SCENE:—_Russell Square_. _The morning-room_ (_on the ground floor_). _A
small_, _cheerful room_, _furnished in Chippendale_, _white panelled_,
_with Adams fireplace in which a bright fire is burning_. _Two deep
easy-chairs are before the fire_. _The window-curtains of red damask are
drawn_. _An oval table occupies the centre of the room_. _The door at
back opens upon the hall_. _Only one light burns_, _an electric lamp on
a table just above the fire_.
TIME:—_Midnight_.
(_The door opens_. GEOFFREY _enters_. _He has left his out-door things
in the hall_. _He crosses and rings the bell_. _A moment_.)
(HAKE _enters_.)
GEOFFREY. Oh, you, Hake! There wasn’t any need for you to have stopped.
HAKE. I was not sure of your arrangements. I thought perhaps I might be
wanted.
GEOFFREY. Sorry. I ought to have told you.
HAKE. It’s been no inconvenience, sir. I told Mrs. Hake not to sit up.
GEOFFREY. (_He is opening and reading his letters left for him on the
table_.) Does she generally sit up for you?
HAKE. As a rule, sir. We like a little chat before going to bed.
GEOFFREY. (_His eyes on a letter_.) What do you find to chat about?
HAKE. Oh, there is so much for a husband and wife to talk about. The—
As a rule.
(_A clock on the mantelpiece strikes one_.)
GEOFFREY. What’s that?
HAKE. Quarter past twelve, sir.
GEOFFREY. Has your mistress come in?
HAKE. Not yet, sir. Has the election gone all right, sir?
GEOFFREY. For Mrs. Chilvers, yes. She is now member for East Poplar.
HAKE. I am sorry. It has been a great surprise to me.
GEOFFREY. The result?
HAKE. The whole thing, sir. Such a sweet lady, we all thought her.
GEOFFREY. Life, Hake, is a surprising affair.
(_A ring is heard_.)