The Master of Mrs. Chilvers Part 4

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 s.h.i.+rk 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.] G.o.d 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 Governors.h.i.+p of Holloway Gaol?

GEOFFREY Not a bad guess. Very near it. To the Under- Secretarys.h.i.+p 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.