[With sudden inspiration]. There's one thing I _can_ do! MANSON. What's that? ROBERT. Renahnce ole Beelzebub an' all 'is bloomin' wirks! 'And us that brarss-band! [He alludes to the ear-trumpet. MANSON obeying, ROBERT jabs it into the ear of the BISHOP, who seems quite surprised.] 'Ere! 'Av' you ever 'eard of 'ell? BISHOP. Of what? ROBERT. 'Ell. [Spelling.] H, E, double L, 'ell. BISHOP. Well, my dear sir, I think I ought to! ROBERT. Then, go there! Aymen . . . Now I'll go an' 'av' a look at our Bill's drains, damn 'is eyes! [He goes out through the main door, repentant.] BISHOP. The scoundrel! Did you hear what he said? I shall certainly report him to his bishop! MANSON. I don't think I should. _His_ bishop doesn't mind a little plain speech now and again. BISHOP. A little plain speech! Do you think it's right for a clergyman to--to direct me to perdition? MANSON. I think you are making a mistake: the man who gave you your--direction is not a clergyman. He's a scavenger. BISHOP. A scavenger! MANSON. Yes--looks after drains. BISHOP. Do you mean to tell me that I've been sitting down to breakfast with a common working-man? MANSON. Yes; have you never done that before? BISHOP. My dear sir, whatever do you take me for? MANSON. A bishop of God's church. BISHOP. Precisely! Is it _your_ custom to breakfast with working-men? MANSON. Every morning. You see, I'm prejudiced: I was one myself, once. BISHOP. You? . . . MANSON. Yes--a long time ago, though: people have forgotten. BISHOP. But, my dear brother, I am perfectly sure you never told people to go to . . . MANSON. Oh yes, quite frequently: it would shock you to learn the language I really did use. Perhaps, under the circumstances, it might be advisable to drop the subject at this point. BISHOP [emphatically]. I most certainly agree with you there! After all, it is a digression from the purpose for which we are here! . . . Let me see, then: where were we? . . . Oh yes, I remember-- Although, by the way, it was very ill-advised of you to speak your mind so openly in that man's presence! However . . . To resume our--how shall I call it ?--our--little understanding, eh? MANSON. That describes it most accurately. BISHOP. Now, you said, _Let's give as little, and grab as much as we can_. Of course, that is a playful way of putting it; but between ourselves, it expresses my sentiments exactly. MANSON. I knew that when I said it. BISHOP [delighted]. My dear brother, your comprehension makes my heart warm. I trust our relations may always remain as warm. MANSON. Oh, warmer, warmer! BISHOP. Very well then, to business! I tell you, candidly, I agree with you, that there is no necessity for sinking anything of our own in the concern: nothing ever comes of that sort of reckless generosity! If people want a church, let them make some sacrifice for it! Why should _we_ do anything? I am sure you will appreciate my candour?