Part 41

GEOFFREY. Thanks. (He follows JAWBONES out.)

(A burst of cheering comes from the crowd.)

CURTAIN.

THE FOURTH ACT

SCENE:—Russell Square. The morning-room (on the ground floor). A small, cheerful room, furnished in Chippendale, white panelled, with Adams fireplace in which a bright fire is burning. Two deep easy-chairs are before the fire. The window-curtains of red damask are drawn. An oval table occupies the centre of the room. The door at back opens upon the hall. Only one light burns, an electric lamp on a table just above the fire.

TIME:—Midnight.

(The door opens. GEOFFREY enters. He has left his out-door things in the hall. He crosses and rings the bell. A moment.)

(HAKE enters.)

GEOFFREY. Oh, you, Hake! There wasn’t any need for you to have stopped.

HAKE. I was not sure of your arrangements. I thought perhaps I might be wanted.

GEOFFREY. Sorry. I ought to have told you.

HAKE. It’s been no inconvenience, sir. I told Mrs. Hake not to sit up.

GEOFFREY. (He is opening and reading his letters left for him on the table.) Does she generally sit up for you?

HAKE. As a rule, sir. We like a little chat before going to bed.

GEOFFREY. (His eyes on a letter.) What do you find to chat about?

HAKE. Oh, there is so much for a husband and wife to talk about. The— As a rule.

(A clock on the mantelpiece strikes one.)

GEOFFREY. What’s that?

HAKE. Quarter past twelve, sir.

GEOFFREY. Has your mistress come in?

HAKE. Not yet, sir. Has the election gone all right, sir?

GEOFFREY. For Mrs. Chilvers, yes. She is now member for East Poplar.

HAKE. I am sorry. It has been a great surprise to me.

GEOFFREY. The result?

HAKE. The whole thing, sir. Such a sweet lady, we all thought her.

GEOFFREY. Life, Hake, is a surprising affair.

(A ring is heard.)

I expect that’s she. She has forgotten her key.