The Cabinet Minister Part 66

His gun!

ANGeLE.

Yees, miladi.

EGIDIA.

Ah! The Army! [To DRUMDURRIS.] So you have gained your own ends after all, Keith, and my boy has fallen.

[EGIDIA goes out, followed by ANGeLE. DRUMDURRIS sinks into a chair.]

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Keith.

EARL OF DRUMDURRIS.

Don't speak to me, please, aunt.

LADY TWOMBLEY.

I must. Reeves & Shuckleback are strangely silent.

EARL OF DRUMDURRIS.

Let them remain so--I care not.

LADY TWOMBLEY.

You don't care! Surely you are anxious to know whether you have been instrumental in saving me from--from growing my own vegetables?

EARL OF DRUMDURRIS.

Growing your own----

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Surely you want to know whether you have made me a wealthy woman or have ruined yourself in the effort?

EARL OF DRUMDURRIS.

Ruined myself!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Keith, dear, I am afraid I haven't done what is strictly regular, but when you put me into communication with your Stockbrokers I carried on my delicate little financial operations with them in your name.

EARL OF DRUMDURRIS.

Aunt Kate!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Keith, you're annoyed!

EARL OF DRUMDURRIS.

May I ask what delicate little financial operations?

LADY TWOMBLEY.

I've speculated on the strength of my private knowledge of the decision of the Government on the Rajputana Ca.n.a.l Question--I mean _you_ have speculated.

EARL OF DRUMDURRIS.

Aunt Twombley, how dare you do such a thing?

LADY TWOMBLEY.

How dare I! Boy--for you are little more--boy, you wouldn't have a Cabinet Minister's wife take advantage of her confidential acquaintance with her husband's official affairs to advance her own interests! Oh, Keith!

EARL OF DRUMDURRIS.

But you've done it!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

No, I haven't. Don't be so dull, _you've_ done it.

EARL OF DRUMDURRIS.

And if your delicate little financial operations----

LADY TWOMBLEY.

If they come off, you have made what you men call a pile, Keith. All through your blundering aunty you will have made a pile.

EARL OF DRUMDURRIS.

Which I hand over to you, Aunt Kate?

LADY TWOMBLEY.

I shall borrow it, Keith, dear--may I?

EARL OF DRUMDURRIS.

And if--pardon the question--if your delicate little financial operations----