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way. [She takes the three hats, Cox's dressing gown and slippers, opens door at l. and puts them in, then shuts door and locks it.] Now, then, to put the key where Mr. Cox always finds it. [Puts the key on the ledge of the door, l.] I really must beg Mr. Box not to smoke so much. I was so dreadfully puzzled to know what to say when Mr. Cox spoke about it. Now, then, to make the bed—and don't let me forget that what's the head of the bed for Mr. Cox, becomes the foot of the bed for Mr. Box—people's tastes do differ so. [Goes behind the curtains of the bed, and seems to be making it—then appears with a very thin bolster in her hand.] The idea of Mr. Cox presuming to complain of such a bolster as this! [She disappears again, behind curtains.] |
| Box. | [Without.] Pooh—pooh! Why don't you keep your own side of the staircase, sir? [Enters at back, dressed as a Printer. Puts his head out at door again, shouting.] It was as much your fault as mine, sir! I say, sir—it was as much your fault as mine, sir! |
| Mrs. B. | [Emerging from behind the curtains of bed.] Lor, Mr. Box! what is the matter? |
| Box. | Mind your own business, Bouncer! |
| Mrs. B. | Dear, dear, Mr. Box! what a temper you are in, to be sure! I declare you're quite pale in the face! |
| Box. | What colour would you have a man be, who has been setting up long leaders for a daily paper all night? |
| Mrs. B. | But, then, you've all the day to yourself. |
| Box. | [Looking significantly at Mrs. Bouncer.] So it seems! Far be it from me, Bouncer, to hurry your movements, but I think it right to acquaint you with my immediate intention of divesting myself of my garments, and going to bed. |
| Mrs. B. | Oh, Mr. Box![Going. |
| Box. | Stop! Can you inform me who the individual is that I invariably encounter going down stairs when I'm coming up, and coming up stairs when I'm going down? |
| Mrs. B. | [Confused.] Oh—yes—the gentleman in the attic, sir. |
| Box. | Oh! There's nothing particularly remarkable about him, except his hats. I meet him in all sorts of hats—white hats and black hats—hats with broad brims, and hats with narrow brims—hats with naps, and hats without naps—in short, I have come to the conclusion, that he |
