BOX.

How d'ye do?

c.o.x.

How are you?

BOX.

Very well, sir.

c.o.x.

Very well, sir! (_Aside_) I don't like the look of this.

BOX (_aside_).

I don't like the taste of _that_.

c.o.x (_aside_).

What's Box here for?

BOX (_aside_).

Has c.o.x been trying to poison himself--and poisoned me?

c.o.x (_aside_).

He mustn't stay here.

BOX (_aside_).

c.o.x must go. I don't think I feel as well as I did.

c.o.x.

Ahem!

BOX.

Ahem!

c.o.x.

I beg your pardon, you were going to say--

BOX.

On the contrary, I interrupted you--

c.o.x.

No, you speak first. _Seniores priores._

BOX.

In that case you have the preference. Why, I'm quite a chicken by the side of you.

c.o.x.

Pooh, sir.

BOX.

Well, if you don't like "chicken" I'll say gosling.

c.o.x.

Don't be absurd, sir. At what age were you born?

BOX.

What's that to you? I'm six years younger than you, whatever you are.

c.o.x.

So am I. So you speak first.

BOX.

This is absurd. I'm only a visitor. You're a resident.

c.o.x.

No I'm not. I'm only _ong parsong_.

BOX.

Ong Parsong? Why, you don't mean to say you've become a clergyman?

Archbishop c.o.x, I congratulate you.

(_Our two curates, who are among the audience, see the joke and laugh sweetly._)

c.o.x.

Don't be a fool. Are you stopping here?

BOX.