MAGGIE. That’s the Scotch way. When were you thinking of leaving me, John?
[Perhaps this is the Scotch way also; but SYBIL is English, and from the manner in which she starts you would say that something has fallen on her toes.]
JOHN [who has heard nothing fall]. I think, now that it has come to a breach, the sooner the better. [His tone becomes that of JAMES when asked after the health of his wife.] When it is convenient to you, Maggie.
MAGGIE [making a rapid calculation]. It couldn’t well be before Wednesday. That’s the day the laundry comes home.
[SYBIL has to draw in her toes again.]
JOHN. And it’s the day the House rises. [Stifling a groan] It may be my last appearance in the House.
SYBIL [her arms yearning for him]. No, no, please don’t say that.
MAGGIE [surveying him sympathetically]. You love the House, don’t you, John, next to her? It’s a pity you can’t wait till after your speech at Leeds. Mr. Venables won’t let you speak at Leeds, I fear, if you leave me.
JOHN. What a chance it would have been. But let it go.
MAGGIE. The meeting is in less than a month. Could you not make it such a speech that they would be very loth to lose you?