“Travelling expenses (company and scenery, excluding caravan), eighteen and ninepence. Drinks to Pressmen—one and sixpence——”
“Oh, not enough! No wonder——!”
“Net deficit, seven pounds sixteen and threepence, plus the salary of Bianca and me!”
“What! Why, you said salary of company, four pounds eight!”
“You don’t suppose I included ourselves with the check-taker!”
“You didn’t? Oh, my dear fellow,” said Tony sympathetically, “no wonder you’re down in the mouth. A wise manager always pays his salary before any other expense; then he’s always sure of a stand-by!”
“It isn’t the money that’s the worst,” Duke explained. “It’s the dreadful loneliness.”
“Why didn’t you stuff the house with paper and put up ‘Free List Absolutely Suspended’?”
“Easier said than done in a place where you don’t know a soul. Why, Bianca had a Benefit Night, and how many do you think were in the stalls? Two women and a boy.”
“I’ve known only the theatre cat——” began Tony cheerfully.