THE READING OF THE NEW PLAY.
It was the merriest tea-party imaginable; and Aunt Leth's mind was at
ease, in consequence of the time which had been afforded her to make
suitable preparations for so eminent a guest as the dramatic author. In
pouring out the tea, she helped him last, saying gaily,
"The first of the coffee, Mr. Linton, the last of the tea."
"A good homely saying," he observed. "I used to hear it from my mother.
Though, really, I do not deserve such attention."
"Don't believe him, Aunt Leth," said Kiss. "Your dramatic author is as
fond of the best as any common mortal."
The idea of comparing a dramatic author to a common mortal was
certainly not to be lightly accepted by the young folk round the
tea-table, who regarded Mr. Linton as a being far above and removed
from the general run of people. It was to them almost a surprise that
he spoke and ate in exactly the same way as their other acquaintances;
and out of the depths of their admiration, everything he did seemed to
be invested with a certain superiority which raised him above his
fellows. They cast timid and covert looks upon him, and noted his
movements, so as to be able to give a faithful description of him,
by-and-by, to their friends. It was fortunate for him that their
observance was not too obtrusive, or it might have spoilt his appetite.
As it was, he made an excellent tea, and tucked away the bread and
butter and ham and eggs with a zest which delighted Aunt Leth. He
declared that he had never tasted such tea, nor such eggs, nor such
bacon, nor such bread and butter, nor such gooseberry jam; and, if
appearances were to be trusted, and there was any value in words, never
did mortal enjoy himself more than this poor author, who had been
lifted from despair by the generous kindness of Uncle Leth. Kiss had
imparted, hastily and confidentially, to Aunt Leth some particulars of
Mr. Linton's circumstances, and had found time to descant upon his
friend's virtues as a domestic man, of his love for his wife and
children, and of his brave struggles against fortune. Aunt Leth's heart
went out to Mr. Linton, and she said how proud she would be if he would
bring his wife and little ones to see them. He replied that the honour
would be on his side; but that, with his hostess's permission, he would
wait until his new piece was produced at the Star Theatre. This
temporizing reply was dictated by his sensitive spirit. He and his wife
lived in two rooms, in a not very distinguished neighbourhood, and he
was afraid of a return visit and its consequent humiliation. When his
play was produced he would be able to remove to better quarters, and
his wife would buy a new dress; then the acquaintanceship with this
charming family could commence, and he would be in a position to return
their hospitality.
"A new play!" exclaimed Aunt Leth. "Do you appear in it, Mr. Kiss?"
"Yes," said Kiss. "We hope to see you in the theatre on the first
night. Uncle Leth has promised to supply each of you with a big stick,
so that you may lead the applause."
"But there will be no getting in," said Aunt Leth.
"Linton will reserve a private box for you," said Kiss.
Eager heads turned to the poor author, eager eyes gazed at him.
"Madam," said Mr. Linton, "I shall be honoured if you will accept it.
If you do not, I feel that my play will meet with failure."
"You are very good," said Aunt Leth. "We have never been to a first
night, and have read so much about them. I am sure your play will be a
great success; there can be no doubt of that."
The thoughts of Fanny and Phoebe instantly flew to the question of
dress. A private box on a first night! An event to be always
remembered, especially with a play which was certain to be the talk of
the town. It must be properly honoured.
"Mr. Linton has the manuscript of the play with him," said Kiss, "and
if you have nothing better to occupy your time to-night I propose to
read it to you, in order that you may form an opinion of it. What do
you say?"
What did they say?--there was a question! If they had nothing better to
occupy their time?--what _could_ be better? Why, the girls would be
ready to throw over even a dance for such a treat! They glowed with
excitement, and Mr. Lethbridge, looking round upon the happy faces, was
glad to think that he had signed the bill which Kiss had in his pocket
at that moment, and which to-morrow would be in the possession of
Jeremiah Pamflett.
"There's an audience for you," said Kiss to the author, pointing to the
young people.
"A good augury," said the proud author. "I feel more hopeful than I
have done for a long time past."
The females of the party presently left in a body to prepare the
drawing-room for the promised reading, and then it was that Phoebe said
to Aunt Leth:
"Oh, Aunt Leth, I have something to say, and I'm in that state of
excitement that I'd better say it at once, before I forget it. Next
Saturday is my birthday, you know."
"Yes, dear, I know," said Aunt Leth, giving the young girl a tender
caress; "and we shall keep it up by a little dance at home here. I
intended to speak to you about it to-night before you went to bed."
"You are so good to me, dear aunt," said Phoebe, "that I don't know how
ever I can repay you. It would, I think, be impossible, whatever it
might be in my power to do."
"My dear child," said Aunt Leth, "don't talk of repayment. You are as
one of our own. What we do comes from our hearts. So you will manage to
come here early on Saturday, and remain till Tuesday or Wednesday."
"No, aunt," said Phoebe, with many kisses, "I can't do that. You must
all come to me."
"To you, dear! Where?"
