William Maugham - Cæsar's Wife - A Comedy in Three Acts

[ Smiling. ] You're much too sensible to refuse a perfectly reasonable request.

Let us hear it. [ She sits down on the sofa. The cushions have been disordered by people sitting on them and she shakes them out, and pats them and arranges them in their place. ] I wish you'd leave the furniture alone, Christina.

I cannot make out what pleasure people take in seeing things out of their proper place.

You're very long in coming to the point.

I hear that the Khedive has quarrelled with his secretary.

You're a marvellous woman, Christina. You get hold of all the harem gossip.

It's true, isn't it?

Yes. But I only heard of it myself just before luncheon. How did it come to your ears?

That doesn't matter, does it? I have a way of hearing things that may be of interest to me.

I'm afraid I'm very dense, but I don't see how it can be of any particular interest to you.

[ Smiling. ] Dear Arthur. The Khedive has asked you to recommend him an English secretary.

Has he really? That's a change. He's never had an English secretary before.

Never.

It's a wonderful opportunity.

If we get the right man he can be of the greatest possible help. If he's tactful, wise, and courteous, there's no reason why in time he shouldn't attain very considerable influence over the Khedive. If we can really get the Khedive to work honestly and sincerely with us, instead of hampering us by all kinds of secret devices, we can do miracles in this country.

What a splendid chance for the man who gets the job!

I suppose it is. If he has the right qualities he may achieve anything. And after all, it's a splendid chance to be able to render such great service to our own old country.

Has the Khedive given any particulars about the sort of man he wants?

He naturally wants a young man and a good sportsman. It's important that he should be able to speak Arabic. But the qualifications which will satisfy the Khedive are nothing beside those which will satisfy me. The wrong man may cause irreparable damage to British interests.

Have you thought that Henry would be admirably suited?

I can't say I have, Christina.

He's young and he's very good at games. He speaks Arabic.

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