See here—his name—Nanki-Poo—beheaded this morning. Oh, where shall I find another? Where shall I find another? [Ko-Ko, Pooh-Bah, and Pitti-Sing fall on their knees. MIK. (looking at paper). Dear, dear, dear! this is very tiresome. (To Ko-Ko.) My poor fellow, in your anxiety to carry out my wishes you have beheaded the heir to the throne of Japan! KO. I beg to offer an unqualified apology. POOH. I desire to associate myself with that expression of regret. PITTI. We really hadn't the least notion— MIK. Of course you hadn't. How could you? Come, come, my good fellow, don't distress yourself—it was no fault of yours. If a man of exalted rank chooses to disguise himself as a Second Trombone, he must take the consequences. It really distresses me to see you take on so. I've no doubt he thoroughly deserved all he got. (They rise.) KO. We are infinitely obliged to your Majesty—— PITTI. Much obliged, your Majesty. POOH. Very much obliged, your Majesty. MIK. Obliged? not a bit. Don't mention it. How could you tell? POOH. No, of course we couldn't tell who the gentleman really was. PITTI. It wasn't written on his forehead, you know. KO. It might have been on his pocket-handkerchief, but Japanese don't use pocket-handkerchiefs! Ha! ha! ha! MIK. Ha! ha! ha! (To Katisha.) I forget the punishment for compassing the death of the Heir Apparent. KO., POOH, and PITTI. Punishment. (They drop down on their knees again.) MIK. Yes. Something lingering, with boiling oil in it, I fancy. Something of that sort. I think boiling oil occurs in it, but I'm not sure. I know it's something humorous, but lingering, with either boiling oil or melted lead. Come, come, don't fret—I'm not a bit angry. KO. (in abject terror). If your Majesty will accept our assurance, we had no idea—— MIK. Of course—— PITTI. I knew nothing about it. POOH. I wasn't there. MIK. That's the pathetic part of it. Unfortunately, the fool of an Act says "compassing the death of the Heir Apparent." There's not a word about a mistake—— KO., PITTI., and POOH. No! MIK. Or not knowing—— KO. No! MIK. Or having no notion—— PITTI. No! MIK. Or not being there—— POOH. No! MIK. There should be, of course—- KO., PITTI., and POOH. Yes! MIK. But there isn't. KO., PITTI., and POOH. Oh! MIK. That's the slovenly way in which these Acts are always drawn. However, cheer up, it'll be all right. I'll have it altered next session. Now, let's see about your execution—will after luncheon suit you? Can you wait till then? KO., PITTI., and POOH. Oh, yes—we can wait till then! MIK. Then we'll make it after luncheon. POOH. I don't want any lunch.