Part 47 (2/2)

He stood up in a sort of paroxys space:

”Speak more distinctly, please”

A fearful silence fell upon the whole theatre The rehearsal stopped

The building itself seeered Somebody had actually demanded that words should be uttered articulately!

Mr Marrier turned towards the intruder, as one deterularities

”Who's up theyah?”

”I am,” said Edward Henry ”And I want it to be clearly understood inan actor has to do is to make himself heard I daresay I'm devilish odd, but that's how I look at it”

”Whom do you mean, Mr Machin?” asked Marrier in a different tone

”I mean Miss Euclid of course Here I've spent heaven kno much on the acoustics of this theatre, and I can't make out a word she says I can hear all the others And this is the dress-rehearsal!”

”You allery,” said Mr Marrier, firallery seats away to- half the stalls away, but the gallery will be paid for”

Another silence

Said Rose Euclid, sharply, and Edward Henry caught every ith the most perfect distinctness:

”I' they can't make out what I say!

They actually write me letters about it! Why _should_ people e

Another silence

”Ring down the curtain,” said Mr Marrier in a thrilled voice

III

Shortly afterwards Mr Marrier caerial office, lit up nohere Edward Henry was dictating to his typewriter and hospital-nurse, who, having been caught in hat and jacket on the threshold, had been brought back and was tapping his words direct on to the machine

It was a reent Theatre was now in high spirits and good hu- on with that rehearsal?”

”Well, sir,” said Mr Marrier, ”I' on with it Miss Euclid refuses absolutely to proceed She's in her dressing-room”