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they have managed to half kill Europe between them, I can’t be civil to them, and I don’t see why I should be. Franklyn Wait a bit. We have to find out how the world will take our new gospel. Conrad sits down again. Party politicians are still unfortunately an important part of the world. Suppose we try it on Joyce Burge. Conrad How can you? You can tell things only to people who can listen. Joyce Burge has talked so much that he has lost the power of listening. He doesn’t listen even in the House of Commons. Savvy rushes in breathless, followed by Haslam, who remains timidly just inside the door. Savvy Running to Franklyn. I say! Who do you think has just driven up in a big car? Franklyn Mr. Joyce Burge, perhaps. Savvy Disappointed. Oh, they know, Bill. Why didn’t you tell us he was coming? I have nothing on. Haslam I’d better go, hadn’t I? Conrad You just wait here, both of you. When you start yawning, Joyce Burge will take the hint, perhaps. Savvy To Franklyn. May we? Franklyn Yes, if you promise to behave yourself. Savvy Making a wry face. That will be a treat, won’t it? The Parlor Maid Entering and announcing. Mr. Joyce Burge. Haslam hastily moves to the fireplace; and the parlor maid goes out and shuts the door when the visitor has passed in. Franklyn Hurrying past Savvy to his guest with the false cordiality he has just been denouncing. Oh! Here you are. Delighted to see you. He shakes Burge’s hand, and introduces Savvy. My daughter. Savvy Not daring to approach. Very kind of you to come. Joyce Burge stands fast and says nothing; but he screws up his cheeks into a smile at each introduction, and makes his eyes shine in a very winning manner. He is a well-fed man turned fifty, with broad forehead, and grey hair which, his neck being short, falls almost to his collar. Franklyn Mr. Haslam, our rector. Burge conveys an impression of shining like a church window; and Haslam seizes the nearest library chair on the hearth, and swings it round for Burge between the stool and Conrad. He then retires to the window seat at the other side of the room, and is joined by Savvy. They sit there, side by side, hunched up with their elbows on their knees and their chins on their hands, providing Burge with a sort of Stranger’s Gallery during the ensuing sitting. Franklyn I forget whether you know my brother Conrad. He is a biologist. Burge Suddenly bursting into energetic action and shaking hands heartily with Conrad. By reputation only, but very well, of course. How I wish I could have devoted myself to biology! I have always been interested in rocks and strata and volcanoes and so forth: they throw such a light on the age of the earth. With conviction. There is nothing like biology. “The cloud-capped towers, the solemn binnacles, the gorgeous temples, the great globe itself: yea, all that it inherit shall dissolve, and, like this influential pageant faded, leave not a rack behind.” That’s biology, you know: good sound biology. He sits down. So do the others, Franklyn on the stool, and Conrad on his Chippendale. Well, my dear Barnabas, what do you think of the situation? Don’t you think the time has come for us to make a move? Franklyn The time has always come to make a move. Burge How true! But what is the move to be? You are a man of enormous influence. We know that. Weve always known it. We have to consult you whether we like it or not. We⁠— Franklyn Interrupting firmly. I never meddle in party politics now. Savvy It’s no use saying you have no influence, daddy. Heaps of people swear by you. Burge Shining at her. Of course they do. Come! let me prove to you what we think of you. Shall we find you a first-rate constituency to contest at the next election? One that won’t cost you a penny. A metropolitan seat. What do you say to the Strand? Franklyn My dear Burge, I am not a child. Why do you go on wasting your party funds on the Strand? You know you cannot win it. Burge We cannot win it; but you⁠— Franklyn Oh, please! Savvy The Strand’s no use, Mr. Burge. I once canvassed for a Socialist there. Cheese it. Burge Cheese it! Haslam Spluttering with suppressed laughter. Priceless! Savvy Well, I suppose I shouldn’t say cheese it to a Right Honorable. But the Strand, you know! Do come off it. Franklyn You must excuse my daughter’s shocking manners, Burge; but I agree with her that popular democratic statesmen soon come to believe that everyone they speak to is an ignorant dupe and a born fool into the bargain. Burge Laughing genially. You old aristocrat, you! But believe me, the instinct of the people is sound⁠— Conrad Cutting in sharply. Then why are you in the Opposition instead of in the Government? Burge Showing signs of temper under this heckling. I deny that I am in the Opposition morally. The Government does not represent the country. I was chucked out of the Coalition by a Tory conspiracy. The people want me back. I don’t want to go back. Franklyn Gently remonstrant. My dear Burge: of course you do. Burge Turning on him. Not a bit of it. I want to cultivate my garden. I am not interested in politics: I am interested in roses. I haven’t a scrap of ambition. I went into politics because my wife shoved me into them, bless her! But I want to serve my country. What else am I for? I want to save my country from the Tories. They don’t represent the people. The man they have made Prime Minister has never represented the people; and you know it. Lord Dunreen is the