I see.
[She desires to catch the eye of MAGGIE, but it is carefully turned
from her.]
VENABLES. Mrs. Shand, let us have him in at once.
COMTESSE. Yes, yes, indeed.
[MAGGIE's anxiety returns, but she has to call JOHN in.]
JOHN [impressed]. Mr. Venables! This is an honour.
VENABLES. How are you, Shand?
JOHN. Sit down, sit down. [Becoming himself again.] I can guess what
you have come about.
VENABLES. Ah, you Scotsmen.
JOHN. Of course I know I'm harassing the Government a good deal--
VENABLES [blandly]. Not at all, Shand. The Government are very
pleased.
JOHN. You don't expect me to believe that?
VENABLES. I called here to give you the proof of it. You may know
that we are to have a big meeting at Leeds on the 24th, when two
Ministers are to speak. There is room for a third speaker, and I am
authorised to offer that place to you.
JOHN. To me!
VENABLES. Yes.
JOHN [swelling]. It would be--the Government taking me up.
VENABLES. Don't make too much of it; it would be an acknowledgment
that they look upon you as one of their likely young men.
MAGGIE. John!
JOHN [not found wanting in a trying hour]. It's a bribe. You are
offering me this on condition that I don't make my speech. How can
you think so meanly of me as to believe that I would play the women's
cause false for the sake of my own advancement. I refuse your bribe.
Pages:
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74