BETHAAL: Well, he’s bound to win. He’s bound to take the place, and then [_wearily_], then, as poor old Hashuah said at the Guildhall, “Annexation will be inevitable.” HANNO: Now, look here, may I put it to you shortly? BETHAAL [_in great dread_]: All right. HANNO [_leaning forward in an earnest way, and emphasising what he says_]: All you men who get at the head of a Department only think of the work of that Department. That’s why you talk about Hannibal’s being bound to win. Of course he’s bound to win; but Carthage all hangs together, and if he wins at too great a price in money _you’re_ weakened, and your _son_ is weakened, and _all_ of us are weakened. We shall be paying five per cent where we used to pay four. Things don’t go in big jumps; they go in gradations, and I do assure you that if you don’t send more men---- BETHAAL [_interrupting impatiently_]: Oh, curse all that! One can easily see where _you_ were brought up; you smell of Athens like a Don, and you make it worse by living out in the country, reading books and publishing pamphlets and putting people’s backs up for nothing. If you’d ever been in politics--I mean, if you hadn’t got pilled by three thousand at.... [_At this moment an obese and exceedingly stupid Carthaginian of the name of Matho strolls into the smoking-room of the club, sees the two great men, becomes radiant with a mixture of reverence, admiration, and pride of acquaintance, and makes straight for them._] HANNO: Who on earth’s that? Know him? BETHAAL [_in a whisper astonishingly vivacious and angry for so old a man_]: Shut your mouth, can’t you? He’s the head of my association! He’s the Mayor of the town! MATHO: Room for little un? [_He laughs genially and sits down, obviously wanting an introduction to Hanno._] BETHAAL [_nervously_]: I haven’t seen you for ages, my dear fellow! I hope Lady Matho’s better? [_Turning to Hanno_] Do you know Lady Matho? HANNO [_gruffly_]: Lady _Who_? BETHAAL [_really angry, and savage on that half of his face which is turned towards Hanno_]: This gentleman’s wife!