Thomas marched on with an amazing gait, designed to be regal.
"They'll all laugh if you do it like that, Tom," complained Mr. Voysey.
"Beggar the man! And why for shouldn't they laugh?" asked Jack Head. "Thomas don't want to make 'em cry, do he? Ban't we all to be as funny as ever we can, reverend Masterman?"
"Yes," said Dennis. "In reason—in reason, Jack. But acting is one thing, and playing the fool is another."
"Oh, Lord! I thought they was the same," declared Vivian Baskerville. "Because if I've got to act the giant——"
"Order! order!" cried the clergyman. "We must get on. Don't be annoyed, Mr. Baskerville, I quite see your point; but it will all come right at rehearsal."
"You'll have to tell me how to act then," said Vivian. "How the mischief can a man pretend to be what he isn't? A giant——"
"You're as near being a live giant as you can be," declared Nathan. "You've only got to be yourself and you'll be all right."
"No," argued Jack Head. "If the man's himself, he's not funny, and nobody will laugh. I say——"
"You can show us what you mean when you come to your own part, Jack," said Dennis desperately. "Do get on, Gollop."