My first thought was--what had I done? But as I hadn't had any row with
old Black for two terms, my "withers were unwrung," and I went; and he
took me into his study, and handed me a bit of pink paper with writing
on it.
"What's this, sir?" I asked.
"A cheque for the Red Cross," he answered. "A cheque for twenty guineas,
to add to the money from your performance last night."
He was scowling all the time, mind you, and looking as if he hated the
show.
"I'm sure it's very sporting of you, sir," I said to old Black.
"Not in the least," he replied. "I laughed more last night than I have
laughed for fifty years. And I only paid half a crown--much too little
for what I got."