Box. Although we are not destined to occupy the same—ahem!—Cabinet Council Chamber—at present, I don't see any necessity for our cutting each other's political throat, Sir.

Cox. Not at all. It's an operation that I should decidedly object to.

Box. And, after all, I've no violent animosity against you, Sir.

Cox. Nor have I any rooted antipathy to you. Sir.

Box. Besides, it was all—ahem!—Mrs.—ahem's fault, Sir!

Cox (embarrassed). Well—ahem!—my—er—loyalty—as a man of honour—to—er—that lady, Sir, forbids, Sir, my saying, or—er—permitting to be said——

[Gradually approaching chairs.

Box. Ah, exactly, I quite understand that. The truth is——

Cox (quickly). A most excellent thing, in its way. I always see it.

Box. Very well, Sir!

Cox. Very well, Sir! [Pause.

Box. Take a little jam, Sir!

Cox. Thank you, Sir!

[Taking a spoonful. Pause.

Box. Do you sing, Sir?

Cox (modestly). I have, in days gone by, done a little Negro Minstrelsy.

Box. Then give us a breakdown. (Pause.) Well, well, perhaps the suggestion's a little inopportune. What is your opinion of smoking, Sir? [Produces cigarette.

Cox (tartly). I think it is a pestilent practice, Sir!

Box (puffing). So do some other singular people, Sir. To be sure, they may not so much object to it if the pipes are not loaded.

Cox. No—I daresay that does make some difference.

Box. And yet, Sir, on the other hand, doesn't it strike you, as rather a waste of time, for people to keep puffing away at pipes (or Programmes) with nothing in 'em?

Cox (drily). No, Sir—not more than any other harmless recreation—such, for instance, as posing as a Party leader, without any Party.

Box (aside). Some of his own Party may be found a bit shaky. Next time I invite him, it may be to tea—and turn-out!

Cox (aside). Let him put that in his pipe (or cigarette) and smoke it!

Box (aloud). Well, well, now we so thoroughly understand each other, what—even Programmes—shall part us?

Cox. Who—even—ahem! a certain Party, shall tear us asunder?

Box. Cox!

Cox. Box!

[About to embrace. Box stops, seizes Cox's hand, and looks eagerly in his face.

Box. You'll excuse the apparent insanity of the remark, but the more I gaze on your features, the more I'm convinced that you'd never be such a suicidal idiot as to—seek another Chamber?

Cox (winking). Walker!

Box. Ah—tell me—in mercy tell me—have you such a thing as the "Strawberry Leaves" in your eye?

Cox. No!

Box. Then we are brothers!

[They rush into each other's arms.

Cox. Of course, we stop where we are?

Box. Of course!

Cox. For between you and me, I'm rather partial to the House.

Box. So am I—I feel quite at home in it.

Cox. Everything so clean and comfortable!

Box. And I'm sure its Mistress, Mrs.—ahem!—from what little I've seen of her, is very anxious to do her best.

Cox. So she is—and I vote, Box, that we stand by her!

Box. Agreed! (winks.) There's my hand upon it—join but yours—agree that the House is big enough to hold us both, then Box——

Cox. And Cox——

Both. Are satisfied!

[Curtain.