[Taking a spoonful. Pause.
Box. Do you sing, Sir?
Cox (modestly). I have, in days gone by, done a little Negro Minstrelsy.
Box. Then give us a breakdown. (Pause.) Well, well, perhaps the suggestion's a little inopportune. What is your opinion of smoking, Sir? [Produces cigarette.
Cox (tartly). I think it is a pestilent practice, Sir!
Box (puffing). So do some other singular people, Sir. To be sure, they may not so much object to it if the pipes are not loaded.
Cox. No—I daresay that does make some difference.
Box. And yet, Sir, on the other hand, doesn't it strike you, as rather a waste of time, for people to keep puffing away at pipes (or Programmes) with nothing in 'em?
Cox (drily). No, Sir—not more than any other harmless recreation—such, for instance, as posing as a Party leader, without any Party.
Box (aside). Some of his own Party may be found a bit shaky. Next time I invite him, it may be to tea—and turn-out!