Part 6

My dear fellow, you don’t suppose I stole it, do you? That’s where the born financier comes in. He makes money as a conjurer makes a white rabbit appear out of a silk handkerchief.

JAMES FORD.

[_Drily._] A very satisfactory explanation.

[_For an instant, hardly perceptible to the others, the eyes of_ GEORGE WINTER _and_ JAMES FORD _meet_.

GEORGE WINTER.

But that’s hardly the point, is it?

[_During the rest of the scene_ JAMES FORD _is thinking the matter over. His eyes rest on_ GEORGE WINTER _as if he were trying to guess something_.

BOYCE.

Something must be done at once.

GEORGE WINTER.

Have the Tories got hold of it?

BOYCE.

They’re printing the article on posters.

GEORGE WINTER.

Nuisance, isn’t it?

[_He pauses to reflect for a moment._ MR. SWALECLIFFE _breaks in upon his thoughts_.

SWALECLIFFE.

Is there any truth at all in that article, Mr. Winter?

GEORGE WINTER.

Not a word.

SWALECLIFFE.

It puts me in a very awkward position.

GEORGE WINTER.

What’s the matter with you?

SWALECLIFFE.

I thought the shares would go to a premium before they were issued.

GEORGE WINTER.

[_Smiling._] Like the San José tramways, eh?

SWALECLIFFE.

Mr. Ford says this will--bust the issue.

GEORGE WINTER.

Nice of him.... Been having a little gamble, have you?

SWALECLIFFE.

If it was a certainty I didn’t see there could be any harm in it.

GEORGE WINTER.

[_With a chuckle._] Like playing with loaded dice? How many shares have you applied for?

SWALECLIFFE.

Five hundred.

GEORGE WINTER.

Sporting of you.

SWALECLIFFE.

I didn’t mean to take them up, you understand. I haven’t got more than five hundred pounds in the world. I thought they were bound to go up half a crown and....

GEORGE WINTER.

Five hundred half crowns are quite worth having, aren’t they?

SWALECLIFFE.

It’s been a lesson to me. I’ll never do anything like it again. I shan’t have the chance. If I have to pay for the shares....

GEORGE WINTER.

Get my cheque book, Teddie.

O’DONNELL.

Yes, sir.

SWALECLIFFE.

What are you going to do?

GEORGE WINTER.

I don’t want anyone to come into this concern who doesn’t believe in it. Make out a cheque for five hundred pounds to Mr. Swalecliffe.

[O’DONNELL _writes out a cheque during the next speeches_.

SWALECLIFFE.

That’s very generous of you.

GEORGE WINTER.

Generous? Not a bit of it. You don’t think I mind having five hundred shares more, do you?

SWALECLIFFE.

D’you think they’re worth it?

GEORGE WINTER.

They’ll be worth ten pounds a piece in six months, or I’m a Dutchman.

[O’DONNELL _hands him the cheque-book and a pen_. GEORGE WINTER _signs his name and tears out a cheque_.

JAMES FORD.

[_While he is doing this._] That looks as if you had confidence in the mine.

GEORGE WINTER.

[_Handing the cheque to_ SWALECLIFFE.] Here you are. [_To_ JAMES FORD.] D’you want me to buy your shares off you?

JAMES FORD.

[_With a quiet smile._] Not just yet, thank you.

SWALECLIFFE.

But what’s the meaning of the article, then?

GEORGE WINTER.

Why, it’s as plain as a pikestaff. The Lewishams were willing to give their eyes for the mine, but I was too much for them. Now they’re crabbing it. That’s all.

[_He says this with great assurance, as if it thoroughly explained the whole thing._

SWALECLIFFE.

But then....

GEORGE WINTER.

Pay that into your bank and hand over the certificate to me when you get it.

SWALECLIFFE.

D’you think they’ll go to a premium?

GEORGE WINTER.

I’ve no doubt of it. I dare say the five hundred half-crowns will be just as useful to me as to you. But I shall hold on. I want a bigger profit than that.

SWALECLIFFE.

But if they’re good enough for you, they’re good enough for me.

GEORGE WINTER.

No, you’ve taken my cheque now. It’s too late.

SWALECLIFFE.

There’s your cheque. You can have it back again. I’m going to keep the shares.