"To Parksides, aunt."
Aunt Leth looked grave. "Have you your father's permission, Phoebe?"
"Yes, aunt; he gave it willingly. I don't mean to say it was his idea;
it was mine, and he consented at once when I asked him. I can only ask
you to a poor little tea," said Phoebe, her lips slightly trembling,
"but I hope you won't mind. I should so like it! Uncle Leth and Fanny
and Bob have never been to Parksides, and though I can't give them a
grand entertainment, I don't think it will make any difference."
"Nothing can make any difference in our love for you, my dear."
"Then you _will_ come, all of you!"
"Yes, dear, we will come, because I see it will be a pleasure to you,
and that will make it a pleasure to us."
Aunt Leth pressed her hand fondly over the young girl's head, and just
for one moment there were tears in both their eyes; but they were
instantly dried, and with a smile and a kiss they busied themselves
preparing for the reading of the play. These were soon completed, and
the gentlemen were called in.
"Capital! capital!" exclaimed Kiss, as he contemplated the
arrangements--the lights on the table, the chairs ranged round, the
place of honour for himself so disposed that he could either sit or
stand. "As good as a green-room, Linton."
"A great deal better," said the author, thinking of the various vain
interests comprised in a company of actors, each listening to the lines
of the character he was to play, and calling the piece good or bad
according to the strength or weakness of that special part of it. He
took his manuscript from his pocket and handed it to Kiss. The actor
gazed with calm and impressive dignity at his audience. His movements
were few and quiet and stately. He knew the value of repose. He was in
his glory, master of the situation, and equal to the occasion. He
opened the manuscript and was about to commence, when a diversion
occurred. There was a sound at the door as of some person outside. Aunt
Leth went to the door, opened it, glided into the passage, and
returned.
"It is our servant," she whispered to Kiss. "She has heard of the
reading, and implores to be allowed to be present. She is a very good
girl. May she?"
"By all means," said Kiss. "A theatre is a packet of all sorts. Admit
her."
In came 'Melia Jane, who, with awe on her features, seated herself at
the back of the room, and fixed her eyes upon Kiss, who was to her a
greater than Jove.
Then Kiss commenced in earnest, and quickly held his audience in
thrall. He moved them to tears; he moved them to laughter. He so
individualized each character, male and female, that there was no
difficulty in following the course of the story. It contained tender
and comic episodes, to which he gave full and distinctive weight,
"bringing down the house," as he afterwards said, again and again.
There was a song in the play, which he rendered amidst great applause;
and as the author heard it, and saw the delighted appreciation of the
little company, he hugged himself, as it were, and whispered inly: "It
must be a success. It cannot, cannot fail!" Although the reading
occupied two hours, there was not the least sign of weariness; and when
it was finished, author and actor were overwhelmed with
congratulations. As for 'Melia Jane, she so laughed, and cried, and
clapped her hands, and stamped her feet, that the happy author, poor as
he was, slyly slipped a shilling into her hand.
"It is," said Uncle Leth, "the very finest play that was ever written."
Upon this they were all agreed; and everyone prophesied a glorious
success. Incidentally, Aunt Leth remarked, "And how beautifully you
sang that song, Mr. Kiss."
"Did I?" said Kiss. "Shall I sing you another?"
The proposal was received with clapping of hands; and Kiss sang "Tom
Bowline" with such tender effect that he was called upon for another.
"No," he said; "ask Linton. He knows a splendid song in another vein.
Sing 'Little Billee,' Linton."
In the joy of his heart Mr. Linton could not refuse, and he began to
sing Thackeray's "astonishing piece of nonsense." He had a thin
quavering voice which suited the air; but somehow or other the song was
not a success with this particular audience. Upon 'Melia Jane the
effect was alarming. When the singer came to the lines,
"There's little Bill is young and tender,
We're old and tough, so let's eat he,"
she slowly rose from her chair, with horror depicted on her face. The
singer went on:
"'O Bill, we're going to kill and eat you,
So undo the collar of your chemie.'
"When Bill received this infumation
He used his pocket-handkerchie.
"'O let me say my catechism,
As my poor mammy taught to me!'"
Here 'Melia Jane burst out blubbering so violently that she had to be
conducted from the room. Mr. Linton concluded the song, however; but
the applause which attended his effort was rather faint, and Kiss found
it necessary to explain that the lines were really only nonsense lines.
He himself soon restored the equilibrium by a sweet rendering of "Sally
in our Alley"; and then followed other songs, by Phoebe and Fanny, and
an old-fashioned duet by Aunt and Uncle Leth. Then there was a little
bit of supper, at which Uncle Leth proposed the toast of "Success to
Mr. Linton's delightful play," to which the author responded in feeling
terms, and spoke of the happy evening he had spent. After actor and
author were gone, Phoebe and the Lethbridges stopped up for an hour
talking over the incidents of this remarkable night; but Uncle Leth
said nothing of the bill for three hundred pounds to which he had put
his name.