Cox. Oh! a—widower?
Box. No—not absolutely!
Cox. You’ll excuse me, sir—but at present I don’t exactly understand how you can help being one of the three.
Box. Not help it?
Cox. No, sir—not you, nor any other man alive!
Box. Ah, that may be—but I’m not alive!
Cox. [Pushing back his chair.] You’ll excuse me, sir—but I don’t like joking upon such subjects.
Box. I’m perfectly serious, sir. I’ve been defunct for the last three years!
Cox. [Shouting.] Will you be quiet, sir?