GEORGE WINTER.

[_Good-humouredly._] Well, I don’t mind. It won’t make much difference to me. But don’t sell them, whatever you read in the papers. What’s a profit of half a crown? Wait till you’ve got a profit of five pounds, and then you can think of selling them.

SWALECLIFFE.

[_With a gasp._] Five pounds? That would be two thousand five hundred.

GEORGE WINTER.

[_Turning to_ COLONEL BOYCE.] Wait a minute. Get on to Bishop and Jones.

BOYCE.

The printers?

GEORGE WINTER.

We must answer this article. I’ve just been thinking what we’d better say.

[_He sits down and begins to write, while_ COLONEL BOYCE _goes to the telephone_.

BOYCE.

What’s their number, d’you know?

JAMES FORD.

703, I think.

BOYCE.

Is that the Exchange? Give me 703, will you? That is Bishop and Jones, the printers, isn’t it?

GEORGE WINTER.

I’m going to make it hot and strong.

O’DONNELL.

Isn’t there anything I can do?

BOYCE.

Are you Bishop and Jones?

GEORGE WINTER.

Tell them to have everything ready to print off a couple of thousand posters at once. You’re just coming round in the car.

BOYCE.

Hulloa? Will you get everything ready to print off a couple of thousand posters at once. I’m just coming round. Colonel Boyce. Yes. That’s it.

GEORGE WINTER.

[_Speaking through_ COLONEL BOYCE’S _instructions to the printers_.] What d’you think of this, Ford?

JAMES FORD.

Let’s have a look.

GEORGE WINTER.

You see we’ve got the advantage that they have to print a whole article. And we only need a couple of sentences.

JAMES FORD.

Yes, that seems all right.

ETCHINGHAM.

Couldn’t be better.

GEORGE WINTER.

Make a copy of it, Teddie. Hurry up.

BOYCE.

We haven’t got any time to lose.

GEORGE WINTER.

The car’s at the door.

O’DONNELL.

I shan’t be a minute.

GEORGE WINTER.

You can get hold of the bill-posters, can’t you?

BOYCE.

Oh, yes, there’ll be no bother about that.

O’DONNELL.

Here you are. That’s done.

GEORGE WINTER.

Take it, Boyce. And hurry up.

BOYCE.

[_Taking a copy of the reply._] Trust me.

[_He goes out._

GEORGE WINTER.

[_Handing_ O’DONNELL _a second copy_.] Teddie, jump into a cab and go round to the newspaper offices. And tell them to put that in their next edition. Biggest type they’ve got. Then go to the Committee Rooms and wait. I’ll ring you up there or come round.

O’DONNELL.

All right.

GEORGE WINTER.

And hustle, or I’ll sack you.

[_He goes out, and as he does so_ BENNETT _comes in_.

JAMES FORD.

You’re taking it better than I expected.

GEORGE WINTER.

What do you expect me to do; bang my head on the floor and tear out my hair? Can’t afford it. Takes me all my time to keep my hair on.

ETCHINGHAM.

Here’s Bennett.

GEORGE WINTER.

Well?

BENNETT.

Nothing much has happened. They’re a bit excited in the City.

JAMES FORD.

No bad drop in anything?

BENNETT.

Nothing to speak of.

JAMES FORD.

That’s a relief.

GEORGE WINTER.

Everything is sound. No one would be such a fool as to do a bear.

BENNETT.

I’m getting on to MacLaren and Hewitt.

GEORGE WINTER.

That’s all right. I wanted them.

JAMES FORD.

Are they brokers?

GEORGE WINTER.

Yes. Look here, Ford. I’m due to speak in the Cattle Market now. I wish you’d go down and keep them going till I turn up. I shall only be ten minutes. You’ve got the line all right, Fred?

BENNETT.

Yes.

JAMES FORD.

Well, I don’t mind if I do that. There’s nothing I can do here, is there?

GEORGE WINTER.

No, leave it all to me. Your interests are my interests.

JAMES FORD.

I’ll make tracks.

GEORGE WINTER.

That’s good.

[JAMES FORD _goes out_.

BENNETT.

Governor, I thought I’d better not say too much while he was there.

GEORGE WINTER.

I saw something was up. That’s why I got rid of him.

