Part 37

LADY MOGTON. You will fight Manchester?

ANNYS. Yes. (Laughs.) And make myself a public nuisance if I win.

LADY MOGTON. Well, must be content with that, I suppose. Better not come in; the room’s rather crowded. I’ll keep you informed how things are going.

(She goes out, followed by JANET.)

MRS. MOUNTCALM-VILLIERS. I’ll stay with you, dear.

PHOEBE. I want you to come and be photographed for the Daily Mirror. The man’s waiting downstairs.

ELIZABETH. I’ll stop with Annys.

MRS. MOUNTCALM-VILLIERS. I’m not quite sure, you know, that I take well by flashlight.

PHOEBE. You wait till you’ve seen mamma! We must have you. They want you for the centre of the page.

MRS. MOUNTCALM-VILLIERS. Well, if it’s really—

PHOEBE. (To the others.) Shall see you again. (She winks. Then to MRS. MOUNTCALM-VILLIERS.) We mustn’t keep them waiting. They are giving us a whole page.

(PHOEBE takes MRS. MOUNTCALM-VILLIERS out. ELIZABETH has followed to the door; she closes it. ANNYS has reseated herself, facing the fire.)

ELIZABETH. When did you see your husband last?

ANNYS. Not since—Tuesday, wasn’t it, that we went round to his rooms. Why?

ELIZABETH. I’m thinking about Manchester. What was it he said to you?

ANNYS. Oh, we were, both of us, a little over-excited, I suppose. He has—(she hesitates, finally answers)—he has always been so eager for children.

ELIZABETH. Yes. So many men are; not having to bear the pain and inconvenience themselves.

ANNYS. Oh, well, they have to provide for them when they do come. That’s fair enough division, I su— (Suddenly she turns fiercely.) Why do you talk like that? As if we women were cowards. Do you think if God sent me a child I should grudge Him the price!

ELIZABETH. Do you want Him to?

ANNYS. I don’t know; prayed Him to, once.

ELIZABETH. (She lays her hand upon her.) It isn’t a few more mothers that the world has need of. It is the women whom God has appointed—to whom He has given freedom, that they may champion the cause of the mothers, helpless by reason of their motherhood.

(A moment. GEOFFREY enters.)

GEOFFREY. Good evening.

ANNYS. (Rises; a smile struggles for possession. But he only shakes hands, and it dies away.)

ELIZABETH. Good evening.

(They shake hands.)

GEOFFREY. You are not interested in the counting?

ANNYS. The room is rather crowded. Mamma thought I would be better out here. How have you been?