The Master of Mrs. Chilvers Part 13

ELIZABETH Yes. It was easier, no doubt, when we took it lying down.

ANNYS You promised, if I brought you, that you would be good.

GEOFFREY I wish it had been you.

PHOEBE Yes, but we don't!

[As she and ELIZABETH move away.]

Did you have a row with the doctor when you were born?

[To which ELIZABETH replies, though the words reach only PHOEBE: "I might have, if I had known that my mother was doing all the work, while he was pocketing the fee!"]

LAMB You see, Mrs. Chilvers, our difficulty is that there is nothing to be said against you--except one thing.

ANNYS What's that?

LAMB That you're a woman.

ANNYS [Smiling.] Isn't that enough?

SIGSBY Quite enough, Mrs. Chilvers, if the guv'nor would only say it.

ANNYS [To GEOFFREY.] Why don't you? I'll promise not to deny it.

[The others drift apart. They group themselves near to the window.

They talk together--grow evidently interested and excited.]

GEOFFREY I have just had a letter from your--Election Agent, expressing indignation with one of my supporters for merely having hinted at the fact.

ANNYS I don't understand.

GEOFFREY [He takes from the table the letter and hands it to her in silence. He seats himself on the settee and watches her.]

ANNYS [She seats herself on a chair just opposite to him; reads the letter through in silence.] In my case it does not apply.

GEOFFREY How do you know?

ANNYS [The atmosphere has grown suddenly oppressive.] Oh, I--I think we might find some other reason than that. [She hands him back the letter.]

GEOFFREY It's the only one of any importance. It embraces all the others. Shall woman be mother--or politician? [He puts the letter in his pocket.]

ANNYS Why cannot she be both?

GEOFFREY [He is looking at her searchingly.] Because if she is the one, she doesn't want to be the other.

[A silence.]

ANNYS You are wrong. It is the mother instinct that makes us politicians. We want to take care of the world.

GEOFFREY Exactly. You think man's job more interesting than your own.

ANNYS [After a moment.] Who told you that it was a man's job?

GEOFFREY Well. [He shrugs his shoulders.] We can't do yours.

ANNYS Can't we help each other?

GEOFFREY As, for instance, in this election! [He gives a short laugh.]

ANNYS Of course, this is an exceptional case.

GEOFFREY It's an epitome of the whole question. You are trying to take my job away from me. To the neglect of your own.

ANNYS [After another moment's silence.] Haven't I always tried to do my duty?

GEOFFREY I have thought so.

ANNYS 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.

GEOFFREY Don't you see? Fighting you means fighting the whole movement. [He indicates the posters pinned to the walls.] That sort of thing.

ANNYS [After a brief inspection.] Not that way. [Shaking her head.] It would break my heart for you to turn against us. Win because you are the better man. [Smiling.] I want you to be the better man.

GEOFFREY I would rather be your husband.

ANNYS [Smiling.] Isn't that the same thing?

GEOFFREY No. I want a wife.

ANNYS What precisely do you mean by "wife"?

GEOFFREY It's an old-established word.

[MRS. CHINN has entered to complete the tea arrangements. She is arranging the table.]

MRS. CHINN There's a deputation downstairs, sir, just come for you.

GEOFFREY What are they?

MRS. CHINN It's one of those societies for the reform of something. They said you were expecting them.

SIGSBY [Breaking away from the group by the window.] Quite right.

[Looks at his watch.] Five o'clock, I'll bring them up.

GEOFFREY Happen to know what it is they want to reform?

SIGSBY [By door.] Laws relating to the physical relations.h.i.+p between the s.e.xes, I think.