MRS. B. He's gone at last! I declare I was all in a tremble for fear Mr. Box would come in before Mr. Cox went out. Luckily, they've never met yet; and what's more, they're not very likely to do so; for Mr. Box is hard at work at a newspaper office all night, and doesn't come home till the morning, and Mr. Cox is busy making hats all day long, and doesn't come home till night; so that I'm getting double rent for my room, and neither of my lodgers is any the wiser for it. It was a capital idea of mine--that it was! But I haven't an instant to lose. First of all, let me put Mr. Cox's things out of Mr. Box's 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 color 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 must be individually and professionally associated with the hatting interest.