“It is a pleasure to try being funny before such an appreciative audience. But don’t you think it would be worth while to take turns in talking and not all talk at once?”
Whereupon all present answered together in different phrasings that it certainly would be worth while.
“Very good; then, Mrs. Vernon, it’s your turn.”
Mrs. Vernon promptly said that the voices of the children were music to her ears, and that this was an occasion on which children should be both seen and heard. And so substantially declared the three other happy mothers.
“Well, then, Francis?” adjured Compton.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” said Francis, rising and bowing, “I am going to tell you the story of my life.”
It was upon this declaration that the grown folks broke into laughter, whereat the little ones wondered where was the joke, anyhow!
“At the age of three years and a half I went into the moving-picture business. Since that time I have starred in five big productions, not counting this one. And the finest time I have had in all my life has been the time that Peggy and Pearl and Bobby have worked with me. In conclusion, I beg to state that I have been married five times.”
The amazed children joined the startled elders in applause and laughter.
“In moving pictures, I mean,” said Francis, and sat down, the orator of the day.