BENNETT.

Things are rotten.

ETCHINGHAM.

Good Lord.

BENNETT.

The Lewishams are going for us.

GEORGE WINTER.

I thought they would as soon as I saw the article.

BENNETT.

Who’s given it away, d’you think?

GEORGE WINTER.

How do I know? That doesn’t matter. The only thing is to face it.

ETCHINGHAM.

D’you mean our shares are falling, Mr. Bennett?

BENNETT.

There’s a lot of selling.

GEORGE WINTER.

I wish we could corner them. I’d like to give the bears a lesson.

BENNETT.

If it goes on there’ll be a panic.

GEORGE WINTER.

You’ve told the brokers to do all they can to prevent its going too far?

BENNETT.

I’ve told them to buy, but carefully.

GEORGE WINTER.

You must go up to London, Fred. There’s no one there with a head on his shoulders.

BENNETT.

I thought that was the best thing myself. I’ve looked out the trains. I can just catch the express. I shall be there soon after one.

GEORGE WINTER.

Then bolt at once. I give you a free hand.

BENNETT.

If the slump can be stopped, I’ll stop it.

GEORGE WINTER.

It’s not a matter of can. It must be stopped. And wire reassuring messages. We must hang on to the telephone for all we’re worth.

BENNETT.

Good-bye.

GEORGE WINTER.

And come back when the House closes. We must talk over things.

BENNETT.

All right. Good luck.

[_He goes out._

ETCHINGHAM.

Is it all up with us, George?

GEORGE WINTER.

What the dickens are you talking about?

ETCHINGHAM.

They’ve found out the truth. It’s there in black and white that the wretched mine’s worthless.

GEORGE WINTER.

They can’t prove anything.

ETCHINGHAM.

Ever since I knew I’ve scarcely closed my eyes at night. I wish I’d shot myself when you first told me.

GEORGE WINTER.

My dear fellow, you’re much more comfortable here than you would be at Kensal Green.

ETCHINGHAM.

And the worst of it is.... [_He breaks off._] At first I was overcome with the horror of it. But little by little I’ve got used to it, used to your being a thief and a swindler.

GEORGE WINTER.

[_With a chuckle._] You put things rather bluntly, don’t you?

ETCHINGHAM.

And Bennett was a convict. It all seems quite natural now. And I can talk and laugh with you. And I eat by your side every day.

GEORGE WINTER.

One can’t make a fortune without taking risks.

ETCHINGHAM.

There are always those missing bonds. They’re in my thoughts day and night.

GEORGE WINTER.

No one can make inquiries for three weeks. By that time we shall have gone to allotment, and the bonds will be safely back in the black box.

ETCHINGHAM.

But will you be able to go to allotment?

GEORGE WINTER.

Of course we shall. This article isn’t going to do us any harm. I shall win the seat. That’ll give these Middlepool people confidence.

ETCHINGHAM.

George, I believe Ford is uneasy. I don’t trust him. Supposing he found out about the bonds?

GEORGE WINTER.

It might be devilish expensive.

ETCHINGHAM.

You’ll never buy him.

GEORGE WINTER.

I never met the man yet who hadn’t his price. Flattery if he’s a fool, hard cash if he’s a wise man. But a price of some sort. There’s always a price.

ETCHINGHAM.

Take care of Ford, George.

GEORGE WINTER.

[_With a smile._] I’m not frightened.

ETCHINGHAM.

Sometimes I’m afraid, you’re so confident. It’s impossible a thing like this can end well.

GEORGE WINTER.

I believe in my star. I’ve been in tight corners before, but I’ve wriggled out of them. I’m stronger than ever I was. I’ve got ten times more brains than any of my competitors. The ball is at my feet and I’ve only got to set it rolling. What d’you think difficulties are to me? I’ve never been in better spirits, so alert, so buoyant, as during these last weeks when my neck has been in a noose and every policeman I passed might have a warrant in his pocket for my arrest. If there were ten times more difficulties I’d overcome them all. In ten years I shall be the richest man in London. In fifteen I shall be a peer. My God, I feel as if the world were an orange and I’d got my teeth into it, and I shall suck it dry.

ETCHINGHAM.

I wonder how many ruined lives will be sacrificed to give you all you want. You walk over dead bodies and broken hearts.

