Mitchener (with a shriek of protest).  No—­

Mrs. Banger comes in, followed by Lady Corinthia Fanshawe.

Mrs. Banger is a masculine woman of forty, with a powerful voice and great physical strength.  Lady Corinthia, who is also over thirty, is beautiful and romantic.

Mrs. Banger (throwing the door open decisively and marching straight to Michener).  Pray how much longer is the Anti-Suffrage League to be kept waiting? (She passes him contemptuously and sits down with impressive confidence in the chair next the fireplace.  Lady Corinthia takes the chair on the opposite side of the table with equal aplomb.)

Mitchener.  Im extremely sorry.  You really do not know what I have to put with.  This imbecile, incompetent, unsoldierly disgrace to the uniform he should never have been allowed to put on, ought to have shown you in fifteen minutes ago.

The orderly.  All I said was—­

Mitchener.  Not another word.  Attention.  Right about face.  March.  (The Orderly sits down doggedly.) Get out of the room this instant, you fool, or Ill kick you out.

The orderly (civilly).  I dont mind that, sir.  Its human.  Its English.  Why couldnt you have said it before? (He goes out).

Mitchener.  Take no notice I beg:  these scenes are of daily occurrence now that we have compulsory service under the command of the halfpenny papers.  Pray sit down.

Lady Corinthia and Mrs. Banger (rising).  Thank you. (They sit down again.)

Mitchener (sitting down with a slight chuckle of satisfaction).  And now, ladies, to what am I indebted?

Mrs. Banger.  Let me introduce us.  I am Rosa Carmina Banger—­Mrs. Banger, organizing secretary of the Anti-Suffraget League.  This is Lady Corinthia Fanshawe, the president of the League, known in musical circles—­I am not myself musical—­as the Richmond Park nightingale.  A soprano.  I am myself said to be almost a baritone; but I do not profess to understand these dis-tinctions.

Mitchener (murmuring politely).  Most happy, Im sure.

Mrs. Banger.  We have come to tell you plainly that the Anti-
Suffragets are going to fight.

Mitchener (gallantly).  Oh, pray leave that to the men, Mrs.
Banger.

Lady Corinthia.  We can no longer trust the men.

Mrs. Banger.  They have shown neither the strength, the courage, nor the determination which are needed to combat women like the Suffragets.

Lady Corinthia.  Nature is too strong for the combatants.

Mrs. Banger.  Physical struggles between persons of opposite sexes are unseemly.

Lady Corinthia.  Demoralizing.

Mrs. Banger.  Insincere.