The Cabinet Minister Part 19

[Bowing.] Everything.

DOWAGER.

I have a motive for asking. I and my family accompany Sir Julian and Lady Twombley to lend weight and support.

MR. MELTON.

[To SIR JULIAN.] You leave here at twelve, reaching the new street at half-past. You speak from the cl.u.s.ter of lamps by St. Jude's Church.

DOWAGER.

Your speech will be terse, elegant, and vigorous, I hope, Julian?

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

I hope so. Have you written it, Melton? [MELTON hands him the sheets of paper.] Thank you. The usual thing, I suppose?

MR. MELTON.

Quite, quite.

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

Thank you. There's nothing like the usual thing. [Referring to the speech.] "By opening up these majestic avenues London takes beer----"

MR. MELTON.

Air.

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

I beg your pardon. "----takes air into her system and keeps her place in the race with her sister cities." Excellent.

DOWAGER.

Who will throw the bottle?

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

No one, I hope.

MR. MELTON.

You are thinking of the christening of a ship, Lady Drumdurris.

DOWAGER.

Pardon me.

MR. MELTON.

I have to see Superintendent Snudden now as to the police arrangements.

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

Dear me! You antic.i.p.ate no pellets?

MR. MELTON.

Hardly.

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

It's so unfortunate it isn't a wet day.

DOWAGER.

Julian!

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

An umbrella is such a safeguard.

MR. MELTON.

I'll see that the carriage closes easily.

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

Thank you. And Lady Twombley might take an extra sunshade.

[MELTON goes out. The DOWAGER closes the door carefully after him.]

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

[Reading.] "I can conceive no position more agreeable to a Minister of the Crown than that which----"

DOWAGER.

Julian!

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

Dora?

DOWAGER.

You wonder why I am with you at this early hour. I need hardly say I have a motive.