Members of the Deputation.  Thankee, Sir!  We’ll follow suit.

    [They remove their coats.

Em.  S. Now you would like to smoke?  Well, my Private Secretary will hand round cigars, cigarettes, and tobacco.  Don’t be shy, Consider my house Liberty Hall.  Well, tell me—­what’s it all about?

First Mem. of Dep. (pointing to Fussy M.P.) Why he said as how he would do all the speaking.

Em.  S. Very likely, and do it (bowing to him) very well.  But I would far rather that you should speak for yourselves.  Come let us meet as old friends.  Now—­what do you want?

Second Mem. of Dep. Why, Sir, if you put it in that pleasant way, I may say, payment for hours of labour put in by some one else.

Em.  S. Yes, very good.  Capital notion.  But how are you to manage it?

Third Mem. of Dep. (roughly).  That’s your business, and not ours.  We tell you what we want, and you have to carry out our wishes.

Em.  S. (smiling).  You mean the wishes of your class—­your order?

Second Mem. Well, that’s about it.  We do represent them.  Why we are sent to you by over 100,000!

Em.  S. And what is the full complement of your combined trades?

Second Mem. About nine millions, but that has nothing to do with it.

Em.  S. With it!  Do with what?

First Mem. of Dep. Why, what we require, Right Hon. Sir—­what we require!

Em.  S. (amiably).  And that is—?

First Mem. of Dep. (triumphantly).  Oh, you must tell us that!  It is not our place, but yours—­see?

Em.  S. Not exactly.  But will you not join me? (Offers cigarettes.) And now let us get at the heart of the question.  Who is to do your work for you?

First Mem. of Dep. (puffing at the tobacco).  Don’t you think that could be done by the Government?

Em.  S. I don’t know.  I am delighted to see you, because it is with your assistance that I propose mastering the details of the matter.  But you really must help me.

Second Mem. of Dep. (taken aback).  But, I say, Sir, is this quite fair?  We are accustomed to put up someone such as he (pointing to the Fussy M.P.), and leave it to him to do all the talking.

Em.  S. Yes, I know the old-fashioned plan; but I prefer the new.  Pray go on.  How will you get your work done gratuitously?

Fourth Mem. Oh, come!  That’s putting it a little too strong!  We are not accustomed to it.  What does it all mean?

Em.  S. I think I can answer you.  My good friends, until you can get an idea of what you really want, you can do nothing—­nor can I. So now, if you have another appointment to keep, please don’t let me detain you.  All I can wish you I do wish you.  May you all prosper in your undertakings.  And now, farewell!