Part 15 (2/2)

_Jones._ Now, how a fellow can enjoy a piece like that, I cannot understand. It is full of murders, from the rise to the fall of the curtain.

_Brown._ Yes--but Robinson likes that sort of thing. You will see by-and-by how the plot will affect him. It is rather jumpy, especially at the end, when the severed head tells the story of the murder to the a.s.sistant executioner. I would not see it again on any account.

_Jones._ No--it sent my maiden aunt in hysterics. However, it has the merit of being short. (_Applause._) Ah, there it's over! Let's see how Robinson likes it. That _tableau_ at the end, of the starving-coastguardsman expiring under the rack, is perfectly awful!

(_Enter Robinson, staggering in._) Why, my boy, what's the matter?

_Brown._ You do look scared! Have something to drink? That will set it all to-rights!

_Robinson_ (_with his eyes protruding from his head, from horror_).

Help, help! help! (_After a long shudder._) Brandy! Brandy!! Brandy!!!

[_At all the places at the bar there is a general demand for alcohol._

_Brown._ Yes. Irving was right; soda-water does very well for Shakspeare's histories, but when you come to a piece like _The Bells_, you require supporting.

[_Curtain and moral._

[Ill.u.s.tration: _Manager of ”Freak” Show._ ”Have I got a vacancy for a giant? Why, you don't look five feet!”

_Candidate._ ”Yes, that's just it. I'm the smallest giant on record!”]

[Ill.u.s.tration: AN IRRESISTIBLE APPEAL.--_Mrs. Blokey_ (_who has called with a letter of introduction on Mr. Roscius Lamborn, the famous actor and manager_). ”And I've brought you my son, who's breakin' his mother's 'art, Mr. Lamborn! He insists on givin' up the city and goin' on the stage--and his father an alderman and 'im in his father's business, and all the family thought of so 'ighly in Clapham! It's a _great grief_ to us, _I a.s.sure_ you, Mr. Lamborn! Oh! if you could only dissuade 'im! But it's too late for that, I'm afraid, so p'raps you wouldn't mind givin'

him a leadin' part in your next piece!”]

[Ill.u.s.tration: WHAT OUR DRAMATIST HAS TO PUT UP WITH.--_His Wife_ (_reading a Sunday paper_). ”_A propos of Hamlet_, they say here that you and Shakspeare represent the very opposite poles of the dramatic art!”

_He._ ”Ah! that's a nasty one for Shakspeare!”]

[Ill.u.s.tration: OVERHEARD OUTSIDE A THEATRE

”Yah! Waitin' ter see der _kids_ play!”]

[Ill.u.s.tration: _Actor_ (_excitedly_). ”For _two_ long _years_ have I----”

_A Voice from above._ ”So you 'ave, guv'nor!”]

[Ill.u.s.tration: STUDY

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