SCENE--_Interior of Small Box containing telephone with book of addresses. Enter hurriedly_ Impatient Subscriber. _Impatient Subscriber_ (_turning over leaves of address-book_). Of course I can't find it! Ah! here it is! 142086. (_Rings bell of telephone, and listens with receivers to his ear._) Now I have forgotten it! (_Puts back receivers on rests, and refers again to book. Telephone bell rings in answer. He hurries back and calls._) One hundred and forty-two nought eighty-six. _First Voice_ (_from telephone_). One hundred and forty-two? _Imp. Sub._ Yes, and nought eighty-six. _First Voice_. Which do you want? _Imp. Sub._ Why, both. _First Voice_. You can't. Must have one at a time. _Imp. Sub._ It's only one. One four two nought eight six. _First Voice_. One four two nought eight six? _Imp. Sub._ Yes, please. One four two nought eight six. _First Voice_. Very well. Why didn't you give the number before? _Imp. Sub._ (_angrily_). Well, I have given it now. (_He listens intently, exclaiming now and again_, "_Are you there_?" _and then rings_.) One four two nought eight six, please. _First Voice_ (_after a pause_). What! _Imp. Sub._ One four two nought eight six, please. [Illustration] _First Voice_ (_as if the number is now heard for the first time_). One four two nought eight six? _Imp. Sub._ Yes, please. And look sharp! _First Voice_. What? _Imp. Sub._ One four two nought eight six. _First Voice_. I hear. One four two nought eight six. [_The communication is cut off for a couple of minutes._ _Imp. Sub._ (_for the sixth time_). Are you there? _Second Voice_. Yes. Who is it? _Imp. Sub._ I am BOSH, BOODLE & CO. _Second Voice_. RUSH, RUDDLE & CO.? _Imp. Sub._ No. BOSH, BOODLE & CO. _First Voice_. Have you finished? _Imp. Sub._ No, no--we are still speaking. I want to know if you have sent that case of champagne to BUMBLETON? _Second Voice_. What? I can't hear you. _Imp. Sub._ (_speaking very slowly, as if dictating to imperfectly educated infants_). Have--you--sent--that--case--of--cham--pagne--to BUM--BLE--TON? _Second Voice_ (_puzzled_). Sent a case of champagne? _First Voice_ (_interposing_.) Have you finished? _Imp. Sub._ No, we are still speaking. Yes--have you sent a case of champagne to BUMBLETON? _Second Voice_. Sent a case of champagne to BUMBLETON? No; why should we? _Imp. Sub._ Because you promised TICKLEBY you would. _Second Voice_ (_evidently perplexed_). Promised TICKLEBY? _Imp. Sub._ (_in a tone of reproach_). Yes, promised TICKLEBY. _First Voice_ (_interposing_.) Have you finished? _Imp. Sub._ No, we are still speaking; please don't cut us off. (_Returning to the champagne subject_). Yes, you promised TICKLEBY you would send the case of champagne to BUMBLETON. (_With inspiration._) You are the Arctic Wine Company, aren't you? _Second Voice_. No. I am Secretary of the Curate's Papier Mâché Church Company. _Imp. Sub._ (_in a tone of sorrow_). Aren't you one four two nought eight six?