“And then at the very end, you know,” went on the other, with ready enthusiasm, “when I come forward and say, ‘So, madam, we meet again—’”
“Don’t know when I’ve been more thrilled,” said Mr. Dobb; and turned to frown his disapproval of a slight hissing noise Mr. Lock was making behind his palm.
“Got a bit of a cold, sir,” explained Mr. Lock; and retired into his handkerchief for some moments.
“A wonderful performance, sir,” said Mr. Dobb, addressing the stranger again. “And that of your good lady, too—Miss Delafayne, I mean. Most—”
“Miss Delafayne is not my wife, sir. I appreciate the privilege of being her business manager, but as for being her husband—. In short, her temper! The artistic temperament, of course—the artistic temperament, but— As a matter of fact, Miss Delafayne is indeed Miss Delafayne—she is unmarried. However, you were kind enough to be talking of my humble talents—”
“And marvellous indeed they are!” declared Mr. Dobb. “And I’m glad to ’ave ’ad the chance, sir, of thanking you for the pleasure your performance give me. And I should be much honoured if you’d allow me to offer you some refreshment on the strength of it.”
Very graciously did the other permit Mr. Dobb to achieve this distinction, and Mr. Lock at once performed the necessary evolutions with a tray.
“Your very good ’ealth, Mr.—er—” said Mr. Dobb. “Let me see, what is it? I forgets the name, just for the minnit, but I remember the face. ’Oo could ever forget it, after ’aving seen it once—on the stage, I mean?”
“Bellaby,” declaimed the gentleman in a fine, rolling voice—“Marmaduke Bellaby, sir, at your service.”
Of the swift development that thereupon characterized the friendship thus began, it is unnecessary to write in detail. Suffice it to say that within thirty minutes Mr. Dobb was being addressed, with great frequency, as “laddie.” And, as a pendant to this, it may be added that, at an hour perilously close to that appointed for the raising of the curtain at the theatre, Mr. Bellaby hurriedly emerged from the portal of the “Royal William” and went up the road at a trot, already fumbling alarmedly among his tie and collar-stud and waistcoat buttons as he ran. A cordial invitation he had extended at the last moment to Mr. Dobb to witness the performance again that evening as a guest was refused, regretfully but very definitely, on the score of a previous engagement.