GEORGE WINTER.

Rot! I flutter the will-o’-the-wisp of gain before the covetous, and they follow. They want to make money without working for it. Well, I’m cleverer than they are. Swalecliffe gambles with his five hundred pounds. His five hundred pounds will find its way into my pocket. It’s his own look out. Each for himself and the devil take the hindmost. [_With a start._] By George, I’ve got an idea.... The Lewishams can’t attack my stocks without weakening their own. We’re in the same boat, and if one of us shakes it both’ll topple out.

ETCHINGHAM.

What d’you mean?

GEORGE WINTER.

Well, we’ll attack the Lewishams. I’ll get on to MacLaren’s at once. Go to the post office and wire to Bennett. He’s sure to call at the office. _Sell Lewishams._ He’ll twig. By George, that’s the ticket. Why didn’t I think of it before? We’ll make the Lewishams sorry they started this game.

ETCHINGHAM.

But supposing ...?

GEORGE WINTER.

Good God, man, don’t suppose, do as I tell you. Don’t you see we’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain? I know my luck’s in. And I follow my luck. That’s genius.

[ETCHINGHAM _with a sigh and a shrug of the shoulders goes out to send the telegram_. GEORGE WINTER _begins to walk excitedly up and down_.

CURTAIN.

SCENE II

_The scene takes place in the sitting-room of the Palace Hotel, but it is eleven o’clock at night. Only a reading lamp is lit, the light of which falls on_ CATHERINE _and_ LADY FRANCIS. CATHERINE _is working at some embroidery_.

LADY FRANCIS.

Can you see, dear? Wouldn’t you like some more light?

CATHERINE.

[_With an affectionate smile._] No, the light hurts my eyes.

LADY FRANCIS.

You’re looking very pale, darling.

CATHERINE.

I haven’t been sleeping very well here. We’re so near the trains, and they seem to run all night.

LADY FRANCIS.

I wonder how George can stand it. His room is practically on the railway.

CATHERINE.

Thank heaven, it’s over. We shall know the result in half an hour, and to-morrow we can go.

LADY FRANCIS.

What are you going to do?

CATHERINE.

What can I do? Nothing.

LADY FRANCIS.

I’m afraid you’re very unhappy, Kate.

CATHERINE.

[_Smiling._] Please don’t think that, mother.

LADY FRANCIS.

You’ve given up everything for our sake.

CATHERINE.

I wish I could think so. I gave up my divorce because--because I was afraid. I couldn’t risk the regret that Robert might feel later. I should always have been looking for it.... One must never forget that love is a woman’s whole life, but it’s never more than part of a man’s, never.

LADY FRANCIS.

What did you tell him?

CATHERINE.

I wrote and said I found it impossible to go on with my action. I begged him not to try to move me. I told him I was very unhappy.

LADY FRANCIS.

Poor child.

CATHERINE.

He wrote very kindly. He made it as easy for me as he could. And now it’s all over. I’ve lost my last chance of happiness. I’m bound to my husband for the rest of my life.

LADY FRANCIS.

And do you still love Robert?

CATHERINE.

[_Smiling._] Yes. And I’m glad of what I’ve done. The only thing that helps me is the pride I take in all the great things he’s going to do. And it will have been me. I gave him the opportunity.

[ANNE _comes in. She is wearing a coat and skirt and a hat._

ANNE.

Well! You are strange people. How on earth can you sit there and sew while the counting’s going on? I’ve never been so excited in my life.

CATHERINE.

Why have you come back?

ANNE.

Well, it’s nearly finished now. Teddie said there’d be rather a scrummage when the result was known, and I’d better get out of the way.

CATHERINE.

[_Smiling._] Obedient creature.

ANNE.

It rather amuses me to be ordered about. Besides, I couldn’t help seeing that nobody wanted me. Teddie promised he’d bolt round as soon as the result was out. I say, let’s have some light, shall we?

[_She turns on the electricity, and the room is suddenly a glare of light._

LADY FRANCIS.

You’ll blind us.

ANNE.

I love an election. I’ve never had such a time in my life. I’ve enjoyed every minute of these three weeks. I hope Teddie’ll go into Parliament.

LADY FRANCIS.

