The Master of Mrs. Chilvers Part 19

PHOEBE Good heavens!

ST. HERBERT The brainy woman will think for herself. And then I foresee some lively breakfast tables.

PHOEBE Humph! No fear, I suppose, of a man taking his views from his wife and thinking them his own?

ST. HERBERT That may be the solution. The brainy woman will have to marry the manly man.

[GINGER enters.]

JAWBONES [He is on his knees blowing the fire. In a low growl.]

Shut the door!

GINGER Can't till I'm inside, can I? [Shuts it.] Where's Lady Mogton?

JAWBONES I don't know.

PHOEBE What do you want her for?

GINGER Only to tell her that I can't find Chilvers.

PHOEBE Isn't she here?

GINGER Not unless she's come while I've been out.

[JANET enters.]

JANET Oh, Lady Mogton -

PHOEBE [Interrupting her.] Isn't Annys here?

JANET No. [To GINGER.] Haven't you found her?

GINGER [Shakes her head.] Been everywhere I could think of.

PHOEBE [To herself.] She couldn't have gone home? Is there a telephone here?

JANET The room's locked up.

JAWBONES There's one at 118, High Street. Shall I go, miss?

PHOEBE No, thanks. I'll go myself. Oh, what about the band?

JANET Lady Mogton says she'd like it. If it isn't too tired.

GINGER It's at Sell's Coffee-'ouse in Piggott Street. I 'eard them practising.

PHOEBE Good. I shan't be more than a few minutes.

ST. HERBERT I'll come with you, if I may? I've got some news that may be of use to you.

PHOEBE Do. [To GINGER.] Stop here, I may want you.

[PHOEBE and ST. HERBERT go out.]

JANET How was Mrs. Chilvers seeming this afternoon?

GINGER Never 'eard 'er speak better, miss.

JANET Did you stop to the end?

GINGER Not quite. Mrs. Spender wanted some shopping done.

[JANET goes out.]

GINGER Can I 'elp yer?

JAWBONES Yer might hold the piper while I blow.

[The fire begins to burn.]

GINGER It's getting brighter.

JAWBONES That's caught it.

GINGER Wonderful what a little coaxing will do.

JAWBONES [He is still squatting on his heels, folding up the paper. He looks up.] Ain't yer ever thought of that, instead of worrying about the vote?

GINGER [She moves away.] You don't understand us wimmin.

JAWBONES [He has risen. He pauses in his folding of the paper.]

Don't say that.

GINGER Why should we coax yer--for our rights?

JAWBONES Because it's the easiest way of getting 'em.

GINGER [She has become oratorical.] Our appeal is not to man [with upraised hand] but to Justice!

JAWBONES Oh! And what does the lidy say?

GINGER [Descending.] 'Ow do yer mean?

JAWBONES To your appeal. Is she goin' to give 'em to yer ? You tike my tip: if yer in a 'urry, you get a bit on account--from Man. 'Ere. [He dives into his pocket, produces, wrapped up in tissue paper, a ring, which he exhibits to her.] That's a bit more in your line.

GINGER [Her eyes sparkle. She takes the ring in her hand. Then problems come to her.] Why do yer want me, William?

JAWBONES Because, in spite of all, I love yer.