[_Ned in arm-chair right, Jones left, Peter in revolving chair. Peter's attitude at first is the mixture of obsequiousness and patronage of an M.P. to influential supporters._ Ned. I suppose you don't see many people from the old town here? Peter. You're the first I've seen since I came up. Ned. Ah! Peter. And what brings you to town? Pleasure, I suppose. Jones. Well---- Peter. Yes, I know. London's a playground to you fellows. It's more like a battlefield to your hard-worked member. Jones (_firmly_). It's not exactly pleasure we're here for, Comrade Garside. Peter. Oh? Ned. More like business. We're a sort of a delegation. Peter. Delegates, eh? What's on? I don't remember any congress at the moment? Jones. We're on a special mission. Peter (_obviously forcing an appearance of interest_). Now, that's very interesting. May I ask the object of this mission? Jones (_grimly_). You're the object. Peter. I? Ned. Yes. We've a crow to pluck with you, my lad. Peter (_not yet greatly concerned_). Oh? Something you want to discuss? Jones. Something we're going to discuss. Peter (_rising_). Well, suppose I meet you to-morrow morning. Come here at--yes--at eleven, and I'll give you an hour with pleasure. Ned (_shaking his head_). You'll give us an hour, or as long as we want, now. Peter. Really, I'm afraid I can't. (_Involuntarily glancing left._) I'm busy to-night. I'll see you to-morrow. Jones. We shan't be here to-morrow. We've to go back by the midnight train. We've our livings to earn. Peter. Well, look here, eome back in an hour or so, and I'll see you then. Jones (_commandingly_). You'll see us now. Your time's ours, we pay for it. Peter. You haven't bought me, you know. You pay me to represent your interests at Westminster. Jones. Then why aren't you there representing them to-night? Peter (_irritably_). I've told you I'm busy. Jones. Busy with what? Peter. Mind your own business. Ned (_quietly_). It is our business. We've a right to know why you're neglecting your duty. Peter (_hotly_). I don't neglect my duty. Ned. What's on at the House to-night? Peter (_embarrassed_). Well---- Ned (_inexorably_). What's on? Peter. The Right to Work Bill, I believe. (_Sitting again._) Ned. Yes. The Right to Work Bill. The cornerstone of the Labour policy. Any Labour member who's absent from to-night's division deserves drumming out of the party as a traitor to its cause. Peter. Oh, I'll be there for the division if you don't keep me here too long. Ned. The division's over. You're out of your place on the most important night of the session. You've missed your ehanee to speak. You've missed the division. You've not paired. Your vote's lost. Peter. It's not. The division can't take plaee so early. Jones. We've been to the House. We thought we'd find you there. Why weren't you there? Peter. I've told you I was busy.