A WAY THEY HAVE IN THE CITY.
Scene—Board-room of a Public Company. Time—A few minutes after the close of a General Meeting.
Present—Chairman of Directors and Secretary.
- Chairman. Well, I think I got in all that was wanted?
- Secretary. Could not have been better, Sir. You had the figures at your fingers' ends.
- Chair. (laughing). You mean on a sheet of paper in front of me.
- Sec. And everyone was satisfied, Sir.
- Chair. As they should have been, considering my flaming account of the prosperity of the undertaking. By the way, is it flourishing?
- Sec. Well, Sir, that is scarcely in my department. You must ask the auditors.
- Chair. Oh, never mind; it is a matter of no importance.
- Sec. I daresay if you wanted any information, Sir, I could get it for you.
- Chair. No, thanks, I don't want to increase my work. I am sure I do quite enough for my wretched two or three hundred a year—don't you think so?
- Sec. Certainly, Sir. You do a great deal more than some Chairmen.
- Chair. Yes, I suppose I do. Come here once a year, and preside over an Annual Meeting, and draw my fees. What more can I do?
- Sec. I'm sure I don't know, Sir. A knowledge of the duties of a Chairman of Directors comes scarcely within the scope of my required services.
- Chair. Quite so; and now I will say Good-bye!
- Sec. See you again next year, Sir?
- Chair. Certainly. If I don't sell out in the meantime. And now I must be off. I am due at another meeting, and have to get up the necessary figures in five minutes. Do you think I shall do it in the time?
- Sec. Certainly, Sir. You managed the task in less here.
[Scene closes in upon the valuable pair—and the security of the Public.
"Friendly Riflery."—"Mellish has followed his miss with an inner and two bullseyes." Very kind of Mellish. We hope "his Miss" accepted the two bullseyes. "Boyd and Gibbs got magpies." Whatever sort of pies these may be, it is evident that, with "pies" and "bullseyes," our riflemen are fond of sweets.
