COLLINS. Sorry to hurry you, my lord; but the Church has been
full this hour past; and the organist has played all the wedding
music in Lohengrin three times over.
THE GENERAL. The very man we want. Alfred: I'm not equal to this
crisis. You are not equal to it. The Army has failed. The Church
has failed. I shall put aside all idle social distinctions and
appeal to the Municipality.
MRS BRIDGENORTH. Do, Boxer. He is sure to get us out of this
difficulty.
Collins, a little puzzled, comes forward affably to Hotchkiss's
left.
HOTCHKISS [rising, impressed by the aldermanic gown] Ive not had
the pleasure. Will you introduce me?
COLLINS [confidentially] All right, sir. Only the greengrocer,
sir, in charge of the wedding breakfast. Mr Alderman Collins,
sir, when I'm in my gown.
HOTCHKISS [staggered] Very pleased indeed [he sits down again].
THE BISHOP. Personally I value the counsel of my old friend, Mr
Alderman Collins, very highly. If Edith and Cecil will allow him--
EDITH. Collins has known me from my childhood: I'm sure he will
agree with me.
COLLINS. Yes, miss: you may depend on me for that. Might I ask
what the difficulty is?
EDITH. Simply this. Do you expect me to get married in the
existing state of the law?
SYKES [rising and coming to Collin's left elbow] I put it to you
as a sensible man: is it any worse for her than for me?
REGINALD [leaving his place and thrusting himself between Collins
and Sykes, who returns to his chair] Thats not the point.
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