Sir Humphrey:
[Talking about his promotion] The relationship which I might tentatively venture to aver has been not without some degree of reciprocal utility and perhaps even occasional gratification, is approaching a point of irreversible bifurcation and, to be brief, is in the propinquity of its ultimate regrettable termination.
Hacker:
... I see.
Sir Humphrey:
I'm... on my way out.
Hacker:
What?
Sir Humphrey:
There comes a time when one has to accept what fate has in store. When one passes on.
Hacker:
[horrified] Passes on!?
Sir Humphrey:
To pastures new, perhaps greener, and places oneself finally in the service of one who is greater than any of us.
Hacker:
Humphrey... I'm so sorry.
Sir Humphrey:
Oh, thank you, Minister.
Hacker:
Does Lady Appleby know?
Sir Humphrey:
Well, she's suspected it for some time, apparently.
Hacker:
When did they tell you?
Sir Humphrey:
This afternoon.
Hacker:
How long did they give you?
Sir Humphrey:
Oh, just a few weeks...
Hacker:
[horrified] A few weeks!?
Sir Humphrey:
Well, it'll give me enough time to sort everything out.
Hacker:
[his eyes filling with tears] Oh Humphrey, you're so terribly brave.
Sir Humphrey:
Well, one is a little anxious of course. One is always rather wary of the unknown, but I have faith somehow I'll muddle through.
[Hacker takes his handkerchief out of his pocket and begins to cry into it]
Sir Humphrey:
Minister, what is the matter?
Hacker:
I am sorry, Humphrey. Just, well we had our ups and downs.
Sir Humphrey:
Oh Minister, do not take on so. We will still be seeing one another regularly. Yes, once a week at least.
[Hacker looks up, aghast]
Hacker:
What??
Sir Humphrey:
I have not told you where I am going yet. I have been appointed Secretary to the Cabinet.
Hacker:
Secretary to the Cabinet?
Sir Humphrey:
What did you think I meant?
Hacker:
I thought, I..., I....
