Volume Ii Part 8 (1/2)

CHAPTER VII.

DIPLOMATIC f.a.n.n.y.

The audience filed slowly out of the theatre, discussing the unexpected and unprecedented climax with a certain hushed animation. Many of those who had been the noisiest veered round to the side of the unfortunate author, and were truly ashamed of themselves for so cruelly baiting a man who was down, while a few of the severest judges endeavoured unsuccessfully to stem the tide of sympathy which the novel speech had set flowing. ”What have we to do with feelings?” they asked. ”What have we to do with a man's private circ.u.mstances? We come here to pa.s.s a verdict, and we pa.s.s it. If it is favourable, the author gets the benefit of it; if unfavourable, he must bear the brunt.” These stern ones, however, were in a decided minority, and failed to make converts; despite of which the general opinion was that this had been a first night upon which it was worth while to be present. ”I wouldn't have missed it for anything,” was said by friends and foes.

This was not the kind of sentiment which animated Mrs. Lethbridge and her party; their hearts were filled with pity for Mr. Linton, and Aunt Leth experienced something like horror at the behaviour of the audience.

Her thoughts travelled to the humble home which the author had pictured, to the anxious wife and the sick child. Tears flooded her eyes, and she could scarcely see the beloved forms which pressed around her.

”The crush is over now,” said Fred Cornwall; ”we shall be able to get out in comfort.”

At this moment Bob appeared, having made haste to dress and join his family, according to previous arrangement. He was in a fever of excitement, and full of the eventful night. ”Everybody is talking of it behind the scenes,” he said. ”Such a thing has never occurred before, and there is no telling what will be the result. Opinions are divided.

Some of the actors say the dramatic critics are much too wide-awake to be taken in by such a trick; others say that after Mr. Linton's speech they can scarcely pitch into the piece.” And then Bob added, rather proudly, ”I did what _I_ could to save it.”

”That you did,” said f.a.n.n.y enthusiastically. ”You acted beautifully.

Didn't the manager praise you?”

”Well, no,” replied Bob; ”but then he had so many other things to think of. At all events, my first appearance on the stage is not likely to be forgotten. It is a great night.”

”A great night!” sighed Mrs. Lethbridge. ”Mr. Linton has gone home, I suppose?”

”I don't know,” said Bob. ”Mr. Kiss is in a dreadful way about him. A few minutes after Mr. Linton ran out of the theatre Mr. Kiss ran after him; he changed his dress in no time, and as it was, he ran off with his 'make-up' on his face.”

Mr. Lethbridge observed his wife's agitation and distress, and he beckoned Bob aside.

”Do you know where Mr. Linton lives?” he asked.

”Yes,” replied Bob. ”He sent me to his rooms one day, before rehearsal commenced, for an alteration in a scene he had left behind him.”

He gave his father the address; they were now in the lobby of the theatre. Mr. Lethbridge told Bob to go for a couple of four-wheelers.

”I'll go with you,” said Fred Cornwall, and then he turned to Mr.

Lethbridge. ”Will not one cab do? We can all squeeze into it.”

He was rather afraid that Mr. Lethbridge did not intend that he should accompany them home to Camden Town.

”No,” said Mr. Lethbridge. ”We must have two. You and Bob can see the girls home. My wife and I are going another way.”

Fred looked at him, and understood. ”Come along, Bob,” he said.

Then Mr. Lethbridge turned to his wife: ”You and I will go and see if we can do anything for Mrs. Linton. Bob has given me the address.”

Mrs. Lethbridge pressed her husband's hand; she was deeply grateful, but it was no surprise to her that he had antic.i.p.ated and furthered the wish of her heart. Had he not done so on innumerable occasions in the course of their wedded life?

”May we come with you?” asked f.a.n.n.y.

”No, my dear,” said her father; ”the fewer the better. We must do nothing that will look like impertinent intrusion. Your mother is an old woman, and may take the liberty. While she is with Mrs. Linton I shall remain outside in the street.”

”My mother is not an old woman,” said f.a.n.n.y, in tender reproof. ”She is an angel of goodness, and so are you, papa.”

Uncle Leth smiled rather sadly, but he had no time to contradict f.a.n.n.y, because there were Fred and Bob, with the announcement that the cabs were waiting.

”We shall get home as soon as possible,” said Mr. Lethbridge, as he and his wife took their seats in their cab.