Part 22

(A pause. The door is open. ANNYS is standing there.)

ANNYS. Dare we venture into the enemy’s camp?

(She enters, laughing, followed by ELIZABETH and PHOEBE. ANNYS is somewhat changed from the grave, dreamy ANNYS of a short week ago. She is brimming over with vitality—excitement. There is a decisiveness, an egoism, about her that seems new to her. The women’s skirts make a flutter. A breeze seems to have entered. ANNYS runs to her husband. For the moment the election fades away. They are all smiles, tenderness for one another.)

ANNYS. Don’t tell, will you? Mamma would be so shocked. Do you know you haven’t been near me for three days?

GEOFFREY. Umph! I like that. Where were you last night?

ANNYS. Last night? In the neighbourhood of Leicester Square till three o’clock. Oh, Geoff, there’s such a lot wants altering!

(She turns to greet the others.)

GEOFFREY. Your ruining your health won’t do it. You’re looking fagged to death.

ANNYS. (She shakes hands with SIGSBY.) How are you? (To LAMB.) I’m so glad you’re helping him. (She turns again to GEOFFREY.) Pure imagination, dearest. I never felt better in my life.

GEOFFREY. Umph! Look at all those lines underneath your eyes. (He shakes hands with ELIZABETH.) How do you do? (To PHOEBE.) How are you?

ANNYS. (She comes back to him—makes to smooth the lines from his forehead.) Look at all those, there. We’ll run away together for a holiday, when it’s all over. What are you doing this evening?

SIGSBY. You promised to speak at a Smoker to-night; the Bow and Bromley Buffaloes.

ANNYS. Oh, bother the Buffaloes. Take me out to dinner. I am free after seven.

(MRS. CHINN has entered—is arranging the table for tea. ANNYS goes to her.)

How are you, Mrs. Chinn?

MRS. CHINN. (She wipes her hand on her apron before taking ANNYS’S proffered hand.)

GEOFFREY. (To SIGSBY.) I can turn up there later in the evening. (He joins the others for a moment—talks with them.)

MRS. CHINN. (Now shaking hands.) Quite well, thank you, ma’am. (She has cast a keen, motherly glance at ANNYS.) I hope you’re taking care of yourself, ma’am.

ANNYS. Of course I am. We Politicians owe it to our Party. (Laughs.) How are they getting on here, without me?

MRS. CHINN. 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?

GEOFFREY. Ah! yes! (To ANNYS.) You’ll have some tea?

ANNYS. Strong, please, Mrs. Chinn.

(MRS. CHINN goes out.)

(Laughs.) Yes, I know it’s bad for me. (She puts a hand over his mouth.)

PHOEBE. Old Mother Chinn is quite right, you know, Geoff. You’re not putting up a good fight.

GEOFFREY. (A slight irritability begins to show itself.) I frankly confess that I am not used to fighting women.

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.