“Mr. Potter,” said Canby hotly, “will you tell me what's the matter with my play? Haven't I made every change you suggested? Haven't—”

Potter tossed his arms above his head and flung himself full length upon the chaise lounge.

“STOP it!” he shouted. “I won't be pestered. I won't! Nothing's the matter with your play!”

“Then what—”

Potter swung himself round to a sitting position and hammered with his open palm upon his knee for emphasis: “Nothing's the matter with it, I tell you! I simply won't play it!”

“Why not?”

“I simply won't play it! I don't like it!”

The playwright dropped into a chair, open-mouthed. “Will you tell me why you ever accepted it?”

“I don't like any play! I hate 'em all! I'm through with 'em all! I'm through with the whole business! 'Show-business!' Faugh!”

Old Tinker regarded him thoughtfully, then inquired: “Gone back on it?”