFFREY.] This is an historic day. GEOFFREY Yes. I daresay we shall all remember it. LADY MOGTON [To JANET.] I will get you to come to the station with me. I can give you your instructions in the cab. [She kisses ANNYS.] You have been called to a great work. Be worthy of it. [They are all making ready to go. ANNYS has rung the bell for HAKE.] JANET [To ANNYS.] Are you glad? ANNYS [Kisses her.] You showed me the whole thing in a new light. You were splendid. [She turns to ELIZABETH.] Didn't I tell you he would convert you? ELIZABETH I was wrong to judge all men guilty. There are also-- the innocent. ANNYS [For a moment--but a moment only--she is pleased. Then the doubtful meaning of ELIZABETH'S words strikes her.] [Enter HAKE.] ANNYS [She has to dismiss ELIZABETH.] Oh, Hake--[To LADY MOGTON.] You'll want a cab, won't you, mamma? LADY MOGTON A taxi-- Goodbye, everybody. [She sails out.] MRS. MOUNTCALM-VILLIERS I have my carriage. [To ELIZABETH.] Can I give you a lift? ELIZABETH Thank you. [To GEOFFREY.] We shall meet again. GEOFFREY I feel sure of it. [MRS. MOUNTCALM-VILLIERS and ELIZABETH go out.] PHOEBE [To HAKE.] Are Miss Blake's things dry yet? JANET They'll be quite all right, dear. Please don't trouble. [She advances a timid hand to GEOFFREY.] Goodbye, Mr. Chilvers. GEOFFREY [He takes it smiling.] Goodbye. [She goes out; HAKE follows.] PHOEBE Goodbye, old boy. [They shake hands.] Don't you let her walk over you. Make her fight. ANNYS [Laughing.] Don't you worry about that. ST. HERBERT Would you care to look through McCaw v. Potts? [He has the papers in his hand.] GEOFFREY I'll ask you for it when I want it. PHOEBE [At door.] You'll be alone this evening? ANNYS Yes. Come in to dinner. PHOEBE All right. Goodbye. ST. HERBERT Goodbye. [GEOFFREY and ANNYS answer them. They go out, closing the door. GEOFFREY is by the fire. ANNYS comes to him.] ANNYS [She puts her arms round him.] You don't mind? GEOFFREY [He holds her at arms' length--looking into her eyes and smiling.] I believe you are looking forward to it. ANNYS 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? GEOFFREY Do you know WHY we have never had a difference? Because you have always had your own way. ANNYS Oh! GEOFFREY You have got so used to it, you don't notice it. ANNYS Then it will be good for me. I must learn to suffer opposition. [She laughs.] GEOFFREY You won't like it. ANNYS Do you know, I'm not at all sure that I shan't. [Unconsciously they let loose of one another.] You see, I shall have the right of hitting back. [Again she laughs.] GEOFFREY [Also laughingly.] Is woman going to develop the fighting instinct? ANNYS I wonder. [A moment's silence.] GEOFFREY The difficulty in our case is there seems nothing to fight about. ANNYS We must think of something. [Laughs.] GEOFFREY What line are you going to take--what is your argument: why they should vote for you in preference to me? ANNYS Simply that I am a woman. GEOFFREY My dear child, that won't be enough. Why should they vote for you merely because you're a woman? ANNYS [Slightly astonished.] Because--because women are wanted in public life. GEOFFREY Who wants them? ANNYS [More astonished.] Who? Why--[it doesn't seem too clear.] Why, all of us--you, yourself! GEOFFREY I'm not East Poplar. ANNYS [Is puzzled a moment, then valiantly.] 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. GEOFFREY Children! What do you know about children? [Another silence.] ANNYS Personally--no. We have had no children of our own, of course. But [hopefully] it is a woman's instinct. GEOFFREY Oh, Lord! That's what the lady said who had buried seven. ANNYS [Her mouth is growing hard.] Don't you believe in the right of women to share in the government of the country? GEOFFREY Some women. Yes. I can see some capable - ANNYS [Winces.] GEOFFREY --elderly, motherly woman who has brought up a dozen children of her own--who knows the world, being of some real use. ANNYS If it comes to that, there must be--I don't say more "capable," but more experienced, more fatherly men than yourself. [He turns, they look at one another. His tone almost touched contempt--hers was veiled anger.] GEOFFREY THAT'S the danger. It may come to a real fight. ANNYS [Upon her also the fear has fallen.] It must not. [She flings her arms around him.] We must show the world that man and woman can meet--contend in public life without anger, without scorn. GEOFFREY [He folds her to him.] The very words sound ugly, don't they? ANNYS It would be hideous. [She draws away.] How long will the election last? GEOFFREY 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. ANNYS I ought to be getting on with mine, too, I suppose. GEOFFREY It ought to be out by to-morrow. ANNYS [With inspiration.] We'll do yours first. [She wonders why he hesitates.] GEOFFREY "We?" Shan't I have to do it alone--this time? ANNYS Alone! Nonsense! How can you? GEOFFREY I'm afraid I shall have to try. ANNYS Um! I suppose you're right. What a nuisance! [She turns away.] I shan't like it. GEOFFREY [He moves towards the folding-doors.] No. It won't be quite the same thing. Goodbye. ANNYS [She crosses to her desk by the window. Not the same instant but the next his "Goodbye" strikes her. She turns.] You're not going out, are you? GEOFFREY [He stops and turns--puzzled at her question.] No. Only into my study. ANNYS You said "Goodbye." GEOFFREY [Not remembering.] _I_ did! Must have been thinking of something else. I shall be in here if you want me. [He goes into the other room.] ANNYS [She has crossed to her desk. She is humming. She seats herself, takes paper and pen, writes. Without turning--still writing--she raises her voice.] Geoffrey! How do you spell "experimental"? One "r" or two? [There is no answer. Puzzled at the silence, she looks round. The great folding-doors are closed. She stares in front of her, thinking, then turns again to her work.] [CURTAIN.] _ |
||