“Thank you,” said the clergyman; “where shall I find him?”
“Here he comes, sir.”
At that moment a gentleman came up the stairs in full evening dress, and with very handsome diamond studs. The clergyman told the doctor that he noticed everything, all being so new and strange to him.
The man took the clergyman’s card, and showed it to the gentleman in full dress, and said, “Gentleman wants to be passed in.”
“Very sorry,” said the manager; “but we’ve no free list.”
“I think there is some mistake,” replied the clergyman. “I have no desire to see the performance. I want a few moments’ private conversation with Mr. Frank Leighton.”
The manager stared. “Oh!” he said. “But, my dear sir, how do you propose to converse with him privately this way? You can’t shout at him from the dress circle.”
“I know nothing of theatres. Is not this the stage door?”
“Oh, you thought this was the stage door. I see. Simmons!”
A commissionaire in uniform stepped forward.