The Doctor (laughing). Certainly one of us two has made a fine speech this morning!
The Editor. Not me; mine was made yesterday!—How is your hall-porter?
The Doctor (laughing). Quite well, I am ashamed to say.
The Editor. There's a faithful subscriber to my paper, if you like! (The DOCTOR laughs.) Well, Mrs. Evje, I can give you news of your man, Master John!
Mrs. Evje. Can you? It is more than I can.
The Editor. Yes—he is in bed still. That is why I came in the back way—to enquire after his health.
Mrs. Evje. But how—?
The Editor. How is he after last night?
Mrs. Evje. Really, I believe you know everything. We had no idea he was out last night.
The Editor. Oh, that is the very latest intelligence! He has been figuring as a speaker—he was drunk, of course—before the Association founded by his master's future son-in-law. And he made a most effective speech—indeed, the speakers at that Association always make most effective speeches! It was all about a Sliding Scale of Taxation, Profit-Sharing for Workers, the necessity for a Labour majority in Parliament, etc., etc., all the usual Socialist rhodomontade. You see how infectious intellectual ideas are!