COX. Consequently, in the bathing season—which luckily is rather a long one—we see but little of each other; but as that is now over, I am daily indulging in the expectation of being blessed with the sight of my beloved (very seriously). Are you married?
BOX. Me? Why—not exactly!
COX. Ah—a happy bachelor!
BOX. Why—not—precisely!
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!