Part 40

GEOFFREY. I bring in my Bill on Monday. We’ll be quite frank about it. That is my price—you. I want you!

ANNYS. You mean it comes to that: a whole cause dependent on a man and a woman!

GEOFFREY. Yes, that is how the world is built. On each man and woman. “How does it shape my life, my hopes?” So will each make answer.

(LADY MOGTON enters. She stands silent.)

ELIZABETH. Is it over?

LADY MOGTON. Annys Chilvers, 3,604—Geoffrey Chilvers, 3,590.

(JANET enters.)

JANET. (She rushes to ANNYS, embraces her.) You’ve won, you’ve won! (She flies to the window, opens it, and goes out on to the balcony.)

(PHOEBE enters, followed by MRS. MOUNTCALM-VILLIERS.)

PHOEBE. Is it true?

LADY MOGTON. Pretty close. Majority of 14.

MRS. MOUNTCALM-VILLIERS. For us?

LADY MOGTON. For us.

(JANET by this time has announced the figures. There is heard a great burst of cheering, renewed again and again.)

JANET. (Re-entering.) They want you! They want you!

(Mingled with the cheering come cries of “Speech! Speech!”)

LADY MOGTON. You must say something.

(The band strikes up “The Conquering Hero.” The women crowd round ANNYS, congratulating her. GEOFFREY stands apart.)

PHOEBE. (Screaming above the din.) Put on your cloak.

JANET. (Rushes and gets it.)

(They wrap it round her.)

(ANNYS goes out on to the balcony, followed by the other women. ELIZABETH, going last, fires a parting smile of triumph at GEOFFREY.)

(A renewed burst of cheering announces their arrival on the balcony. The crowd bursts into “For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow”—the band, making a quick change, joins in. GEOFFREY remains centre.)

(JAWBONES enters unobserved. The singing ends with three cheers. ANNYS is speaking. GEOFFREY turns and sees JAWBONES.)

GEOFFREY. (With a smile.) Give me down my coat, will you?

JAWBONES. (He is sympathetic. He helps him on with it.) Shall I get you a cab, sir?

GEOFFREY. No, thanks. I’ll pick one up. (He goes towards the door, then stops.) Is there any other way out—not through the main entrance?

JAWBONES. Yes, sir. There’s a side door opening on Woodstock Road. I’ll show it you.