THE PRESENCE. Will you please to remember that your holiday began at twelve o'clock to-day? I'm not going to allow any overtime now.
EX-PRES. That settles it, then, Tumulty. And that means you are to go. I had just been saying, my dear, how much simpler it was to obey orders than to give and to get them obeyed.
THE PRESENCE. Getting them obeyed is quite simple. It is merely a matter of how you give them.
EX-PRES. You see, Tumulty—it's all a matter of "how."
THE PRESENCE. There's someone waiting to speak to you on the 'phone: wants to know how you are. I thought I would come and see first.
EX-PRES. Who is it?
THE PRESENCE (indicating the receiver). He's there.
(The Ex-President reaches out his hand, and Tumulty from an adjoining table gives him the instrument. As he listens, they stand watching him.)
EX-PRES. Oh, yes…. That's very kind of him…. Please will you tell the
President, with my best thanks, that I am greatly enjoying my holiday….
Thank you…. Good-bye.
(He gives the instrument back to the waiting Tumulty.)