Part 23

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.)