_Second W. I. M._ Come, come, we couldn't appoint Egyptian Ministers, could we? _First W. I. M._ Oh, it comes to exactly the same thing; they're appointed subject to our proviso (_consulting paper_), yes, subject to our veto, and then this little whipper-snapper goes and gives them the chuck. He'll jolly soon have to climb down off that. _Average Man._ Gently! The young chap's King, after all, isn't he? I thought Kings might appoint or dismiss Ministers as they liked. _First W. I. M._ Oh, rot! The QUEEN can't appoint her own Ministers. We all know that. They're appointed by the Prime Minister. Any fool knows that. _Inquirer._ But who appoints the Prime Minister? _First W. I. M._ He appoints himself, and tells the QUEEN he's done it. They all go and kiss hands and get their seals, or something of that sort. _Inquirer._ Of course, of course. I forgot that. But how about these Egyptian beggars? _First W. I. M._ The KHEDIVE'S had the cheek to dismiss the Ministry, and shove another lot in. I see Lord CROMER has been to the Palace to protest. _Inquirer._ Lord CROMER! Who's he? _First W. I. M._ My dear fellow, fancy not knowing that! Lord CROMER'S our Ambassador at Cairo. _Second W. I. M._ Oh, nonsense. There are no ambassadors at Cairo. _First W. I. M._ Aren't there? Oh, indeed. Well, then perhaps you'll tell me what Lord CROMER is? _Second W. I. M._ He's our Minister. That's what they call them. _Inquirer._ Was it him the KHEDIVE dismissed, then? _Second W. I. M._ (_laughing heartily_). No, no; we haven't got to that yet. He dismissed his own Johnnies, of course; Egyptians. Lord CROMER'S the English Minister. _Average Man._ No, he isn't. He's the English Agent. _Second W. I. M._ Oh, well, it's the same thing. _First W. I. M._ (_taking his revenge_). No, it isn't at all the same thing; it's a very different thing. A Minister's only just short of an Ambassador, and an Agent (_pauses_)--well, he's something quite different. I don't think he gets as much pay for one thing, and of course he can't live in the Embassy. _Inquirer._ But who does live in the Embassy, then? _First W. I. M._ It's unoccupied, of course. _Average Man._ No, it isn't. There isn't any Embassy at all. [_A pause._ _Inquirer_ (_returning to the charge_). But look here, who _is_ Lord CROMER? I never heard of him before. I thought we'd got BARING or ROTHSCHILD, or somebody representing us in Egypt. _First W. I. M._ (_with smiling superiority_). My dear chap, you're thinking of Sir EVELYN BARING. He left Egypt long ago. _Inquirer._ Why did he leave? _First W. I. M._ Old GLADSTONE gave him the sack. _Second W. I. M._ No, he didn't. GLADSTONE wasn't in power when BARING left Egypt. It was SALISBURY who dismissed him. _First W. I. M._ I bet you a sov. it was GLADSTONE. _Second W. I. M._ And I bet you a sov. it was SALISBURY. _Average Man._ You'll both lose. It was neither. _First W. I. M._, _Second W. I. M._ (_together_). Bosh! That's impossible.