Page:Box and Cox.djvu/13

Cox & Box.

Then put it up!

Mrs. B.

Nay, I'll see if I can't get the other room ready this very day. Now do keep your tempers. [Exit, l.

Cox.	What a disgusting position![Walking rapidly round stage.

Box.	[Sitting down on chair, at one side of table, and following Cox's movements.] Will you allow me to observe, if you have not had any exercise to-day, you'd better go out and take it.

Cox.	I shall not do anything of the sort, sir.[Seating himself at the table opposite Box.

Box.	Very well, sir.

Cox.	Very well, sir! However, don't let me prevent you from going out.

Box.	Don't flatter yourself, sir. [Cox is about to break a piece of the roll off.] Holloa! that's my roll, sir—[Snatches it away—puts a pipe in his mouth, lights it with a piece of tinder—and puffs smoke across to Cox.

Cox.	Holloa! What are you about, sir?

Box.	What am I about? I'm about to smoke.

Cox.	Wheugh! [Goes and opens window at Box's back.

Box.	Hollo! [Turns round.] Put down that window, sir!

Cox.	Then put your pipe out, sir!

Box.	There![Puts pipe on table.

Cox.	There! [Slams down window, and re-seats himself.

Box.	I shall retire to my pillow. [Goes up, takes off his jacket, then goes towards bed, and sits upon it, l. c.

Cox.	[Jumps up, goes to bed, and sits down on r. of Box.] I beg your pardon, sir—I cannot allow any one to rumple my bed. [Both rising.]

Box.	Your bed? Hark ye, sir—can you fight?

Cox.

No, sir.

Box.	No? Then come on—[Sparring at Cox.

Cox.	Sit down, sir—or I'll instantly vociferate "Police!"

Box.	[Seats himself—Cox does the same.] I say, sir——

Cox.	Well, sir?

Box.	Although we are doomed to occupy the same room for a few hours longer, I don't see any necessity for our cutting each other's throats, sir.

Cox.	Not at all. It's an operation that I should decidedly object to.

Box.	And, after all, I've no violent animosity to you, sir.

Cox.	Nor have I any rooted antipathy to you, sir.