[_Raising her eyebrows._] On four hundred a year?

ANNE.

Oh, George will give us a rise. He says Teddie’s awfully useful. George _is_ good, isn’t he?

CATHERINE.

I’m glad you’re so happy, darling.

ANNE.

[_Abruptly, after a little, quick look at her._] You’re not angry with us, Kate?

CATHERINE.

Good heavens, why should I be?

ANNE.

You know, it’s so dreadfully hard to pretend I haven’t got eyes in my head.... Why don’t you make it up with George, Katie?

CATHERINE.

I don’t know what makes you think there’s anything to make up.

ANNE.

Oh, my dear, what I didn’t guess for myself Teddie told me.

CATHERINE.

He would have been wiser to mind his own business.

ANNE.

It was rather....

CATHERINE.

If you knew how things were between George and myself, and you were willing to accept his favours what do you expect me to say? I didn’t ask you not to. I knew if I had you would only have refused. I’m cynical enough to know that in this world each of us takes care of his own interests.

LADY FRANCIS.

My dear, don’t be so bitter.

ANNE.

One has to take people as one finds them; George has always been charming to me. If you’d only make allowances for him....

CATHERINE.

[_Interrupting vehemently._] Oh, my dear, don’t. I’m not in the humour to stand that. Leave me to lead my own life without interference. Surely it’s enough that to bind me to him George should give you an income to marry on. You can’t want more from me than that.

ANNE.

Oh, my dear, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to say anything that would hurt you.

CATHERINE.

[_Recovering herself._] You haven’t. Forgive me. I didn’t mean to make a scene, but my nerves are a little upset. I’m a very weak, selfish woman, audit’s dreadfully hard to be half as angelic as you think me. I’m very glad that you’re going to marry Teddie. You’re in love with one another, and if you haven’t much money, what does it matter? I’m sure you’ll be tremendously happy.

ANNE.

You are a dear.

[FRANCIS ETCHINGHAM _comes in_. _He is wearing a dinner jacket and a black tie._ ANNE _springs up impulsively_.

ANNE.

Is it over?

ETCHINGHAM.

No, I was too anxious to stay any longer.

LADY FRANCIS.

But George is going to get in?

ETCHINGHAM.

Who can tell? The seat has always been lost or held by a handful of votes.

ANNE.

But how did it seem to be going?

ETCHINGHAM.

Winter, Morrison, Winter, Morrison. One vote on one side, one vote on the other. It seemed interminable.

LADY FRANCIS.

He won by seventy-five last time.

ETCHINGHAM.

Who can tell the effect of all these rumours and suspicions and attacks? They may just have made the difference. Oh, it’s maddening.

CATHERINE.

Sit down, father, and rest. You look quite done up.

ETCHINGHAM.

Even George is anxious. I know his face so well. He’s trying to appear as if he were certain.

ANNE.

No human being could help being anxious.

LADY FRANCIS.

[_With a sudden start._] I thought I heard some shouting.

ANNE.

Oh, I wish I hadn’t come away.

LADY FRANCIS.

Let’s open the window. Perhaps we shall hear something.

[LADY FRANCIS _and_ ANNE _go to the window and open it_.

LADY FRANCIS.

No, I was mistaken.

ANNE.

Listen. I’m sure I hear cheering.

[_She goes out on to the balcony. She and_ LADY FRANCIS _are half hidden from view, so that it may be supposed the following scene between_ CATHERINE _and_ LORD FRANCIS _is not heard by them_.

ETCHINGHAM.

[_In a low voice to_ CATHERINE.] Oh, my dear, will you ever forgive me?

CATHERINE.

Oh, father, don’t. It was very noble of you not to tell me anything before I decided. Now that I know the whole truth....

ETCHINGHAM.

The only hope we’ve got is to go on. If he gets in, if we can pull things together, we may get out of the muddle. He’s positive of it. The only thing that held me up was the thought of all of you. If I’d gone to the police there and then--or made away with myself, it would have meant the ruin of all of you.

CATHERINE.

And of all the unhappy people who’ve trusted everything they had to George.

ETCHINGHAM.

You think I was right, Kate, don’t you? It wasn’t just cowardice on my part?

CATHERINE.

I hope you were right.

ETCHINGHAM.

