第4章 THE FIRST ACT(4)

"Tell them--tell them it is from no love of ourselves that we come from our sheltered homes into the street. It is to give, not to get--to mingle with the sterner judgments of men the deeper truths that God, through pain, has taught to women--to mingle with man's justice woman's pity, till there shall arise the perfect law--not made of man nor woman, but of both, each bringing what the other lacks." And they will listen to us. Till now it has seemed to them that we were clamouring only for selfish ends. They have not understood. We shall speak to them of common purposes, use the language of fellow-citizens. They will see that we are worthy of the place we claim. They will welcome us as helpers in a common cause. They -[She turns--the present comes back to her.]

LADY MOGTON [After a pause.] The business [she dwells severely on the word] before the meeting -ANNYS [She resents herself meekly. Apologising generally.] Imust learn to control myself.

LADY MOGTON [Who has waited.]--is McCaw versus Potts. Its bearing upon the movement for the extension of the franchise to women. My own view I venture to submit in the form of a resolution. [She takes up a paper on which she has been writing.] As follows: That the Council of the Woman's Parliamentary Franchise League, having regard to the decision of the House of Lords in McCaw v. Potts -ST. HERBERT [Looking over.] Two t's.

LADY MOGTON --resolves to bring forward a woman candidate to contest the next bye-election. [Suddenly to MRS. MOUNTCALM-VILLIERS, who is chattering.] Do you agree or disagree?

MRS. MOUNTCALM-VILLIERS My dear! How can you ask? Of course we all agree. [To Elizabeth.] You agree, don't you?

ELIZABETH Of course, even if elected, she would not be allowed to take her seat.

PHOEBE How do you know? Nothing more full of surprises than English law.

LADY MOGTON At the present stage I regard that point as immaterial. What I am thinking of is the advertisement. A female candidate upon the platform will concentrate the whole attention of the country on our movement.

ST. HERBERT It might even be prudent--until you have got the vote--to keep it dark that you will soon be proceeding to the next inevitable step.

ELIZABETH You think even man could be so easily deceived!

ST. HERBERT Man has had so much practice in being deceived. It comes naturally to him.

ELIZABETH Poor devil!

LADY MOGTON The only question remaining to be discussed is the candidate.

ANNYS Is there not danger that between now and the next bye-election the Government may, having regard to this case, bring in a bill to stop women candidates from going to the poll?

ST. HERBERT I have thought of that. Fortunately, the case seems to have attracted very little attention. If a bye-election occurred soon there would hardly be time.

LADY MOGTON It must be the very next one that does occur--wherever it is.

JANET I am sure that in the East End we should have a chance.

PHOEBE Great Scott! Just think. If we were to win it!

ST. HERBERT If you could get a straight fight against a Liberal Ibelieve you would.

ANNYS Why is the Government so unpopular?

ST. HERBERT Well, take the weather alone--twelve degrees of frost again last night.

JANET In St. George's Road the sewer has burst. The water is in the rooms where the children are sleeping. [She clenches her hands.]

MRS. MOUNTCALM-VILLIERS [She shakes her head.] Something ought really to be done.

LADY MOGTON Has anybody any suggestion to make?--as regards the candidate. There's no advantage in going outside. It will have to be one of ourselves.

MRS. MOUNTCALM-VILLIERS Won't you, dear?

LADY MOGTON I shall be better employed organising. My own feeling is that it ought to be Annys. [To ST. HERBERT.] What do you think?

ST. HERBERT Undoubtedly.

ANNYS I'd rather not.

LADY MOGTON It's not a question of liking. It's a question of duty. For this occasion we shall be appealing to the male voter.

Our candidate must be a woman popular with men. The choice is somewhat limited.

ELIZABETH No one will put up so good a fight as you.

ANNYS Will you give me till this evening?

LADY MOGTON What for?

ANNYS I should like to consult Geoffrey.

LADY MOGTON You think he would object?

ANNYS [A little doubtfully.] No. But we have always talked everything over together.

LADY MOGTON Absurd! He's one of our staunchest supporters. Of course he'll be delighted.

ELIZABETH I think the thing ought to be settled at once.

LADY MOGTON It must be. I have to return to Manchester to-night.

We shall have to get to work immediately.

ST. HERBERT Geoffrey will surely take it as a compliment.

JANET Don't you feel that woman, all over the world, is calling to you?

ANNYS It isn't that. I'm not trying to shirk it. I merely thought that if there had been time--of course, if you really think -LADY MOGTON You consent?

ANNYS Yes. If it's everybody's wish.

LADY MOGTON That's settled.

PHOEBE [She springs up, waving a handkerchief.] Chilvers for ever!

JANET [Rises.] God bless you!

MRS. MOUNTCALM-VILLIERS [Clapping her hands.] Now we shan't be long!

LADY MOGTON [Hammers.] Order, please!

[The three subside.]

This is serious business. The next step is, of course -[The door opens; GEOFFREY enters. He is a youngish-looking man of three or four and thirty. LADY MOGTON, at the sound of the door, turns. ST. HERBERT rises. There is a pause.]

LADY MOGTON We've been talking about you. We must apologise for turning your drawing-room -GEOFFREY My dear mother-in-law, it is Providence. [He kisses her.] There is no one I was more longing to see.

ANNYS [She has risen.] Hake told me you would be dining at the House.

GEOFFREY [He comes to her, kisses her, he is in a state of suppressed excitement.] I shall be. I came back to bring you some news.

PHOEBE We've got some news for you. Have you heard -GEOFFREY [He stays her.] May I claim man's privilege for the first word? It is news, I am sure, you will all be delighted to hear. A friend of yours has been appointed to an office where--it is quite possible--he may be of service to you.

PHOEBE Governorship of Holloway Gaol?