Bernard and Sir Humphrey in “The Skeleton in the Cupboard”

Bernard

[on the phone] Hello, Graham, it's Bernard. Tell Sir Humphrey that the Minister's just gone walkabout. Yes, yes, AWOL. Well, of course I told him, yes. I know. I think you'd better let him know right away.

Bernard

One... two... three... four... five... six... seven... eight... nine... TEN.

Sir Humphrey

[walks in on the stroke of ten] What's all this about?

Bernard

The minister's just left the office, that's all.

Sir Humphrey

That's all? Do you mean he's loose in the building? Why didn't you warn me?

Bernard

I did advise him, but he is the minister. There's no prohibition against ministers talking to their staff.

Sir Humphrey

Who's he talking to?

Bernard

Perhaps he was just restless.

Sir Humphrey

If the minister's restless, he can feed the ducks in St James's Park!

Bernard

Yes, Sir Humphrey.

Sir Humphrey

Tell me who the minister's talking to.

Bernard

Well, surely the minister can talk to anyone?

Sir Humphrey

Bernard... I'm in the middle of writing your annual report. Now, it is not a responsibility that either of us would wish me to discharge whilst I am in a bad temper. Who's the minister talking to?

Bernard

Perhaps you could help me. I can see that you should know if he calls on an outsider. I fail to see why you should be informed if he just wants to, to take a hypothetical example, to check a point with... Dr Cartwright...

Sir Humphrey

Thank you, Bernard. Must fly.

Bernard

Room 4017.

Sir Humphrey

I know!