People say it wants a bit of gettin' used to. JOHN. Mr. Bush, you're a philosopher. JAMES. Well, I will say this for myself, you'd want to get up early in the morning to catch me nappin'. I didn't catch your name. JOHN. Halliwell. JAMES. 'Alliwell? JOHN. [_Emphasising the H._] Halliwell. JAMES. That's what I say--'Alliwell. I knew a fellow in the meat trade called 'Alliwell. Any relation? JOHN. I don't think so. JAMES. Fine business 'e 'ad too. There's a rare lot of money to be made out of meat. JOHN. I dare say. Jenny. [_To_ JOHN.] It _is_ a long time since I've seen you. I suppose you've quietened down now you're a married man. You were a hot 'un when you was a bachelor. JAMES. [_Facetiously._] Don't make 'im blush, Jenny. Accidents will 'appen in the best regulated families. And boys will be boys, as they say in the Bible. JOHN. I think I must be off, Basil. JAMES. Well, I'll be toddlin' too. I only come in just to say 'ow d'you do to my future brother-in-law. I'm a fellow as likes to be cordial. There's no 'aughtiness about me. BASIL. [_Politely, but not effusively._] Oh; won't you stay and have some tea? JAMES. No, thanks. I'm not much of an 'and at tea; I leave that to females. I like something stronger myself. JENNY. [_Remonstrating._] Jimmie! BASIL. I have some whisky, Mr. Bush. JAMES. Oh, blow the Mister and blow the Bush. Call me Jimmie. I can't stand ceremony. The way I look on it is this. We're both of us gentlemen. Now, mind you, I'm not a fellow to praise myself. But I will say this: I am a gentleman. That's not self-praise, is it? JOHN. Dear me, no. Mere statement of fact. JAMES. Well, as I was saying, I know I'm a gentleman. It's a thing you can't 'elp, so what's the good of being proud about it? If I meet a chap in a pub, and he invites me to have a drink, I don't ask him if he's a Lord. BASIL. But you just take it. JAMES. Well, you'd do the same yourself, wouldn't you? BASIL. I dare say. But will you have a drink now? JAMES. Oh, bless you, I know what it is to be engaged. I don't want to disturb you canary-birds. Me and 'Alliwell 'll go and have a gargle round the corner. I see you've got a public nice and 'andy. [_To_ JOHN.] I suppose you're not above goin' in there now and again, eh? JENNY. [_With a laugh._] He came into the "Golden Crown" every day of his life, and chance it! JOHN. I'm afraid I'm in a great hurry. JAMES. 'Ang it all, one's always got time to have a drop of Scotch in this life. BASIL. [_To_ JAMES, _handing him the box._] Well, take a cigar with you. JAMES. [_Taking and examining one._] If you are so pressing. Villar y Villar.... What do they run you in a hundred? BASIL. They were given to me, I really don't know what they cost. [_He lights a match._] Won't you take the label off? JAMES. Not if I know it. I don't smoke a Villar y Villar every day, but when I do, I smoke it with the label on. JENNY. [_Laughing._] Jimmie, you are a caution!