GEOFFREY. —elderly, motherly woman who has brought up a dozen children
of her own—who knows the world, being of some real use.
ANNYS. If it comes to that, there must be—I don’t say more “capable,”
but more experienced, more fatherly men than yourself.
(_He turns_, _they look at one another_. _His tone almost touched
contempt—hers was veiled anger_.)
GEOFFREY. _That’s_ the danger. It may come to a real fight.
ANNYS. (_Upon her also the fear has fallen_.) It must not. (_She
flings her arms around him_.) We must show the world that man and woman
can meet—contend in public life without anger, without scorn.
GEOFFREY. (_He folds her to him_.) The very words sound ugly, don’t
they?
ANNYS. It would be hideous. (_She draws away_.) How long will the
election last?
GEOFFREY. Not long. The writ will be issued on Wednesday. Nomination
on Monday—polling, I expect, on Saturday. Puts me in mind—I must prepare
my election address.
ANNYS. I ought to be getting on with mine, too, I suppose.
GEOFFREY. It ought to be out by to-morrow.
ANNYS. (_With inspiration_.) We’ll do yours first. (_She wonders why
he hesitates_.)
GEOFFREY. “We?” Shan’t I have to do it alone—this time?
ANNYS. Alone! Nonsense! How can you?
GEOFFREY. I’m afraid I shall have to try.
ANNYS. Um! I suppose you’re right. What a nuisance! (_She turns
away_.) I shan’t like it.
GEOFFREY. (_He moves towards the folding-doors_.) No. It won’t be
quite the same thing. Goodbye.
ANNYS. (_She crosses to her desk by the window_. _Not the same instant
but the next his_ “_Goodbye_” _strikes her_. _She turns_.) You’re not
going out, are you?
GEOFFREY. (_He stops and turns—puzzled at her question_.) No. Only
into my study.
ANNYS. You said “Goodbye.”
GEOFFREY. (_Not remembering_.) _I_ did! Must have been thinking of
something else. I shall be in here if you want me. (_He goes into the
other room_.)
ANNYS. (_She has crossed to her desk_. _She is humming_. _She seats
herself_, _takes paper and pen_, _writes_. _Without turning—still
writing—she raises her voice_.) Geoffrey! How do you spell
“experimental”? One “r” or two?
(_There is no answer_. _Puzzled at the silence_, _she looks round_.
_The great folding-doors are closed_. _She stares in front of her_,
_thinking_, _then turns again to her work_.)