"Excuse me, sir," I said, "but I didn't see you laugh once!'
"No," he answered, "and more did anyone else. When I laugh, I laugh
inside, boy, not outside. So do most wise men. Now be off; and when you
next play Shylock, let me know. If I'm alive, I'll come."
So I went, and we cheered old Black from the playground. He must have
heard us, but he didn't show up.
Certainly, taking one thing with another, there are many extraordinary
people in the world, and you may be surprised at any moment. No doubt
it was one of those cases of coming to scoff and remaining to pray that
you hear about, but don't often actually see.