PHOEBE. (_Who has also kissed her mother and shaken hands with_ ST. HERBERT.) We are all here except Villiers. She’s coming. Did you have a good meeting? LADY MOGTON. Fairly. Some young fool had chained himself to a pillar and thrown the key out of window. PHOEBE. What did you do? LADY MOGTON. Tied a sack over his head and left him there. (_She turns aside for a moment to talk to_ ST. HERBERT, _who has taken some papers from his despatch-box_.) ANNYS. (_To_ ELIZABETH.) We must finish out our talk some other time. You are quite wrong. ELIZABETH. Perhaps. LADY MOGTON. We had better begin. I have only got half an hour. JANET. I saw Mrs. Villiers. She promised she’d come. LADY MOGTON. You should have told her we were going to be photographed. Then she’d have been punctual. (_She has taken her seat at the table_. ST. HERBERT _at her right_.) Better put another chair in case she does turn up. JANET. (_Does so_.) Shall I take any notes? LADY MOGTON. No. (_To_ ANNYS.) Give instructions that we are not to be interrupted for anything. (ANNYS _rings bell_.) ST. HERBERT. (_He turns to_ PHOEBE, _on his right_.) Have you heard the latest? _There was an old man of Hong Kong_, _Whose language was terribly strong_. (_Enter_ HAKE. _He brings a bottle and glass_, _which he places_.) ANNYS. Oh, Hake, please, don’t let us be interrupted for anything. If Mrs. Mountcalm-Villiers comes, show her up. But nobody else. HAKE. Yes, ma’am. (HAKE _goes out_.) ST. HERBERT. (_Continuing_.) _It wasn’t the words_ _That frightened the birds_, _’Twas the ’orrible double-entendre_. LADY MOGTON. (_Who has sat waiting in grim silence_.) Have you finished? ST. HERBERT. Quite finished. LADY MOGTON. Thank you. (_She raps for silence_.) You will understand, please, all, that this is a private meeting of the Council. Nothing that transpires is to be allowed to leak out. (_There is a murmur_.) Silence, please, for Mr. St. Herbert. ST. HERBERT. Before we begin, I should like to remind you, ladies, that you are, all of you, persons mentally deficient— (_The door opens_. MRS. MOUNTCALM-VILLIERS _enters_, _announced by_ HAKE. _She is a showily-dressed_, _flamboyant lady_.) MRS. MOUNTCALM-VILLIERS. I _am_ so sorry. I have only just this minute—(_She catches sight of_ ST. HERBERT.) You naughty creature, why weren’t you at my meeting last night? The Rajah came with both his wives. We’ve elected them, all three, honorary members. LADY MOGTON. Do you mind sitting down? MRS. MOUNTCALM-VILLIERS. Here, dear? (_She takes the vacant chair_.) So nice of you. I read about your meeting. What a clever idea! LADY MOGTON. (_Cuts her short_.) Yes. We are here to consider a very important matter. By way of commencement Mr. St. Herbert has just reminded us that in the eye of the law all women are imbeciles.