Arthur

Ah, here is Ronny.

Ronny

Am I too late for my cup of coffee?

Violet

No, it will be brought to you at once.

Ronny

[Shaking hands with Violet.] Good morning.

Violet

This is Mr. Parry. Mr. and Mrs. Appleby.

Ronny

How d'you do?

Arthur

Now, Ronny, don't put on your Foreign Office manner. Mr. and Mrs. Appleby are very nice people.

Mrs. Appleby

I'm glad you think that, Sir Arthur.

Arthur

Well, when you left your cards with a soup ticket from the F.O. my heart sank.

Appleby

There, my dear, I told you he wouldn't want to be bothered with us.

Arthur

You see, I expected a pompous couple who knew all about everything and were going to tell me exactly how Egypt ought to be governed. A Member of Parliament doesn't inspire confidence in the worried bosom of a Government official.

Violet

I don't know if you think you're putting Mr. and Mrs. Appleby at their ease, Arthur.

Arthur

Oh, but I shouldn't say this if I hadn't been most agreeably disappointed.

Mrs. Appleby

I never forget the days when Mr. Appleby used to light the kitchen fire himself and I used to do the week's washing every Monday morning. I don't think we've changed much since then, either of us.

Arthur

I know, and I'm really grateful to the Foreign Office for having given you your letter.

Mrs. Appleby

It's been a great treat to us to come and see you. And it's done my heart good to see Lady Little. If you don't mind my saying so she's like a spring morning and it makes one glad to be alive just to look at her.

Violet

Oh, don't!

Arthur

I'm inclined to feel very kindly to everyone who feels kindly towards her. You must enjoy yourselves in Upper Egypt and when you come back to Cairo you must let us know.

Appleby

I'm expecting to learn a good deal from my journey.

Arthur

You may learn a good deal that will surprise you. You may learn that there are races in the world that seem born to rule and races that seem born to serve; that democracy is not a panacea for all the ills of mankind, but merely one system of government like another, which hasn't had a long enough trial to make it certain whether it is desirable or not; that freedom generally means the power of the strong to oppress the weak, and that the wise statesman gives men the illusion of it but not the substance – in short, a number of things which must be very disturbing to the equilibrium of a Radical Member of Parliament.

Anne

On the other hand, you'll see our beautiful Nile and the temples.

Arthur

And perhaps they'll suggest to you that however old the world is it's ever young, and that when all's said and done the most permanent on the face of the earth is what seems the most transitory – the ideal.

Appleby

Fanny, it looks to me as though we'd bitten off as big a piece of cake as we can chew with any comfort.

Mrs. Appleby

Oh, well, we'll do our best. And though I never could do arithmetic I've always thought perhaps one might be saved without. Good-bye, Lady Little, and thank you for having us.

Violet

Good-bye.

[There are general farewells and they go to the door. Ronny opens it for them. They go out.]

Ronny

I forgot to tell you, sir, Mrs. Pritchard has just telephoned to ask if she can see you on a matter of business.

Arthur

[With a grim smile.] Say I'm very busy to-day, and I regret exceedingly that it will be quite impossible for me to see her.

Ronny

[With a twinkle in his eye.] She said she was coming round at once.

Arthur

If she's made up her mind to see me at all costs she might have saved herself the trouble of ringing up to find out if it was convenient.

Anne

Your sister is a determined creature, Arthur.

Arthur

I know. I have some authority in the affairs of this country, but none over dear Christina. I wonder what she wants.

Violet

Let us hope for the best.

Arthur

I've noticed that whenever anyone wants to see me very urgently it's never to give me anything. When Christina wants to see me urgently my only safety is in instant flight.

Violet

You must be nice to her, Arthur. If you're not she'll only take it out of me.

Arthur

It's monstrous, isn't it?

Violet

After all, she kept house for you for ten years. Admirably, mind you.

Arthur

Admirably. She has a genius for order and organisation in the house. Everything went like clockwork. She never wasted a farthing. She saved me hundreds of pounds. She led me a dog's life. I've come to the conclusion there's nothing so detestable as a good housekeeper.

Violet

How fortunate you married me, then! But you can't expect her to see that point of view. It's very hard for her to be turned out of this very pleasant billet, and it's natural that when you won't do something she asks you she should put it down to my influence.

Anne

It must have been a very difficult position for you.

Violet

I did all I could to make her like me. I did feel rather like a usurper, you know. I tried to make her see that I didn't at all want to put on airs.

Arthur

Fortunately she's taken it very well. I confess I was a little nervous when she told me she meant to stay on in Egypt to be near her son.

Anne

It would be a detestable person who didn't like Violet, I think.

Arthur

Detestable. I should have no hesitation in having him deported.

Ronny

I think I'd better be getting back to my work.

Anne

Oh, Ronny, would you like me to come and help you with your packing?

Violet

[To Ronny.] Are you going somewhere?

Ronny

I'm leaving Cairo.

Anne

Didn't you know? Ronny has just been appointed to Paris.

Violet

Is he going to leave Egypt for good?

[She is taken aback by the news. She clenches her hand on the rail of a chair; Arthur and Anne notice the little, instinctive motion.]

