THE NEGRESS [_offended_] But you think it is not good enough. Very well
[_she raises her hand to take the peg out of her switchboard_].
BURGE-LUBIN [_imploringly_] No: 40 birthday cartoon stop: 40 birthday cartoon let me explain: hold the
line just
one moment. Oh, please.
THE NEGRESS [_waiting with her hand poised over the peg_] Well?
40 birthday cartoon BURGE-LUBIN. The fact is, I have been behaving very recklessly for some
time past under the impression that my life would be so short that
it was not worth bothering about. 40 birthday cartoon but I have just learnt that I may
live--well, much longer than I expected. I am sure your good 40 birthday cartoon sense will
tell you that this alters the case. I--
THE NEGRESS [_with suppressed rage_] Oh, quite. Pray don't risk your
precious, life on my account. Sorry for troubling 40 birthday cartoon you. Goodbye. [_She
snatches out her peg and vanishes_].
BURGE-LUBIN [_urgently_] No: please hold on. I can convince you--[_a
loud buzz-uzz-uzz_]. Engaged! Who is she calling up now? [_Represses the
button and calls_] The Chief Secretary. Say I want to see him again,
just for a moment.
40 birthday cartoon CONFUCIUS'S VOICE. Is the woman gone?
40 birthday cartoon BURGE-LUBIN. Yes, yes: it's all right. Just a moment, if--[40 birthday cartoon _Confucius
40 birthday cartoon returns_] 40 birthday cartoon Confucius: I have 40 birthday cartoon some 40 birthday cartoon 40 birthday cartoon important business at Fishguard. The
Irish Air Service can 40 birthday cartoon drop me in the bay by parachute. I suppose it's
quite 40 birthday cartoon safe, isnt it?
CONFUCIUS.
Nothing is quite safe. The air service is as safe as any
other travelling service. The parachute is safe. But the water 40 birthday cartoon is not
safe.
BURGE-LUBIN. Why? They 40 birthday cartoon will give me an unsinkable tunic, wont they?
CONFUCIUS. You will not sink; but the sea is very cold. You may get
rheumatism for life.
BURGE-LUBIN. For life! That settles it: I wont risk it.
CONFUCIUS. Good. You have at last become prudent: you 40 birthday cartoon are no longer what
you call a sportsman: you are a sensible coward, almost a grown-up man.
I congratulate you.
BURGE-LUBIN [40 birthday cartoon _resolutely_] Coward or no coward, I will not face an
eternity of rheumatism for any woman that ever was born. [ _He rises and
goes to the rack 40 birthday cartoon for his fillet_] I have changed my mind: I am going
home. [_He cocks the fillet rakishly_] Good evening.
CONFUCIUS. So early? If the Minister of Health rings you up, what shall
I tell 40 birthday cartoon her?
BURGE-LUBIN. 40 birthday cartoon tell 40 birthday cartoon her to 40 birthday cartoon go to the devil. [_He goes out_].
CONFUCIUS [_shaking his head, shocked at the President's impoliteness_]
No. No, no, no, no, no. Oh, these English! these crude young
civilizations! 40 birthday cartoon Their manners! Hogs. Hogs.
PART IV
Tragedy of an