_Podb._ (_sulkily_). Very well--'m sure _I_ don't care! (_To himself._) Even old CULCHARD won't have anything to do with me now! I must have _somebody_ to talk to--or I shall go off my head! (_Aloud_). I say, old _chap_! (_No answer_.) Look here--it's bad enough as it is without _our_ having a row! Never mind anything I said. _Culch._ I _do_ mind--I _must_. I am not accustomed to hear myself called a--a _jabberer_! _Podb._ I _didn't_ call you a jabberer--I only said you _talked_ jabber. I--I hardly know what I _do_ say, when I'm like this. And I'm deuced sorry I spoke--there! _Culch._ (_relaxing_). Well, do you withdraw jabber? _Podb._ Certainly, old chap. I _like_ you to talk, only not--not against Her, you know! What were you going to propose? _Culch._ Well, my idea was this. My leave is practically unlimited--at least, without vanity, I think I may say that my Chief sufficiently appreciates my services not to make a fuss about a few extra days. So I thought I'd just run down to Florence and Naples, and perhaps catch a P. & O. at Brindisi. I suppose _you're_ not tied to time in any way? _Podb._ (_dolefully_). Free as a bird! If the Governor had wanted me back in the City, he'd have let me know it. Well? _Culch._ Well, if you like to come with me, I--I shall be very pleased to have your company. _Podb._ (_considering_). I don't care if I do--it may cheer me up a bit. Florence, eh?--and Naples? I shouldn't mind a look at Florence. Or Rome. How about Rome, now? _Culch._ (_to himself_). Was I wise to expose myself to this sort of thing _again_? I'm almost sorry I-- (_Aloud._) My dear fellow, if we are to travel together in any sort of comfort, you must leave all details to _me_. And there's one thing I _do_ insist on. In future we must keep to our original resolution--not to be drawn into any chance acquaintanceship. I don't want to reproach you, but if, when we were first at Brussels, you had not allowed yourself to get so intimate with the TROTTERS, all this would never-- _Podb._ (_exasperated_). There you go again! I can't stand being jawed at, CULCHARD, and I won't! _Culch._ I am no more conscious of "jawing" than "jabbering," and if _that_ is how I am to be spoken to--! _Podb._ I know. Look here, it's no use. You must go to Florence by yourself. I simply don't feel up to it, and that's the truth. I shall just potter about here, till--till _they_ go. _Culch._ As you choose. I gave you the opportunity--out of kindness. If you prefer to make yourself ridiculous by hanging about here, it's no concern of mine. I daresay I shall enjoy Florence at least as well by myself. [_He sulks until they arrive at the Hotel Dandolo, where they are received on the steps by the Porter._