Ronny

I suppose so.

Violet

But why was it kept from me? Why have you been making a secret of it?

Arthur

Darling, no one's been making a secret of it. I – I thought Anne would have told you.

Violet

Oh, it doesn't matter at all, but Ronny has been in the habit of doing all sorts of things for me. It would have been convenient if I'd been told that a change was going to be made.

Arthur

I'm very sorry. It was only arranged this morning. I received a telegram from the Foreign Office. I thought it would interest Anne, so I sent Ronny along to tell her.

Violet

I hate to be treated like a child.

[There is a moment's embarrassment.]

Anne

It was stupid of me. I ought to have come and told you. I was so pleased and excited that I forgot.

Violet

I don't quite know why you should have been so excited.

Anne

It will be very nice for me to have Ronny so near. You see, now I've given up my flat I shan't come to Egypt very often and I should never have seen Ronny. I can run over to Paris constantly. Besides, it's a step, isn't it? And I want to see him an Ambassador before I die.

Violet

I don't see what good it will do him in Paris to speak Arabic like a native.

Arthur

Oh, well, that is the F.O. all over. The best Persian scholar in the Service has spent the last six years in Washington.

Ronny

It's been a great surprise for me. I expected to remain in Egypt indefinitely.

Violet

[Recovering herself.] I expect you'll have a very good time in Paris. When do you go?

Ronny

There's a boat the day after to-morrow. Sir Arthur thought I'd better take that.

Violet

[Scarcely mistress of herself.] As soon as that! [Recovering, gaily.] We shall miss you dreadfully. I can't imagine what I shall do without you. [To Anne.] You can't think how useful he's been to me since I came here.

Ronny

It's very kind of you to say so.

Violet

He's invaluable at functions and things like that. You see, he knows where everyone should sit at dinner. And at first he used to coach me with details about various people so that I shouldn't say the wrong thing.

Arthur

If you had you'd have said it so charmingly that no one would have resented it.

Violet

I'm so afraid that the man who takes Ronny's place will refuse to write my invitations for me.

Arthur

It's not exactly the duty of my secretaries.

Violet

No, but I do hate doing it myself. And Ronny was able to imitate my handwriting.

Arthur

I'm sure he could never write as badly as you.

Violet

Oh, yes, he could. Couldn't you?

Ronny

I managed to write quite enough like you for people not to notice the difference.

Violet

You know, there are thirty-two invitations to do now.

Anne

Why don't you send cards?

Violet

Oh, I think a letter is so much more polite. Somehow I don't feel old enough to ask people to dine with me in the third person.

Ronny

I'll come and do them the moment Sir Arthur can let me go.

Arthur

You'd better do them before Violet goes out.

Violet

That'll be very soon. The Khedive's mother has asked me to go and see her at half-past three. I'll get the list now, shall I? I don't think I'll wait for Christina. If she wants to see you on business I dare say she'd rather I wasn't there.

Arthur

Very well.

Violet

[To Ronny.] Will you come here when you're ready?

Ronny

Certainly.

[She goes out.]

Arthur

Have you finished that report yet?

Ronny

Not quite, sir. It will be ready in ten minutes.

Arthur

Put it on my desk.

Ronny

All right, sir.

[Exit. Arthur and Anne are left alone. He looks at her reflectively.]

Arthur

Violet is very sensitive to anything that might be considered a slight.

Anne

It's very natural, isn't it? A high-spirited girl.

Arthur

She likes me to tell her my arrangements. It gives her a little feeling of importance to know things before other people.

Anne

Oh, of course. I quite understand. I should do the same in her place.

Arthur

I ought to have remembered and told her that Ronny was going. She was just a little vexed because she thought I'd been fixing things up behind her back.

Anne

Yes, I know. It would naturally put her out for a moment to learn on a sudden that one of the persons she'd been thrown in contact with was going away.

Arthur

[With a twinkle in his eye.] I'm wondering if I must blame you for the loss of an excellent secretary.

Anne

Me?

Arthur

I don't know why the F.O. should suddenly have made up their minds that your brother was wanted in Paris. Have you been pulling strings?

Anne

[Smiling.] What a suspicious nature you have!

Arthur

Anne, own up.

Anne

I thought Ronny was getting into a groove here. There didn't seem to be much more for him to do than he has been doing for some time. If you will have the truth, I've been moving heaven and earth to get him moved.

Arthur

How deceitful of you not to have said a word about it!

Anne

I didn't want to make him restless. I knew he'd be mad to go to Paris. I thought it much better not to say anything till it was settled.

Arthur

D'you think he's mad to go to Paris?

Anne

[Fencing with him.] Any young man would be.

Arthur

I wonder if he'd be very much disappointed if I made other arrangements.

Anne

What do you mean, Arthur? You wouldn't prevent him from going when I've done everything in the world to get him away.

Arthur

[Abruptly.] Why should you be so anxious for him to go?

[She looks at him for an instant in dismay.]

Anne

Good heavens, don't speak so sharply to me. I told Violet just now. I wanted him to be more get-at-able. I think he stands a much better chance of being noticed if he's in a place like Paris.

