“Surely, Kitty, that is Mr. Outrage, last week’s Prime Minister.”

“Nonsense, Fanny, where?”

“Just in front of the two men with bowler hats, next to the clergyman.”

“It is certainly like his photographs. How strange he looks.”

“Just like poor Throbbing⁠ ⁠… all that last year.”

“… And none of us even suspected⁠ ⁠… until they found the bottles under the board in his dressing-room⁠ ⁠… and we all used to think it was drink⁠ ⁠…”

“I don’t think one finds quite the same class as Prime Minister nowadays, do you think?”

“They say that only one person has any influence with Mr. Outrage⁠ ⁠…”

“At the Japanese Embassy⁠ ⁠…”

“Of course, dear, not so loud. But tell me, Fanny, seriously, do you think really and truly Mr. Outrage has it?”

“He has a very nice figure for a man of his age.”

“Yes, but his age, and the bull-like type is so often disappointing. Another glass? You will be grateful for it when the ship begins to move.”

“I quite thought we were moving.”

“How absurd you are, Fanny, and yet I can’t help laughing.”