Second Mem. Oh, yes—­if he would play it.  A Policeman who dies by cutting his throat in Scene 1.  Not the sort of part he usually selects, but capital.

First Mem. It is not for Mr. IRVING to pick and choose, it is the cause of Art we serve.

Second Mem. Well, yes.  We might telephone and learn his views on the subject.

    [Subordinate takes instructions.

Manager.  All right!  Ah, here we have the piece!  Rather long, but the parts seem mild enough.  Who’s to do this soldier—­a sort of heavy dragoon, with a cold, who dies in the First Scene of the Second Act?

Second Mem. Oh, anybody!  KENDAL or FARREN; or if they can’t, then HARE or LIONEL BROUGH.

Manager.  But do you think they will like it?  You see they each have their line, and—­

First Mem. In the cause of Art they will be prepared to do anything.  At least, they ought to be.

Manager.  Well, we will telephone to them too. (Subordinate takes further instructions.) And now, how about the Ladies?

Second Mem. Oh, there are a lot of school-girls, and a woman who dies by degrees of general paralysis.  The girls, of course will be all right with—­say, Miss EMERY, Miss LINDEN, Miss ALMA MURRAY, and Mrs. KENDAL.  But we want two people to play the woman.  First Act, Miss ELLEN TERRY; second and third, Miss GENEVIEVE WARD.  To be properly played, both should be in it.

Manager.  But how will that do?  I do not think that Miss TERRY will care to—­

First Mem. Nonsense!  She is a most charming person, and will do anything in the cause of Art.

Subordinate (returning from telephone).  Beg pardon, Gentlemen, but Messrs. KENDAL, FARREN, BROUGH and HARE say they are very sorry, but they are not at home; and Mr. IRVING presents his compliments, and would be delighted to do what we wish, but he fears he will be otherwise engaged.  However, he says you have his sympathy, and his heart goes out to you. [Exit.

Manager.  Well, what shall we do?

Second Mem. Oh, there’s VEZIN, and TERRIS, and PAULTON, and a heap more!

Subordinate (returning).  Just heard from the Ladies, Gentlemen, and they send their kindest regards, but they are out too!

Acting Manager (entering).  Well, how about the performance?

Members of the Council (together).  Oh, it’s nearly arranged!

Acting Man. Well, if I might suggest, as a person of considerable experience, it doesn’t matter a jot whether you get a company together or not.

Members (as before).  Why?

Acting Man. Because you won’t get an audience!

    [Scene closes in upon farther consultation.

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