But if it was all in vain? If he’s not able to float the company and the truth comes out, then I shall have sacrificed you for nothing.

CATHERINE.

Oh, don’t think of it.

ETCHINGHAM.

I believe if he wins the election he’ll be strong enough to force the issue on them.

CATHERINE.

But if the mine’s worthless?

ETCHINGHAM.

We’re going to buy the shares in when the tide turns in Central America. Things are looking brighter already. He’s promised me that no one shall lose a farthing. When that’s done I go. Oh, how thankful I shall be!

CATHERINE.

Oh, I know, I know.

ETCHINGHAM.

I had to tell some one, and I couldn’t tell your mother.

CATHERINE.

I’m glad you told me. It makes it easier to bear now we both know.

ANNE.

At last!... Father, father.

[_She comes back into the room, excitedly, and at the same time a vague, muffled shouting is heard in the distance._ ETCHINGHAM _springs to his feet_.

ETCHINGHAM.

Thank God. The suspense was awful.

LADY FRANCIS.

There’s no mistaking it this time.

ETCHINGHAM.

Is he in? Is he in?

ANNE.

Of course he’s in. I’ve never felt so confident in my life.

ETCHINGHAM.

If it’s all right, then we’re safe. I’m sure it’s the beginning of the turn.

LADY FRANCIS.

Why doesn’t Teddie make haste?

ANNE.

Listen to the shouting. Isn’t it splendid?

[_More shouting is heard, this time a little louder._

ETCHINGHAM.

I expect they’re reading out the figures.

[TEDDIE O’DONNELL _rushes in, rather dishevelled, with his hat on the back of his head_.

O’DONNELL.

He’s in!

ANNE.

How ripping!

[FRANCIS ETCHINGHAM _sinks into a chair, too overcome to speak, trying to compose himself_. CATHERINE _puts her hand on his shoulder to show her sympathy_.

LADY FRANCIS.

What’s the majority?

O’DONNELL.

Twenty-seven.

ANNE.

I say, what a squeak!

O’DONNELL.

Just at the end I thought we were beaten. It was Morrison, Morrison, Morrison, until I almost screamed.

ETCHINGHAM.

Well, he’s in at all events.

ANNE.

I am glad.

[_She throws her arms impulsively round_ O’DONNELL’S _neck and kisses him_.

O’DONNELL.

By Jove, it was a moment to live for when the figures were read out. You never heard such shouting.

CATHERINE.

Where is he now?

O’DONNELL.

When I left he was making a speech to the crowd. But one couldn’t hear a word, because every one was shouting at the top of his voice. I simply bellowed.

ANNE.

[_Enthusiastically._] Aren’t you glad, Kate?

CATHERINE.

[_Smiling._] Yes, very glad.

ANNE.

How can you take it so quietly!

LADY FRANCIS.

Is he coming here?

O’DONNELL.

Yes. I forgot to give you his message. He sent his love to Kate, and said he’d be here in two twos.

ANNE.

I wish he’d hurry up. Isn’t he a darling?

O’DONNELL.

He’s the greatest man I’ve ever known. He’s a perfect stunner. I don’t know what there is about him, but you can’t help believing in him. And he was so splendid this morning about those confounded lies in the paper. All the rest of them were as frightened as rabbits, but he never turned a hair.

ANNE.

[_Excitedly._] There’s a car.

O’DONNELL.

That’s it, I bet you anything you like.

ANNE.

How jolly of him to come quickly! [_She runs to the door and opens it._] George, George!

[GEORGE WINTER _comes in boisterously and clasps_ ANNE _in his arms_.

ANNE.

Isn’t it splendid!

GEORGE WINTER.

Glorious victory, what!

[_He is followed by_ COLONEL BOYCE, JAMES FORD, MR. SWALECLIFFE, _and two other men_.

ETCHINGHAM.

Thank God!

GEORGE WINTER.

You haven’t been worried about it? I knew I’d get in. I never had a moment’s doubt about it.

JAMES FORD.

[_Drily._] No one can say you don’t believe in yourself.

GEORGE WINTER.

Hang it all, if you don’t believe in yourself, how can you expect other people to believe in you? Drinks, gentlemen!

O’DONNELL.

Shall I ring?

GEORGE WINTER.