This struck Frank as very ludicrous. Merry believed the dissolution of the company must come on the following day, and so he was ready to play any sort of a practical joke. He resolved to have some sport at the Dutch lad’s expense.
To the astonishment of everybody, the theater filled surprisingly with spectators. Barnaby Haley rubbed his hands together with satisfaction and congratulated himself.
But the audience was there for sport, and they began almost as soon as the curtain went up to guy the players. As the play progressed, this “jollying” became more and more offensive and hard to bear.
Frank decided that, before the play was over, the audience would break out all together.
When the death scene came, Hans Dunnerwurst, arrayed in white robes, with wings attached to his shoulders, was crouching behind the couch on which “Little Eva” was supposed to be gasping her last.
Frank had arranged the tackle that was to hoist Hans, and he was waiting eagerly for the climax that was to come.
It came.
The footlights refused to grow dim, although a desperate attempt was made to lower them, and there was a hitch in the play.
At last, thoroughly desperate, Havener gave the signal for the men at the windlass to hoist away.
Something white rose swiftly into the air over the couch.