ROYCE. Yes.
OLIVER. Where is everybody?
ROYCE. About somewhere.
OLIVER. Oh!... I’ve been away for a couple of days. My chief made a speech at Bradford. My God! Just for my benefit he dragged in a reference to Oliver Blayds. Also “My God.”
ROYCE (realising suddenly that somebody is talking). Oh! (He goes on with his work.)
OLIVER. Yes, you seem quite excited about it.
ROYCE. Sorry, but I’ve really got rather a lot to do, and not too much time to do it in.
OLIVER. Oh!... You won’t mind my asking, but are you living in the house?
ROYCE. Practically. For the last three days.
OLIVER. Oh, I say, are you really? I was being sarcastic—as practised by the best politicians.