genuinely in love with you.

Arthur.

I suppose only a fatuous ass would confess that a beautiful girl was in love with him.

Anne.

You make her very happy.

Arthur.

There's nothing I wouldn't do to achieve that. I'm more desperately in love with Violet even than when I first married her.

Anne.

I'm so glad. I want nothing but your happiness.

Arthur.

Here is Christina.

[The door opens as he says these words and an English Butler ushers in Mrs. Pritchard. She is a tall, spare woman, with hair turning grey, comely, upright in her carriage, with decision of character indicated by every gesture; but though masterful and firm to attain her ends, she is an honest woman, direct, truthful and not without humour. She is admirably gowned in a manner befitting her station and importance.]

Butler.

Mrs. Pritchard.

[Exit.]

Arthur.

I knew it was you, Christina. I felt a sense of responsibility descend upon the house.

Christina.

[Kissing him.] How is Violet?

Arthur.

Lovely.

Christina.

I was inquiring about her health.

Arthur.

Her health is perfect.

Christina.

At her age one's always well, I suppose. [Kissing Anne.] How d'you do? And how are you, my poor Arthur?

Arthur.

You ask me as though I was a doddering old gentleman, crippled with rheumatism. I'm in the best of health, thank you very much, and very active for my years. [Christina has seen a flower on the table that has fallen from a bowl, and picks it up and puts it back in its place.] Why do you do that?

Christina.

I don't like untidiness.

Arthur.

I do.

[He takes the flower out again and places it on the table.]

Christina.

I was expecting to find you in your office.

Arthur.

Do you think I'm neglecting my work? I thought it more becoming to wait for you here.

Christina.

I wanted to see you on a matter of business.

Arthur.

So I understood from your message. I feel convinced you're going to put me in the way of making my fortune.

Anne.

I'll leave you, shall I?

Christina.

Oh, no, pray don't. There's not the least reason why you shouldn't hear what it's all about.

Arthur.

You're not going to make my fortune after all. You're going to ask me to do something.

Christina.

What makes you think that?

Arthur.

You want a third person present to be witness to my brutal selfishness when I refuse. I know you, Christina.

Christina.

[Smiling.] You're much too sensible to refuse a perfectly reasonable request.

Arthur.

Let us hear it. [She sits down on the sofa. The cushions have been disordered by people sitting on them and she shakes them out, and pats them and arranges them in their place.] I wish you'd leave the furniture alone, Christina.

Christina.

I cannot make out what pleasure people take in seeing things out of their proper place.

Arthur.

You're very long in coming to the point.

Christina.

I hear that the Khedive has quarrelled with his secretary.

Arthur.

You're a marvellous woman, Christina. You get hold of all the harem gossip.

Christina.

It's true, isn't it?

Arthur.

Yes. But I only heard of it myself just before luncheon. How did it come to your ears?

Christina.

That doesn't matter, does it? I have a way of hearing things that may be of interest to me.

Arthur.

I'm afraid I'm very dense, but I don't see how it can be of any particular interest to you.

Christina.

[Smiling.] Dear Arthur. The Khedive has asked you to recommend him an English secretary.

Anne.

Has he really? That's a change. He's never had an English secretary before.

Arthur.

Never.

Anne.

It's a wonderful opportunity.

Arthur.

If we get the right man he can be of the greatest possible help. If he's tactful, wise, and courteous, there's no reason why in time he shouldn't attain very considerable influence over the Khedive. If we can really get the Khedive to work honestly and sincerely with us, instead of hampering us by all kinds of secret devices, we can do miracles in this country.

Anne.

What a splendid chance for the man who gets the job!

Arthur.

I suppose it is. If he has the right qualities he may achieve anything. And after all, it's a splendid chance to be able to render such great service to our own old country.

Christina.

Has the Khedive given any particulars about the sort of man he wants?

Arthur.

He naturally wants a young man and a good sportsman. It's important that he should be able to speak Arabic. But the qualifications which will satisfy the Khedive are nothing beside those which will satisfy me. The wrong man may cause irreparable damage to British interests.

Christina.

Have you thought that Henry would be admirably suited?

Arthur.

I can't say I have, Christina.

Christina.

He's young and he's very good at games. He speaks Arabic.

Arthur.

Quite well, I believe. I think he's very well suited to the post he has. It would be a pity to disturb him when he's just got at home with the work.

Christina.

Arthur, you can't compare a very badly paid job in the Ministry of Education with a private secretaryship to the Khedive.

Arthur.

The best job for a man is the one he's most fitted to do.

Christina.

You've got no fault to find with Henry. He's a very good worker, he's honest, industrious, and painstaking.