“The idea was mine. Of course the property man and Mr. Kennedy worked it out for me. I should not have been able to do it alone.”
“Humph! Little they did. They wouldn’t have thought of it in a thousand years. Performers usually are too well satisfied with themselves to think there’s anything worthwhile except what they’ve been doing since they came out of knickerbockers. How’d you get the idea?”
“I don’t know—it just came to me.”
“Then keep on thinking. That act is worth real money to any show. How much did I say I’d pay you?”
“Ten dollars a week, sir.”
“Humph! I made a mistake. I won’t give you ten.”
Phil looked solemn.
“I’ll give you twenty. I’d give you more, but it might spoil you. Get out of here and go buy yourself a coat.”
CHAPTER XVI.
HIS FIRST SETBACK
“Tha—thank—”