He. Hang the thing! so it is.  They ought to be painted white or something.  Life is not worth living just now.

I. They’re best for trousers, I should say.  Their overcoats——­

He (pointing up side-street).  Isn’t that one there?  Hi, taxi!  Good heavens, that other fellow’s got it.  We really must walk faster.  If there isn’t one on the rank in Sloane Square, I’m done.  If there’s one thing I hate it’s being late.  Besides, I’m blamed hungry.  When I’m hungry I’m miserable till I eat.  No good to anyone.

I. As I was saying——­

He. What I want to know is, where are the taxis?  They’re not on the streets, anyway; then where are they?  One never sees a yard full of them, but they must be somewhere.  It’s a scandal—­a positive outrage.

I. Their overcoats can be very disappointing.  I don’t know how it is, but they don’t seem to understand overcoats.  But they’re so good in other ways, you know, that really if you are thinking——­

He. Here’s one, really empty.  Hi!  Hi!  Taxi!  Hi!  Hi!

    [The flag is up but the driver shakes his head, makes a noise which
    sounds like “dinner” and glides serenely on.

He. Well, I’m blamed!  Did you ever see anything like it?  What’s that he said?

I. It sounded like “dinner.”

He. Dinner!  Of all the something cheek!  Dinner!  What’s the world coming to?

I (brilliantly).  Perhaps he’s hungry.

He. Hungry!  Greedy, you mean.  Hansom drivers never refused to take you because they were hungry.  It’s monstrous.  Bless the War, anyway. (Looking at his watch) I say, we must put a spurt on.  You don’t mind, do you?

I (more mendaciously, and wondering why I’m so weak).  Oh, no.

    [We both begin to scuttle, half run and half walk.

I (panting).  As I was saying, they’re not A1 at overcoats, but they’ve a first-class cutter for everything else.  Just tell me if you want to change and I’ll introduce you, and then you’ll get special treatment.  There’s nothing they wouldn’t do for me.

He (breathlessly).  Ah!  There’s the rank.  There’s just one cab there.  How awful if it were to be taken before he saw us.  Run like Heaven.

I (running like Heaven).  I think I’ll leave you here.

He (running still more like Heaven, a little ahead).  Oh no, come on.  I want to hear about those tailors.  Hi!  Hi!  Wave your stick like Heaven!

    [We both wave our sticks like Heaven.

He (subsiding into a walk).  Ah! it’s all right.  He’s seen us. (Taking out his watch) I’ve got four minutes.  We shall just do it.  Good-bye.

    [He leaps into the cab and I turn away wondering where I shall get
    lunch.