The King. Of course. I was thinking of something else.
Bang. I would not mind betting that I know what your Majesty was thinking of—if I may say so without impertinence.
The King. What was it, then?
Bang. Your Majesty was thinking of the socialists!
The King. Of the—?
Bang. The socialists!
The King (looking amused). Why particularly of them?
Bang. I was right, you see! Ha, ha, ha! (His laughter brings on a violent fit of coughing.) Your Majesty must excuse me; laughing always brings on my cough.—But, you know, the papers this morning are full of their goings on!
The King. I have not read the paper.
Bang. Then I can assure your Majesty that the way they are going on is dreadful. And just when we were all getting on so comfortably! What in the world do they want?