Why, you've no idea how businesslike I am. We
have to be, you know. [Vaguely.] I know you're a
bit of a Socialist; but I assure you there's a good
deal to do — stake in the country, and all that. Look
at remembering faces now ! The King never forgets
faces. [Waves the programmes about.] I never forget
29



30 MAGIC ACT II

faces. [Catches sight of the Conjueee and genially
draws him into the diseiission.] Why, the Professor
here who performs before the King [puts down the
programmes] — you see it on the caravans, you know
— performs before the King almost every night, I
suppose . ..
CoNjuEEB. [Smiling.] I sometimes let his Majesty
have an evening off. And turn my attention, of
course, to the very highest nobility. But naturally
I have performed before every sovereign potentate,
white and black. There never was a conjurer who
hadn't.
Ddkk. That's right, that's right ! And you'll say
mth me that, the great business for a King is
remembering p^Jple ?

GoNJUEER. I should say it was remembering which
people to remember.
Duke. Well, well, now . . . [Looks rovrnd raiher
wildly for something.] Being really businesslike . ..
Hastings. Shall I take the programmes for your
Grace ?

Duke. [Picking them up.] No, no, I shan't forget.
Is there anything else ?

Hastings. I have to go down the village about the
wire to Stratford. The only other thing at all
urgent is the Militant Vegetarians.
Duke. Ah! The Militant Vegetarians! You've
heard of them, I'm sure. Won't obey the law [to
the Conjuebe] so long as the Government serves out
meat.
ACT II MAGIC 31

Conjurer. Let them be comforted. There are a
good many people who don't get much meat.
