Builder.  I’m to be nominated for Mayor next month.  Harris tipped me the wink at the last Council meeting.  Not so bad at forty-seven—­h’m?  I can make a thundering good Mayor.  I can do things for this town that nobody else can.

Mrs builder.  Now I understand about Athene.

Builder. [Good-humouredly] Well, it’s partly that.  But [more seriously] it’s more the feeling I get that I’m not doing my duty by her.  Goodness knows whom she may be picking up with!  Artists are a loose lot.  And young people in these days are the limit.  I quite believe in moving with the times, but one’s either born a Conservative, or one isn’t.  So you be ready at twelve, see.  By the way, that French maid of yours, Julia—­

Mrs builder.  What about her?

Builder.  Is she—­er—­is she all right?  We don’t want any trouble with
Topping.

Mrs builder.  There will be none with—­Topping.
     [She opens the door Left.]

Builder.  I don’t know; she strikes me as—­very French.

     Mrs builder smiles and passes out.

     Builder fills his second pipe.  He is just taking up the paper again
     when the door from the hall is opened, and the manservant Topping,
     dried, dark, sub-humorous, in a black cut-away, announces: 

Topping.  The Mayor, Sir, and Mr Harris!

The Mayor of Breconridge enters, He is clean-shaven, red-faced, light-eyed, about sixty, shrewd, poll-parroty, naturally jovial, dressed with the indefinable wrongness of a burgher; he is followed by his Secretary Harris, a man all eyes and cleverness.  Topping retires.

Builder. [Rising] Hallo, Mayor!  What brings you so early?  Glad to see you.  Morning, Harris!

Mayor.  Morning, Builder, morning.

Harris.  Good-morning, Sir.

Builder.  Sit down-sit down!  Have a cigar!

     The Mayor takes a cigar Harris a cigarette from his own case.

Builder.  Well, Mayor, what’s gone wrong with the works?

     He and Harris exchange a look.

Mayor. [With his first puff] After you left the Council the other day,
Builder, we came to a decision.

Builder.  Deuce you did!  Shall I agree with it?

Mayor.  We shall see.  We want to nominate you for Mayor.  You willin’ to stand?

Builder. [Stolid] That requires consideration.

Mayor.  The only alternative is Chantrey; but he’s a light weight, and rather too much County.  What’s your objection?

Builder.  It’s a bit unexpected, Mayor. [Looks at Harris] Am I the right man?  Following you, you know.  I’m shooting with Chantrey to-morrow.  What does he feel about it?