SCENE--_The Sanctum of a Newspaper Office. Editor discovered
(by Obtrusive Visitor) hard at work._
_Obtrusive Visitor_. I trust that I have not come at an unfortunate
moment?
_Editor_ (_looking up from his desk_). Dear me! You here! Delighted to
see you. But don't let me disturb you. Good-bye!
_Ob. Vis._ (_seating himself_). No; I am afraid it is the other way. I
know at this time of the week you must be exceptionally busy.
_Ed._ (_with courteous impatience_). Not at all, but--
_Ob. Vis._ Oh! thank you so much. Because it is the very last thing in
the world I would like to do--to disturb you. And now, how are you?
_Ed._ Quite well, thanks. But now, if you don't mind, I will just
finish.
[_Turns to go on with his article._
_Ob. Vis._ (_rejecting the hint_). I said to myself as I came along,
Now I will look him up.
_Ed._ Very kind of you, but--
_Ob. Vis._ Oh, not in the least; and you know, my dear fellow, how I
enjoy a chat.
_Ed._ Yes,--and I, too. But just now--
_Ob. Vis._ Quite so. You want me to do all the talking, as we haven't
met for the last three weeks. Well, you must know we have been to
Herne Bay, and--
_Ed._ Yes; charming place. But just now I am--
_Ob. Vis._ Quite so. But I didn't come to tell you about Herne Bay,
although it is really a delightful spot. The air--
_Ed._ Yes, I know all about it. First-rate, most salubrious, and the
rest of it. But, my dear friend, you really must--
_Ob. Vis._ Quite so! Yes, everyone knows all about Herne Bay; and I
really came to ask you if you had any room for an article.
_Ed._ (_roused_). My dear fellow, I assure you we are quite full for
months. Any number of excellent things standing over.
_Ob. Vis._ Oh, yes, I know you are always full. You told me so the
last time I called.
_Ed._ Quite so! Very sorry, but it can't be helped. Have to look so
far ahead nowadays, you know.
_Ob. Vis._ Certainly; and that is why I thought I would just bring a
half-finished article and show you what I had dome, and complete it
if you thought it would do. You can put it in whenever you like; so it
would not hurt for standing over.
_Ed._ (_with inspiration_). What is it called?
_Ob. Vis._ "Russian Wheat and Chinese Tea or Free Trade in Australia."
The subject is quite novel, and ought to attract considerable
attention.
_Ed._ Novel! Why, my dear fellow, I do believe I have an article
somewhere in that heap upon the very subject.
[_Pretends to search pile of MS._
_Ob. Vis._ (_uneasily_). Oh, never mind. I will read you what I have
written, and--
_Ed._ (_genially_). Oh, no, I won't give you the trouble. I will read
you what _he_ has written, and then you can see.--Ah, here it is!
[_Produces enormous pile of MS._
_Ob. Vis._ (_hesitating_). Well, perhaps, if you don't mind--
[_Suddenly remembers an appointment and exit. Editor resumes
hit work with an air of triumph. Curtain._
* * * * *