"In what way?" asked Caprice, elevating her eyebrows.
Mortimer explained in his slow voice as follows,--"I can write home to London and get successful plays with big reputations already made."
"Yes, and pay big prices for them."
"That may be," replied the manager imperturbably; "but if I give a good price I get a good article that is sure to recoup me for my outlay. I don't say that 'Faust Upset' isn't good, but at the same time it's an experiment. Australians don't like their own raw material."
"They never get the chance of seeing it," said Keith bitterly; "you of course look at it from a business point of view, as is only proper, but seeing that you draw all your money from Colonial pockets, why not give Colonial brains a chance?"
"Because Colonial brains don't pay, Colonial pockets do," said Mortimer coolly; "besides, I am giving you a chance, and that at considerable risk to myself. I will put on this burlesque in good style because Caprice is dead set on it; but business is business, and I can't afford to lose money on an untried production."
"Suppose it turns out a great success," said Ezra, "we, the authors, only make six pounds a week, while you take all the profits."
"Certainly," retorted Mortimer; "I've taken the risk."
"Then if we make a great success of this burlesque," said Keith, "you will give us better terms for the next thing we write?"
"Well, yes," said the manager, in a hesitating manner; "but, of course, though your position is improved, mine is still the same."