Part 45

MRS. CHINN. Thank you, sir.

GEOFFREY. What about the children—are they going with him?

MRS. CHINN. No, sir; I thought he would be better without them till everything is settled.

GEOFFREY. Who is taking care of them—you?

MRS. CHINN. Yes, sir.

GEOFFREY. And the passage money—how much was that?

MRS. CHINN. Four pound fifteen.

GEOFFREY. Would you mind my coming in, as a friend?

MRS. CHINN. Well, if you don’t mind, I’d rather not. I’ve always done everything for the children myself. It’s been a fad of mine.

GEOFFREY. (He makes a gesture of despair.) You mothers! You’re so greedy. (He holds out his hand, smiling.) Goodbye.

MRS. CHINN. (She takes his hand in hers.) God bless you, sir. And your good lady.

GEOFFREY. (As he takes her to the door.) How will you get home?

MRS. CHINN. I can get the Underground from Gower Street, sir.

(They go out talking about last trains and leaving the door open. The next moment the front door is heard to slam.)

(GEOFFREY re-enters.)

(ANNYS has moved round, so that coming back into the room he finds her there.)

GEOFFREY. How long have you been in?

(He closes the door.)

ANNYS. Only a few minutes—while you were at the telephone. I had to rest for a little while. Dr. Whitby brought me back in his motor.

GEOFFREY. Was he down there?

ANNYS. Phoebe had sent for him. I had been taken a little giddy earlier in the day.

GEOFFREY. (He grunts. He is fighting with his tenderness.) Don’t wonder at it. All this overwork and excitement.

ANNYS. I’m afraid I’ve been hurting you.

GEOFFREY. (Still growling.) Both been hurting each other, I expect.

ANNYS. (She smiles.) It’s so easy to hurt those that love us.

(She makes a little movement, feebly stretches out her arms to him. Wondering, he comes across to her. She draws him down beside her, takes his arms and places them about her.) I want to feel that I belong to you. That you are strong. That I can rest upon you.

GEOFFREY. (He cannot understand.) But only an hour ago—(He looks at her.) Have you, too, turned traitor to the Woman’s Cause?

ANNYS. (She answers smiling.) No. But woman, dear, is a much more complicated person than I thought her. It is only in this hour that God has revealed her to me. (She draws him closer.) I want you, dear—dear husband. Take care of us—both, won’t you? I love you, I love you. I did not know how much.