The Orderly comes in.

THE ORDERLY. Lady Corinthia Fanshawe and Mrs. Banger wish to see
you, sir. Mr. Balsquith told me to tell you.

MRS. FARRELL. Theyve come about the vote. I dont know whether its
them that want it or them that doesnt want it: anyhow, they're
all alike when they get into a state about it. (She goes out,
having gathered Balsquith's suffraget disguise from the desk.)

MITCHENER. Is Mr. Balsquith not with them?

THE ORDERLY. No, Sir. Couldnt stand Mrs. Banger, I expect. Fair
caution she is. (He chuckles.) Couldnt help larfin when I sor im
op it.

MITCHENER. How dare you indulge in this unseemly mirth in the
presence of your commanding officer? Have you no sense of a
soldier's duty?

THE ORDERLY (sadly). Im afraid I shant ever get the ang of it,
sir. You see my father has a tidy little barbers business down
off Shoreditch; and I was brought up to be chatty and easy like
with everybody. I tell you, when I drew the number in the
conscription it gave my old mother the needle and it gev me the
ump. I should take it very kind, sir, if youd let me off the
drill and let me shave you instead. Youd appreciate my qualities
then: you would indeed sir. I shant never do myself justice at
soljering, sir: I cant bring myself to think of it as proper work
for a man with an active mind, as you might say, sir. Arf of its