Liss hurriedly introduced Marjorie. Lancaster shook hands.
"I think we can find a place for you in the show," he said, regarding her with critical approval. "Can you sing?"
Marjorie, with a sudden and incongruous recollection of the harmonium at Netherby on Sunday afternoons, smiled, and replied that she could sing a little.
"Mr. Kay will try your voice after rehearsal. No previous experience, I suppose?"
"No."
"It doesn't matter. You had better sit and watch this rehearsal this morning, and try to learn our language. Baby, my dear, run along and get into your place."
Liss, who appeared to be the enfant gâté of the establishment, scampered away, and presently appeared among the chattering throng on the prompt side. Mr. Lancaster clapped his hands. There was silence.
"Now, ladies and gentlemen," he explained, "we are going to try the first new number in the Second Act—'Honolulu Lulu.' Places, please, and try to put some ginger in it this time! You come on laughing and chatting. Now—commence!" He clapped his hands again. "For pity's sake, everybody, desist! Gentlemen, gentlemen, remember that you are happy South Sea Islanders, without a care in the world—not welshers coming back from a dirty day at Kempton! Again, please! And ladies, don't come bolting on in that panic-stricken way. You aren't taking shelter from an air raid; you are young village belles, come to participate in the Annual Festival of the Sun! You are joyful! You are glad! You are going to sing about it! For the Lord's sake, smile! Phil, old man, the symphony once more, if you please! All come in at the end of six bars. La-la! La-la! La-la! Now, all together! No! no! no! no!" Mr. Lancaster clapped his hands and beat his breast alternately. "Ladies, ladies, ladies! Let me tell you, for the last time, that it is a human impossibility to sing with the mouth shut! It can't be done! For generations and centuries people have been trying to sing out of their noses, and their ears, and the back of their necks; but no one has ever succeeded yet. Open your little mouths! Open them wide! And keep them open, for the love of Mike!"
And so on, until a standard of approximate harmony was attained.
IV