Part 4 (1/2)

Just then the taxicab stopped in front of a handsome building with a large gla.s.s door, which was opened for Rollo and his Uncle George by an old gentleman with white hair, whom Rollo thanked politely as he entered.

”Will you excuse me for a moment,” said Uncle George. ”I have to go upstairs to discuss a business matter with a friend of mine. He has some stock he wishes to dispose of, and I often take a little of it off his hands just before dinner.”

”Quite so,” said Rollo. ”I will await your convenience.”

During his uncle's absence Rollo strolled into a handsome room the walls of which were covered with books. In large chairs sat a number of gentlemen with books in their laps, as if they were reading, but Rollo was surprised to see that they were all fast asleep.

”What a beautiful room,” thought Rollo. ”I understand now why I yawn so over my lessons. All books must make people sleepy.”

One old gentleman was snoring loudly, so Rollo took a large card marked ”Silence” and placed it on his stomach, after which he went into another room to meet his uncle, who returned at that moment, looking brighter and more good-natured than ever. He brought with him the gentleman with whom he had been doing business.

”Rollo,” he said, ”this is my friend, Mr. Ross, who is going to dine and go to the theatre with us. He is a member of the old Shaker Colony.”

”Is it so?” said Rollo. ”There are a number of Shakers living near my home in the country. One of them has made several comforters for my mother.”

”Yes,” said Mr. Ross. ”And I have made a number of comforters for your uncle, have I not, George?”

”Indeed you have,” said Rollo's uncle, and together they walked upstairs to a splendid room, where they all dined together very merrily. Rollo stood for a moment beside his chair expecting that his Uncle George would ask a blessing, but Uncle George evidently forgot to do so and bade Rollo sit down and fall to, which he did.

”Have you been to the theatre, often, Rollo?” asked Mr. Ross, while they were eating dinner.

”No, not exactly,” replied Rollo. ”My mother took me to Boston two years ago, and I saw a very wonderful panorama of the battle of Gettysburg. But that is not exactly the theatre, is it?”

”Not exactly,” said Mr. Ross, ”though I am sure some of the plays in New York are much worse than any battle.”

”What play are we to see, Uncle George?” asked Rollo. ”Is it to be Shakespere?”

”No,” answered Uncle George. ”I hardly thought Shakespere would be lively enough. You see, Rollo, the plays in New York are divided into two groups. There are the very serious plays acted by great people which all the critics say are great successes. But unfortunately, no one goes to see them. Then there are the very silly comedies about people in bath-tubs, which the critics say are very low and wicked and which everyone flocks to see. That is the kind we are going to see.”

”How delightful!” said Rollo. ”I have never seen anyone in a bath-tub but myself.”

As soon as dinner was finished, Rollo and the two gentlemen drove in another cab to the theatre, which was on the main street of New York, called Broadway, because it is quite narrow and goes zigzag through the city. But Rollo was entranced with the brilliant electric lights, the flas.h.i.+ng signs and great rush of traffic.

[Ill.u.s.tration: ”Rollo, catching the spirit of the evening, joined merrily in the conversation”]

”Is it a celebration?” he asked.

”Yes,” said Uncle George. ”Broadway is always a celebration. But come; let us alight.”

Rollo greatly admired the interior of the theatre, which was at least five times larger than the Second Congregational Church, which he was accustomed to attend when at home. Just then to his surprise all the lights in the edifice went out.

”Oh dear,” said Rollo. ”Isn't that provoking.”

”Hush,” said the two gentlemen. ”The play is about to begin.”

At that moment an enormous curtain rose slowly, music filled the air from some hidden and mysterious source, and Rollo saw before him a picture more beautiful than anything he had ever seen before.

The name of the play which Uncle George had selected was ”Shaking the s.h.i.+mmy.”