Arthur

[With a smile.] Ah, yes, you said you were coming less frequently to Egypt than in the past. It might be worth while to keep Ronny here in order to tempt you back.

Anne

Egypt isn't the same to me that it was.

Arthur

I hope my marriage has made no difference to our friendship, Anne. You know how deeply I value it.

Anne

You used to come and see me very often. You knew I was discreet and you used to talk over with me all sorts of matters which occupied you. I was pleased and flattered. Of course I realised that those pleasant conversations of ours must stop when you married. I only came here this winter to collect my goods and chattels.

Arthur

You make me feel vaguely guilty towards you.

Anne

Of course you're nothing of the sort. But I don't want Violet to feel that I am making any attempt to – to monopolise you. She's been charming to me. The more I know her the more delightful I find her.

Arthur

It's very nice of you to say so.

Anne

You know I've always had a great admiration for you. I'm so glad to see you married to a girl who's not unworthy of you.

Arthur

I suppose it was a dangerous experiment for a man of my age to marry a girl of nineteen.

Anne

I think one can admit that. But you've always been one of the favourites of the gods. You've made a wonderful success of it.

Arthur

It needs on a husband's part infinite tact, patience, and tolerance.

Anne

You have the great advantage that Violet is genuinely in love with you.

Arthur

I suppose only a fatuous ass would confess that a beautiful girl was in love with him.

Anne

You make her very happy.

Arthur

There's nothing I wouldn't do to achieve that. I'm more desperately in love with Violet even than when I first married her.

Anne

I'm so glad. I want nothing but your happiness.

Arthur

Here is Christina.

[The door opens as he says these words and an English Butler ushers in Mrs. Pritchard. She is a tall, spare woman, with hair turning grey, comely, upright in her carriage, with decision of character indicated by every gesture; but though masterful and firm to attain her ends, she is an honest woman, direct, truthful and not without humour. She is admirably gowned in a manner befitting her station and importance.]

Butler

Mrs. Pritchard.

[Exit.]

Arthur

I knew it was you, Christina. I felt a sense of responsibility descend upon the house.

Christina

[Kissing him.] How is Violet?

Arthur

Lovely.

Christina

I was inquiring about her health.

Arthur

Her health is perfect.

Christina

At her age one's always well, I suppose. [Kissing Anne.] How d'you do? And how are you, my poor Arthur?

Arthur

You ask me as though I was a doddering old gentleman, crippled with rheumatism. I'm in the best of health, thank you very much, and very active for my years. [Christina has seen a flower on the table that has fallen from a bowl, and picks it up and puts it back in its place.] Why do you do that?

Christina

I don't like untidiness.

Arthur

I do.

[He takes the flower out again and places it on the table.]

Christina

I was expecting to find you in your office.

Arthur

Do you think I'm neglecting my work? I thought it more becoming to wait for you here.

Christina

I wanted to see you on a matter of business.

Arthur

So I understood from your message. I feel convinced you're going to put me in the way of making my fortune.

Anne

I'll leave you, shall I?

Christina

Oh, no, pray don't. There's not the least reason why you shouldn't hear what it's all about.

Arthur

You're not going to make my fortune after all. You're going to ask me to do something.

Christina

What makes you think that?

Arthur

You want a third person present to be witness to my brutal selfishness when I refuse. I know you, Christina.

Christina

[Smiling.] You're much too sensible to refuse a perfectly reasonable request.

Arthur

Let us hear it. [She sits down on the sofa. The cushions have been disordered by people sitting on them and she shakes them out, and pats them and arranges them in their place.] I wish you'd leave the furniture alone, Christina.

Christina

I cannot make out what pleasure people take in seeing things out of their proper place.

Arthur

You're very long in coming to the point.

Christina

I hear that the Khedive has quarrelled with his secretary.

Arthur

You're a marvellous woman, Christina. You get hold of all the harem gossip.

Christina

It's true, isn't it?

Arthur

Yes. But I only heard of it myself just before luncheon. How did it come to your ears?

Christina

That doesn't matter, does it? I have a way of hearing things that may be of interest to me.

Arthur

I'm afraid I'm very dense, but I don't see how it can be of any particular interest to you.

Christina

[Smiling.] Dear Arthur. The Khedive has asked you to recommend him an English secretary.

Anne

Has he really? That's a change. He's never had an English secretary before.

Arthur

Never.

Anne

It's a wonderful opportunity.

Arthur

If we get the right man he can be of the greatest possible help. If he's tactful, wise, and courteous, there's no reason why in time he shouldn't attain very considerable influence over the Khedive. If we can really get the Khedive to work honestly and sincerely with us, instead of hampering us by all kinds of secret devices, we can do miracles in this country.

Anne

What a splendid chance for the man who gets the job!

Arthur

I suppose it is. If he has the right qualities he may achieve anything. And after all, it's a splendid chance to be able to render such great service to our own old country.

Christina

Has the Khedive given any particulars about the sort of man he wants?

Arthur

He naturally wants a young man and a good sportsman. It's important that he should be able to speak Arabic. But the qualifications which will satisfy the Khedive are nothing beside those which will satisfy me. The wrong man may cause irreparable damage to British interests.