I had been afraid until then to say a word about the play. But
then, Mr. Waldengarver looked up at us complacently, and said:

'Gentlemen, how did it seem to you, to go, in front?'

Herbert said from behind (at the same time poking me), 'capi-
tally.' So I said 'capitally.'

'How did you like my reading of the character, gentlemen?' said
Mr. Waldengarver, almost, if not quite, with patronage.

Herbert said from behind (again poking me), 'massive and con-
crete.' So I said boldly, as if I had originated it, and must beg to
insist upon it, 'massive and concrete.'

'I am glad to have your approbation, gentlemen,' said Mr. Wal-
dengarver, with an air of dignity, in spite of his being ground
against the wall at the time, and holding on by the seat of the
chair.

'But I'll tell you one thing, Mr. Waldengarver,' said the man
who was on his knees, 'in which you're out in your reading. Now
mind! I don't care who says contrary; I tell you so. You're out in
your reading of Hamlet when you get your legs in profile. The last
Hamlet as I dressed, made the same mistakes in his reading at re-
hearsal, till I got him to put a large red wafer on each of his shins,
and then at that rehearsal (which was the last) I went in front, sir,
to the back of the pit, and whenever his reading brought him into
profile, I called out "I don't see no wafers!" And at night his
reading was lovely.'

Mr. Waldengarver smiled at me, as much as to say 'a faithful
dependent--I overlook his folly'; and then said aloud, 'My view is
a little classic and thoughtful for them here; but they will improve,
they will improve.'

Herbert and I said together, Oh, no doubt they would improve.

'Did you observe, gentlemen,' said Mr. Waldengarver, 'that
there was a man in the gallery who endeavoured to cast derision on
the service--I mean, the representation?'

We basely replied that we rather thought we had noticed such a
man. I added, 'He was drunk, no doubt.'

'Oh dear no, sir,' said Mr. Wopsle, 'not drunk. His employer
would see to that, sir. His employer would not allow him to be
drunk.'

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