"Out with it," I said. "You've got a wife and five small children at Peckham. There is still time to counter-order the motor and the wedding and the shilling cigars and--me." He took no notice. "I've seen Clarke," he said. "Poor devil! They won't have him back at the hotel, think he's unlucky, a sort of Jonah. His face certainly isn't his fortune, is it? And I hope you won't mind, Janet, I--" "You've asked him to be best man instead of Gregory?" "Well, no, I haven't. But I was sorry for him, and I gave him fifty pounds. Your money of course. I felt we owed him something for bringing us together. For you know, in a way, he really _has_, though he has been some time about it." Votes for Men[3] _Two hundred years hence, possibly less._ [3] First Published in 1909. EUGENIA, _Prime Minister, is sitting at her writing table in her library. She is a tall, fine looking woman of thirty, rather untidy and worn in appearance._ EUGENIA [_to herself, taking up a paper_]. There is no doubt that we must carry through this bill or the future of the country will be jeopardized. HENRY [_outside_]. May I come in? EUGENIA. Do come in, dearest. HENRY [_a tall, athletic man of thirty, faultlessly dressed, a contrast to her dusty untidiness_]. I thought I could see the procession best from here. [_Goes to windows and opens them._] It is in sight now. They are coming down the wind at a great pace. EUGENIA [_slightly bored_]. What procession? HENRY. Why the Men's Reinfranchisement League, of course. You know, Eugenia, you promised to interview a deputation of them at 5 o'clock, and they determined to have a mass meeting first. EUGENIA. So they did. I had forgotten. I wish they would not pester me so. Really, the government has other things to attend to than Male Suffrage at times like this. [_The procession sails past the windows in planes decked with the orange and white colours of the league. The occupants preserve a dead silence, saluting_ EUGENIA _gravely as they pass. From the streets far below rises a confused hubbub of men's voices shouting "Votes for men!"_ HENRY. How stately the clergy look, Eugenia! Why, there are the two Archbishops in their robes heading the whole procession, and look at the bevy of Bishops in their lawn sleeves in the great Pullman air car behind. What splendid men. And here come the clergy in their academic gowns by the hundred, in open trucks. EUGENIA. I must say it is admirably organised, and no brawling.