Constituents keep writing.”
“I felt low, bloody low, but I'm all right again now.
The best thing is to get tight.
That's what I did and I don't feel low any more … discouraging to come to London and find you're not wanted.
Funny thing, you feel low because your girl's chucked, and I feel low because mine won't chuck.”
“Yes, that's funny.”
“But you know I've felt low for weeks now … bloody low … how about some brandy?”
“Yes, why not?
After all there are other things in life besides women and pigs.”
They had some brandy and after a time Jock began to cheer up.
Presently a page came to their table to say,
“A message from Lady Brenda, sir.”
“Good, I'll go and speak to her.”
“It's, not her ladyship speaking.
Someone was sending a message.”
“I'll come and speak to her.”
He went to the telephone in the lobby outside.
“Darling,” he said.
“Is that Mr. Last?
I've got a message here, from Lady Brenda.”
“Right, put me through to her.”
“She can't speak herself, but she asked me to give you this message, that she's very sorry but she cannot join you tonight.
She's very tired and has gone home to bed.”
“Tell her I want to speak to her.”'
“I can't I'm afraid, she's gone to bed.
She's very tired.”
“She's very tired and she's gone to bed?”
“That's right.”
“Well, I want to speak to her.”
“Goodnight,” said the voice.
“The old boy's plastered,” said Beaver as he rang off.
“Oh dear. I feel rather awful about him.
But what can he expect, coming up suddenly like this.
He's got to be taught not to make surprise visits.”
“Is he often like that?”
“No, it's quite new.”
The telephone bell rang.
“D'you suppose that's him again?
I'd better answer it.”
“I want to speak to Lady Brenda Last.”
“Tony, darling, this is me, Brenda.”
“Some damn fool said I couldn't speak to you.”
“I left a message from where I was dining.
Are you having a lovely evening?”
“Hellish.
I'm with Jock.
He's worried about the Pig Scheme.
Shall we come around and see you?”
“No, not now, darling, I'm terribly tired and just going to bed.”
“We'll come and see you.”